Exploring the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii: A Photographer’s Journey Through Southern Italy

Southern Italy had been on my list for a while, and this trip to the Amalfi Coast ended up being one of those trips that was just as much about experiencing a place as it was about photographing it.

We based ourselves in Salerno, which turned out to be an excellent choice. From there, we took the ferry along the coast, visiting Positano, Amalfi, and Atrani, before returning to Salerno. We also took a bus from Salerno to Pompeii for a day of exploring one of Italy’s most incredible historical sites.

Throughout the trip, I primarily photographed with my Sony A7 IV and Viltrox 40mm f/2.5, a small and lightweight combination that was perfect for walking around all day.

Salerno: The Perfect Base

Salerno was our home base throughout the trip, and for that purpose, it was perfect.

One of the biggest advantages was the transportation. The city has both a train station and ferry port, making it incredibly easy to explore the Amalfi Coast and travel to other destinations. There is also a small airport in Salerno, which makes the area even more convenient for travelers.

Our hotel was located close to the airport: Hotel Olympus, a four-star hotel with a private beach, swimming pool, and restaurant. We were lucky enough to get a discounted deal, but even so, I would definitely recommend it.

The hotel also offers a free shuttle service to the ferry ports and train station, which made getting around even easier.

The main downside is that the area surrounding the hotel is still being developed, so there isn't a huge amount to do immediately outside the hotel. But if you're looking for a comfortable place to stay while using Salerno as a base for exploring the region, it worked extremely well for us.

As for Salerno itself, I found it a little different from what I expected. There are beautiful views and plenty of photography opportunities, but compared with the famous tourist destinations nearby, it doesn't have quite the same immediate wow factor.

And honestly, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

Salerno feels like a real city. People live there, work there, and go about their everyday lives. It doesn't feel like the entire city exists for tourists. I got the feeling that to really appreciate Salerno, you'd need to spend more time there, move away from the main streets, and experience the city more like a local.

Even during our short stay, I managed to capture some images I really liked. Salerno might not have the instant impact of Positano or Amalfi, but its quieter, more authentic atmosphere has a charm of its own.

Positano: Our First Stop

Our first ferry ride took us from Salerno to Positano, and arriving by sea was absolutely magical.

Originally, I wasn't even planning to visit Positano. I was going to head straight to Amalfi, but a friend suggested stopping in Positano first. Looking back, I'm really glad I listened.

As we approached the coastline, it was difficult to believe that a place this beautiful was real. The colorful buildings seemed to climb straight up the cliffs, creating an incredible view from the water.

For photographers, Positano is a dream.

Between the beach, colorful houses, winding roads, steep cliffs, and endless viewpoints, there is something to photograph around practically every corner.

It was also one of the busiest places I've ever visited. The streets were packed with tourists, but after seeing the town for myself, I completely understood why.

One of my favorite parts was simply getting lost.

We spent hours wandering through narrow alleyways, climbing staircases, and discovering viewpoints that we hadn't planned on finding. Eventually, we made our way all the way to the top, where we took a well-earned break on a terrace overlooking the coastline.

We had a coffee and some lemon ice cream, which felt like the perfect treat in a region famous for its lemons.

Photographing Positano was an absolute joy and easily became one of the highlights of the trip.

Amalfi: A Short but Beautiful Visit

From Positano, we continued by ferry to Amalfi.

Amalfi was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined. White buildings stacked against steep cliffs, winding coastal roads, and incredible views in almost every direction. It's easy to understand why it has become one of the most iconic destinations on the Amalfi Coast.

Unfortunately, it was also the place where I spent the least amount of time.

Because of the ferry schedule, we only had a few hours at each stop. After spending so much time walking around Positano, we were ready for a break and something to eat.

That's when we decided to walk over to neighboring Atrani, a quieter town just a short distance away.

Before we knew it, it was already time to catch the ferry back. That meant I only got a brief glimpse of Amalfi itself.

Even with the limited time, I managed to capture some beautiful images, especially later in the day when the setting sun started casting a warm golden glow over the coastline.

From what I experienced, Amalfi feels like somewhere that deserves more than a quick visit. I'd love to return one day, slow down, wander through the streets, and properly explore the town.

