Praiano

In addition to its charm and the churches of San Gennaro and San Luca (the latter is home to a precious silver icon of St. Luke), Praiano is known for its beautiful coastline and beaches. The Marina di Praia beach, guarded by the historic Torre a Mare watchtower, has clear blue water perfect for diving and other water sports. Praiano’s other beach, La Gavitella, is one of the Amalfi Coast’s only west-facing beaches overlooking the Li Galli islets and the island of Capri, home of the famous Blue Grotto. The best way to visit Praiano is by booking a private boat tour from Sorrento or other nearby coastal towns.

• A private shuttle boat runs between Gavitella beach and both Marina di Praia and Positano’s Marina Grande, free for clients of the seaside restaurant on Gavitella.

• Don’t forget a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water to stave off Italy’s summer heat.

• Neither the town of Praiano nor its beaches are accessible to strollers or wheelchair users. Tour boat passengers must be agile enough to board and disembark the boat, so travelers with limited mobility should confirm accessibility before booking.

Praiano is located along Campania’s Amalfi Coast. To reach Praiano by land, you must take the train from Naples to Sorrento, then transfer to a SITA bus. Because this is the only public transportation available, most visitors arrive via boat tour.

Praiano, like all of the Amalfi Coast, is busiest during the summer months when the coastline teems with shore excursion crowds, and is closed for business during the low-season winter months. The best times to visit are spring and fall, when the weather is mild enough for a boat trip but the area is not yet overcrowded.

If you want to visit the Amalfi Coast but don’t love crowds, consider trips to the quieter villages. In addition to Praiano, the lesser-known Ravello on the cliff top or Minori and Maiori along the water boast all the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, but see far fewer visitors.