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Trip Report
6 Day Girls Trip to Amalfi Coast in May: Pompeii, Capri, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi
6 days exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast.
EuropeItaly5 days / May 2025
Highs & Lows
A boat tour around Capri.
Capri and the Amalfi coast are expensive.
Itinerary Overview
Each year I take a girls' trip and this year we picked the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Coming from Philadelphia, it's an easy direct flight to Naples. The goal for the trip was to explore the beautiful area, learn the history, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, and eating great food with a scenic view.

Pompei Visiting the ancient city buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvious
We hired a guide for a 2 hour tour of the incredibly well preserved ancient city of Pompeii. Just about 30 minutes from Naples, this ancient city is certainly worth a visit. Buried under ash for approximately 1,500 years before it was discovered.

Capri Touring the island, boat tour, history
We left Pompeii and drove about 30 minutes to Sorrento, where we caught a quick 20-minute ferry to Capri. Our first morning on the island began with a two-hour guided tour, during which we learned about Capri’s rich history, strolled through lush gardens, and explored the charming main town.
In the afternoon, we took a short five-minute boat ride to the iconic beach club, La Fontelina. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch with breathtaking views—although it was a bit too chilly for a swim, relaxing by the water was still a highlight. If you’re heading back to the main square from here, be ready for a serious 15-minute uphill hike; the climb is steep but rewarding.
The next day, we took a taxi to Anacapri, on the other side of the island. There, we rode the chairlift up to the mountain’s summit for panoramic views (just a heads-up: morning fog can sometimes obscure the scenery). Afterwards, we visited Villa San Michele, a stunning villa perched high above Capri, built by a Swedish doctor and author. The villa boasts incredible views and a beautiful, tranquil garden. Anacapri is a small but bustling village—expect crowds in both Capri and Anacapri, especially with the influx of day-trippers. Staying overnight was a great decision; the island becomes much quieter and more magical in the evenings.
Later that afternoon, we chartered a boat for a four-hour tour around Capri. We visited the famous Blue Grotto—well worth the chaotic process of transferring to a smaller boat to enter the cave—and swam in the island’s dazzling blue waters. We even discovered a few secluded coves with hardly another boat in sight. The water was brisk at first, but quickly became tolerable. Exploring Capri by boat was an unforgettable experience and absolutely worth it.

Positano To explore the Amalfi Coast
We took a 30-minute ferry from Capri to Positano, a stunning vertical village that’s mostly pedestrian-only. Be ready for plenty of steep walks and stairs—Positano’s dramatic cliffs make for breathtaking views, but also a bit of a workout. During the day, the village is bustling with tourists. While there are spectacular vistas, gorgeous hotels, and excellent restaurants, you’ll also find plenty of souvenir shops and a lively beach scene.
For dinner, we reserved a table at the iconic Le Sirenuse hotel. The main restaurant was fully booked (even though I tried 30 days in advance!), so we opted for their other spot, Aldo. Sitting outside, we had the perfect vantage point for sunset views over Positano. The menu at Aldo is more casual, but the food was delicious and the service outstanding.
The next day, we hired a driver for a tour of the Amalfi Coast villages. Our first stop was Amalfi, where we spent about an hour exploring the beautifully preserved Cathedral of St. Andrew. Afterwards, we drove 30 minutes up into the hills to Ravello, perched about 1,200 feet above sea level. In Ravello, we wandered through the gardens of Villa Rufolo, which offer cinematic views of the coast. The villa even hosts classical music concerts on a stage overlooking the sea and gardens.
Ravello is noticeably quieter than Positano, with fewer souvenir shops and a more relaxed atmosphere. It would make a wonderful base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
I would consider staying in Ravello as it has fewer tourists, and then do a sunset dinner in Positano.
Restaurant recommendations?
Tomatoes, eggplant, pasta, seafood, pizza, and lemons! The food was very good at most places we ate. I strongly recommend that reservations made at least one month in advance. Here are some of the standouts:
Pompeii
Mercato Pompeiano: a small locals restaurant with excellent pasta and meats.
Capri
La Fontelina: The restaurant at the beach club was quite good. Try the eggplant parmesan and pasta with clams.
Vico Pizza and Wine: We planned for a more formal evening but as soon as we saw we needed to take the funicular back down to the marina, we decided a last minuteFun patio seating, good pizza, and selection of wine and cocktails. The fried squash blossoms, and pizza margarita were delicious.
Positano
Al Palazzo, located at the Hotel Murat: Pretty garden setting, high-quality food for a leisurely long lunch.
Aldo's, located at the hotel Le Sirenuse: We sat on the patio next to their formal restaurant and enjoyed a perfect view of Positano and the sunset. Efficient service, and a bar menu with lots of options to make a full dinner meal.
Next2: Located near the top of Positano (skip the 300 steps straight up through town and walk the road instead). Even locals enjoy this busy restaurant. Sit on the patio, which has walls covered with jasmine flowers.
Ravello
Terrazza Maraviglia, located at the Palozzo Avino hotel: We sat outside on the covered patio which had incredible views of the Amalfi Coast.
Tips you would give a friend?
Be prepared to walk a lot steep hills and steps.
Packing tips?
We dressed up for dinner / drinks (do not pack any heels, and make sure your shoes have a rubber sole as it can be slippery on the stone streets). Sneakers or comfortable shoes are a must for touring during the day. In May it got a touch chilly at night.
Transportation Tips?
We hired a car service for some of the transfers and took the ferry from Sorrento to Capri, then Capri to Positano. Many of the towns are pedestrian-only only so be prepared to walk. Capri also has a funicular that runs from the marina to the center of town. Taxis are very expensive, but the lines and wait for the bus on Capri was long so it was worth the time savings.
Any surprises?
Plan on expanding your budget. The Amalfi Coast and Capri hotels and restaurants are very, very expensive.
Booking details?
We hired travel advisor Kelli Radcliffe from Radcliffe Travel and she worked with Absolute Italy to organize the transfers, tours, hotel etc. We booked directly with Magia Boats for the Capri boat tour.
Lodging
Capri Tiberio Palace Excellent location- just a 5 minute walk from the main square in Capri. My room (#401) had incredible views, a large terrace, and a spacious closet and bathroom. The hotel will arrange for someone to meet you at the ferry terminal and have your bags transported to the hotel. To reach the hotel, we took a 5-minute ride on the funicular (free tickets given to us by the hotel) and then a short walk to the hotel through the pedestrian area. It was pretty smooth and easy, and it's a nice touch to have a staff member guide us.
Palazzo Murat Hotel This beautiful boutique hotel is perfectly located less than a 10-minute walk from the marina and just a few minutes from the church. My room (#25) was large, with a tub, shower, small deck with a perfect view of Positano, the church, and a peek of the Mediterranean. The staff was very friendly and offered a complimentary nightly sunset boat cruise. They also had porters to help with bags from the ferry. While it was expensive (all of Positano is expensive), I highly recommend staying at Palazzo Murat.