While it’s only been a few months since The National dropped their album, First Two Pages Of Frankenstein, it seems they’ve been hard at work on another. Tonight the band kicked off their Homecoming 2023 Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Across the two festival days, fans also get to hear either High Violet or Trouble Will Find Me played in full. They can catch other acts tomorrow like Pavement, Snail Mail, Weyes Blood, and more. Tickets are still available for 1-Day General Admission for Saturday here.

And they had a special announcement in store: unveiling that their new album, Laugh Track, is on the way. It will also drop sooner than most expected, arriving Sunday night at midnight — or Monday morning, technically.

While not much else is known about The National’s new record yet, those attending the first night received a truly welcoming surprise.

First Two Pages Of Frankenstein dropped back in April, featuring collaborations with Phoebe Bridgers, Sufjan Stevens, and Taylor Swift. They then headed out on a worldwide tour, including a stop at Madison Square Garden with Patti Smith as a surprise guest. The National’s tour dates are continuing in Europe through early October.

“Even though we’d always been anxious whenever we were working on a record, this was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end,” lead singer Matt Berninger shared previously.

Check out a video of The National announcing their new album at the Cincinnati Homecoming Festival below.

Just a few hours after Drake dropped his “Slime You Out” collaboration with SZA, actress Halle Berry has some thoughts. Specifically, she took to social media after finding out the Canadian rapper used her photo to promote the track without permission.

The photo is of Berry covered in slime, which actually happened at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Her Instagram post was a simple photo that read: “Sometimes you have to be the bigger guy… Even if you’re a woman!”

Berry then replied to a fan who flat out asked her what she thought about it — and she did not hold back. “Didn’t get my permission,” she said. “That’s not cool I thought better of him!”

“Hence my post today,” Berry added with a second comment. “When people you admire disappoint you, you have to be the bigger person and move on.”

After the news broke, fans on social media pointed out that it’s not even used as the actual single cover, but Drake’s For All The Dogs album art is. Still, others get where she’s coming from. “The wild part is that Halle Berry probably would’ve been cool with Drake using her photo if he would’ve just asked,” wrote one user.

Check out Halle Berry’s comments about being used for Drake’s “Slime You Out” below.

The National kicked off the first night of their Homecoming 2023 Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio tonight — and they had some surprises in store. During their set tonight, the group brought out Patti Smith, and the fans went wild.

Just a few weeks ago, Patti Smith and her band had opened for The National as a special guest during their Madison Square Garden shows in NYC. Smith also performed earlier in the evening at the festival.

Smith then returned once more to perform “I Need My Girl” with The National during their headlining set. The band are playing their 2010 album High Violet in full tonight — and those who are going tomorrow night can expect to hear Trouble Will Find Me in its entirety. However, The National are also sprinkling in some other songs on the setlist.

According to Setlist.fm, The National dedicated “Afraid Of Everyone” to Michael Stipe and Patti Smith during an earlier part of their performance. As the night and weekend continues, time will tell what else they have planned.

There are still one-day passes for Saturday of the Homecoming Festival available. More information can be found via the band’s website.

Check out a video of Patti Smith performing “I Need My Girl” with The National above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Guns N’ Roses are continuing to tour North America, with another show being held tonight (September 15) in Hollywood, Florida. They will then continue through November, ending in Mexico City.

While there were already quite a lot of stops along the way, the rock band is adding a few more dates and chances for fans to catch them. The new shows are in Edmonton, Canada on October 19; Nampa, Idaho on October 22; Salt Lake City, Utah on October 24; and Denver, Colorado on October 27.

Guns N’ Roses Nightrain fan club members can purchase tickets on September 18. Live Nation will be holding a pre-sale for these new dates on Tuesday, September 19 at 10 a.m. local time. Finally, the general sale will then open up the following day. More information can be found here.

Continue scrolling for the remaining Guns N’ Roses North American tour dates, including the new ones.

