The Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the world. Clifftop villages in shades of amber and rose, turquoise water hundreds of metres below, and roads that switchback through lemon groves — this is Italy at its most theatrical. This Amalfi Coast travel guide covers everything you need to plan your trip: the best towns, when to go, how to get there, and what not to miss in 2026.
🇮🇹 Free: 7-Day Southern Italy Road Trip Itinerary
Rome → Naples → Amalfi → Matera → Alberobello → Lecce. Day-by-day route, packing list, driving tips and hidden gems — completely free.
Get the Free Itinerary → Subscribe free at the itinerary page to receive weekly Italy storiesWhat Is the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast — Costiera Amalfitana in Italian — is a 50-kilometre stretch of cliffs and coves along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Campania. It takes in 13 coastal towns, from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. UNESCO added it to its World Heritage List in 1997, recognising both the dramatic landscape and the centuries of human settlement carved into the rock.
The coast sits about an hour south of Naples by road or ferry — short enough for a long day trip, but rich enough to deserve at least two or three nights. If you are planning a longer stay in southern Italy, our two-week Italy itinerary shows how to combine the Amalfi Coast with Rome, Tuscany and more.
Best Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast
The coast is not one destination — it is a chain of very different villages. These are the ones worth your time.
Positano
Positano is the most photographed town on the coast. Pink, yellow and terracotta houses tumble steeply to a pebble beach, with the dome of Santa Maria Assunta marking the heart of the village. It is lively, stylish and very busy from June to September. Boutique shops sell local ceramics and hand-stitched sandals on the narrow stepped streets. Read our full guide to Positano to see how to make the most of a visit here.
Amalfi Town
The medieval Republic of Amalfi was once one of the great maritime powers in the Mediterranean. The town’s Arab-Norman cathedral — the Duomo di Sant’Andrea — is the finest building on the coast. Wander the narrow streets behind the main piazza to find paper workshops producing the region’s famous carta amalfitana, local ceramics and quieter cafés away from the waterfront.
Ravello
Ravello sits 350 metres above the sea on the hillside above Amalfi. It is quieter, cooler and more refined than the towns below. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone both have terraced gardens with views across the Gulf of Salerno. Ravello hosts an acclaimed classical music festival each summer. The town is less visited than Positano but arguably more beautiful.
Praiano
Praiano lies between Positano and Amalfi and sees a fraction of the tourist traffic. The village climbs the hillside, with a small sandy beach at Marina di Praia below. Sunsets viewed from the clifftop church of San Gennaro are extraordinary. Praiano makes the best base if you want Amalfi Coast atmosphere without Positano prices.
Cetara
Cetara is a working fishing village at the eastern end of the coast. It produces colatura di alici, a fermented anchovy condiment that Italians have used to flavour pasta for centuries. Fewer tourists mean more honest prices and a genuine local atmosphere. The pasta with colatura is worth the journey on its own.
When to Visit the Amalfi Coast
May to June and September to October are the best months. The weather is warm, the sea is swimmable, and the roads are not yet at capacity. Our month-by-month Amalfi Coast guide breaks down crowds, weather and prices for every season in detail.
July and August are the busiest months. Hotels fill months in advance, the coastal road becomes gridlocked, and prices reach their peak. Avoid these months if your schedule allows it. November to March is quiet, some businesses close, but the landscape is beautiful and prices drop sharply. Cliffside rooms available in summer for 600 euros a night often cost half that in October.
How to Get to the Amalfi Coast
🇮🇹 Planning Your Italy Trip?
Get our free Southern Italy Road Trip Itinerary — a day-by-day route from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, Matera and beyond.
Get the Free Itinerary →Flying In
The closest airport is Naples Capodichino (NAP), about 70 kilometres from Positano. From the US, seasonal direct flights operate from New York (JFK) with ITA Airways and Neos. You can also fly via London, Rome or Frankfurt. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is a second option — it sits about 2.5 hours from the coast by road, or around four hours by train and connecting bus.
Getting From Naples to the Amalfi Coast
From Naples, you have three main options:
- Ferry — From Naples Molo Beverello port, ferries run to Positano and Amalfi from April to October. Journey time is roughly 1.5 hours. Check Alilauro and Travelmar for timetables and booking.
- SITA bus — A direct bus runs from Naples via Sorrento to the main coast towns. The journey to Positano takes about 2.5 hours. Cheap but slow on busy summer days.
- Private transfer — A car from Naples to Positano takes about 75 minutes without traffic. Several companies offer fixed-price transfers, which work well for groups or families with luggage.
Our guide to travelling Italy by train covers rail and ferry connections to southern Italy. Our Naples travel guide is worth reading if you plan to spend a day or two in the city first.
Getting Around the Amalfi Coast
The coast road (SS163) runs for 50 kilometres through every town. It is narrow, steep and winding, with sheer drops on one side and rock faces on the other. Driving is an experience for confident motorists, but it demands full concentration. The SITA buses that run the full length of the road are large, and overtaking them on blind corners is not for the faint-hearted.
