Tips for Enjoying the Amalfi Coast with Children

The natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast makes it challenging when visiting with young children. The beautiful seaside villages are nestled in valleys, located high in the mountains or seem to climb straight up the side of the towering cliff sides. Besides the stunning views, there is one more thing the Amalfi Coast is famous for. The steps. Navigating the seemingly endless staircases and steep walkways can be gruelling with strollers and other gear, and not to mention exhausting for little legs. Here are some tips to help ensure an enjoyable time for the whole family.

Prepare for the Stairs 
Stairs are inevitable when visiting the Amalfi Coast, and it’s best to come prepared. If you have an infant or young children, you’ll want to bring along other slings or carrying options in addition to the stroller, pram or pushchair. However, if you’ll be staying in the village of Amalfi, which is relatively flat, a stroller is perfect for enjoying a leisurely evening walk through town and along the waterfront. 

Research your Accommodations
One thing to keep in mind while looking for your perfect hotel on the Amalfi Coast is that not all of them will have a pool. If you’re travelling during the warm summer months, having a pool is a fabulous way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and let the kids have fun. This is especially important if your hotel is not located very near a beach.

Also, when researching and making your reservation, be sure to check how many stairs there are to reach the hotel and if there is an elevator. Many hotels are located in beautiful historic buildings, but they may require a number of stairs to arrive. This can make just leaving the hotel with a stroller and young children in tow quite the adventure.

Choose the Location Wisely
Tackling the Amalfi Coast with a car is not recommended. Finding parking is challenging and the costs are very high. Public transportation eliminates this problem, and the ferry and bus rides are a fun adventure for kids.

Amalfi is centrally located on the coastline, and is also conveniently the public SITA bus transfer point and a major port for ferries along the coastline and to the island of Capri. The majority of the hotels are located in the historic center of the village just a short walk from the beautiful beaches.

The village of Positano, also called “The Vertical City,” is a town of steps. If you plan to spend time on its pretty beaches, you’ll want to seek out a hotel near the water so you don’t have to haul all your beach gear up and down long flights of stairs.

Ravello is a peaceful village located high in the mountains on a relatively flat promontory. The large, traffic-free central piazza is fabulous for letting the little ones run and play alongside the local kids, who might be out kicking the soccer ball around or learning how to ride their bikes. Ravello also has two beautiful garden villas that are fun for the whole family to explore, especially the expansive gardens at the Villa Cimbrone.