The stunning Amalfi coast town of Praiano is just 20 minutes from Positano, providing holidaymakers the perfect authentic Italian experience, without the throng of tourists.
It can be extremely tricky to pick out towns and villages to stay in that avoid large crowds, especially in popular tourist regions like the Amalfi coast.
Many spots in the region are heaving, with an estimated 5 million tourists visiting every year, numbers which peak during the summer season.
Enter, Praiano. With around 2,000 permanent residents the stunning cliffside town is situated just a short 20 minute drive away from the more popular Positano, but with no less charm.
The quiet fishing village may be sleepy, but is packed with the distinct local feeling and flavors that makes the Amalfi coast one of the most popular locations for British tourists every summer.
The town, once the holiday location of choice for 10th and 11th century Italian nobility, has a number of beautiful churches with architecture dating back thousands of years.
As you meander through the winding streets there’s numerous tributes to Saint Januarius, the patron saint of nearby Naples with the Parrocchia Di San Gennaro, with a charming, crumbling church and a large square overlooking the water, which serves as one of the central meeting points in the town.
A second prominent church, dedicated to San Domenico, is the main site of the yearly festival of Light, usually taking place in peak holiday season at the end of July and the beginning of August.
The festival is one of the most anticipated events in Praiano every year, with thousands of candles adorning the numerous squares every evening, and traditional music providing the perfect background setting.
But beyond its heritage and rich history, the main attraction of Praiano is its beaches.
The pebbly Marina di Praia, Praiano’s most popular beach, is positioned right next to the main town in a small rocky cove with a number of restaurants and bars situated around it. With half the beach lined with sun loungers and half kept free, this main town beach is safe for swimming and perfect for enjoying views of the bay.
However, crucially, due the position of the cliffs the beach only gets sunlight for the middle hours of the day which can make it extremely busy at peak times.
To the west, just a short walk from the main town, is Cala Gavitella, a small beach in a cove with its amazing west facing position making it the only beach on the Amalfi coast to have sun from sunrise to sunset.
One of the town’s most loved beaches, the concrete strip is reached by a walk down some steep steps after which you are rewarded with views of Positano and the island of Capri. La Gavitella, a restaurant situated on the beach, is one of the best reviewed restaurants in town with stunning views and a traditional menu.
The Amalfi coast culinary heritage is felt plentifully in Praiano with some of the best seafood, and traditionally Campainian, restaurants in the region. Visitors are encouraged to visit Ristorante Il Pino and Ristorante Costa Diva, amongst the best reviewed traditional restaurants in the town.
For the more adventurous Praiano is also the starting place of the ‘Path of the Gods,’ a 6 mile hike winding along the coast from Praiano to the village of Nocelle. The path, which can take from 3 and half to 5 hours to complete, is one of the most enjoyed trails for walkers in Italy.
Popular for centuries, the well beaten path takes in views of the mediterranean sea and the numerous small villages tucked away in the cliffside. The path represents one of the best activities for visitors, providing an opportunity to take in the serene surroundings of one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines.
How to get there
With Salerno and Naples airports both just over 20 miles away, and easily accessible by train, Praiano represents an easy option for Brits to get to with Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizz Air running flights to Naples for just over £50 return in September.
What travellers are saying
With glowing reviews of the town across the web one user on tripadvisor commented:
“We have ended 11 trips to Italy in Praiano and have loved every second of it. It is quieter and less expensive, but it has many great hotels and restaurants and the views are wonderful.”
Another commented: “Praiano has gorgeous views, good restaurants, a lower-key vibe, nice people, and it’s far less crowded during the tourist season than Positano.”