09/15 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
09/20 — Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum
09/23 — Kansas City, MO @ Kauffman Stadium
09/26 — San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
09/28 — Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park
10/01 — San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium
10/08 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
10/11 — Phoenix, AZ @ Chase Field
10/16 — Vancouver, BC @ BC Place
10/19 — Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
10/22 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Arena
10/24 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center
10/27 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
11/05 — Toluca, MX @ Hell And Heaven Festival

Pat McAfee kicked off Smackdown live from Denver, which happened to be just down the road where he broke a bit of news earlier in the afternoon from Boulder, Colorado.

It didn’t take long for McAfee to be interrupted by Austin Theory, who hit the ring and talked down the ESPN personality. Theory talked about Smackdown being Austin Theory Live and called it his show.

McAfee said Smackdown is the people’s show, and asked him if he knows what that means before The Rock’s music hit. Rock came face to face with Theory, where Theory said he’s better than the other Austin and announced he’s so great, he’ll be the entire wrestling Mount Rushmore.

Rock then started a, ‘You are an a-hole’ chant before Theory attacked him. Rock then hit a spinebuster and a People’s Elbow. He then directed McAfee to hit one of his own, which he did before Rock picked up one of Theory’s shoes and tossed it into the crowd.

Rock last wrestled an impromptu match alongside John Cena at WrestleMania 32 against Eric Rowan and Luke Harper. According to The Rock, he may be down for one more, with a rumored showdown with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on the table for WrestleMania 40.

Future has unveiled a treat for his biggest fans in the form of a new, limited-edition vinyl collection that spans his entire career (so far). This will include nine albums and mixtapes that will be split up into various drops.

The first is set to arrive on October 20 and will include Future’s Pluto, DS2, and Super Slimey. The vinyl releases will then continue for two weeks following.

On October 27, he will release vinyl copies of Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights.

Finally, on November 3, fans can grab Purple Reign, Future, and Hndrxx. According to a press release, they are planning on the records selling out and encourage fans to pre-order to secure their Future albums.

“If I was a role model, I wouldn’t want them to do the same exact thing that I’m doing, because the sh*t that I do is one of none,” Future previously shared about his career during an interview with Billboard. “You can take certain things about me, and you can use it to help you to maneuver in life, to help progress and elevate. But using everything that I do — or just following every step — is going to be hard because I think I’m one of none.”

Pre-order Future’s career-spanning vinyl collection here.

Troye Sivan is gearing up to drop his next album single in just a few days, on the heels of his popularity with “Rush.” This new track is titled “Got Me Started” and fans can now expect to hear it on September 20.

Sivan captioned a photo of himself leaping through the air on social media with the phrase, “FREEDOM. LUST. LOVE. FINALLY!” Even if it’s not a lyric from the forthcoming release, it just fits the carefree energy very well.

And fans are extremely excited to hear what’s next. “Oh Troye coming for another serve,” one user wrote.

“Another song of the year,” wrote a different fan. Meanwhile, more users in the quotes were enjoying the fact that it would be dropping on their birthdays.

Leland, who also wrote on the song, shared the news on Twitter, noting, “This is one of my favorites we’ve written together. full pop star mode.”

Based on a YouTube countdown that’s currently taking place for 12 p.m. ET on September 20, there will be a music video from Sivan too. The preview image finds the pop star wearing a green shirt and surrounded by similar colored neon lights — giving a possible dance aesthetic to match the song.

Sivan’s new album, Something To Give Each Other, will drop in full on October 13.

Check out Troye Sivan’s announcement of his “Got Me Started” single above.

Ekkstacy returned today to share his new song, “Problems,” which features Trippie Redd. Opening with an inviting guitar line, the two have chill and emotional vocals that perfectly complement each other. Despite the somber nature, they had a really great time making the track.

