Guide to Praiano: 15 things to do in Praiano, Amalfi Coast
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Here are all the best things to do in Praiano, Italy! Tucked between the famous towns of Amalfi and Positano, Praiano is the Amalfi Coast’s charming secret, offering a more tranquil piece of coastal life without the big crowds.
The name of the hillside village of Praiano translates as ‘the open sea’, and we spent several days exploring and enjoying everything here, from its iconic Chiesa di San Gennaro and the serene beach of Marina di Praia , to its legendary sunsets!
I hope you get to enjoy at least a couple of the experiences I’ve curated for you in this list. Read on to find the best things to do in Praiano, complete with photos, descriptions, and Google Maps locations. Happy travels!
1. See panoramic views from Piazza San Gennaro
Praiano is a village built on the slopes of a mountain, which means that there’s an abundance of scenic spots around the village offering panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast.
Hunting the best views was one of my favorite things to do in Praiano. But which place is the best? Well, there are a couple of spots worth a visit.
Piazza San Gennaro is definitely one of them. This square, decorated with beautiful mosaics of majolica tiles, is the most central location in Praiano and one of the most picture-perfect places in the area (link coming soon ) .
This is where life happens in this village!
The beautiful square is situated right in front of the iconic Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Gennaro church. It is a popular hangout place for locals and tourists alike.
But my favorite part of this square is that it offers panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast – you can easily see Positano and the rest of the coastline from here!
If you want to enjoy scenic views, this square is one of the best places to visit in Praiano, and it truly is one of the most beautiful places on the Amalfi Coast! (link coming soon )
Location: Piazza San Gennaro
2. Peek inside the beautiful San Gennaro church
While you’re there, I highly recommend peeking inside the beautiful yellow San Gennaro church! The visit is free, and the church is usually open during the day.
Built on the remains of an old 14th-century church, the building, as we see it today, was constructed and finished back in 1602.
The church stands out with its shining majolica dome covered with blue and yellow tiles, which represent the sun and the sea.
However, the true wonders can be found inside the church!
The main nave is beautifully made in a classic Baroque style and painted in yellow and while with green design elements. We spent a few minutes admiring the interior!
However, we were mostly admiring the floor, which was my favorite thing about this church, because it is covered with beautifully painted ceramic tiles. No surprise there! We are on the Amalfi Coast after all!
If the church is open, go take a look inside!
Location: Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Gennaro
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3. Walk Via Masa, the scenic Fishermen’s Path
Talking about places with scenic views, there is one special place I have to tell you about – Via Masa, a small and tranquil street in lower Praiano (in Vettica Maggiore, or the left side of Praiano) that leads to the beach.
It is called the Fishermen’s Path because this street leads straight to the La Gavitella Beach, where you can find local fishermen’s boats, and this charming street is adorned with ceramics displaying different fish, squid, and other sea creatures.
The street with its ceramic artworks is a dedication to local fishermen and a nod to Praiano’s past as a small fishing village on the coastline.
However, it is, first and foremost, one of the most scenic streets in Praiano, but without the buzz of the main street or the square in front of San Gennaro Church.
It’s the perfect place for a morning, afternoon, or evening stroll!
To get to Via Masa, go to Piazza San Gennaro, then find the steps next to the church that will take you one street lower, and then simply follow the signs pointing to the La Gavitella Beach
Along the street, you will have panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, the mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula, as well as Positano in the distance, and Capri Island, which looks as if it were connected to the peninsula from this angle.
Apart from the views, I really enjoyed finding all the ceramic fish swimming on the walls along the street, as well as passing by the fragrant lemon gardens and flowers cared for by locals who try to grow plants in every tiny bit of land they can.
This place is so peaceful!
There are also tiny squares with benches, lovely cafés with views, and a number of B&Bs along Via Masa. I highly recommend strolling down this street if you are staying in Praiano.
By the way, if you decide to visit Praiano’s La Gavitella Beach , you’ll have to walk this street anyway, but if not, then definitely pass through during one of your morning walks!
Location: Via Masa
4. Stop by for breakfast with a view
Praiano is one of the best villages on the Amalfi Coast (link coming soon) , where you can easily find great cafés, bars, or restaurants with a view. Actually, hunting down restaurants and cafés with a view was one of my favorite things to do in Praiano!
Can there be a better way to start the day than finding a nice, relaxing café with a view of the coastline and having breakfast while enjoying the views? Soaking in that la dolce vita you came here for?