Even though my visit was short, one thing was clear: if you're visiting the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi is a must-see.

Atrani: One of the Unexpected Highlights

After leaving Amalfi, we headed toward Atrani.

After a long day of ferry rides and walking through Positano and Amalfi, we were looking for somewhere a little quieter. About fifteen minutes later, we were greeted by an incredible view of Atrani.

These photographs ended up becoming some of my personal favorites from the entire trip.

As photographers, we often have a specific vision in our heads of how we want an image to look and feel. Every now and then, everything comes together exactly as you imagined it.

For me, these photographs were one of those moments.

Atrani felt more local, relaxed, and slower-paced than some of the surrounding towns. We had amazing pizza in the town square, shared some local wine, and simply enjoyed the atmosphere.

By the time we headed back toward the ferry, we had full bellies and full hearts.

And we were slightly tipsy too. 🤣

Atrani was one of those unexpected places that made the trip even more memorable, and it's somewhere I'll never forget.

Experiencing the Coast From the Ferry

One of my favorite parts of the entire trip wasn't actually one of the towns.

It was the journey between them.

The ferry quickly became our favorite way to travel along the Amalfi Coast. As someone who loves being on the water, it offered much more than just transportation.

From the ferry, you get a completely different perspective of the coastline. As a photographer, I'm always looking for unique angles and perspectives, and seeing places like Positano and Amalfi from the sea revealed views you simply don't get from the road.

It was also one of the hottest days of our trip, so the cool breeze, open water, and an ice-cold drink delivered by the onboard waiter were very welcome.

There was something special about arriving in each town by ferry. Watching the colorful buildings appear along the cliffs as you approached made every arrival feel like part of the experience.

Our route took us from Salerno to Positano, then Amalfi and Atrani, before returning to Salerno.

If you're visiting the Amalfi Coast, I'd highly recommend experiencing the coastline by ferry. It's not just a convenient way to get from A to B. It's one of the best ways to experience the coast itself.

Pompeii: Stepping Back Nearly 2,000 Years

After exploring the Amalfi Coast, we took a bus from Salerno to Pompeii.

Walking through the streets of Pompeii was an incredible experience. Standing in a city where Romans once lived, worked, and went about their daily lives is something that's difficult to put into words.

It's one of those places that I genuinely believe everyone should visit at least once.

I've always been fascinated by history, especially the Roman world. Growing up, stories about the Romans were never far away. My dad is a Latin teacher, so Roman history became a part of my life whether I wanted it to or not.

Looking back, I'm grateful for that, because it made visiting Pompeii feel even more special.

Walking along ancient Roman roads and exploring the remains of bathhouses, temples, homes, and amphitheaters made it impossible not to imagine what life must have been like nearly 2,000 years ago.

The scale of the site and the level of preservation are remarkable.

From a photography perspective, Pompeii wasn't necessarily the most exciting location of the trip. I found myself spending more time taking everything in than searching for compositions.

But I'm very glad I brought my camera.

Some places aren't just about creating great photographs. They're about preserving memories of moments you'll never forget.

Pompeii was definitely one of those places for me.

Looking Back at the Trip

What I enjoyed most about this trip was the contrast between the different places we visited.

Positano was colorful, dramatic, and incredibly busy. Amalfi was beautiful but deserved more time than we were able to give it. Atrani offered a quieter and more authentic atmosphere. Salerno gave us a convenient and more local base from which to explore everything.

And then there was Pompeii, completely different from the coastal towns but equally memorable.

From a photography perspective, the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 was the perfect companion throughout the trip. Its small size and lightweight design meant I could carry my camera everywhere without feeling weighed down, while the 40mm focal length gave me enough flexibility for street photography, landscapes, details, and everyday moments.

But ultimately, this trip reminded me that photography isn't always about coming home with the perfect portfolio.

Sometimes it's about having your camera with you when you experience something incredible.

The photographs become a way of remembering the places, the people, the food, the ferry rides, the long walks, and all the little moments in between.

And Southern Italy gave me plenty of memories worth keeping.

All photographs in this series were taken with the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5.