In a nutshell
Quick and to the point
- We’ve been to the Amalfi Coast and can say with confidence: good planning is super important. Here we share our best Amalfi Coast tips so you can make the most of every day.
- Visit in spring or fall — from June through September it’s incredibly crowded and even more expensive than usual.
- Hotels on the Amalfi Coast are pricey, but staying somewhere with a sea view is absolutely worth it. The Hotel Il Nido near Amalfi offers genuinely good value for the money.
- The easiest way to get around is by ferry — always buy your tickets the day before. During peak season, buses are packed and unreliable.
What you need to know about the Amalfi Coast
- The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the world.
- It’s located about 1.5 hours by car south of Naples, along one of the most beautiful coastal roads on the planet: the Strada Amalfitana.
- Along the coast, you’ll find some of the most beautiful towns in Italy: Positano, Amalfi, Ravello.
- Be prepared for lots of stairs, narrow roads, and big elevation changes — but also some of the most incredible views you’ll ever see.
- The easiest way to get around is by ferry, which stops at every town along the coast.
- The area is also known for its fresh, Mediterranean cuisine. Don’t leave without trying the fish, seafood, lemon gelato, and mozzarella!
Map of the Amalfi Coast
We’ve marked the Amalfi Coast in turquoise on this map.
It lies south of Naples, on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and stretches about 50 kilometers along the coast.
On the map you can also spot the island of Capri, Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius, and Naples. While these aren’t technically part of the Amalfi Coast, they’re all absolutely worth a visit.
How much time should you spend on the Amalfi Coast?
To explore the entire coast at a relaxed pace, plan for at least one week.
If you also want to spend a few days at the beach, you’ll need even more time.
The Amalfi Coast is 50 kilometers long, there are plenty of highlights to see, and travel times between towns shouldn’t be underestimated.
Realistically, you can cover about one village per day.
Our top tip for the Amalfi Coast: choosing the right time to visit
One of our most important Amalfi Coast travel tips is about timing your visit.
Don’t go between June and September.
It’s absolutely packed, even more expensive than usual, the narrow coastal road is constantly jammed with traffic, and the tight alleyways of the villages are crammed with crowds.
We visited in mid-September and could barely move through Positano and Amalfi because of all the people.
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is spring — April to May — or fall, from late September to late October.
If you opt for a vacation in May, you can already swim and it won’t be too crowded. In late September, you can usually still head to the beach.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
The easiest option is to fly into Naples Airport and then travel to the Amalfi Coast by rental car or ferry.
By car it takes about 1.5 hours; by ferry from the port of Naples it’s around two hours.
Sounds like a long trip? Don’t worry — the drive from Naples is so spectacular that you won’t even notice the time passing. Whether you go by car or ferry.
Alternatively, you can fly into Rome and drive to the Amalfi Coast from there — it’s about three hours by car.
Places you should visit on the Amalfi Coast
The highlights of the Amalfi Coast are above all its villages. From every village you have a stunning panorama of the coast and the sea.
These are the must-sees along the Amalfi Coast:
Positano
Positano is the most famous village on the Amalfi Coast — and the most luxurious.
Everything is pristine and perfect. No matter which way you turn, every corner is made for your Instagram feed.
Colorful houses clinging to steep cliffs, endless staircases, chic boutiques, lemon gelato, and deep-blue sea — that’s Positano in a nutshell.
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Amalfi
Amalfi is touristy too, but not as polished as Positano — it feels more authentic.
It’s a village that is so much more than just a village: Amalfi was once one of Italy’s great maritime republics, alongside Venice and Pisa.
It was a true sea power — and it gave the Amalfi Coast its name.
The town is always buzzing, with a great selection of restaurants, cafés, and small shops.
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Ravello
Ravello is a hilltop village that sits high above the coast and is known for its spectacular sea views.
It’s especially famous for its elegant villas and their gardens — Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are the standouts.
Ravello is wonderfully pleasant because it’s usually far less overrun than the villages down by the water.
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Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods (“Sentiero degli Dei”) is the most famous hiking trail on the Amalfi Coast and one of the most spectacular in all of Italy.
The trail stretches about seven to eight kilometers and runs from Bomerano to Nocelle, a small village above Positano.
Along the way, you’ll have breathtaking views of the coast and the surrounding mountains. The hike takes about four to five hours depending on your pace and how many breaks you take.
Our tip: Start in Bomerano, not the other way around — otherwise you’ll be hiking uphill the whole way. Unless you regularly hike in the Alps, that’s pretty exhausting.
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Capri
Capri is the island of the international jet set, sitting between the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Naples.
It’s known for its dramatic rock formations, steep coastline, and crystal-clear turquoise water.
The Blue Grotto is particularly famous — boat tours from the Amalfi Coast head there daily.
Capri has been drawing artists and celebrities for centuries and remains one of the most luxurious vacation destinations in Italy.
Boat tours depart daily from both Amalfi and Sorrento.
Boat tour to Capri (from Sorrento)
Boat tour to Capri (from Amalfi)
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Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast: finding the right base
Where’s the most beautiful part of the Amalfi Coast? Honestly, it’s hard to say — you really can’t go wrong anywhere along the coast.
Where you stay comes down to budget and atmosphere. Do you want something quiet and romantic, or do you want to be right in the middle of the action?
Every town has its own character, so the best base really depends on what you’re looking for:
- For luxury and romance: Positano, Ravello, Sorrento.
- Quieter and more authentic: Praiano, Minori, Maiori.
- Culture and history: Amalfi, Ravello.
- More affordable lodging: Sorrento, Minori, Maiori.
