Summer is always the time where folks flock to Europe for vacation. And of course with tons of weddings taking place in the summer, many of those people are honeymooners. It doesn’t get more romantic than Italy and the Amalfi coast, so what better time to share a post about our Italian honeymoon in Positano!
First of all, I cannot believe it’s been nearly a year since our wedding and honeymoon last summer. On our honeymoon, we spent a week in the Maldives (read more about that here and here) and a week on the Amalfi coast, staying in Positano and Capri before heading up to Rome.
An Italian coastal town in the summer is one of the best and dreamiest places you’ll ever experience.
Sipping Prosecco on a sunbed under a brightly colored striped umbrella on the beach…does life get any better?
While we always try to see the key sights when we travel, we also like to find the things a little off the beaten path, so this post is dedicated to five of the best tips around for making the most of your Italian honeymoon or vacation to Positano.
Five Tips for Your Italian Honeymoon in Positano
Dine at La Tagliata
Ever wanted to relax in an Italian grandma’s kitchen and have her cook for you? Well this is pretty much that.
You arrive to no menu, and food and wine just keeps coming out of the kitchen.
La Tagliata is a hidden gem, and one of the most memorable meals of my life! My husband’s foodie boss, who also has family in Naples, told us about it.
For one, the setting is absolutely stunning. It’s set on the top of a cliff, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
This is a real Italian experience. It’s a family run trattoria with prix fixe dinner, where you just eat whatever “mama” and “papa” are cooking that day.
Much of the food is even grown right there on the property, and the family comes out of the kitchen throughout the meal to check on you.
They are completely accommodating of food allergies. As a Celiac diner, I had no problem eating just about everything; they even made me gluten free pasta, which was out of this world.
We feasted on antipasti, salads, bruschetta, pastas, steaks and veggies for 45 euros a person and had bottles and bottles of wine (also included in that price!) with free-flowing limoncello at the meal’s conclusion.
They have free pick up and drop off at many Positano hotels with their shuttle. Ours, Hotel Poseidon, was one of them.
If you’re headed to Positano, La Tagliata is a place not to be missed.
Shop the Look:
Dress: Anthropologie (similar) // Bag: KAYU // Hat: Brixton
Head to a beach club like Bagni D’Arienzo
We spent a full day lazily lounging in the sun at Bagni D’Arienzo, a beach club on Positano’s ‘secret beach.”
Beach clubs in Positano are a must. The public beaches get really crowded in the summer, with little amenities. Beach clubs like Bagni D’Arienzo are a perfect way to enjoy a beach day without the hassle at a minimal cost.
We chose Bagni D’Arienzo because it seemed a little quieter than others; it’s set back, secluded in a little cove with stunning views of the Positano cliffside. Even though it only takes about ten minutes to get there, it feels like you’re a worlds away.
They pick you up at the Positano pier (La Banchina) in their boat, shuttling you past the Bougainvillea-covered cliffs of the Amalfi coast and drop you off on the little pebble beach.
For 25 euros a person, we got transportation to the beach (only available to get to by boat), two sunbeds and an umbrella, towels, and access to their shower, changing room and bathroom (it is a little rustic!).
When you make your reservation, they’ll book you for lunch at their restaurant and come and grab you from the beach when it’s time. We had Caprese salad (my fav!) to start, followed by freshly grilled fish and pasta with more rosé.
They also offered liters of white wine and Prosecco where they add peaches in, which looked incredible.
We wanted to soak up every last bit of the sun, so we left around 5pm, but it was one of our favorite days in Italy.
Their boat shuttle runs every half hour from 10am to 1pm, and starts back up from the beach club to Positano at 3:45pm until late afternoon.
Other beach club options:
– Fornillo
Shop the Look:
Coverup: Show Me Your Mumu // Swimsuit: Calzedonia (similar style: top and bottom) (similar pattern: top and bottom) // Hat: Brixton
Drink House Wine and Limoncello always
This really applies to all over Italy. Always drink the house wine.
I first discovered this trick when living abroad and being really poor, but I have had some of the best wine of my life in a 10 euro carafe.
Now, when I talk to other travelers who’ve spent time in Italy, they say the exact same thing; there’s absolutely no reason to spend a lot of money on wine in Italy, The house wines at most trattorias are exquisite.
And you might think you don’t like Limoncello, but that’s just because you’ve probably never had the good stuff. I disliked Limoncello for many years for that exact reason.
But now, I’m absolutely obsessed. We made it a goal to have limoncello at every meal on our honeymoon… and I mean EVERY meal. Best decision yet.
The Amalfi coast is the spot for limoncello. Our favorite in Positano was at the restaurant at Hotel Eden Roc. It was the perfect mix of strong yet lemon-y and slightly sweet.
Also a lot of restaurants sell their limoncello, so don’t be afraid to ask if you find one you really like. We brought back several bottles for friends and family (and of course ourselves!).
Shop for…
Citrus-y ceramics, linen everything, lemon everything, brightly colored sundresses.
Positano is the perfect place to bring some of La Dolce Vita home with you.
Fun, bright printed sundresses and tops from Antica Sartoria were one of my favorite things that I brought home with me from Italy. This under $100 dress I bought legitimately gets confused for Dolce & Gabbana. This store is filled with stylish prints that scream the Italian designer.
Here I am wearing one of them in Rome.
Antica Sartoria– multiple locations
Via Amerigo Vespucci 1
Piazza Dei Mulini 1-3
Via Del Brigantino 11-13
One thing I very much regret NOT buying is some colorful ceramics. Citrus-y and seascape style plates, mugs, wine pitchers are available on just about corner.
Many of the shops will pack them up safely and ship them for you, so don’t be afraid to ask.
I was obsessed with this little wine pitcher from a restaurant we went to lunch at on our first day.
Here’s a few recommended shops:
Via Laurito, 49
Emporio della Ceramica
Via Cristoforo Colombo, 21
Buy linen products. There are shops lining just about every street filled with flowy linen products for both men and women.
Linomania
Via Pasitea, 199
Also, take home a pair of handmade sandals. I waited and got a pair on Capri, but there are tons of sandal makers who will custom make pairs of sandals for you.
You get to choose everything from the style to the straps and decorative add-ons.
Via del Saracino 8-10
Via Pasitea, 96
Eat lemon sorbet out of a lemon at Covo Dei Saraceni
The Amalfi coast is ALLLL about lemons. Lemon everything…lemons all around… I happen to be obsessed with all things lemon, so this was right up my alley.
There’s nothing more refreshing than a lemon sorbet after a long day at the beach.
Covo Dei Saraceni is the place to get it. It’s right off the pier and near Positano’s public beach.
AND they serve it in a lemon. Touristy…sure. But so so worth it.
Ciao!
Shop the Look:
Coverup: Show Me Your Mumu // Sunglasses: Diff Eyewear