Amalfi Coast gay travel guide: where to stay, go out and awesome things to do

We were particularly impressed by Terrazza 17, the bistro/restaurant/terrace of Hotel Marina Riviera located in a stunning spot in Amalfi town. They serve beautifully presented and delicious food with an experienced sommelier on hand to help with wine selections. This is the place to come in Amalfi for a special meal of traditional Italian and very fresh seafood. It is also famous for its views of the area, especially if you manage to secure one of the sought-after tables by the front balcony, which you'll definitely need to call ahead to reserve.

Located inside the Hotel Residence in Amalfi, Sensi Restaurant is a Michelin-starred restaurant combining classic and modern Italian cuisine in a pretty impressive setting. The terrace offers beautiful views over the coastline. We recommend taking part in the Chef's Table Experience where they show you how to recreate some of the dishes back home. Some of the best dishes to look out for include the grilled octopus with broccoli, mussel sauce and nduja cream. Be sure to leave space for their signature dessert – the sponge lemon cake.

Trattoria Da Gemma is a very historic venue, which has been in operation since 1872. They still use the original recipe for their speciality zuppa di pesce (fish soup). They serve a variety of classic regional dishes using the freshest local ingredients. Gems to look out for include the risotto with prawns, the pasta with octopus and the sacher torte. While this restaurant doesn't look out over the ocean, it does have a beautiful outdoor terrace that's perfect for watching the world go by.

Da Ciccio Cielo Mare Terra is an ancient trattoria located on the coast between Amalfi town and Praiano. It's been run by the same family since 1931 and has panoramic views of the Amalfi coastline. They serve seasonal dishes based on what is available in their own garden, along with fresh fish selected each day personally by the owner Marco. Marco, his sons and wife, who all work in the restaurant are so welcoming. They'll even pick you up from your hotel and take you there themselves! We also loved that the dishes aren't your typical fare, like the stuffed zucchini flowers or risotto dumpling.

Capri Island has always been known for being the playground for famous artists, writers and movie stars, with the likes of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Jackie Kennedy and more recently Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Rihanna spotted here. As well as being celebrity rich, it's also one of the most romantic places to visit on the Amalfi coast. Whilst it can get quite crowded on Capri, particularly in the busy summer months, we recommend coming early in the day and hiring a boat to take you to one of the secluded beaches around the island. To reach Capri Island, it's a short boat ride from Amalfi town or Positano's marina.

One of the biggest and most popular cities on the Amalfi Coast is, of course, Amalfi itself. A must-visit while exploring the area. There are lots of colourful houses, shops and restaurants looking out over the turquoise waters. Amalfi is also home to a stunning 9th-century Roman Catholic Cathedral with a striped facade and really pretty interior. Just be careful not to walk up the steps of the cathedral hand-in-hand with your loved one or you will never get married according to a local legend!

Positano is one of the most picturesque and Instagrammable villages along the Amalfi coast. It is built on an enclave on the face of a hill, which winds down towards the water. The town itself is fun to explore with steep steps, cobblestone streets and ancient churches. The real highlight is the sunset view. We recommend heading somewhere like Franco's Bar for a cocktail to take in the magnificent sunset together. This is perhaps the ultimate romantic thing to do on the Amalfi coast, and where many wedding proposals have taken place!

Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is renowned for its beauty and is very popular. According to legend, this is the spot where the infamous sirens would hang out, luring men into the sea with their charming songs. Well, these two gay guys were charmed by the gorgeous sailing ports, pretty parks and impressive architecture of the old town area. For a very romantic experience, you could even take your partner to an opera performance in the Correale di Terranova Museum.

The Amalfi coast is famous for its lemons – the sfusato amalfitanos to be exact. The yummy sweet tasting Limoncello liquor is made using these prime lemons, which are less sour than normal lemons and rich in essential oils, which gives the Limoncello its unique aroma and flavour. You can do a lemon tour in a factory like the Amalfi Lemon Experience to learn more about them and try freshly made limoncello before it's shipped to all the many souvenir shops lining the streets of Amalfi town.

Lying in between the towns of Amalfi and Positano is the less well-known but just as pretty Praiano. With buildings hugging the cliffside, this is a great spot to escape the crowds and enjoy the stunning views. The enclosed harbour is also perfect for a swim or just a stroll while you enjoy an ice-cream from one of the stalls. Another spot worth a visit in Praiano is the Torre a Mare, an ancient defensive tower sitting on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is now home to a variety of artwork and sculptures.

Another ‘hidden treasure' on the Amalfi Coast is the town of Ravello, perched on a hill 365 metres above the Meditteranean with incredible views. Ravello is home to many beautiful villas where famous actors, authors, composers, and artists have come for inspiration. Villa Rufolo is probably the best one to visit because of its famous cascading gardens. Built in 1853 by Scotsman Sir Francis Neville Reid, the villa has been home to many popes and even a king, but is now an interactive museum. Villa Cimbrone is another one with exquisite gardens. It is also a hotel if you want to stay somewhere absolutely uh-mazing!

