The Amalfi Coast is a string of towns stacked on cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, linked by one twisting road and, for most of the year, a fleet of ferries. It suits couples, walkers and anyone happy to trade a packed itinerary for a long lunch with a view. Plan around the boats and the road, and the rest falls into place.
Why go
No stretch of Italian coast looks quite like this. Pastel houses tumble down to tiny beaches, lemon terraces climb the hills and the road clings to the rock face for mile after mile.
Each town has its own character. Positano is the glamorous postcard. Amalfi was once a maritime republic and still has the grandest cathedral. Ravello sits high above the sea, quieter and greener, with gardens and summer concerts. Small Atrani and Praiano feel more lived-in.
Within easy reach are some of Italy’s greatest day trips: the ruins of Pompeii, the island of Capri and the clifftop town of Sorrento.
Amalfi Coast
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Elliott Brown from Birmingham, United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Amalfi Cathedral
A grand stairway climbs to the striped façade of Sant'Andrea, a reminder of Amalfi's maritime-republic past, with the quiet Cloister of Paradise beside it.
Start early, then have a pastry at Pasticceria Pansa below.
Donar Reiskoffer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Atrani
Five minutes' walk from Amalfi, one of Italy's smallest towns has a tiny square and beach and feels far more lived-in than its neighbours.
Walk through the tunnel or along the seafront path.
Istvánka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Villa Rufolo, Ravello
Terraced gardens high above the sea that overlook the coast and inspired Wagner, in Ravello, the quieter, greener town with summer concerts.
Open daily; tickets on site, no booking needed.
Jensens / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Villa Cimbrone
The Belvedere of Infinity, a balustrade lined with marble busts, looks out over the sea in one of the most famous views in Italy.
Porfirio from Procida, Italy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Path of the Gods
A 7–8 km trail from Bomerano to Nocelle, high above Positano, that runs mostly downhill with the coast opening up in front of you.
Start early, wear grippy shoes and carry 1.5 litres of water.
JeCCo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Positano
The glamorous postcard: pastel houses tumbling down to Spiaggia Grande, lanes of shops behind it and a sunset worth staying for.
Check the last ferry time in the morning.
DimiTalen / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Fjord of Furore
A narrow inlet crossed by a high road bridge, best paired with a slow wander around Praiano for sunset.
Take the bus; driving the coast road is not recommended.
Carsten Steger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pompeii
Streets, houses and frescoes of a Roman town buried by Vesuvius, a short ride from Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana train.
Tickets are named and timed; book on the official site.
How to plan a long weekend
Base yourself in one town and move by boat or bus. Changing hotels on this coast wastes half a day each time.
Positano or Amalfi? Amalfi is the transport hub, with ferries and buses in every direction, so it is the easiest base for a first visit. Positano is the most beautiful to wake up in, but it means more steps and more crowds. Ravello is best for a romantic, quiet stay if you don’t mind travelling down to the sea.
Day 1: Amalfi, Atrani and Ravello
Morning: Start in Amalfi. Climb the steps of the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and visit its Cloister of Paradise. Then walk five minutes through the tunnel or along the seafront path to Atrani, one of Italy’s smallest towns, with a tiny square and beach.
Afternoon: Take the bus up to Ravello. Wander the gardens of Villa Rufolo, which overlook the coast and inspired Wagner. It is open daily, and tickets are sold on site with no booking needed. Then walk to the Belvedere of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone for one of the most famous views in Italy.
Evening: Head back down to Amalfi for dinner by the water. The town is quieter once the day-trippers leave.
Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano
Morning: Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), a 7–8 km trail from Bomerano down to Nocelle, high above Positano. Start early, wear proper shoes with grip and carry at least 1.5 litres of water each. Skip it after heavy rain, when the path gets slippery.
Tip: Walk the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle, not the other way. It runs mostly downhill, and the views open up in front of you towards Positano.
Afternoon: From Nocelle, walk the steps down to Positano or catch the local bus. Spend the afternoon on Spiaggia Grande or in the lanes behind it. Read our Positano weekend guide for more.
Evening: Watch the sunset from Positano, then take the last boat or a taxi back to your base. Check ferry times in the morning, as the last sailing can leave early outside summer.
Day 3: Choose your day trip
- Capri: From April to October, ferries run from Positano and Amalfi to Capri. It makes a full, easy day out. See our Capri guide.
