Pat523

We are going to Italy in August and want to visit the Amalfi Coast. I would like to stay in Amalfi but I am afraid when we want to go to Sorrento and Capri during the week we will have to travel each way on the coast highway which i understand is difficult and very crowded in the summer with tourist buses. Has anyone had this experience to offer suggestions?

Lifeman

You really have no choice in August other than to deal with the traffic if you want a land transfer. You can always get the ferries which ply along the coast between the major villages, they're a lot more relaxed way to travel.

As you want to go to Sorrento, Capri and Amalfi, I'd think about staying in Positano as it's more central for all three. I should point out though that it's nearly May and you might struggle to get accommodation this late in somewhere decent for August. I'd book without delay now.

Echnaton

I have been several times at the Amalfi Coast, but it would never come into my mind to go there in August. It will be very, very crowded - everywhere on the Amalfi Coast.

I personally like Amalfi town very much - it has a gorgeous Byzantine cathedral, a charming market, the old shipyards and is overall very charming.

In any case, I would take the boat to Capri with the splendid views of the coast.

Amalfi Coast's main attraction IS the coastal highway between Amalfi and San Pietro or even until Termini and around the Cape. However, it will be a nuisance in August with all those tourist buses negociating the narrow road and steep curves. Someone had the idea to rent scooters - an excellent advice IF you are familiar with riding motorbikes.

If you are driving yourself, be very, very patient. Be prepared to drive very slowly, stopping every few minutes. Relax and enjoy the scenery.

Given the situation, it does not matter where you stay on the coast. Amalfi has IMO most to offer, especially for evening strolls. It still has some life of its own. Positano has more the character of a former fishing village that had been converted into a high-end boutique shopping mall. And it is very steep. Sorrento is something in between. Capri is a shopping mall for cruise ship passengers who find there exactly the same array of shops as in Tokyo, New York, Cannes, Nice, Paris, Moscow and a hundred other places on earth. Never understood why people travel around the world to the beautiful island of Capri just to buy an Hermès shawl there (which could be bought in their hometown).

Steve_James

Hi Pat - In August there are several hydrofoils daily on the Amalfi-Sorrento route:

http://www.metrodelmare.com/orari-estate
(- see services MM2 & MM3)

For Amalfi-Capri ferry/hydroil services see:

http://www.capri.net/en/ship-timetable
(- in high season there are additional services)

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Pat523

Thank you for your replies; they were very helpful.