“This song was fun to make,” Ekkstacy shared in a statement about the collab. “It happened between like 3 and 6 [a.m.] in Miami right before I had to head to the airport. Trippie and I wrote and recorded the lyrics over the music that my main collaborator Mangetsu made back in Germany.”

“We both came up listening to Trip, so I’m happy we both get to say we have a song with him now,” he added about his team’s shared love for the rapper.

The release also came complete with a video directed by Gilbert Trejo, where he stated that they wanted to “play with the idea of success and happiness.”

The result finds Ekkstacy and Trippie Redd surrounded by people having fun at a mansion, but they’re having a rough time and are visually out of place. They might have reached a peak when it comes to wealth, women, and fancy cars, but are still missing a piece that might make them happy.

Check out Ekkstacy and Trippie Redd’s “Problems” above.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Doja Cat, Diddy, and more.

What a week it’s been in hip-hop. After the MTV VMAs brought a slew of standout performances from Cardi B, Doja Cat, Metro Boomin, and Nicki Minaj, Dunkin’ Donuts announced a drink named after ice Spice and Flyana Boss finally shared a video for their breakout hit “You Wish.” Women are definitely still running rap right now — pun halfway intended.

Meanwhile, in addition to new songs from Denzel Curry, DJ Khaled, Drake, Offset, and Sexyy Red, we got full projects from Diddy, Vic Mensa, and more. Check them out below.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending September 15, 2023.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Diddy — The Love Album: Off The Grid

Diddy’s first solo album in over a decade finds him firmly in a dance lane, turning down the tempo from recent house-influenced releases from Beyoncé and Drake for a more groovy, shoulder-rolling vibe taken from ’80s funk R&B acts like George Benson and Heatwave. There are 2000s club jams, afrobeats experiments, and rappin’ Puff… hip-hop has needed this for a minute. We’re finally seeing the culture as a whole slowly worming its way out of the Xanax-induced daze of the past half-decade and it’s so refreshing.

Nas & Hit-Boy — Magic 3

It’s kind of fitting that Nas’ 50th birthday lands just about a month after hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Nas more or less is hip-hop, and his extended collaborative run with Hit-Boy has both defined and reimagined what hip-hop has been for the past 50 and where it can go as it finally matures out of its awkward adolescent era.

Nasty C — I Love It Here

While lots of attention has rightfully been lavished on music from the West African region of the mother continent, South Africa is not to be slept on. Although most are getting hip to the splendors of amapiano and gqom (you say the “gq” with a click), SA is home to some fun and quirky hip-hop as well. Nasty C is more conventional for US audiences than most, but as a gateway act to the overseas scene, you could do worse. He sounds a little like Don Toliver and Travis Scott here, but with a brighter, more uptempo approach — not a bad thing when you come from the sun-baked cradle of humanity.

Phora — Lucky Me

You know, for as much flak as Drake gets for being the quintessential emo rapper, Phora has utterly locked that lane down. Somehow, the schtick has yet to get as stale from him as it has from the former (no offense intended; Drake just has too much talent to keep bidding for the same audience of 20-year-old college dorm f*ckboys he has been for the past three years). Phora, if nothing else, is consistently entertaining with it and never lets things get too mawkish, which I think is the key.

Vic Mensa — Victor

Vic Mensa has been through the ringer as an artist and as a person, so he has an interesting story to tell. His worldly, well-rounded perspective that goes from the druggy haze of some of rap’s top names and rebellious intellectuals like fellow Chi-Town rapper Noname. The beats here reflect the triumphant mood of a consummate survivor finally coming into his own and doing a little well deserved chest beating. With appearances from Chance The Rapper, Common, D Smoke, Jay Electronica, and Rapsody, this is a “real hip-hop head’s” dream version of the album Vic had in him all this time.

