In a nutshell
- Not sure where to stay on the Amalfi Coast? We recommend three towns for an overnight stay: Positano, Amalfi, and Maiori — each with a very different vibe.
- Positano has the most beautiful hotels, Amalfi offers the most in terms of culture and connections, and Maiori is the best pick for beach lovers and budget travelers.
- Amalfi Coast hotels are pricey — but there are affordable options if you know where to look, especially outside the main towns.
- Our top value pick: Hotel Il Nido, just outside Amalfi — great prices even in peak season.
What You Need to Know About Hotels on the Amalfi Coast
- The decor of hotels on the Amalfi Coast is very southern Italian: tiled floors, baroque-style furniture, lacquered finishes — it all looks pretty old-fashioned, but that’s the typical style. You’ll find modern designer furniture mostly in the luxury hotels.
- If you’re arriving by car, make absolutely sure you book a hotel with parking. This is super important on the Amalfi Coast, because parking spots are scarce and expensive.
- Book your accommodations well in advance — ideally three to four months ahead. The more affordable places on the Amalfi Coast fill up fast.
- Hotels outside the towns are cheaper on the Amalfi Coast. However, you’ll need to arrive by car.
- From November through March, many hotels and restaurants on the Amalfi Coast are closed. The shoulder season is in April, May, and October.
Hotel Prices on the Amalfi Coast
Hotels on the Amalfi Coast are expensive. You’re not just paying for the hotel — you’re also paying for the location on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
A good mid-range hotel on the Amalfi Coast costs between €150 and €400 per night, depending on the season and location.
If you stay in Positano or Amalfi, expect to pay at least €200 per night — and that’s in the shoulder season.
Things get a bit more affordable in less well-known towns, such as Praiano or Maiori.
For upscale hotels, budget from around €400 per night and up. In Positano, rooms going for €600 to €900 a night are not unusual.
Map of the Best Places to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
On this map, we’ve marked the three towns that we consider ideal for staying on the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi, and Maiori.
Further below, we share our hotel recommendations for each town.
Which Part of the Amalfi Coast Is the Most Beautiful? The Best Places to Stay
The Amalfi Coast has a pretty wide range of accommodations to choose from. That can make picking a great hotel feel overwhelming at first.
Where you stay depends a lot on your budget and your preferences, since every town has its own character.
If you want to explore the rest of the Amalfi Coast from your base, stay in a town served by the ferry.
That way, you can reach many spots along the coast by sea. It’s much more relaxed than getting around by car or bus, because A) parking on the Amalfi Coast is severely limited, and B) the coastal road connecting all the towns is frequently congested. During peak season, there are also complete driving bans for cars on many days.
The following towns are served by the ferry, which is why we consider them the best places to stay on the Amalfi Coast:
- For romance and luxury: Positano
- For history and culture: Amalfi
- For beach vacations and budget travelers: Maiori
Note: We personally stayed in Sorrento. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the Amalfi Coast, but accommodation is a bit cheaper there, and you can also easily reach Pompeii or Mount Vesuvius.
Staying in Amalfi
Amalfi is, historically speaking, the most important town on the Amalfi Coast. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the maritime republics of Italy, alongside Venice and Genoa. That’s why Amalfi also gives the coast its name.
Here you’ll find the widest selection of lodging options: from luxury hotels to small B&Bs.
You’re also best connected here: from Amalfi, you can reach all the towns on the coast by boat, car, or bus. For example, the direct bus to the start of the Path of the Gods runs only from Amalfi.
There are also more historic sights here than in Positano, and with its small restaurants and gelato shops, it generally feels more authentic.
During the day, Amalfi can get pretty busy with day-trippers. In the evenings, things quiet down nicely.
Advantages of staying in Amalfi
- You’re well connected
- There are many types of accommodations
- It’s more authentic than Positano
- You’re in the historically most important town on the Amalfi Coast
Disadvantages of staying in Amalfi
- It gets very crowded in peak season
- The beaches are small
- Prices are high in peak season
Our Hotel Recommendations in Amalfi
If you want to treat yourself, our top pick for where to stay on the Amalfi Coast is the Palazzo Don Salvatore, a boutique hotel with just six rooms right on the beach in Amalfi.
If you’d rather spend less, we recommend La Bambagina: right on Amalfi’s cathedral square and genuinely affordable for such a central location.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Lies auch:
Staying in Positano
Positano is the icon of the Amalfi Coast: colorful houses, breathtaking sea views, luxury boutiques, and steep lanes climbing up the hillside. When you see a picture of the Amalfi Coast, it’s almost always Positano.
One of the highlights in Positano is the famous beach, Marina Grande. From here you look up at the entire village with its terraces — seriously one of the most stunning views on the coast.
Positano is also one of the most expensive places to stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Advantages of staying in Positano
- You’re staying in the most romantic spot on the Amalfi Coast
- You have spectacular views from everywhere
- This is where you’ll find the most beautiful hotels
- You can get anywhere by ferry
Disadvantages of staying in Positano
- High prices
- Lots of stairs and steep lanes
- Extremely crowded
Our Hotel Recommendations in Positano
If you want to stay in Positano but prefer a quieter vibe, our pick is Il Barilotto. Every room has its own balcony facing the sea, and you’re away from the hustle of the town center.
If you really want to splurge, we recommend the Villa Magia. Beautiful, bright rooms, tasteful design, and the most accessible price point among Positano’s luxury hotels.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Lies auch:
Staying in Maiori
Maiori is known for having the largest sandy beach on the Amalfi Coast.
Most hotels here sit right on the water, and at comparatively affordable prices — which is genuinely rare on this stretch of coastline.
That makes Maiori especially attractive for families or anyone whose top priority is a proper beach vacation.
Beach chair and umbrella rentals on Maiori’s beach cost around €20 per day — very reasonable for Amalfi Coast standards.
There’s a waterfront promenade with restaurants, a decent evening atmosphere, and Amalfi is just ten minutes away by ferry. Getting to Positano takes about 30 minutes longer.
Advantages of staying in Maiori
- Waterfront hotels are more affordable here, even in peak season
- This is where you’ll find the largest beach on the Amalfi Coast
- You’re well connected by ferry
Disadvantages of staying in Maiori
- You’re farthest from Naples Airport
- No direct ferry connection to Naples
- Lots of modern buildings mean it has less character than other towns
Our Hotel Recommendations in Maiori
If you’re only staying a few days, Maiori Luxury is absolutely worth it — an elegant, affordable bed & breakfast just a few steps from the beach.
Hotel Club Due Torri, on the other hand, is perfect for a proper pool-and-beach stay, at genuinely good prices by Amalfi Coast standards.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Budget Hotels on the Amalfi Coast
Want to stay on the Amalfi Coast without breaking the bank? It’s possible — specifically if you look outside the main towns.
You’ll definitely need a car, but in return you can pay as little as half the price.
Here are three budget hotels on the Amalfi Coast located outside the towns, all with parking:
Tenuta La Picola: Incredible views from the breakfast terrace, lemon garden
Il Nido: Excellent value for money, just outside Amalfi
Agriturismo San Lazzaro: Modern furniture (super rare in this price range!), great views, truly affordable
