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Ciao Amalfi

LIFESTYLE · May 16, 2011

An Evening in Positano

Marina Grande Beach, PositanoWhen the weather is warm, I love the early evening hours on the Amalfi Coast. The tourists buses have all departed to head back to Sorrento and Naples, the beach umbrellas are closed and stacked up ready for the next day and the locals come out to enjoy an evening stroll through town. As the colors of the sky change from blue to shades of pink and the sun sinks behind the mountains, life slows back down to its regular pace. This is a time of day that I’ve not had the pleasure of enjoying in Positano. The ferry service usually ends late afternoon, and we rarely go to Positano at night given the drive from Amalfi, the parking challenges and the walk down to the center of town near the beach. In many ways, Positano feels so close and so far at the same time. It is a beautiful town with its own distinct feel and daily rhythm that I love experiencing.

So I jumped on the chance last weekend to accompany the Tour Guide to Positano for the evening where he had a quick guiding service. We left early to have plenty of time to find parking and enjoy the stroll down to the beach. The bright orange rows of umbrellas and sunbeds down on the Marina Grande beach are ready for the warm, sunny days ahead.

Walking down the narrow street to the beach, I noticed that the bougainvillea is already blooming brightly in Positano, while it hasn’t even started yet around Amalfi. Even though the locals always talk about how much warmer it is in Positano, I’m always surprised how the flowers bloom weeks earlier there even though it’s just down the coastline.

Bougainvillea in Positano

I stopped along the way to take a few photos of this vibrant shade of deep pink bougainvillea. I associate this color of bougainvillea with Positano and Capri since it seems like I don’t see it often around Amalfi. I think it’s simply spectacular! (And I’m not the only one … but you’ll find out more about that later this week.) Down by the beach, the hibiscus were blooming, and it really felt like summer had already arrived in Positano.

Hibiscus in Positano

We strolled through town a bit and then stopped for an aperitivo at a bar near the beach. Of course, I couldn’t resist my favorite – a prosecco!

Prosecco in Positano

I visit Positano most often during the day in the summer when it is crowded and busy. It was lovely to walk along the beach and savor the quiet evening and watch the colors change on the beach.

Positano Beach Cabin

We walked all the way to the other end of the Marina Grande beach where all we could hear was the sound the little waves crashing on the beach. The colors of the sunset, the beach umbrellas lined up in rows, the peace – this was the most beautiful I had ever seen Positano.

Beach Sunset in Positano

Sunset from Positano

Sunset Li Galli Islands

Before long those lucky travelers who were staying in one of the hotels in Positano began to come out and fill the streets and seaside restaurants. But it was time for us to make our way back up the stairs and head toward home. It was lovely to see this side of Positano, and I hope to be back to enjoy more evenings in Positano this summer!

Posted In: LIFESTYLE · Tagged: Amalfi Coast, Evening, Positano, summer, Sunset

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Comments

  1. anne says

    May 16, 2011 at 13:54

    Hi Laura , what an ideal opportunity to see Positano in a diffent light , and fab that you could accompany the tour guide.

    I cannot resist a Prosecco either .. I have got the taste for it now, especially since my trip:-)

    Have a lovely week, xox

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 18, 2011 at 20:48

      Ciao Anne! I hope we’ll have the chance one day to enjoy a prosecco and a nice chat together on the Amalfi Coast! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Gil says

    May 17, 2011 at 08:02

    Beautiful pictures and story1 It sure is better than the cold and rain here in the USA.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 18, 2011 at 20:47

      Ciao Gil! We had a big drop in temps here last Sunday, and it’s just starting to warm up again. Crazy spring weather everywhere!

      Reply
  3. Karen Martin says

    May 28, 2011 at 21:26

    Hi Laura,
    We are so excited to share all of these wonderful experiences!
    We have thoroughly enjoyed your posts on this site.
    We are anxiously awaiting our turn when we arrive for the entire summer on June 20th.
    Hope to catch up with you then
    Karen & Mat

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 5, 2011 at 10:36

      Ciao Karen & Mat! Wow … a whole summer on the Amalfi Coast … what a dream! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, and I’m very happy that you have enjoyed Ciao Amalfi. Feel free to drop me a line at ciao.amalfi@gmail.com and I’d be happy to meet up! Safe travels, Laura

      Reply
  4. Ryan says

    May 29, 2011 at 01:35

    Thanks for your insight into Positano. We have been fortunate enough to live in Napoli for almost 4 years, 6 years ago, and Positano was by far our favorite. We are so excited that we get to come back in February for at least 3 more years and I have already made reservations for a weekend in April 2012 to spend in Positano. Que Bella Vita!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 5, 2011 at 10:35

      Ciao Ryan! Wow … so happy that you’ll be coming back to Naples and visiting the Amalfi Coast! April is a wonderful time to be here … before the summer crowds. Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself! 🙂

      Reply

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Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

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