Singles/Videos

Doja Cat — “Balut”

Doja is back talking her sh*t on her latest Scarlet single, so I feel like following her lead. I’ve been telling you people for five years that Amala is a rapper’s rapper, a true hip-hop head raised on backpack rap so dusty that her lyrical skills never should have been in question. Maybe now you’ll finally believe me. (I’m not sure why the song is named after the Filipino duck dish other than say balut is … an acquired taste, as is Doja’s new aesthetic. But if you know, you know.)

Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist — “The Caliphate” Feat. Vince Staples

Just… Ayo, really, fellas. Stop playing. Give us the damn album. We know you finished it. Like, you can’t keep dropping stuff like this and then NOT giving us the album. You know how good this is. You see the response. You’re just being mean at this point. Vince did 30 verses. We know Earl’s been working. Just figure out a cover photo and drop the thing. Please.

Rexx Life Raj — “Hook Mitchell” Feat. Dame D.O.L.L.A.

Rexx has figured out a formula that works for him. It’s left-of-center, so it might not ever be the biggest deal, but he’s been pretty successful doing things his way. So, of course, fellow Bay Area native Damian Lillard is the perfect pairing for this hustle benediction as a player who refuses to switch up despite plenty of external pressure to do so. It’s been working out for him pretty well, too.

$NOT — “Cruel World”

I can’t lie, I was getting a little worried about $NOT. He hadn’t really made much noise since dropping Ethereal last year. But it looks like he’s back and sounding much more focused, tapping into an aggressive lane that fits with his laconic delivery in an off-kilter sort of way. This bodes well for his next project, which is hopefully coming soon.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

I know what you’re thinking, “Amalfi Coast” and “budget” will never work together. And in some ways, it’s true — they don’t stand a chance. A shoe-string budget won’t come close to cutting it on this opulent stretch of Italian coastline. However, you don’t have to ball out to have the Amalfi Coast trip of your dreams (not your wildest dreams, perhaps, but still some pretty great dreams).

I traveled this costly coastline for a week with under €1,000 (~$1050) and want to show you that you don’t have to cross the Amalfi Coast off your list! Plus, many of these budget travel tips can be applied to other international destinations. So get out your notebook, because we’re about to dive into the details on the best months to visit, flight finding strategies, free and inexpensive things to do, budget-friendly places to stay, and how to get the most bang for your buck while dining!

Why It’s Awesome (If That Wasn’t Obvious Already)

Rugged Lattari mountains kiss the Mediterranean Sea along Southern Italy’s famous Campania coastline: the ever-fabled Amalfi Coast. A land with aquamarine waters where candy-striped parasols pattern hot-people-covered beaches, pale blue vespas zip around cliff-curved roads, and bursting bougainvillea bloom across… just about everything.

The Amalfi Coast is no off-the-beaten-path destination. And why would it be? But if you’ve never been, let me tell you, you have to go. And if the price tag of an Amalfi Coast vacation has held you back, we’re about to break free of those chains because it is indeed possible to live your best — and most economical! — life.

PART I — The Best Time to Visit (On A Budget)

We all know about European summer, and now we get to discover the perks of European fall. Because the autumn months, particularly October and November, offer those with a budget-conscious mindset the best window to visit the Amalfi Coast.

I got a July-priced €450 Positano B&B for €110 in early November, complete with a beautiful breakfast spread served on the terrace overlooking a Positano sunrise. The catch? Well, for one, I had to wear a sweater in the evenings. Perhaps worst of all, the coast’s most lusted-over restaurants were closed and boat tours were put on hold. But I mean… the pros outweigh the cons.

Though September is technically fall, it’s still a fairly busy month for tourism on the Amalfi Coast — which is reflected in the prices, lines, and crowds. October is a better time to visit, especially considering the boat tours, restaurants, and beach clubs don’t close until halfway through the month. But honestly, October can still be kind of expensive.

I suggest early November or the beginning of Spring (March) for ultimate Amalfi Coast budget travel. The vibes of summer float in the air, but the high-season prices have cooled off. By the time December rolls around, temps have dipped a bit too low for beach time and the chance of rain has gone up far past my comfort zone. (But if you’re in your winter-wonderland era, I can’t think of a better time to visit the Amalfi Coast than during the holiday season.) And by April, prices start to inch closer to summertime highs!

