Nocelle, Italy

1300+ feet above Positano, Italy lies Nocelle, a quaint mountain village characterized by some of the best views of the Amalfi Coast. It almost feels as if time stands still here. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by an Italian man operating a lemonade stand, setting the tone for your stay. It is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the noise of neighboring Positano, and to enjoy a lesser known part of the coast. Whether you are looking for a getaway accompanied by relaxing views, are searching for your next outdoor adventure, or are looking for a slice of Italian culture seemingly untouched by outside influences, Nocelle will have what you are looking for.

With Nocelle’s close proximity to Positano, there is no lack of activities to do and views to search for. In this article, I will be sharing some things to do in the immediate area, while also speaking of my personal experience about the time I spent in Nocelle!

Stretching through Nocelle is ‘Sentiero degli Dei’, also known as the Path of the Gods. This trail arguably has the best views of the Amalfi Coast, and is one of the most known trails along the coast. Nocelle is situated almost directly in the middle of the trail, and when visiting the village you will come into contact with many hikers making use of the main staircase in the town. Depending on where you start from, this hike can be made completely downhill, saving you the stress of hiking up the 1,800 stairs (500+ meter ascension). For the more experienced hiker, one may enjoy doing the hike in its entirety, which takes around two to four hours total, depending on your skill level and the amount of stops you make along the way (which will be many). Or, you have the option to both begin and end in Nocelle, shaving off a reasonable amount of time.

Whether you decide to hike down to Positano, or use the area’s bus system to get closer to sea level, there are plenty of beaches to throw your towel down on and soak up some sun at. The Amalfi Coast has some of the most picturesque beaches in all of Italy, and arguably some of the best in Europe all together. Backed by beautiful cliffs and fronted by crystal clear water, the beaches of the Amalfi Coast are one of the main attractions, if not the main one. If you are looking for a more private beach, Arienzo Beach Club may be the perfect spot for you. It won’t be filled with as many tourists as you may see at Positano’s main beach, which is excellent if huge crowds are what you are trying to avoid. If you don’t mind being in the more touristy areas, then Positano’s main beach ‘Positano Spiaggia’ may be your best bet. It is the longest stretch of beach in Positano and the centerpiece of the town’s coastline, giving it its well known reputation as a tourist hotspot. There you will be accompanied by rows of umbrellas situated along the water, with access to all the food in the area. You can enjoy a nice meal at sea level, hit the beach, and grab gelato to end your day. Does the Italian dream get better than that?

Nocelle is home to a plethora of Bed & Breakfasts, which offer an authentic Italian experience to whoever seeks one. Arriving at our Bed & Breakfast, we were greeted by a little old Italian man whose display of excitement to welcome new guests into his home immediately made us feel welcomed, and one could only expect great hospitality when welcomed with a greeting like that. Each morning, we enjoyed his Italian breakfast on the main balcony of the villa overlooking the sea. The crisp air filling my lungs, the silence of the mountains calming my senses, and the sound of roosters waking up the village for the day to come had me envisioning myself in a movie scene. After breakfast each day, I found myself wandering off and getting lost in random alleyways and streets, just exploring what the village had to offer. You could spend hours taking in the views and the silence of the village, with the advantage of having no one disturbing you as it is uncommon for people to go off the main staircase that runs through the village.

I spent most of my time here taking in the views, spending time in nature by hiking to Positano, and exploring the village. Besides being able to take one of the most scenic routes ever to the beach, my favorite part of this experience was admiring the beautiful architecture enhanced by its natural surroundings. I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures whenever I travel, so here I will display a few snapshots of what it looks like when you go astray from the main staircase in Nocelle. I will also include some other pictures from the surrounding area.

Overall, I’m very glad I was able to stumble upon this lesser-known gem of the highly popularized Amalfi Coast, it’s like getting the best of both worlds! With access to the beach by either bus or walking, and amazing mountain views, there is nothing short of fun and enjoyment here. Hopefully my recommendations inspire a future visit, and if so, be sure to respect the locals and their space!

*For more pictures click here*