Because we were already on Via Massa street, we decided to stop by Café Mirante, and, wow, it is the ultimate trendy spot in Praiano, perfect for breakfast snacks with a view, afternoon cocktails, or a light sunset dinner.
It was a pretty hot morning, so we didn’t want to eat much. We ordered some focaccia and lemon granita. That icy lemon slushy definitely helped us survive the heat for the next couple of hours.
They have lots of space down by the bar and on a higher level as well, so I highly recommend stopping by here. It’s a place I would return to!
Location: Café Mirante
5. Take a dip at Praiano’s scenic La Gavitella Beach
So, because Praiano is located higher up on the hillside, finding a beach in Praiano is definitely not the easiest thing; however, there are definitely some fantastic options for a beach day if you are staying in Praiano.
The scenic pebbly cove of La Gavitella is the first option (and the closest beach to the center of Praiano). Despite its small size, it is definitely a must-visit place in Praiano. We loved visiting this place!
You can get to this beach by walking all the way to the end of Via Masa, the old Fishermen’s Path, and descending a long flight of stairs down to the beach. Yes, you’ll have to walk back up there, too!
The beach is rocky, so they have built concrete platforms for a more convenient experience. Most of the beach is occupied by a beach club where you can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs, as well as order drinks and food.
However, there is a smaller area next to fishermen’s boats where you can also find a free spot. One of my favorite things about this beach is the view – you can swim and sunbathe here with a view of Positano town in the distance. So cool!
And not only that! The beach is facing west, which means you’ll get sun rays pretty much the whole day until sunset. This is the perfect place to take a morning dip in the Mediterranean Sea or spend most of the day by the water.
Location: La Gavitella
6. Find the best pizza in Praiano
What is a trip to Italy without a good Italian pizza, more specifically, Neapolitan pizza!?
We always tried to find good spots for food, especially local dishes and classic Italian food
For the best pizza in Praiano, we decided to go to Che Bontà pizzeria in the heart of the village, and it turned out to be a great decision.
They have tables out on the steps next to the main street, as well as inside, but we decided to stay out. We ordered a pizza to share and some of the local cheeses made in the mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula. Overall, it was a really great spot for lunch!
If you are looking for great lunch spots in Praiano (including pizzerias), then, apart from Che Bontà, I recommend checking out Kasai , an Italian restaurant with a nice view, Ristorante la taverna del Leone a family run restaurant one of the best on the amalfi coast , Ristorante Il Pino, or Trattoria San Gennaro, Ristorante Franchino with an amazing view for a romantic dinner and Trattoria Da Armandino
Location: Che Bontà
7. Walk over to the stunning Marina di Praia
Here’s a thing you must do when in Praiano – walk over to the stunning Marina di Praia , one of the most beautiful beaches on the Amalfi Coast!
Tucked away in a picturesque cove squeezed between dramatic cliffs, Marina di Praia feels like a hidden secret on the Amalfi Coast. ( link soon hicking spots on the ac )
And there’s a lot to love about this place!
It’s a rather small pebble beach with crystal-clear water and a couple of seaside restaurants offering drinks and snacks right by the water. If you’re staying in Praiano and want to spend the day by the beach, you must make your way down to Marina di Praia!
The beach is located a short distance away from the center of Praiano, but it is worth the trip! This is also the place where fishermen of Praiano dock their little boats.
You’ll see them floating in the water along the bay.
Despite its beautiful setting, it is a much more relaxed and chill beach compared to many other beaches you can find in the picturesque towns of the Amalfi Coast. Maybe because it is a bit more remote and further away from tourist hotspots.
And look at those scenic views and the crystal-clear waters!
The secret of this beach is a cliffside path carved into rock where you can walk further away to more secluded spots and beach clubs along the rocky shore.
If you walk all the way to the end of the coastal pathway, you’ll reach Torre a Mare, Praiano’s medieval watchtower, which was built to protect the coastline from pirate attacks.
You can clearly see the medieval tower from the beach as well.
Along the way, we stopped by a cool beach club, Il Pirata. Not only is it a cool beach club, but they also have a bar inside a rock cave. Looked really cool, so we stopped by to have a quick lunch and cocktails. It was a really nice spot, and we enjoyed it!
Location: Marina di Praia
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8. Go ceramics and boutique shopping on the main street
One of the most fun things to do in Praiano is ceramics shopping. Producing ceramics is rooted in history on the Amalfi Coast, and this area has been known for it war and wide for many centuries.
Hand-painted ceramics are also one of the best souvenirs you can buy when visiting the Amalfi Coast, and, luckily, Praiano has many ceramics stores in the village.
