4 Sunlit Escapes Along Southern Italy’s Beautiful Coast

There’s a certain kind of light that lives along Southern Italy’s coast — golden, timeless, and quietly intoxicating. It wraps itself around lemon trees, dances on the sea, and lingers in sun-faded piazzas long after the day is done. On this trip, we followed that sunlight from cliffs to coves, through four unforgettable escapes: Vico Equense, Sorrento, Positano, and Capri.

Whether you’re dreaming up your next summer adventure or looking for a more soulful way to explore the region, these coastal gems offer a perfect mix of charm, beauty, and the art of slowing down:

Vico Equense

Just before the Amalfi Coast officially begins, Vico Equense is the kind of place most travelers pass by — and that’s exactly why you will love  it. Quiet, authentic, and perched dramatically over the sea, this cliffside town became our perfect base for exploring the region.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Angioleri, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and truly couldn’t have chosen better. With sweeping views of the Bay of Naples, refined yet relaxed hospitality, and a peaceful location just outside the town center. Mornings began with coffee and that breathtaking view. In the evenings, we returned to aperitivo on the terrace and a great sleep afterwards.

The town offers easy train access to Naples, Sorrento, and Pompeii, but feels like its own little world. Even though the train station is just a short walk away from the property, the hotel actually offers a complimentary shuttle so that you don’t have to carry your bags somewhat uphill. The shuttle also gives service to the near by beach and the ferry port. Between visits to the local bakery and walks to the cliffside Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata, we found ourselves falling into a rhythm we really needed.

The town itself is compact, with a walkable historic center perched on the rocky hills. Narrow streets wind between pastel-colored buildings, a handful of shops, and charming cafés where you’ll always find a good coffee and a warm smile. While Vico Equense doesn’t offer the high-end boutiques or nightlife of neighboring towns, it’s rich in authenticity. It’s a place where you come for peace, good food, and connection — both with the land and the people.

Sorrento

Just 15 minutes from Vico Equense by train, Sorrento is a graceful mix of old-world charm and coastal glam. Think lemon-prints, grand hotels with sea-facing terraces, and artisan shops established into centuries-old stone streets.

Sorrento is the kind of place that makes you want to dress up for aperitivo, even if you’ve spent the whole day wandering in sandals. Perched high above the sea with views that stretch all the way to Vesuvius, it’s equal parts graceful and grounded — a gateway to the Amalfi Coast with its own distinct rhythm. The town is known for its citrus groves and cliffside hotels, where every terrace seems to come with a sunset.

We strolled through cobbled lanes lined with artisan leather shops, limoncello boutiques, and cafés that spill into sun-drenched piazzas. The historic center feels intimate yet buzzing, And the views? They follow you everywhere — from the elegant Villa Comunale gardens to the edges of quiet side streets where the sea peeks out unexpectedly.

Positano

About an hour away from Sorrento, we arrived in Positano, winding dramatically along the cliff’s edge while the sea shimmered far below. The views? Unreal. The turns? Hair-raising. The ride itself felt like an adventure before we even stepped off.

But what really hits you the moment you arrive is just how vertical Positano is. It's a town built into the cliffs, tumbling down toward the water in a maze of peach, blush, and sun-washed yellow buildings. And while every corner is a photo waiting to happen, but it’s also a hike. Think: stairs on stairs on stairs — winding alleyways that lead you up, down, and in circles. One thousand percent worth it? yes.

Instead, we explored at our leisure, wandering through Positano’s famous little alleyways where linen shops spill into the streets and the scent of citrus and sea air floats around every corner. The boutiques here are seriously elevated — think handcrafted sandals, soft cotton dresses in coastal whites and blues, curated resort wear, and jewelry that feels one-of-a-kind. Even the lemon-themed everything — candles, ceramics, limoncello — feels too pretty to pack.

We made our way to the beachfront at Spiaggia Grande, where striped umbrellas line the shore and tanned locals mix with day-trippers snapping selfies under wide-brimmed hats. There’s a glamorous ease here — people sipping spritzes at beachside cafes, waiters in crisp white shirts, sea views for days. The chic ambiance is real, and somehow everyone looks like they stepped straight off a postcard.

Just above the beach, we wandered into the peaceful parco around the Church of Saint Francis — a small, shaded spot with panoramic views and benches made for lingering. It’s a quiet moment of calm just above the bustle, and one of our favorite little discoveries in the town.

And then there are the doors. Tiny, charming, pastel-colored doors tucked into the walls of winding alleys, some with blooming vines overhead, others so small you wonder who they were made for. These little details make Positano feel enchanted, like a fairytale town that decided to set up shop on the side of a cliff.

The day flew by — one minute we were getting lost in an alleyway behind a linen shop, the next we were sipping aperol spritz at a shaded café terrace people watching . It’s easy to get lost here (literally and romantically), and honestly? That’s half the fun.

Would we visit Positano again? In a heartbeat. Would we stay overnight next time? Maybe — but only if there’s someone waiting at the bottom with a luggage cart and a chilled glass of prosecco.

Capri

Ah, Capri — arriving here is like stepping into the world of a vintage Italian film — one where everyone is effortlessly chic, the buildings seem to defy gravity, and even the lemons feel glamorous. We arrived by ferry from Vico Equense, gliding across the glittering sea with the moon in the horizon as the island’s limestone cliffs rose dramatically from the water like a scene straight out of a classic Italian film. 

As soon as we stepped off the boat, we were greeted by convertible taxis. Not just any convertibles — vintage-style, open-air beauties with colorful canopies, ready to whisk you away up the cliffside roads with wind in your hair and views that demand a deep breath. We caught glimpses of very good-looking Italian actors in dark sunglasses and tailored linen, just casually walking on the piazza.

We stayed overnight at La Residenza, a boutique hotel just behind the famed Piazzetta, where stylish people-watchers sip spritzes and toast the sunset like it’s a daily ritual (because it is). The hotel was a dream — airy, elegant, with views of the sea and a sense of calm just steps away from the buzz. From there, we did exactly what you should do in Capri: we slowed down.

Spritz in hand, sun on our skin, we wandered through the town’s cobblestone alleys lined with some of the most luxurious shops in the world — Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, you name it — all nestled in whitewashed villas framed by fuchsia bougainvillea. Even if you’re not there to shop, the window displays alone are worth the stroll. There’s a quiet elegance to everything here — stylish without trying too hard, expensive but never loud.

And the views… they are something else entirely. Capri is full of breathtaking lookout points, but don’t miss the Gardens of Augustus, where cascading flower beds meet endless blue sea, and the iconic Faraglioni rocks stand proudly in the distance. Whether you explore by foot or opt for a boat tour around the island, it’s hard to take a bad photo here.

If you’re feeling active, hike up to Villa Jovis, the ancient Roman palace of Emperor Tiberius. If you're feeling relaxed (hi, us), grab a seat with a view, order another Aperol Spritz, and marvel at how this island seems to suspend time.

Capri is a feeling. A mood. A beautiful pause between the busier corners of Italy. It’s where you go not to tick off sights, but to exist exquisitely — with the sea as your backdrop and no need to rush anything at all.