The Amalfi Coast is a dream destination by the Gulf of Salerno; in my opinion, it’s the luxurious cousin of the Cinque Terre. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes beautiful villages stretching over 50 km from Sorrento to Salerno with colorful houses in pastel shades, caves, trails, and beaches. You can choose to have a very relaxing time with ferry rides, beach days, shopping, and dining on a restaurant terrace high on the cliff while enjoying a magnificent view. Or you can be more active and add some hiking trails to your itinerary. Either way, your stay here will fill you with wonderful memories.
How to go to the Amalfi Coast:
By plane: You could arrive by plane in Naples or Rome and then take the train to the Amalfi Coast.
By Train: You can easily come to the Coast by train from Rome, just take the train from Rome-Termini to Salerno station with Trenitalia. The train take 3h. From there you can take the train to Vietri Sul Mare or the bus, ferry or taxi to one of the villages.
By car: You can come by car to the coast, especially if you stay in Salerno. You can also use it to go to other villages, but be prepare, this is not for everyone. The road between the villages runs along the edge of a cliff without any real barriers, and visibility of the oncoming lane is poor in several places, to the point where it’s common to honk to warn drivers in the opposite direction of your presence. I didn’t drive, I only took the bus once, and for me it was one too many, but maybe it’s because I’m afraid of heights and get motion sickness easily. If you are like me but will be coming by car, stay in one of the big cities like Vietri Sul Mare or Salerno and take the ferry as much as possible between the villages.
By Bus: There’s many busses going around the coast between the towns, but in the touristy season, they tend to be less reliable and won’t take anymore people if full. As I said before, I found it scary and made me very motion sick.
By Ferry: You can easily travel between the coastal towns by ferry which is my favorite option. It’s feels safe compared to the car and you can enjoy all the beautiful landscape.
My recommendation is to come to Salerno via train and then move around the coast with the ferries. You can use Ferryhopper to help you find the ferry that you need. I also strongly recommend you buy your tickets at least a few days in advance if you want the best chose of departure time.
Where to stay:
Salerno or Vietri Sul Mare: You can stay in one of the bigger cities like Salerno or a less touristy village like Vietri Sul Mare, especially if you came by car. It’s not as charming and picturesque as the other villages of the coast, but it’s a little bit more practical, especially if you want to do a day trip to Napoli or Pompei. It’s also cheaper to stay in than the more classic and popular villages like Positano or Amalfi. If you don’t have a car, you’ll have a little bit longer to get to the port if you want to take the ferry between the villages, about a 30-45 min walk.
We’ve stayed in Vietri and loved it! People were nice, there were good restaurants and lots of cute little shops.
You can also stay in any village of the Amalfi Coast; it’s more picturesque, but it comes with a price. I loved Vietri, but next time I go to the Amalfi Coast, I would choose a more central town because it cuts down on all bus and ferry time every day and gives you more time to enjoy the coast. I would also choose somewhere not too far from the marina because I prefer to travel by ferry along the coast.
Positano: If you want to live the dream in one of the most beautiful and romantic towns, you can stay in Positano. It’s the perfect chose for couples on their honeymoon. It’s expensive, but if you can afford it, you should absolutely stay here.
Praiano: It allies charm, amazing views and a calmer atmosphere than the neighboring town of Positano. It can be a great chose for people who love Positano but want a little less tourists.
Amalfi: Its location is central which makes it a great base. It also has many activity options. You’ll find beaches, trails in addition to a charming village. If you want to walk the Path of the Gods, it could be a great option to stay here. It’s still pricy but more accessible than Positano.
Atrani: This small beautiful town is just beside Amalfi, but calmer and less touristy, which makes it a great option for those who want a cute town, picturesque views but with less tourists.
Maiori or Minori: These small towns are not the usual Amalfi Coast destination but are as charming which makes them a great option if you want to stay somewhere more serene and less expensive.
For the purpose of this itinerary, I’ll will chose Amalfi as the base because it’s of its central position. It’s easy to adjust the itinerary if you choose to stay in Maiori, Minori or Atrani, but you can also stay elsewhere you’ll just need to switch things around a little bit more.
First day on the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi:
Amalfi has a lot of activity option including trails and beaches. I recommend to take your first day in Amalfi to explore the town. Don’t miss the Piazza Duomo where you’ll find the beautiful Duomo di Sant’Andrea. You can also enjoy the beach.
Complete your day with a nice tour. I always find it’s the best way to relax while discovering the region and take amazing pictures.
