Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B Review
If you're looking for spacious, affordable accommodations with incredible views of the Amalfi Coast, the Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B in Amalfi Town is the perfect place to stay.
I spent four days exploring Amalfi and based myself in this B&B.
Here's why I chose it:
Close to Amalfi Town: ideal for transportation and day trips to Positano, Ravello, and Maiori
Kitchen Access: as a slow traveler who sometimes stays for months in a single place, I prefer to cook to save money
Incredible Views: not gonna lie, the balcony and coastal views sold this place to me
The Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B is tucked into the mountains above Amalfi (about a 10-minute bus ride from the main town) so you get a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere versus the glamorous, "see and be seen" vibe that the rest of the coast is famous for.
At the time, I was traveling solo and working remotely, so this setup struck the perfect balance. I had the freedom to explore the coast whenever I wanted to but also plenty of space to recharge, relax, and refocus in my own apartment for work when I needed to.
So if you're thinking about staying at the Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B, here are my honest thoughts including what I loved about it, what I found inconvenient, and why you should (or shouldn't) stay!
Bus schedule at the Amalfi SITA bus station.
Getting There
The Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B is located at Via Papa Leone X, 12, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
I took the SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi Town and then waited about an hour for a bus transfer to Pogerola.
The bus schedules around Amalfi are by far one of the most frustrating things about traveling along the coast (and lowkey why I think Amalfi's a little overrated) but since it was my first time on the coast, I took that hour to walk around town and get situated.
It was a 10-minute ride from Amalfi Town to the B&B and Ivano (the host) gave me clear transportation instructions the whole time.
Once I arrived, he coordinated with a friend to hand over the keys. Check-in was smooth and communication was easy the whole time.
The Rooms & Amenities
The Caleidoscopio is essentially a beautifully-designed, 40 sq m open studio with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and private terrace.
Features:
Double Bed + Sofa Bed: the bedroom nook features a double bed and there's an additional sofa bed in the living room if needed
Dining/Living Room: spacious with a couch and a dining table. Doubled as a workspace for me
Private Terrace: somewhat small but featured beautiful views. Easy to access from both the living room and bedroom. Great place for drying hand-washed items like your swimsuit!
Kitchen: fully equipped and stocked up for everyday meals (I was surprised that they had oil and salt!)
Bathroom: clean and functional with a standing shower (no bath)
Wifi: reliable and fast! Essential for a remote work traveler like me
What makes the space feel special is how thoughtfully it's laid out.
There aren't any full walls in the studio, but the apartment uses subtle floor elevations and furniture placement to carve out distinct zones. So each area has a clear sense of purpose and identity, rather than bleeding into one undifferentiated open space.
I loved the color palate that they selected: warm terracotta reds and gorgeous sea-foam green tiles that felt both elegant and deeply Amalfi coded.
All in all, the place was open and airy with real personality, and clearly not your generic holiday rental.
The one downside was that the Caleidoscopio did not have a washer or dryer on-site. I was headed to Rome afterwards, so it wasn't a big deal, but just remember to do your laundry before/after your stay!
Cleanliness & Safety
Cleanliness
I grew up in New York City and bedbugs are always on my mind, so cleanliness is a big factor for me when deciding on a place to stay.
Caleidoscopio was clean and the property was clearly well maintained. There was no grease on any of the kitchen counters or pans and no stains on any of the linens.
I felt at-home and reassured knowing that the space was beautiful and clean.
Safety
As a solo traveler, safety is another one of my big concerns.
I always look up the safest neighborhoods in a region before booking my stay, and while the Amalfi Coast in general is pretty safe, having a gate to the property and then an additional lock on my apartment made me feel even more secure.
I liked that Ivano had a friend nearby and the entire complex very much felt like a local community where neighbors watched out for each other.
Additionally, I loved that it was outside of Amalfi Town so there was naturally less foot traffic and more security.
Everyone that I encountered was thoughtful and caring, and that made the experience really special.
Food, Transportation, & Nearby Activities
Food
Since you’re staying in a B&B, there's obviously no restaurant or room service on site but the kitchen makes it super easy to save money by just cooking!
The grocery store is a 10-minute walk away, and it's a very local store. I got a lot of confused stares when I walked in, but everyone was super sweet.
I really loved their selection of frozen vegetables and was able to prep healthy and budget-friendly meals for myself.
You can also buy fresh produce from shops in Positano or Amalfi Town, but those tend to be a little more expensive.
There are also plenty of restaurants in Amalfi Town and if you're out exploring anyway, I highly recommend you check out some local restaurants and get a bite in before returning back to the B&B.
Transportation
I mentioned earlier that I arrived to Caleidoscopio by bus, but that’s because I had a lot of luggage.
If you’re down for it you can just walk 30 minutes from Amalfi Town to the B&B and that’s typically what I did in the morning when I was heading out to explore.
They also do have a parking spot on the property (for about €40 - 50 per day), but I cannot speak to that experience because I did not drive.
Things To Do
While there's not much to do within the immediate vicinity of Caleidoscopio (it's literally just mountain road), you're within walking distance to Amalfi Town.
Spend your day lounging at the beach, visiting the Duomo, or learning more about traditional crafts at the Museo della Carta.
The point of visiting the Amalfi coast, of course, is to explore the different towns. So take excursions to Positano or Ravello, and if you have extra time, you can even hop on over to Capri or Naples.
If you're the outdoorsy type, you can also hike the Pogerola Circuit, an 8km trail of medium difficulty that begins behind the main square of Pogerola (a little past this B&B).
Was It Worth The Stay?
Yes. I think so. I would absolutely stay here again.
What I Loved:
I love that it was incredibly beautiful, peaceful, and exactly as advertised.
Caleidoscopio is somewhat removed from the main Amalfi Town but that in itself ended up being a blessing because it made it easier for me to stay focused and travel slowly.
Sometimes, when I visit a place, I feel an obligation to see everything and do everything. But because of the location, it forced me to be more mindful about my itinerary and selective about how I wanted to spend my time.
There was one day when it was pouring for example, and I basically just spent the morning relaxing on the bed, watching the rain pour, and enjoying berries with my coffee. It was the epitome of Amalfi Coast living, and I felt like that moment captured the beauty of the region more than the tourist-run alleys of Positano.
What could’ve been better?
Location was definitely a double-edged sword.
It's totally fine if you love walking, but the 30 minute trek from Amalfi Town to the B&B is definitely not the most accessible (especially thinking about less able-bodied individuals, older travelers, or people with children).
You could easily take the bus, but even on that end, it's a bit challenging to coordinate schedules for morning trips and getting back in the evenings.
I did not have the patience for all of that coordination and planning, and just ended up walking a bunch.
The Caleidoscopio Amalfi B&B in Amalfi Town is the perfect choice for slow travelers who prioritize space and peace, but if you've read this review and decided that maybe it's not for you, here are some of my top picks for alternatives that are closer to Amalfi Town.
Once you've booked your stay, get to planning your activities with this ultimate Amalfi Travel guide or steal my full three week slow travel Italy itinerary to really tap into la dolce far niente.