PART II — How To Get To The Amalfi Coast From The U.S. (On A Budget)

One of the top, if not the top expenditure for an Amalfi Coast trip is the airfare. Worry not, I’m here to help! You see, getting to the Amalfi Coast from outside of Italy doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. It just takes a little strategy, is all! And no, you don’t have to get a VPN or use a dodgy middle-man website.

Flying From the US to Europe:

Your first step is to find an affordable non-stop to Europe as many months in advance as possible. Since these are typically from your state’s largest international airport, you may have to travel a ways past your usual go-to. For example, a direct round-trip flight from JFK to London can cost as little as $400-$600. Same with Denver to Dublin and LAX to Barcelona. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a reasonably priced flight to Italy with a short layover in Spain, like JFK to Naples with a quick stop in Madrid.

I was able to snag a $400 one-way from Costa Rica to Madrid, then take Ryanair to Bari –which suited my long-term travel plans best. But you’ll always find a much better deal doing round-trip. And personally, I avoid non-direct flights since they can end up costing you an entire day of travel.

Flights Around Europe:

Once you’re in Europe, it’s a whole lot cheaper to get to Italy. Just hop on a budget airline like good ol’ Ryanair to Naples, Bari, or Rome. Depending on where you’re coming from, one of these Italian airports will be the cheapest. Remember, if you’re not doing carry-on, you’ll pay extra for a checked bag.

This is your time to practice minimalist packing, friends! Do your research, check all options, and aim for €100 or less. You might consider adding an extra day onto your arrival and departure dates to explore this bonus city (and give yourself a buffer in case Ryanair is… Ryanair-y).

Getting To The Amalfi Coast From Inside Italy:

I won’t lie, getting to the Amalfi Coast is not as easy as hopping on a single high-speed train and saying “Mama Mia!” It will take varying degrees of effort to reach the Amalfi Coast from Italy’s biggest cities, depending on what airport you arrive at.

FROM ROME:

The cheapest and least-confusing route from Rome is to take the 5.5-hour SITA Marozzi bus directly to Amalfi. Otherwise, you’d be looking to take a plane (pricey) or train (cheaper) to Naples, then get to either Sorrento or Salerno. The Trenitalia Frecce to Naples can be as little as €15 and takes around 2.5 hours. Just note that the faster the train, the more expensive the ticket, choose your own adventure!

From Naples and Sorrento, you’ve got some options, but I’ll negate taxis for their exorbitant price and the ferry since they stop running mid-October.

FROM NAPLES:

Make your way to Naples main train station, Napoli Centrale. Oddly enough, the train (Campania Express) is only slightly faster than the FlixBus; both take a little over an hour to reach Sorrento. From Sorrento, hop on a two-hour SITA bus to Amalfi.

Naples to Sorrento is the path more traveled, but my pro tip is to take the 40-minute train from Naples to Salerno — the first big city just outside the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast. From Salerno, you’re only 10 minutes by bus from Vietri sul Mare, one of Amalfi Coast’s less traveled (and less costly), but totally gorgeous and artsy towns. Starting your travels from Salerno instead of Sorrento allows you to see the entirety of the Amalfi Coast from east to west.

FROM BARI:

Since Bari lies opposite the Amalfi Coast in the neighboring Puglia region, you’ll be on a four-hour FlixBus to reach Salerno. Luckily it’s a straight shot, and a beautiful countryside drive through Puglia and Campania. Once again, from Salerno, you’re a quick 10-minute bus ride to the first town of the Amalfi Coast, Vietri sul Mare.

