Pretty Praiano and Solo in Positano
By Jen / May 11, 2021
Somehow I decided that 2 nights was going to be enough time for my Amalfi Coast experience. The fact that I came to this conclusion is beyond me. I don’t remember my thought process. Likely I was simply trying to fit too much in.
Sometimes it’s easy when you are planning and dreaming of your upcoming travels to overextend and underestimate to make the most of your time and see as much as you possibly can see.
There are certain destinations you only need a few days. Then, there are the others where you want to shake yourself for not planning more time. The Amalfi Coast is one of those destinations. For me, two nights was not nearly enough time to experience the Amalfi right. I say this a lot, I’ll just have to go back!
Praiano was my home base and it was perfect! No longer a hidden gem or looked over, it’s becoming much more visible and popular for travelers. Especially those on a budget. This quiet village offers magnificent advantages to neighboring Positano and Amalfi. I feel Praiano could even be a destination on its own and I think this is an amazing place to base yourself or even stay put for several days.
Follow along for more reasons why I think you should choose to stay in Praiano, a few tips on how to maximize your time, and what it is truly like to travel as a solo female in such a notoriously romantic destination as the Amalfi Coast.
Let’s go to the Praiano!
Why I loved Praiano
Praiano is noticeably less touristy than next door Positano. In my eyes this is a huge bonus.
Praiano has it’s own beach!
You can spend a lot less money and get more value in Praiano than other Amalfi towns, especially Positano. You can find amazing properties with water views for nearly 1/2 the price of Positano if you book in advance.
When I booked my day trip to Capri the boat company picked me up right at the Praiano pier. I could walk there from my Airbnb. Win!!
It is centrally located and easy to reach the bus which will take you all around the region.
Praiano has a small town feel that is super sweet yet still with the charm of an Amalfi town.
There is the most adorable walkway along the coast down to the pier and beach. Basically you will walk your way down to Il Pirata restaurant. Along the way take in the ceramic art set in the stone and if you can stop in the Paolo Sandulli art studio in the stone tower that you can’t miss.
There are restaurants and night clubs and beach clubs to enjoy right in Praiano.
If you only have 2-3 days there is honestly enough to do that you don’t even need to leave Praiano!
I mean……it is in the Amalfi Coast!
*Pro Tip: Book your accommodations as early as possible. The good ones goes fast! Seriously.
Positano is as amazing as it appears in photos like these! (I did take this one)
Solo female Amalfi Coast and Positano reality
Is Positano or the Amalfi Coast a good location for solo female travel? Hmmmmm….that’s a tricky one. I will say yes, of course, but it’s not as easy to travel solo here compared with other destinations. Here are two reasons why.
1. It’s expensive. To do it right you need money. It’s easier when you have more than 1 person and can share costs.
What do I mean by doing the Amalfi right? The beauty of the Amalfi is staying in luxury boutique hotels with Mediterranean views, sunset dining in amazing restaurants, Vespa riding, and doing anything and everything you can on a boat in the Mediterranean. This is what you come to the Amalfi for. You can certainly do these things as a solo female traveler. It’s just going to cost you a little money and truthfully would be more fun with friends and loved ones.
2.Positano is busy and touristy. Despite the fact I was sleeping in Praiano, I visited Positano both days I was there. The beach, restaurants, and streets were full of people even in mid-October. Which is fun energy, but weirdly, I felt more visibly alone especially in busy restaurants. If that makes sense. That is important for solo female travelers. Most of the restaurant settings were such a fun and/or romantic vibe I was very aware I was alone. Not always ideal for solo travel but it was still fun and I’d do it again.
Don’t get me wrong, despite being busy and touristy Positano is a wonderful place. Had I the budget to stay in accommodations with a view, if I wouldn’t have minded budgeting $100 per day to eat in the restaurants and planned for the fees to use the beach and beach clubs and book as many excursions as possible on the water I think it would make for an awesome weekend. That simply was not my reality. And probably not my style anyhow.
I loved visiting Positano and enjoying the vibe for a few hours and then heading back to my cute Praiano Airbnb. That worked for me and so it was a successful solo adventure!
Pro Tip: Avoid the weekend in the Amalfi Coast if you can. This is ideal to avoid the crowds. During the Summer months, this may not make much of a difference. It will be busy regardless.
