By mentioning the most beautiful lemons, we mean the three towns at the Amalfi Coast which attract most visitors. All are beautiful in their own way and differently crowded.
Why lemons? The region is famous for growing lemons and producing huge fruits.
“If life gives you lemons, make Limoncello!”
Thanks to its lemon affluence, the lemon business prospers. Definitely try the tasty Limoncello. We bought a bottle (cheaper in the local supermarkets than in tourist shops and cheaper than in Rome). And: Lemon ice cream! We ate a lot of it!
It’s rightly called the Divine Coast. We spent here one week and would love to have stayed longer. But our wallet suffered. It’s definitely not one of the cheapest regions in the world.
Booking a rental car?!
Good question: On the one hand, you are flexible, don’t have to wait for buses, and, mainly, you can drive farther. Trips to Procida or Cilento wouldn’t have been possible without; also we would have been too lazy to go up to Ravello.
On the other hand, the roads are narrow, the other drivers crazy and parking lots are rare and expensive.
Hotel de Rosa: Accommodation with parking lot
The decision for Hotel de Rosa in Maiori was a wise one. A parking lot was included and breakfast was rich. Rooms were large and clean. It is located close to the beach and the coast road but quiet. Staff was very helpful. Last but not least it was really cheap for this region (probably due to low season). Definitely worth a recommendation!
In case you decide for a rental car: Look for an accommodation with a parking lot and get along with high parking prices elsewhere.
Now we come to the lemons which you shouldn’t miss. As mentioned before, these are some of the most picturesque places in the world.
Amalfi
The town after which the coast was named. Nice beautiful center with cafeterias and restaurants. You should definitely visit the cathedral (at least from outside). We were there on a Saturday and it was extremely crowded and full of tourists. Furthermore it seemed like a meeting for elderly people (at least this day). We didn’t stay long therefore.
Come here on weekdays or you won’t enjoy it.
Positano
Maybe this is the place, where you will meet the most Americans outside the USA. Maybe there are even more in Rome, but it is really striking. Not even Asians can compete.
All in all, Positano is a beautiful but also expensive town. But we have to say, Americans spoil Italy because they pay high prices. That’s why everything has become more expensive in the last years. (poor stingy Germans…)
Well, besides that, they are very convenient. And even if not, Positano is very very beautiful. And often it’s the first thing having in mind, when talking about the Amalfi Coast.
Ravello
Famous and often neglected, as it is located off the coast in the hills. Without rental car, an exhausting hike or a bus ride.
From up there you enjoy wonderful views over the coast. The town itself is marvelous. Cafes and restaurants are everywhere in the historic centre. At noon in May, it wasn’t really full of people. It was not abandoned, but compared to Amalfi and Positano we felt somehow alone.
The Villa Cimbrone was especially beautiful. Entry fee was € 7. The garden is lovely and the views from the terrace with the famous busts give an impression what paradise could look like. We understood why it’s a popular, yet very expensive, wedding location.
Ravello is definitely an Amalfi dream!
