Villa Praiano

Set in Praiano - the quieter village between Amalfi and Positano that most tourists drive through without stopping - Villa Praiano faces due west toward the Li Galli islands, the mythological home of the Sirens. The property was rebuilt in 2019 with a focus on natural materials: local limestone, reclaimed maritime pine, and hand-glazed ceramic tiles from Vietri sul Mare. A private boat with skipper is available for day trips along the coast. Praiano is the Amalfi Coast's best-kept secret, though locals would prefer it stayed that way. The village has a fraction of Positano's crowds, a handful of excellent restaurants, and a position on the coast that catches the sunset head-on. Villa Praiano exploits this perfectly. The main terrace faces due west, and from late June through August the sun sets directly over the Li Galli islands - three rocky islets that Homer described as the home of the Sirens in the Odyssey. The 2019 rebuild was thorough. The previous structure, a 1970s concrete house typical of the era's coastal development, was stripped back to its foundations. The new villa was constructed using materials sourced within 30 kilometres: limestone from the Lattari mountains, maritime pine reclaimed from a demolished boathouse in Cetara, and hand-glazed ceramic tiles from the workshops of Vietri sul Mare. The result is a house that belongs to its landscape rather than being imposed on it. Five bedrooms are arranged over three levels, all facing west. The master suite occupies the top floor with a wraparound terrace and an outdoor shower. Two bedrooms on the middle level share a large terrace that doubles as a dining area for informal meals. The two ground-floor bedrooms open onto a garden terrace with direct access to the infinity pool. The pool is positioned at the western edge of the property, creating the illusion of water meeting sky. It is heated from April through November and surrounded by limestone paving that stays cool underfoot even in August. A set of submerged loungers at the shallow end allows guests to recline in the water with only their shoulders above the surface - the optimal position for watching the sunset. The private boat, a 9-metre Gozzo with a local skipper, is available for daily excursions. The most popular routes run south to Capri (45 minutes), north to Positano for lunch (15 minutes), or along the coast to the Emerald Grotto near Conca dei Marini. The skipper knows every hidden cove and swimming spot between Salerno and Sorrento. Praiano's own beach, Marina di Praia, is a five-minute drive down the hill - a small cove with a couple of restaurants and clear, calm water ideal for swimming.