Not far from the town of Amalfi is Maiori, one of the best places on the Amalfi Coast for relaxing on a stunning beach. Maiori is a wonderful place to rejuvenate your mind and soul, especially if you like to lounge on the sands next to turquoise waters. The seaside promenade is also ideal for strolling along next to the myriad of restaurants, cafes and stalls. The promontory of Capo d'Orso, to the east of Maiori, has a great scenic hike to the lighthouse. And if you've ever dreamed of dining in an ancient watchtower overlooking the ocean, then head to the incredible Torre Normanna Restaurant.

Another one of the most famous and beautiful spots on the Amalfi Coast is the famed Grotta dello Smeraldo – or Emerald Grotto. Named for the incredible colours that filter from an underground opening and fill the cave with intense nuances of green, the cave interior is filled with stalagmites and stalactites. There's even an underwater nativity scene, which divers come to visit at Christmas. You can only visit the Emerald Grotto via a boat trip. We recommend combining it with a tour of other pretty grottoes, caves and arches, along with many stops to swim in the lush azure waters.

It's not all about the coast and beaches on the Amalfi Coast! Inland from the town of Amalfi is a tranquil nature reserve that makes for a delightful leisurely hike among waterfalls, lemon groves and historic buildings. The Valle delle Ferriere is home to a unique microclimate and, of course, some of the prettiest waterfalls you'll probably see in Italy! Hiking the valley is uphill but not too physically demanding and perfect for working off some of those pasta calories! You'll get to smell the lovely aromas of the lemon groves, spot pretty birds and perhaps go for a splash in the falls to cool down.

The preserved city of Pompeii is an absolute must-see while visiting Naples and/or the Amalfi Coast. When nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the falling ash both buried and perfectly preserved the Roman city, so today visitors can glimpse a snapshot of what life was like back then. If you're staying on the Amalfi Coast then you can join a tour to Pompeii from Ravello, Scala or Minori. There are also plenty of tour companies operating out of Naples, or you can catch a train directly from Naples to Pompeii if you'd rather visit independently.

We love joining local cooking classes when travelling so we can learn some of the regional dishes to make when we're back home. We were very excited to find this unique ingredient-to-meal day tour from Praiano where you actually go foraging for flowers, wild herbs, and aromatic plants before learning to make a traditional local meal with your foraged ingredients. Not only do you enjoy a hike through the stunning landscape but after your cooking lesson, you get to sit down to a gourmet four-course meal (which you prepare yourself) paired with some delicious local wines and homemade liquors.

Travel insurance: We always recommend you get travel insurance because you never know when something might go wrong on your journeys. We love to use Heymondo as their cover is so comprehensive and it's easy to make a claim online.

How to get there: If you're travelling from overseas then the easiest way to get to the Amalfi Coast is by flying into Naples and then getting a private transfer to your hotel or by catching a train to Sorrento or Salerno.

Visa requirements: Travellers from the United States, Australia and New Zealand don't need a visa for stays in Italy for up to 90 days. Members of the Schengen Zone can also travel freely in Italy but if you're coming from somewhere else (or just want to be sure) make sure you check your personal visa requirements here.

Getting around: Getting around the many small towns on the Amalfi Coast via public transport can be a bit of a hassle but here's a guide to help you out a bit. We found renting a car and driving yourself the easiest way to really explore all the best spots.

Vaccinations: The CDC recommends that all travellers to Italy should be up to date with routine vaccinations like measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox etc. You may also need vaccinations for Hepatitis A, B and rabies, so check online based on where you are coming from.

Currency: Italy uses the Euro like most countries in Europe. Generally, €1 converts to around $1.10 US or about 89 pence in British Pounds.

Tipping culture: Technically, tipping isn't required when travelling in Italy, although it's starting to become more expected due to the large influx of American tourists. You won't need to tip very much, maybe just €1 or so. For a full guide to tipping in Italy, check out this article.

Internet access: Free WiFi is available in the town of Maiori, but on other parts of the Amalfi Coast you will need to find Internet Points or perhaps bring your own portable WiFi device.

Online privacy: Since Italy is slightly backwards when it comes to gay rights, you might be better off bringing a virtual private network like the ones offered by ExpressVPN.

Accommodation: There are plenty of great places to stay on the Amalfi Coast, so make sure you check out Booking.com if you want to see even more options. We love using booking.com because they have excellent online support, it's really easy to book online and a lot of places even offer free cancellation.

Sightseeing and adventure: For more fun things to do on the Amalfi Coast, check out GetYourGuide. We love using their easy online booking system to find exciting activities to do wherever we travel.

When to visit: The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is from April to June, when the spring flowers are in bloom, the weather is just warm enough and you can avoid the tourist crowds of summer.