The SITA bus is the easiest option if you are not renting a car. Buses run frequently between Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno. Buy your ticket at a bar or tabacchi (tobacconist) before boarding — not on the bus. A day pass makes hopping between towns simple.
Ferries connect the main towns from April to October. The ferry from Positano to Amalfi takes about 20 minutes. Boat trips to sea caves, hidden coves and the Grotta dello Smeraldo run from every town on the coast.
What to Do on the Amalfi Coast
Walk the Path of the Gods
The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is a 7.8-kilometre trail along the ridge above the coast, with panoramic views of Positano and the sea below. The route runs from Bomerano to Nocelle, finishing just above Positano. Start early to avoid the midday heat. Bring at least two litres of water — the trail has little shade from June to September. The final descent into Positano via stepped paths takes about 45 minutes.
Explore the Furore Fjord
The Fiordo di Furore is a narrow gorge where the River Schiato meets the sea. A stone arch bridge spans the gap 30 metres above the water. You can swim in the inlet below and hire a kayak from the small beach. Furore is one of the least-visited spots on the coast and one of the most remarkable. The walk down from the coast road takes about ten minutes.
Day Trips From the Amalfi Coast
Pompeii is 45 minutes from Sorrento by the Circumvesuviana train and deserves a full day. Book your Pompeii entry tickets in advance — queues at the gate can run over an hour in peak season. Capri is a 40-minute ferry from Sorrento or Positano. The island is busy in summer but the views from Monte Solaro and the walk to Villa Jovis are worthwhile. Herculaneum, a Roman town better preserved than Pompeii, is 20 minutes from Naples by train.
Food and Drink on the Amalfi Coast
Lemons are the signature of the coast. The sfusato amalfitano lemon, grown on the terraces above the towns, is larger and more fragrant than any variety you will find elsewhere in Italy. Limoncello made from these lemons is a different product entirely from the bottled version sold in supermarkets. Try a glass at any bar in Amalfi town.
Local pasta uses the sea’s produce — spaghetti alle vongole with clams, linguine al granchio with crab, and pasta with bottarga or fresh anchovy. In Cetara, order pasta with colatura di alici, the fermented anchovy drizzle that gives the dish an intensity no other ingredient can replicate. Sfogliatelle — crisp ricotta pastries from Naples — make the ideal breakfast.
Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
Positano has the widest choice, from famous luxury hotels to small family-run pensioni. Book at least three months ahead for July and August. Ravello and Praiano are quieter and better value. Amalfi town sits centrally and works well if you plan to travel the full coast by ferry and bus.
Budget travellers should consider Maiori or Minori — two beach towns east of Amalfi with cheaper room rates and frequent bus links to the main sights. For a wider guide to swimming and beach options along the coast, see our full guide to Italy’s best beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Amalfi Coast
What is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
May, June, September and October offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds and reasonable prices. July and August are beautiful but very busy, with higher hotel rates and heavy traffic on the coastal road. Spring and early autumn give you the Amalfi Coast at its most enjoyable.
How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast?
Three days gives you enough time to see Positano, Amalfi town and Ravello without rushing. Five days allows you to explore Praiano, Cetara and Furore and add a day trip to Pompeii or Capri. If the Amalfi Coast is part of a wider Italy trip, plan it alongside our two-week Italy itinerary.
Is driving on the Amalfi Coast recommended for first-time visitors?
Driving is a memorable experience for confident motorists, but the road is narrow, bus traffic is heavy, and parking is limited and expensive in most towns. Many first-time visitors find the SITA bus or ferry less stressful and just as scenic. If you do hire a car, avoid driving in July and August when the road is at its busiest.
Do I need to book hotels in advance?
Yes, especially for July and August. Popular hotels in Positano and Ravello book up three to six months ahead in peak season. For May, June, September and October, booking six to eight weeks in advance is usually sufficient — though earlier is always better for the best-situated rooms.
You Might Also Enjoy
- Why Positano Is One of Italy’s Most Famous Villages
- Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast: Month-by-Month Guide 2026
- Naples Italy Travel Guide
Plan Your Italy Trip
Ready to plan your full Italian adventure? Our ultimate Italy travel guide covers how to plan, what to budget and where to go across every region.
Join 30,000+ Italy Lovers
Every week, get Italy’s hidden gems, local secrets, and travel inspiration — the kind you won’t find in any guidebook.
Subscribe free — enter your email:
Love more? Join 64,000 Ireland lovers → · Join 43,000 Scotland lovers → · Join 7,000 France lovers →
Free forever · One email per week · Unsubscribe anytime
Secure Your Dream Italian Experience Before It’s Gone!
Planning a trip to Italy? Don’t let sold-out tours or overcrowded attractions spoil your adventure. Unmissable experiences like exploring the Colosseum, gliding through Venice on a gondola, or marvelling at the Sistine Chapel often book up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Italy's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!