Want something more concrete? Here are three specific hotel picks for the Amalfi Coast — all well-connected and genuinely good value:
Hotel il Nido: Good prices even during peak season, just outside of Amalfi. Terrace with sea views.
La Bambagina: Bed & Breakfast with great prices, right on Amalfi’s cathedral square.
Tenuta La Picola: A little off the beaten path, but with a wonderful view and great prices.
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Amalfi Coast beaches: where can you swim?
Like the Cinque Terre coast in Liguria, the Amalfi Coast is very steep and rocky — so there are only a handful of small beaches.
Here are our beach recommendations for the Amalfi Coast:
- Spiaggia Grande in Positano: the most famous beach on the Amalfi Coast. Sand and pebbles; a beach umbrella with two loungers costs €40 per person. There is also a free section.
- Spiaggia della Gavitella in Praiano: a smaller, quieter pebble beach accessible via steps. Much more relaxed than Positano.
- Maiori Beach: the largest sandy beach on the coast, cheaper than the others and popular with locals.
- Furore Cove: an incredibly iconic pebble beach tucked inside a fjord, accessible only via steps and narrow paths.
Food and drink on the Amalfi Coast
Limoncello
The Amalfi Coast is the home of the lemon — especially the giant Limoni di Sfusato. Limoncello was invented here and is made from exactly these lemons. It’s traditionally served after a meal.
Lemon Gelato
The most popular way to eat lemon gelato here is to spoon it straight out of a real, hollowed-out lemon. Not only does it look amazing — it tastes incredible too, because the lemon shell intensifies the flavor.
Mozzarella di Bufala
All of Campania is famous for buffalo mozzarella, so this is a must while you’re here. Best enjoyed in a Caprese salad, on pizza, or just on its own.
Scialatelli allo Scoglio
Scialatielli is a typical pasta from the region — thick and slightly wider than spaghetti. It’s often paired with seafood like mussels, squid, and shrimp, served in a tomato or white wine sauce.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
Soft potato dumplings baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella, often finished with a little Parmesan and fresh basil. This classic dish comes from Sorrento.
Torta Ricotta e Pere
Ricotta and pear cake — a classic Amalfi Coast dessert. Legend has it the combination was discovered by accident when a royal chef dropped pieces of pear into a bowl of ricotta. Definitely worth trying!
Getting around the Amalfi Coast
Getting around the Amalfi Coast is quite a challenge and requires careful planning.
The coast is steep, the roads are narrow and winding, and the towns are often perched on cliffs or tucked into tight valleys.
There are no trains — you can only get around by car, bus, or boat.
Visiting the Amalfi Coast by car
During peak season, driving here is a real challenge. Here’s why:
1. Parking spots are scarce and expensive. €10–15 per hour is the going rate in Positano or Amalfi.
2. Between July and September, there are driving restrictions for tourists — you’re only allowed to drive on certain days.
3. The narrow, winding roads are quite adventurous.
4. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence.
If you’re arriving by car, make sure your accommodation has parking. Once you’re settled in, it’s best to leave the car parked and explore the coast by ferry or rental scooter.
Visiting the Amalfi Coast without a car
If you’re visiting without a car, you have two options for getting around:
- the ferry,
- the bus.
The ferry should be your first choice. It’s the easiest and most pleasant way to get from A to B along the coast.
You can buy tickets at any harbor or on the Travelmar website.
Our Amalfi Coast insider tip: Always buy your tickets the day before, especially in summer. We skipped this once and ended up unable to take the ferry back in the evening because everything was sold out — and had to take a very expensive taxi back to our accommodation.
Use the bus as a last resort. Buses on the Amalfi Coast are incredibly crowded and unreliable. In Positano, we waited 1.5 hours for a bus, and when it finally came, it was so packed we couldn’t get on. We had to wait another half hour for the next one.
Amalfi Coast road trip in 7 days
Seven days is a great amount of time for visiting the Amalfi Coast. A few extra days would be even better, so you can also fit in some beach time.
Here’s what a 7-day itinerary could look like:
Day 2: Spend the day in Positano, with its colorful houses and the famous Spiaggia Grande beach.
Day 3: Check in to a place to stay in Amalfi and take a walk around town.
Day 4: Head up to Ravello and visit the villas and gardens.
Day 5: Take a day trip to Capri, visit the Blue Grotto, and ride the chairlift up to Monte Solaro.
Day 6: Take the bus from Amalfi to Bomerano and hike the Path of the Gods. The trail ends near Positano, where you catch the bus back to Amalfi.
Day 7: Return to Naples. If your flight isn’t until the evening, take a walk through the old town — it’s well worth it.
Frequently asked questions about the Amalfi Coast
How expensive is a vacation on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is one of the priciest destinations in Italy. During peak season, hotels cost at least 300 euros per night. In spring or fall, prices drop somewhat. Restaurants and beach chair rentals are also, on average, more expensive than elsewhere in Italy.
Where is the most beautiful spot on the Amalfi Coast?
Honestly, there’s no place along the Amalfi Coast that isn’t beautiful. The most impressive towns, though, are Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello — each with its own distinct character.
Is the Amalfi Coast worth visiting with kids?
With toddlers, it’s pretty tough — most beaches are rocky, the villages are full of steep staircases, and there’s not much for young children to do. We’d only recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast with older kids who can handle the terrain.
Why is the Amalfi Coast so famous?
The landscape is simply stunning — and it’s been celebrated in film and literature for generations as a place of longing. The dramatic coastline drops steeply into the sea, the villages are tucked between the cliffs with their colorful houses, and it’s sunny and dry almost all year round.
What's the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?
Our recommendation: arrive by car, book a hotel with its own parking, leave the car there, and do all your sightseeing by ferry or rental scooter. It’s the most stress-free approach by far.
