For a photographer, the Amalfi Coast is a high-contrast dream. We aren't just dealing with a lake; we are dealing with cliffs that drop straight into the sea. This creates a sense of "infinity" in photos that you can't get anywhere else.
But be warned: privacy is harder to find here than in Como, and the logistics (stairs!) are a real factor. Choosing the right venue is about finding your own private balcony over the Mediterranean.
1. Villa Cimbrone (Ravello)
The Infinite Dream This is arguably the most famous view in Italy. The "Terrazza dell'Infinito" (Terrace of Infinity), lined with marble busts against the blue sky, is iconic. It feels ancient, noble, and slightly surreal.
The Vibe: Ethereal, aristocratic, and jaw-dropping.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The "Crypt" is an open-air gothic stone hall where dinner is usually held. It allows me to frame you through massive stone arches with the ocean in the background—moody, dramatic, and unforgettable.
Lighting Tip: The terrace is open to the public during the day. We need to schedule your couple portraits exactly at closing time (around sunset) to get that famous bust-lined shot without tourists in the background.
2. Belmond Hotel Caruso (Ravello)
The Floating Pool Famous for its infinity pool that seems to drop off the face of the earth. This hotel defines "quiet luxury." It sits at the highest point of Ravello, so the light stays longer here than in the towns below.
The Vibe: Polished, airy, and high-service.
Capacity: Up to 170 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The olive grove garden offers a rustic contrast to the polished hotel. You can get "countryside" photos and "luxury jet-set" photos in the same hour.
Composition Tip: The classic shot here is the "pool reflection." I usually shoot this from a low angle to blend the pool water with the sky, making you look like you are walking on clouds.
3. Il San Pietro di Positano (Positano)
The Legend This hotel is carved into the cliff outside of Positano, giving it the best view looking back at the town. It is the gold standard for hospitality in the region.
The Vibe: Old Hollywood, vibrant, and colorful.
Capacity: Best for intimate weddings (up to 80) or buyouts.
Photographer’s Insight: The famous ceramic bench on the terrace with the colorful dome of Positano in the background is the "money shot." Also, the private elevator down to the beach club allows for sea-level photos without the public crowds.
4. Villa Treville (Positano)
The Bohemian Palace The former home of director Franco Zeffirelli. It is a maze of hidden gardens, terraces, and eclectic art. It feels like staying at the home of an eccentric, wealthy uncle rather than a hotel.
The Vibe: Artistic, lush, and ultra-private.
Capacity: Intimate (up to 50–60 guests).
Photographer’s Insight: This venue is visually dense. There are vines, tiles, and statues everywhere. It creates a "maximalist" background that looks incredible in print.
Logistics Note: It is best accessed by boat. The arrival shot of you stepping off a wooden Riva boat onto their private dock is non-negotiable.
5. Hotel Santa Caterina (Amalfi)
The Grand Dame Located just outside the town of Amalfi, this is a white, crisp, Liberty-style villa that hugs the coastline. It has a classic, timeless elegance that never feels trendy.
The Vibe: Classic Italian elegance, bright, and floral.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The lemon groves here are accessible and manicured, allowing for those bright, yellow-and-green "Dolce Vita" portraits without having to hike into a farm.
6. Villa Eva (Ravello)
The Liberty Party House Unlike the big hotels, Villa Eva is used exclusively for events. You don't have to worry about hotel guests in their swimsuits walking by your ceremony. It feels like a private garden party.
The Vibe: Relaxed, botanical, and free-spirited.
Capacity: Large. Up to 150+ guests.
Photographer’s Insight: Because it is high up in Ravello and surrounded by tall pines, the light is dappled and soft. It’s one of the few venues where a noon ceremony doesn’t result in harsh, ugly shadows.
7. Le Sirenuse (Positano)
The Red Icon The deep red facade of this hotel is the face of Positano. It is right in the middle of the action. It is tight, intimate, and impossibly chic.
The Vibe: Sexy, crowded, and iconic.
Capacity: Very intimate. Best for under 40 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The space is tight. This is not for wide, sweeping ballgowns. It’s for slim silhouettes and high fashion. The candlelit dinner at "La Sponda" restaurant is dark, so your photographer must be a master of low-light shooting.
8. Palazzo Avino (Ravello)
The Pink Palace Steps away from the Caruso, this is the "Pink Palace." It is slightly more boutique and fashion-forward. The rooftop solarium has jacuzzis and offers a 360-degree view.
The Vibe: Chic, glamorous, and slightly edgy.
Capacity: Up to 80 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The "Lobster Martini Bar" terrace at sunset offers a view that plunges straight down to the sea. The contrast of the pink building against the blue sea is a color theory dream.
9. Anantara Convento di Amalfi (Amalfi)
The Historic Sanctuary A converted 13th-century monastery perched on the cliff. It features a stunning white cloister (courtyard) that is perfect for ceremonies.
The Vibe: Spiritual, architectural, and serene.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: The Arab-Norman cloister is white stone, which acts as a giant natural reflector. It bounces clean, flattering light onto your faces, making everyone look 10 years younger.
10. Hotel Marincanto (Positano)
The Terrace on the Town Famous for its "wedding terrace" that floats directly in front of the town of Positano. If you want the postcard view of the pastel houses behind your altar, this is the spot.
The Vibe: Romantic, airy, and central.
Capacity: Up to 60–80 guests.
Photographer’s Insight: This is one of the few places in Positano where you can have a private ceremony terrace that isn't a public beach. The privacy-to-view ratio is excellent.
The Amalfi Coast is for the couple who wants a bit of drama. It is for the couple who wants to feel like they are living in a Fellini film.
If you want peace and flat ground, go to Tuscany. If you want to feel the wind in your hair, the scent of lemons in the air, and the thrill of being suspended between the sky and the sea, this is your place.
Pick the venue that makes your heart race, pack your sunglasses, and I'll handle the light.
Yours,
Anna