Tips for Budgeting the Amalfi Coast
It is possible to do the Amalfi on a budget? You will miss out on some key experiences that make the Amalfi such the fun and special place it is. You might not do Amalfi, “right” but at least you got to go, right? It’ll still be awesome. It is best to budget properly rather than skimp by if at all possible. If you do decide to do the Amalfi on a budget (anything under $150 per day is budgeting) here are some tips for you.
Take public transportation everywhere. Taxis are ridiculously expensive and can be as much as a plane ticket. I’m not even kidding. When you are planning book accommodations that make using the busses and trains easy to get yourself around.
The Sita bus is a blessing and the biggest pain. It will get you around the area cheaply and easily. But, it can be crowded. More on this below.
Try to take a water taxi and ferry. If you don’t have the budget to take the small boat day trip to Capri, water taxis will get you on the water inexpensively. I took a water taxi from Amalfi to Salerno and it was a pleasant but short ride. An excellent way to get on the water if you are low on funds.
Don’t rent a car. The roads are so busy and the lanes are so tight I’m not sure driving would even be fun. Then you have to find parking….don’t even do it is my suggestion.
If you have 3 nights or less choose one location, stay there and take full advantage of that city rather than running around like crazy as I did every day. Which ultimately equates to spending money.
If you really want to save, stay in Sorrento and take a day trip to either Capri or Positano.
Or, stay in Praiano. Book your room with a view early and save a few dollars.
Book a property with breakfast included. Load up on a big meal to skip lunch Stop in a local market for fruit, coffee, breads, pastries, and snacks if you don’t have breakfast to tide you over until dinner. Snacks are good. Leftover pizza is good too!
Take advantage of your room with a view and enjoy an evening in with a DIY wine and cheese dinner.
Hike the Garden of the Gods instead of spending money in town.
Have a full beach day-spurge a little on a lounge chair or meal at the club but you will save a lot doing this as opposed to a day on a boat to Capri.
This was the veranda at my Airbnb that cost less than $90 UDS per night in Praiano. How sweet!
How much time should I spend in the Amalfi Coast?
How much is enough time in the Amalfi might you ask? I think 5 days is a perfect amount of time. This allows you to choose 3 cities to explore and allows for relaxation time taking in the Mediterranean views.
I saw Praiano, Positano and Capri. I brushed only the very surface of each town. I missed beautiful Ravello, Amalfi, and Sorrento (not technically the Amalfi Coast but still worth a visit) and had limited relaxation or time to absorb the 3 towns I was able to visit.
If you have only 2 nights I would choose one town and stay put. A day activity is possible but I wouldn’t recommend small bursts of time in more than 1-2 destinations in that short amount of time. First of all, the bus and traffic situation is crazy. You may wait for several busses before there is one with space for you. Once on the bus or even in a taxi, you contend with the traffic. I would rather spend more time with a glass of wine and a view and less time waiting for busses. Therefore, I think if you have a small amount of time choose 1-2 towns to explore only.
*Examples would be; Positano only, Praiano and Positano, Amalfi and Ravello or Sorrento and Capri, Positano and Capri, Praiano only. Catch my drift?
If you have 4-7 nights this opens up your options and offers time for many activities as well as enough time to spend a day at the beach or go for a long hike. You have time for Capri and you should not miss a day trip here. If you have 4 nights choose one location and take day trips as you please. If you have 7 nights it might be nice to split your time between two locations. Such as Praiano and Amalfi, Positano and Amalfi, Positano and Ravello or find yourself an amazing Airbnb with a pool and a view and spend your time leisurely taking in the sites and enjoying being “Home” in the Amalfi.
Pro Tip: I did stay in Salerno one night on my way to Matera. From what I saw, I can’t recommend Salerno for tourists. Most tourists don’t stop here but it is on a few lists. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see much to do.
Pro Tip: This is one of my best travel lessons for you. Give yourself time to savor destinations. You don’t always have to do and see EVERYTHING everywhere. I still struggle with this.
And there you have it! That is my Praiano/Amalfi Coast 2 days and 2 nights adventure. I hope some of my mishaps and suggestions will be helpful for your trip.
I’d love to know your favorite Amalfi locations for my next visit! If you have ever traveled solo to the Amalfi Coast do share your thoughts, please!