Those are amazing options and include exploring Conca dei Marini, Furore and Paiano:
Amalfi Coast: Sunset Boat Tour with Fruit & Drinks
Amalfi Coast: Boat Tour with Caves, Beaches & Snorkeling
Second day on the Amalfi Coast
Wear comfortable shoes today because there will be a lot of walking, including steep stairs. Leave early to make the most of your day and enjoy the cooler morning temperatures.
Ravello:
These are your options to go from Amalfi to Ravello:
– Walk up to Ravello passing through Atrani, which has a lot of stairs, so do this if you don’t mind a little cardio and leave early so it’s not already too hot. We did this option and loved it. I don’t have good cardio, so I found it a little challenging but worth it for the amazing views.
– Take a 30 minutes bus. Know that the buses in the region are not always reliable, particularly in the more touristy seasons because the bus can be too full and not take any more persons.
– Take a private car, which is of course the simpler option if you can afford it.
I absolutely loved Ravello! It’s higher up the coast, which offers breathtaking views of the sea. There are beautiful gardens and a relaxed atmosphere. I found Ravello particularly romantic.
Villa Cimbrone gardens: This one was my favorite place in Ravello! It’s an incredibly beautiful villa surrounded by colorful gardens. It’s quite extensive with a great variety of plants and flowers. You can enter the villa for a fee even if you are not staying at the hotel. It’s so charming and absolutely romantic. Please don’t miss the Infinity Terrace for one of the most breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. I spent at least an hour here with my husband and enjoyed every minute.
Villa Rufolo: This villa is very cute with a some beautiful gardens. It’s more on the smaller side and is better enjoy during the flowering season. The views from here are also breathtakings.
Atrani:
I recommend you walk from Ravello to Atrani to see some incredible landscapes. Be prepared, it’s very steep so you’ll need good shoes and good knees! This UNESCO World Heritage site is the smallest municipality in Italy and is on the water’s edge between two steep cliffs. The views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the historical houses along the narrow streets are gonna win your heart. During your descent from Ravello to Atrani, you will pass by the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, take a break here, admire the view and take some pictures from its terrace. Then, stroll through the streets without missing Piazza Umberto I where you can sit at one of the small cafés. If you want, you can also pass some time at the beach, Spiaggia di Atrani.
From Atrani, walk back to Amalfi, which is only a few minutes away. You could also take a bus back.
Third day on the Amalfi Coast
Positano:
You just can’t go to the Amalfi Coast without seeing Positano. It’s often considered one of the most beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast. This idyllic village cascades dramatically down to the seaside. It mix charming and colorful houses with shops aligning charm and luxury perfectly. You’ll find a beachfront area shaded by parasols where you can relax and swim, but be aware it’s expensive.
To go to Positano, take a 10 to 30 minute ferry from Amalfi (depending on the ferry company). The first one is around 8:25 AM. The last ferry back is around 7:40 PM. While on the ferry, take your time to admire the unforgettable view from the sea and take some incredible pictures.
Positano is absolutely beautiful, but it’s also full of tourists, and everything tends to be on the expensive side. There’s one main road going in a zigzag. The main part with the majority of the shops and restaurants is at the center in the lower part of the town. To go up and down Positano, you’ll find a lot of stairs, so as usual around the coast, please have some comfortable shoes! For me, Positano is pleasant to explore at a leisurely pace, strolling through the streets, looking at what’s in the shops, perhaps even buying some souvenirs, and above all, not missing the various views from up high. If you want you can treat yourself at one of the delicious restaurant Positano has to offer like Donna Rosa, Al Palazzo or Il Tridente.
As I said, Positano has a beach, but it’s more of a rocky beach and not beautiful soft sand, so renting a transat is an option. You have the main beach, The Spiaggia Grande, which is, to no surprise, full of tourists; or you can go to Fornillo Beach not far away, where you can still rent a transat and enjoy a calmer atmosphere.
Treat your day in Positano like a well-deserved day of relaxation.
Fourth day on the Amalfi Coast
Maiori:
Take a 20 min bus ride or 20 min ferry to Maiori (the latter is always my favorite). With Ferryhopper, the first ferry is at 9h00 with Travelmare. From the main road, go up the stairs to Castello di San Nicola de Thoro-Plano and enjoy a nice homemade limoncello in front of a beautiful view of the town. It’s about a 45 minutes walk up the stairs, but don’t miss this little gem. Then, enjoy some time in the narrow streets of Maiori and along beautiful sandy beach.