PART III — Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

Thankfully there’s decent public transportation on the Amalfi Coast because taxi-ing everywhere would eat up all your money, fast. During the fall, the SITA bus and the Mobility Amalfi Coast buses are way less packed and behind schedule than they are in the summertime. These two buses will be your main mode of transportation during your Amalfi Coast trip. The FlixBus is great for regional routes, like from Amalfi to Sorrento and Sorrento to Naples. So definitely rely on FlixBus for getting you back to your departure city.

PART IV — Free and Inexpensive Things to Do

Let’s be honest. Life in Italy is more about what you’re not doing than doing. La dolce far niente ring a bell? Still, there are plenty of free and almost free things to do around the Amalfi Coast (besides drooling over sexy Italians).

Hikes:

There’s more to do on the Amalfi Coast than meets the eye (or Instagram), so pack up your athletic shoes because we’re going hiking! One of the best free activities and eco-friendly vacation activities ever. Below are a few hiking paths that have been worn by generations of Amalfi Coast locals (and their mules) to move between lemon and olive groves, vineyards, farms, and villages in the Lattari Mountains Nature Park (Parco regionalale dei Monti Lattari). Fantastico!

Path of the Gods (Il Sentiero Degli Dei):

This ancient path is the most well-known hike on the Amalfi Coast. There’s no need for a guide to hike the Path of the Gods, just make your way to Bomerano by bus and follow the red and white signs for Il Sentiero Degli Dei toward Nocelle and Positano. If you’re up for it, you should absolutely hike the extra mile to Positano! Delight in expansive vistas of the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, and the length of the Sorrento Peninsula. Witness all the little Fiats and Vespas below whizzing around while you’re up in the serenity of nature. Take a moment every now and then to spot the island of Capri in the distance. Path of the Gods is about five miles round-trip.

Stairs of Ravello:

I’ll be honest, the stairs to Ravello are steep. This hike is a lot more difficult than the Path of the Gods. I did not want to move at all the next day. But it was totally worth it! I began the hike from Atrani’s cathedral, but since these paths form a network, you can start from other towns like Amalfi. Expect to climb around 1,700 ancient steps to the romantic medieval town of Ravello. This one is a doozy! Let yourself be enchanted (and distracted) by stunning views and the scent of lemons and olives all around you.

For emotional support along the way, pet all the cute kitties! I promise it helps.

Path of Lemons (Sentiero Dei Limoni):

Long ago Amalfi Coast sister towns, Minori and Maiori, were connected solely by this trail, the Path of Lemons. Thankfully, Sentiero Dei Limoni is a lot less daunting than the stairs to Ravello. You can start from either town and follow the small ceramic signage along the path. There are plenty of citrus groves and incredible views to be relished along the hike, with only a handful of stairs (okay, 400 of them).

You’ll pass through the tiny village of Torre and walk by small homes selling fresh lemonade.

Iron Valley (Valle delle Ferriere):

Did you know that you can hike to a nature reserve from Amalfi town? Just follow the main road in Amalfi up and out into the woods. Keep on track with the red and white signs for Valle delle Ferriere, and you’ll discover numerous waterfalls, pass by the moss-covered ruins of old iron and paper mills, and bathe in freshwater swimming holes. Who would have thought?!

The hike there shouldn’t take you more than 45 minutes. Park officials will ask for €5 to access the very top waterfall, so this isn’t an entirely free experience, but almost!

Free Beaches:

In the land of over-priced beach clubs, you’ll be happy to know that almost every beach has a sliver of free beach (spiaggia libera) for anyone to enjoy, free of charge. Yes, even the most popular beaches! More good news? If you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast during October and onward, most of the beach clubs close… in which case every beach is a spiaggia libera! Just note, that many Amalfi Coast beaches are pebbled — so packing a cushy beach towel is a good idea. If you want to be extra comfy, bring a yoga mat.