- Pompeii: The ruins are a short trip from Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana train. Tickets now carry your name, and the site caps visitors at 20,000 a day with morning and afternoon slots in high season. Book on the official site well ahead.
- Furore and Praiano: For a slower day, take the bus to the fjord at Furore, a narrow inlet crossed by a high road bridge, then walk around Praiano for sunset.
Where to stay
- Amalfi: Best for a first visit and car-free travel, with the most ferry and bus connections.
- Positano: Best for a glamorous stay and beach days. Expect steps everywhere.
- Ravello: Best for couples who want peace, gardens and views. It is a bus or taxi ride from the sea.
- Sorrento: Best for winter visits and easy connections. It is on the train line, has ferries to Capri all year and is a gateway to Pompeii.
- Salerno: Best for rail travellers. It is a real working city with fast trains and ferries along the coast in season.
What to eat and drink
- Limoncello: Lemon liqueur made from the coast’s big, fragrant sfusato lemons. Drink it ice-cold after dinner.
- Delizia al limone: A sponge dome filled and topped with lemon cream, the coast’s signature cake.
- Scialatielli ai frutti di mare: Thick fresh pasta with clams, mussels and prawns.
- Colatura di alici: A golden anchovy sauce from Cetara, served on spaghetti.
- Fresh fish: Grilled or baked in "acqua pazza", a light broth with tomatoes.
Where to go:
- Sal De Riso (Minori): The coast’s best-known pastry shop, with sea-facing tables and the definitive delizia al limone.
- Pasticceria Pansa (Amalfi): A historic café on Piazza Duomo, at the foot of the cathedral steps. Perfect for a morning pastry.
- Pasticceria La Zagara (Positano): A Positano pastry stop on Via dei Mulini, for cakes and lemon treats between beach and boat.
Getting around
Ferries: Boats are the most relaxing way to travel. Most coastal services run from the start of April to the end of October. In 2026 the Positano–Capri route runs a few days longer, until 3 November on NLG and 4 November on Lucibello. Travelmar says its Salerno–Amalfi Coast service runs all year, and one small operator serves Positano year-round, but rough seas often cancel winter sailings. Positano has no sheltered harbour.
Buses: SITA buses link Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and the other coast towns all year, with fewer runs in winter. Check the time of the last bus before you plan dinner in another town.
Driving: It is not recommended. Parking is scarce, the road is narrow, and an odd and even number-plate rule applies on the SS163 between Vietri sul Mare and Positano on weekends and public holidays in season. It ends on 1 November. Hotel guests are exempt on arrival and departure days.
Tip: If heavy rain is forecast, leave extra time for the coast road. It sometimes closes for rockfalls, which can make you miss a train or flight.
Good to know
- Seasonal ferries: Most coastal routes stop at the end of October. In winter, Sorrento–Capri and Naples–Capri keep running, but there is no Positano–Capri service.
- Steps: Every town is built on a slope. Pack light and bring good shoes.
- Pompeii tickets: They are named and timed, and the site has a daily cap. Book well ahead for weekends and holidays.
- Winter: From November to March, buses run less often and some hotels and restaurants close for the season. Check before you book a winter stay.
- Weather and sea: Positano’s pier closes when seas are rough, so have a back-up plan by bus.
FAQ
When do the Amalfi Coast ferries stop running?
Most coastal ferries run from April to the end of October. In 2026, Positano–Capri sailings continue until 3–4 November. Travelmar says its Salerno–Amalfi Coast service runs all year, weather permitting.
What is the best town to stay in on the Amalfi Coast?
Amalfi is the best base for a first visit because it has the most ferry and bus links. Choose Positano for glamour and beaches, or Ravello for peace and views.
Can you drive the Amalfi Coast?
You can, but it is stressful. An odd and even plate rule applies on weekends and holidays in season, and parking is scarce. Buses and ferries are easier.
How long is the Path of the Gods?
It runs 7–8 km from Bomerano to Nocelle, high above Positano. Start early so you finish well before dark.
Can you visit Pompeii from the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. Go via Sorrento and the Circumvesuviana train, or join a day tour. Book named, timed tickets on the official site in advance.
For more coastline, read our guide to the best beaches in Italy, or start planning a trip to Rome. Check this weekend’s picks for ideas.