You can find almost all of them on the Amalfi Drive road, the main coastal road that goes along the coastline, with the majority of the stores located near the Church of Saint Januarius, especially in the direction of Amalfi town.
We walked along the Amalfi Drive road quite a few times when we visited Praiano and checked out various boutique stores. I have to say that prices here were a little bit higher than in other villages, but not by much.
So, if you can, try to look for ceramics souvenirs elsewhere (if you are visiting other villages), but Praiano is still a great place to buy them. By the way, the best place to shop for ceramics on the Amalfi Coast is Corso Umberto I street in Vietri sul Mare village .
So, what to buy? They make everything you can imagine from ceramics, like mugs, Christmas tree decorations, plates, clocks, bowls, and more. I normally don’t buy souvenirs when travelling, but I HAD to get one of those mugs with lemons painted on them.
Location: Ceramiche da Mario – La Bacheca Ceramics
9. Count heads on the way to Convento di San Domenico
For those of you who love beautiful hikes with fantastic views, I’m happy to report that Praiano has the perfect place for that.
Sitting on the slopes of Monte Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi mountain right above Praiano, is a 16th-century Dominican convent, a beautiful historical building with even more beautiful views of the coastline.
Hiking up to this historical convent was one of my favorite things to do in Praiano!
The convent with the adjacent church is open to visitors, and you can check it out for free. It does have opening hours , so make sure to be there during the daytime when it is open.
We only peeked inside the church. Although it was quite simple, there were a couple of very beautiful Renaissance‑era frescoes painted on the walls and one of the altars .
Exploring the historical church was a great experience, especially because we were completely alone there!
But the most beautiful part of this hike was the view from the top.
We could easily see as far as the Island of Capri, not to mention Positano, the mountains along the Sorrento Peninsula, and, of course, Praiano village.
We spent quite some time gazing at all the beauty in front of us! Although the convent sits 364 meters or 1,200 ft above sea level, it wasn’t too difficult to get up there, so I highly recommend doing the hike even if you’re not a hiker (but do bring water with you!).
The convent can be accessed by stone stairs leading up from Praiano. The trail starts on Via Croce street in Praiano and continues uphill to the convent. Just follow the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ direction signs!
It was only a 1-kilometer uphill hike with some 230 vertical meters (750 feet). Very doable!
The path goes through a forest with occasional sections passing through open terrain, where you can see amazing views of the coastline and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
It isn’t a steep staircase, and we saw families with kids walking up and down the path. Plus, the trail is very well made, so you don’t need any special footwear. I climbed up in sneakers and shorts.
Here comes a unique twist. When we visited, the trail up to the very top was ‘decorated’ with interesting art installations – human heads! I saw them all the time along the path. I didn’t count, but there might have been around 20 of them.
Here’s another twist. This exact trail actually continues up even after the convent and later connects to the Path of the Gods , the most famous hike on the Amalfi Coast,(link coming soon) and a must-do when visiting Praiano. Are you up for it?
Location: Convento di San Domenico
10. Hike the famous Path of the Gods
Praiano is in the perfect location to hike the famous Path of the Gods hike on the Amalfi Coast . There are two different trails and starting points in Praiano that will later connect to the famous trail.
The first trail is the path that leads to Convento di San Domenico (it just continues and later connects with the famous trail), but the other starting point is by the stairs on Via Costantinopoli. Just choose which is closer to your hotel!
I my opinion, there is no better way to see the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the whole Sorrento Peninsula than by hiking the iconic Path of the Gods hike. There actually might not be more beautiful places on the Amalfi Coast than this route in the mountains.
The Path of the Gods is actually an ancient pathway in the mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula that connects two mountain towns: Agerola and Nocelle. However, there are a couple of versions for this hike.
The most popular version of this hike starts in the center of Bomerano hamlet in Agerola and finishes in Nocelle village right above Positano.
But these days, people often also hike other routes, like Bomerano-Positano or Praiano-Positano, etc. It depends on where you are staying, as well as your transportation possibilities.
For us, we had our own car, so we hiked from Agerola to Nocelle and then walked all the way back to get back to our car. Otherwise, I would have hiked from Agerola to Positano and then tried to get to my hotel by bus.
Our route was a moderate difficulty 12.3-kilometer or 7.6-mile out-and-back hike that took us 3h 30min. We did the hike in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
However, if you are staying in Praiano, just head to your chosen beginning of the trail (or stairs) and simply follow the direction signs pointing to the Path of the Gods . Use Organic Maps or MAPS.ME apps to make sure you’re on the right track.