We’ve all seen the bikini-clad influencer photos at Spiaggia Grande in Positano. And you can get the same shots (if you’re into that kind of thing) without paying a dime. Just claim your slice of pebbled beach where there are no patterned parasols or colorful daybeds. And get there early. Other big-name beaches like Spiaggia di Fornillo in Positano and Marina Grande in Amalfi have free sections. It will feel great to know you’re soaking up the same Mediterranean sea and sun as those spending upwards of €500 for their beach day next to you.

My favorite beach on the Amalfi Coast is Fiordo di Furore, it is simply cinematic. And it’s always free. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, Fiordo di Furore is great for cliff diving, and you can leap off the 100-foot-tall Amalfi Coast road bridge overhead.

Affordable Beach Clubs:

As a rule of thumb, the further east on the Amalfi Coast you go, the more affordable the beach clubs become. For example, Minori, Maiori, Erchie, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare all have serviced beach clubs at a fraction of the price of those in Positano and Amalfi. Not to mention the beaches here are nice and sandy, and of course, all have free sections as well. But if you’ve got some room in your budget, there’s nothing quite like being served a glass of bubbly beachside on the Amalfi Coast.

These smaller towns are the most affordable places to treat yourself to a splurge beach day.

Ravello’s Villas:

These two villas in the hills of Ravello are absolutely stunning, and though they’re not without a small entrance fee (€7), their value is hard to put a price on.

Villa Cimbrone:

The Villa Cimbrone is no doubt the crown jewel of Ravello. With its stunning Terrace of Infinity and painfully perfect manicured gardens, you’ll soon be under the spell of what makes the Amalfi Coast so alluring. Effortless beauty. (Okay, effortful, but whatever.)

Villa Rufolo:

One of the most widely-known photographs of the Amalfi Coast is taken here at the historic Villa Rufolo. An iconic shot of the bell tower of the Chiesa Dell’Annunziata below the villa’s tall Italian stone pine tree. Villa Rufolo’s gardens are arguably just as hypnotizing as the Villa Cimbrone. For a bird’s-eye perspective of the gardens and the Gulf of Salerno, climb the stairs of the Torre Maggiore museum.

If you’re like me and get startled easily, you should know that there’s a jarringly loud, motion-sensor soundtrack in the museum. It was in Italian, so I assume it was an interesting story of Villa Rufolo’s history.

Duomos:

Of course, visiting churches is a free thing to do on the Amalfi Coast. And they’re aplenty all over Italy. For some, they all look the same. But if you’re a little travel nerd like me, you find appreciation for a church as a glimpse into culture, heritage, history, and way of life. The cathedrals (Duomos) on the Amalfi Coast each have an artistic architectural feature: the Italian majolica dome. These colorful domes are constructed with ceramic tiles that sparkle in the sunlight and are laid in unique patterns. Fun fact? These majolica tiles were made right here on the Amalfi Coast in Vietri sul Mare!

I suggest seeing the Duomo di Amalfi and its fabulous staircase, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Positano (at night if you can), the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Atrani (the dome is right behind it), and the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista in Vietri sul Mare.

Museums:

I’m not a huge history buff myself, but there are some incredible museums on the Amalfi Coast that you can visit for a low cost. Amalfi town has two museums worth checking out. The first is the Museo della Carta: the oldest paper mill in Europe! You’d best grab a few gifts made of Amalfi Paper while you’re here. Amalfi paper is so soft and you can get a name or initials imprinted for a personalized touch. Entrance to the paper museum is €10.

Then there’s the Arsenale di Amalfi (Amalfi Arsenal) which is the museum for history buffs who specifically geek out on military history. Amalfi was an extremely powerful force in its maritime past. Learn all about it and see preserved relics of a bygone era at the onsite museum: the Museum of the Compass and the Maritime Duchy.

If you happen to be in Vietri sul Mare hanging for a low-cost luxury beach day, check out the Museo della Ceramica Vietrense. This little town is where the glittering cathedral domes were made! Vietri is the ceramic capital of the Amalfi Coast. The museum is small, but if you enjoy artsy-fartsy things, you’ll get a kick out of the iconic lemon, stripes, and donkey designs, and of course that special Amalfi yellow — originally Vietri yellow!

