Your Complete Amalfi Coast Travel Guide

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The Amalfi Coast travel guide you actually need before you book. This 50-kilometre stretch of southern Italian coastline has dramatic cliffs, colourful villages, and some of the best seafood in Europe. But it can also be crowded, expensive, and confusing to navigate if you arrive without a plan. Here is everything you need to know to do it properly.

Where Is the Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast sits in the Campania region of southern Italy, about 60 kilometres south of Naples and 30 kilometres from Sorrento. The official UNESCO-listed area runs from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east, hugging the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula.

The nearest major airports are Naples (NAP) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Most US travellers fly into one of these and then make their way south. From Naples, it takes about 90 minutes by car or ferry to reach Positano or Amalfi town.

Getting to the Amalfi Coast from the US

Most direct flights from the US land in Rome or Naples. Rome is the easier transatlantic hub, with more direct connections from major US cities. From Rome, you have two options:

• Train to Naples, then ferry or SITA bus: Take a high-speed Frecciarossa train from Rome Termini to Naples Centrale (about 70 minutes). From Naples, catch a ferry from the Molo Beverello port to Positano (about 90 minutes) or take the SITA bus from Sorrento.
• Drive from Rome: Roughly 3 hours by car via the A1 motorway to Naples, then south along the SS18. Note that the coastal SS163 road (the Amalfitana) is narrow and winding — not ideal for first-time drivers. Hire a car only if you are comfortable with tight mountain roads.

If you are planning a broader Italian trip, read our guide on how to plan a trip to Italy from the US — it covers transport, budgeting, and building a sensible itinerary.

The Best Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast has over a dozen towns, but you do not need to see all of them. Focus on quality over quantity. Here are the ones worth your time.

Positano

Positano is the most photogenic town on the coast and the one most people picture when they think of the Amalfi Coast. Pastel-coloured houses stack up the cliffside above a small pebble beach. The main beach, Spiaggia Grande, gets very busy in summer. Come early, or walk 15 minutes to the quieter Fornillo beach.

Positano is best for: atmosphere, shopping (ceramics, linen), sunsets.

Amalfi Town

Amalfi was once a powerful maritime republic, and you can still feel that history in the cathedral, the old paper mills, and the narrow lanes behind the main piazza. The Duomo di Sant’Andrea is one of the finest Arab-Norman churches in southern Italy. Visit early in the morning before the day-trip crowds arrive.

Amalfi is best for: history, cathedral visits, paper museum (Museo della Carta).

Ravello

Ravello sits high above the coast at 350 metres. It is quieter, cooler, and less touristy than the towns below. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo have some of the most spectacular garden views in Italy. Ravello also hosts a famous music festival each summer.

Ravello is best for: gardens, views, escaping the crowds.

Praiano

Most tourists skip Praiano, which is exactly why it is worth visiting. It sits between Positano and Amalfi and has a small fishing harbour, genuine local restaurants, and far fewer people. It is also a good base if you want to be central without paying Positano prices.

When to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The best months are May, June, and September. Crowds are manageable, the sea is warm enough to swim, and prices are reasonable. July and August are peak season — hot, packed, and expensive. Book accommodation months in advance if you plan to travel in summer.

October and April offer quieter visits but some ferry services reduce or stop outside peak season. Check our full season-by-season guide for Italy before you decide on dates — the Amalfi Coast has different rhythms to the rest of the country.

Avoid Easter week if you want peace and quiet — the coast fills with Italian domestic tourists during the long Easter weekend.

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

This is where many travellers go wrong. The coastal road is beautiful but deeply impractical for driving. Buses are the backbone of local transport, but they are slow and crowded in summer. Here is what actually works.

Ferries and Hydrofoils

The ferry network is the best way to move between towns in the warmer months (roughly April to October). TravelMar and Alilauro run regular services connecting Positano, Amalfi, Salerno, and the islands of Capri and Ischia. Ferries are scenic, fast, and let you avoid the coastal road entirely. Buy tickets at the harbour or online in advance for busy routes.

SITA Buses

The SITA bus service runs the length of the coast road year-round. It is cheap (around €2-3 per journey) and goes to places ferries do not reach. The downside is that buses fill up fast in summer and can be delayed. Buy tickets before boarding at tobacconists or ticket kiosks — not on the bus.

Water Taxis and Private Boats

If you want flexibility without the stress of driving, hire a private boat or water taxi for a day. This is not cheap, but it allows you to reach small coves, grottoes, and beaches that are inaccessible by road. Several local operators in Positano and Amalfi offer half-day and full-day hire.

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Positano has the widest range of accommodation — from boutique hotels and pensioni to vacation rentals. Expect prices to be high in summer: a standard double room in a decent hotel costs €200–€350 per night in July and August. Praiano and Minori offer more affordable options without sacrificing location.

If you are travelling on a tighter budget, stay in Salerno (the city at the eastern end of the coast) and make day trips by ferry. Salerno is a real working Italian city with good restaurants and far lower prices.

Whatever you choose, book early. Amalfi Coast accommodation sells out months in advance, especially in summer. Most properties require a minimum two or three-night stay during peak season.

What to Eat and Drink

The Amalfi Coast has its own distinct food culture, shaped by the sea and the lemon groves that cover every available hillside.

Seafood

Fresh seafood is the centrepiece of every meal. Look for alici (fresh anchovies, often served fried or marinated), totani (local squid), and scialatielli ai frutti di mare — a short, thick pasta with mixed seafood that originates from this coast. Avoid any restaurant with a plastic menu and photos of the food outside.

Limoncello

The Amalfi Coast is limoncello country. The local Sfusato Amalfitano lemon is larger and more fragrant than most varieties, and every family has their own recipe. Read our piece on why every Amalfi family has its own limoncello recipe to understand what makes this coastline’s version different.

Mozzarella di Bufala

The Campania region produces the finest mozzarella di bufala in Italy. Order it simply, with a little olive oil and salt, to taste it properly. You will find it at every trattoria along the coast.

Practical Tips for the Amalfi Coast

Wear Good Shoes

Almost everything on the Amalfi Coast involves steps. Hundreds of them. Most towns are built vertically into the cliffs, and flat ground is rare. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Flip-flops are fine on the beach but impractical for exploring.

Carry Cash

Many smaller cafés, market stalls, and bus ticket sellers only accept cash. Keep euros on you. ATMs exist in the main towns but queues can be long in summer.

Book Restaurants in Advance

In peak season, the best restaurants in Positano and Amalfi fill up days in advance. If you have somewhere specific you want to eat, book it before you arrive.

Respect the Hiking Paths

The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) above the Amalfi Coast is one of the most rewarding hikes in Italy — but not for casual walkers in sandals. It requires proper footwear and a moderate level of fitness. The views are extraordinary and well worth the effort for those who are prepared. Read more about the ancient paths above the Amalfi Coast before you go.

Day Trips vs. Staying Overnight

Many people visit the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Naples or Sorrento. This is fine for a quick taste, but it means arriving with the crowds and leaving before the evening calm. If your budget allows, spend at least two nights on the coast itself. The mornings and evenings, when the day-trippers have gone, are the best times to experience the towns as they really are.

How Many Days Do You Need?

Three to four days gives you time to see the main towns, do one hike, swim, and eat well without rushing. Five to seven days lets you move at a more relaxed pace, explore quieter villages like Cetara and Atrani, and take a boat trip to Capri. A day trip from Naples or Sorrento gives you a glimpse, but not much more.

For most US travellers combining the Amalfi Coast with Rome, Florence, and the north, three to four days is the right allocation. Pair it with a day in Naples on the way through, and you have a solid southern Italy itinerary.

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