Three Days in Minori – The Odyssey Continues on the Amalfi Coast
It’s genuinely astounding how food can steer your travels! Last year, you might recall, I raved about the best chicken Patric and I ever tasted at a charming little spot in Minori called Macelleria Cotto e Man...Dara. So, with three spare days after Naples, we thought, why not? We headed back to the Amalfi Coast to revisit our favourite dishes: succulent pollo and polpette, with a contorni of roasted peperoncino drizzled with the finest olive oil, and the melt-in-your-mouth melanzane parmigiana (eggplant Parmesan). Sitting on a park bench on the lungomare, fingers dripping, mouths watering, we savoured every bite.
That’s how we kicked off our time in Minori after dropping off our hire car and checking in early to our room at Hotel 7 Bello (more on that later).
Day 1
After settling in, I dressed in lemon colours to match Minori’s citrusy vibe and we headed to the gorgeous beachside Bar Riso, Via Roma, 38, 84010 Minori, Italy (Website), for one of the best aperitivi we’ve ever had. It was a close second to our all-time favourite at Hotel Poseidon in Positano, but the generous spread of snacks was so good they brought out a second round - we then skipped dinner entirely!
Minori’s vibe is a refreshing contrast to Positano’s bustle – fewer tourists and a more relaxed atmosphere. It feels like a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. It’s got a stunning basilica, Santa Trofimena, Via Roma, 84010 Minori, and incredible pastries. Plus, unlike Positano’s endless staircases, Minori is blissfully flat. While it’s toward the end of the Amalfi Coast, it’s still easy to reach other towns by ferry, bus, or our favourite, a Vespa! If we’d stayed longer, I’d have stocked up on the vibrant radicchio and fennel from the Thursday market – the produce here looks unbelievably fresh.
Day 2
We took a ferry to Positano to revisit our favourite beach club, Fornillo Grassi, Via del Fornillo, 84017 Positano, Italy. Our friend Davide, the salvataggio (lifeguard) who we suspect is also an owner, had kept in touch via WhatsApp and reserved prime lettini beds for us. The usual price for the front fila is €90 for two seats, an umbrella, and a table, but as third-year regulars, we scored a €40 discount!
The water is sublime, the service impeccable, and Positano’s cliffside homes and hotels never fail to dazzle, even on our sixth visit. Do we need to stay in Positano again? Maybe, but I’d need to find a money tree first – the Amalfi Coast’s beauty comes with a hefty price tag that seems to be increasing.
Day 3
Back in Minori, we soaked up the laid-back vibe, strolling the beachfront and enjoying the slower pace. While we popped into Amalfi briefly during this trip, we didn’t linger.
Our stay at Hotel 7 Bello, Via Casa Mannini, 14, 84010 Minori, Italy (Booking Link), was a steal at $200 AUD per night. This family-run gem has an unbeatable location, just due passi (two steps) from the ferry and offers a hearty breakfast with friendly service. Our room was small but functional, with an outdoor area for drying clothes on a provided line – perfect for beach days. The only downside? The beds and pillows were rock-hard, which wasn’t ideal for me as I prefer a soft-to-medium mattress. Still, for a couple of days at such a great price, it was a solid choice with a welcoming vibe.
Reflection
Next stop – we return to Ischia for an entire week of pleasure!