When you’re ready, go to Sentiero dei Limoni, a hiking trail leading to Minori. It takes around 45 minutes. You can do the trail by yourself no problem, but if you prefer you can also do it with a guide and tasting along the way with a tour like this one :
Maiori: Amalfi Coast Path of Lemons Day Trip with Tastings
Minori:
Not surprisingly, this comune is also a cute little town bordered by cliffs where you’ll see charming, colorful houses along the Mediterranean Sea coast. This picturesque town is not your more common destination along the Amalfi Coast, so you’ll find a more relaxed atmosphere while still enjoying the views, the delicious food and the beach.
If you haven’t have lunch yet, you can stop at Azienda Agricola Cuonc Cuonc around the end of the hike and enjoy delicious farm to table food.
As these other cute towns, strolls the streets, pass some time at the beach, take pictures, and don’t forget to taste some food! You can indulge yourself with a delicious a pastry at Pasticceria Sal De Riso. If you want to eat in Minori you can try a restaurant like Giardiniello, Alba cafè and Ristorante Garum or, as a already mention, Azienda Agricola Cuonc Cuonc.
When your ready or its your ferry departure time, go back to Amalfi. You could also take the 20 min bus ride or take a taxi.
Fifth day on the Amalfi Coast
Capri:
Capri is an island not far from the rest of the Amalfi Coast. The island is known for its magnificent landscapes, deep blue water, and a city that combines charm and luxury. It’s very popular so be prepare to be sourronded by tourists.
How to go:
To reach Capri, you’ll either need to take the ferry or a tour.
The first ferry to Capri from Amalfi is around 8:25 and takes 1 hour and 7 minutes; you’ll also find some ferries that only take 50 minutes. The last ferry back is around 17:00. It’s also important to check the last ferry of the day because, of course, you don’t want to be stuck on the island and have to pay a very expensive hotel for the night if it’s not in your budget. Also, don’t forget to buy all your tickets for the day a few days in advance to be sure you have the best departure and return times possible. When you arrive at the marina, you can take a funicular to get to Capri easily and quickly. Buy your ticket at Marina Grande near the ferry office.
If you want to treat yourself and have a very memorable day in Capri, take a day tour that includes transport. This one also includes a tour of the surrounding grottos, time and equipment for snorkeling, and a few drinks:
Capri Island Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Drinks & Free Time
What to do:
A tour of the caves: While you’re in Capri, you can take a tour of the surrounding grottos, including, if you want, the Blue Grotto. That’s what I did and I absolutely loved it; we all had a blast! So relaxing, and the views are, as you can imagine, memorable! But I did not see the blue grotto, there was just so many people and people where waiting in line on rocking boats. It did not seem worth it for me.
These tours are some good options especially if you are a group:
Capri Boat Experience: Faraglioni, Caves, Swim, Limoncello
Capri: Private Island Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Swimming
Capri: 3-Hour Private Boat Tour with Blue Grotto Visitr
Gardens of Augustus: This is a romantic garden where you can take a nice little walk, but above all you’ll find there a breathtaking panoramic view of Tyrrhenian Sea. This is the spot for memorable pictures. I took one of my favorite couple picture there!
Taste lemon-flavored foods: Capri is known for its lemons, which explain why you’ll see lemons in every shop and restaurant. I had a delicious gelato, quite expensive but very refreshing!
Anacapri: If you have the time, you can take a bus to Anacapri from Marina Grande or Capri Centro. It’s a town higher on the island, there are fewer tourists and full of incredible viewpoints. From the Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, you can even take the Mount Solaro Chair Lift to the highest point of the island for a complete view of the island. There are also hiking trails around Anacapri; just be sure you have the time.
This tour includes the blue grotto, the visit of Anacapri and the Gardens of Augustus:
From Capri: Blue Grotto, Capri and Anacapri Guided Tour
Sixth day on the Amalfi Coast
Path of the Gods hike
I haven’t done it yet but it’s definitely on my bucket list! The views look absolutely breathtaking! It also looks like it can be quite a challenge depending on your physical capacity and the part of the Path that you choose. Along the way, you’ll come across little restaurants and bar where you can enjoy fresh limonade and limoncello while taking in the views, like Il Chiosco del sentiero degli dei in Nocelle.
You can book a tour to help you make the most of your experience. This is one example:
Amalfi Coast Path of the Gods Hike from Agerola
You can look at your options with the same activity provider which has amazing ratings and different options: https://www.enzomasullo.com/category/path-of-the-gods/
I hope you now have more inspiration for your next Italy trip!
If you have some time, help me improve my articles with comments! Thank you in advance!
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