PART V — Where to Stay (On A Budget)

Lesser-Known Amalfi Coast Towns:

Remember how I paid €100 a night in Positano? Well, that is definitely considered a budget price. Positano is the most expensive town on the Amalfi Coast. Luckily, you’re about to become familiar with Amalfi Coast’s lesser-known, totally cute towns and villages.

Atrani: I loved my stay in whimsical Atrani because I could literally walk to Amalfi in 10 minutes, then retreat back to my Airbnb for a more relaxed vibe. Airbnb stays can be very affordable here during the autumn months especially. Mine was a discounted $64 a night with a mountain view deck! But make no mistake, this charming town is no “hidden gem.”

Minori & Maiori: You’re bound to find some of Amalfi Coast’s most well-priced hotels and Airbnbs in these two historic towns just east of Amalfi. They’re very well connected with public transportation and have their own ports for ferry access (again, those come to a halt mid-late October). An inexpensive hotel in Minori or Maiori during October goes for around €70 a night. That same hotel in November? €45.

Vietri sul Mare: Though you’re about an hour-long bus ride (and €2) from Amalfi town, Vietri sul Mare is an underrated home base for Amalfi Coast travel. It’s beautiful, authentic (not over touristed), and well-connected to all the towns and villages. Plus you have easy access to larger cities like Sorrento, Naples, and Salerno via train, ferry, and bus. Bed and breakfasts are your best bet for affordable accommodation in Vietri. I paid €70 a night at B&B Sogno.

Sorrento: For the utmost budget option, you’ll be staying in Sorrento. Sorrento is not technically the Amalfi Coast, but we’ll let that slide for the sake of visiting one of the world’s most expensive destinations in an economical fashion. Right? Right. Sorrento is the only city near the Amalfi Coast that has a hostel. At Seven Hostel in Sorrento, you can pay as little as €20 a night from mid-October through November. That’s pretty hard to beat!

PART VI — Where To Eat (On A Budget)

Besides staying at bead & breakfasts, the best way to save money on food is to make your own… But that’s like going to a candy store (Italy) and not letting yourself eat sugar (pasta). Live a little! Here are some wallet-conscious ways to eat well on the Amalfi Coast.

Picnics:

You might be tempted to post up on the terrace of Franco’s Bar in Positano and spend a couple of hours sipping cocktails. But at €22 an Aperol, that afternoon will cost a pretty penny. If that bothers you, a picnic is the solution! Get the Italian version of a charcuterie, known as an affettati from a local salumeria (hit Alimentari Paradiso and Latteria Mini market in Positano). Prosciutto and mozzarella are the tip of the iceberg here. I like to ask for the most local and fresh offerings (locale e fresco) and buy a bottle of wine (or two) then head to the beach or a scenic park.

Now if you ask me, that’s a much more original Instagram photo.

Bottegas + Local Spots:

My tip is to try eateries that are more local and less big-name, like an osteria. Off the tourist drag in Vietri sul Mare is Ristorante La Sosta, where I had an incredible five-course meal of down-home Italian cooking complete with a carafe of wine, dessert, and limoncello for like €40 (a treat-yourself-night).

You can also find delicious, fresh food on the low at pizzerias (Mistral in Atrani has a whole margherita pizza for €6), bars (not that kind, the Italian kind) like crowd favorites Chiosco Bar San Francesco in Maiori and Masaniello Art Café in Amalfi (get the €10 burger with eggplant on a housemade bun, omg). And you MUST get a fried seafood cuoppo from one of the many street vendors!

You can also get an aperitif at a spot where drinks are served with a bite to eat. It’s kind of a “hack” if you will. But you’d be surprised at how filling some of the small plates can be, like meats, cheeses, bread twists like taralli, and finger sandwiches (tramezzini).