I can safely say that the section between Praiano and Nocelle was the best part of the hike, with the most beautiful views of the dramatic mountains and the iconic Positano hill, so you are not missing out on anything special by starting the hike in Praiano!
When we reached Nocelle (our halfway mark), there was a beautiful little café where we got to have breakfast sandwiches with a nice view. We had our breakfast, turned around, and walked back.
If you love hiking, you can also hike back to Praiano because there is a section where the Path of the Gods has two parallel paths – one is lower and one is a bit higher. So this is what we did – we walked the lower path first, and then we walked the higher part on our way back.
However, it is not necessary to do that. You can simply walk all the way to Positano, and then jump on the bus to take you back to Praiano. If you do that, try to do the higher path – it has better views of the peninsula!
You can also finish in Nocelle – just wait for the bus to take you down to Positano and then take another bus back to Praiano. Or get a taxi, but that will be much more expensive. Either way, this will definitely be an adventure to remember!
I think you can tell by the pictures why this hike is so famous, right? I actually didn’t expect much from it, but I was pleasantly surprised by the impressive views.
Location: Path of the Gods
11. Go on a trip to the famous Fiordo di Furore
Located just a couple of minutes’ drive from Praiano is one of the most unique places on the Amalfi Coast: Fiordo di Furore! You have to plan a visit to this place!
I’m sure you’ve seen this deep and narrow cove all over the internet – it is one of the most famous spots and one of the most beautiful places on the Amalfi Coast.
Despite its name (fiordo=fjord), technically it is not a fjord, because fjords are formed by glaciers, but this fjord-like gorge was formed by a river. Nevertheless, this place is pure beauty!
Thanks to its dramatic cliffs, 30-meter arched bridge, fishermen’s houses built inside the rock, and pristine waters washing the tiny pebble beach, Fiordo di Furore has become a landmark place to visit on the Amalfi Coast.
Because of its unique setting, Fiordo di Furore regularly hosts an extreme diving competition with athletes jumping from the iconic bridge!
The easiest way to get to Fiordo di Furore is by SITA SUD public bus – there is a bus stop right on top of the bridge. Then just follow a steep, narrow stairway down to the beach.
We had a car, so we drove to Marina di Praia , parked our car there, and then walked all the way to Fiordo di Furore (it’s a 10-15 minute walk). If you rent a scooter, you will definitely find some parking spots along the road, much closer to the fjord.
You can also catch a taxi from Praiano, but the SITA bus will be the cheapest option.
Because of its surrounding rugged cliffs, the sun only shines inside the fjord for a couple of hours during the day, so this place has a pleasant microclimate and offers nice shade during the summer heat!
Whether you visit Fiordo di Furore to spend the day by the beach or just come to check out its picturesque location and take some iconic photos, you will definitely be impressed by how beautiful this unique place is.
Location: Fiordo di Furore
12. Plan a dinner with a sunset view
Traveling is nothing without trying good food, and a delicious dinner at sunset is the best thing ever when you are on vacation.
But you’re in luck, because delicious dinner with a view is Praiano’s specialty!
Because of its hillside location, every other restaurant or bar in Praiano has beautiful sea views, so it shouldn’t be too big of a problem to find a great dinner spot. At least, we had a great experience with this.
We opted to go to La Cucina del Tramonto d’Oro , a restaurant in a hotel with the most wonderful views of the San Gennaro church, great food, and a panoramic view of the whole coastline with the sun setting behind the mountains.
If you get a table on the terrace, you’ll likely see all that!
La Cucina del Tramonto d’Oro was the perfect choice for us because it is not a fine dining restaurant, but it is nice enough for a romantic dinner. There are also plenty of options for Italian food, especially some local dishes like lemon pasta, etc.
I ordered fried eggplant parmigiana and then lemon pasta with a glass of the Amalfi Coast wine. My husband got burrata on potato croquette, and ravioli alla caprese afterwards, one of the must-try foods when visiting the Amalfi Coast.
For dessert, of course, the iconic delizia al limone, the Amalfi Coast’s famous dessert!
Overall, I recommend this restaurant, but there are definitely other options to choose from in Praiano, like La Strada Restaurant with a terrace and a view, Ristorante Il Pino , Ristorante La Dolce Vista, Miragalli , the perfect place for sunset cocktails, or Ristorante km0 and Ristorante la taverna del Leone
Location: La Cucina del Tramonto d’Oro
13. Enjoy the coastline views from Chiesa di San Luca
Praiano is known for its historic churches, and the Church of San Gennaro in the central part of Praiano is not the only one worth checking out!
Hidden in the upper part of Praiano is another iconic church with stunning coastline views – the Church of Saint Luke Evangelist, or Chiesa di San Luca Evangelista.
Not only is the 16th-century church itself beautiful, but so are the views from the piazza right in front of it.
While the Church of San Gennaro, back in the heart of Praiano, faces west, this church is located on the east side of the town, and you can see panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast in the other direction.
We strolled by the Church of Saint Luke in the afternoon, and it was open, so we checked it out. I loved how bright it was from the inside, and I especially liked the painted majolica tiles on the floor.
The church also has a bell tower with a clock and a large illustration of fishermen fishing at the shores of Praiano, all painted on ceramic tiles.
It’s definitely a cool place to check out if you love historical buildings. Or simply stroll by to enjoy the views from the church’s square!
By the way, as we continued strolling around the upper part of Praiano, we stumbled upon another cool place – a small chapel even higher up the hill, this time located in Piazza Costantinopoli.
Unfortunately, we were not able to check it out from the inside; however, what we saw from the little piazza was more than enough – the most stunning panoramic views of Praiano from above!
Especially the view of the yellow Church of San Gennaro with its majolica tile dome shimmering in the sunlight , as well as Positano in the distance, and the dramatic mountains in the background.
Could this be my favorite view in Praiano? It definitely could.
Location: Chiesa di San Luca Evangelista – Piazza Costantinopoli
14. Go on the ceramic artwork walk around Praiano
While strolling around Praiano, we stumbled upon some more hidden gems.
There are a couple of streets in Praiano turned into open-air exhibitions, each street dedicated to one artist’s ceramic artworks.
At first, I noticed artworks, and then, as we walked towards the end of the street, I saw a plaque with the artist’s name and an arrow pointing in the direction of the street where that artist’s works are displayed. There were a number of them!
If you are a lover of art, or you are staying in a hotel in upper Praiano (above the Amalfi Drive road, the main street in Praiano), I recommend paying attention to the walls when you are strolling around.
I definitely missed a lot of them!
I know for sure that I saw these ceramic artworks on Via degli Ulivi , as well as on Via Croce. However, I feel like there have to be more streets in the same area with these artworks.
However, now that I think about it, Via Masa, or The Fishermen’s Path, also had fish, squid, and sea creature ceramic works, so this has to be a thing in all of Praiano, not only in the upper part.
Hunting them down around the town was quite fun! They give Praiano its own special character for sure. Although I’m not into this kind of art, I liked quite a lot of those artworks!
Location: Via degli Ulivi Via degli Ulivi – Via Croce
15. Go on trips to other villages on the Amalfi Coast
The whole point of staying in Praiano is that you are in a central location on the Amalfi Coast and have the opportunity to quickly get to and explore other famous villages and landmarks on the coastline.
If I stayed in Praiano, I’d just jump on a SITA bus and cruise along the coastline, visiting new places every day. For convenience, you can get a taxi or private transfer, but for a more adventurous experience, rent a scooter!
So, which are the must-see villages on the Amalfi Coast? (link coming soon ) Well, it depends on how much time you have for day trips, but the famous trilogy is Positano, Amalfi , and Ravello, with its iconic cliffside villas and the Terrace of Infinity.
However, due to their popularity, they will be the most crowded places on the coastline, especially during high season (summer months).
If you are into more relaxing experiences, I recommend traveling to Amalfi town, and then using the pedestrian tunnel to get to its more tranquil twin town, Atrani . It is just as beautiful but significantly less busy.
Or you can get to Maiori and then walk to the little Minori village along one of the most beautiful walking paths on the Amalfi Coast : Path of the Lemons . It connects Maiori and Minori and goes through fragrant lemon gardens with fruit hanging above your head!
No matter where you go, try not to plan more than two villages in one day. Just enjoy the views, buy a gelato and sit by the beach, have lunch in a garden restaurant, and try to soak in that La Dolce Vita life you came here for!
The Amalfi Coast is called the Divine Coast for a reason!
Happy exploring!
Once a fishing village, Praiano has evolved into a charming, authentic haven, offering a more tranquil side of the famous Amalfi Coast.
From its iconic Chiesa di San Gennaro with its sparkling dome to the serene beach of Marina di Praia and its direct access to the Path of the Gods , Praiano is the perfect blend of breathtaking views and authentic local life.
I hope you find some travel inspiration from this Praiano travel guide. I also hope you enjoy your time on the Divine Coast of Italy as much as we did! The scenic beaches, the breathtaking views, the charming villages—it’s a place you won’t forget!
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