Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to See and How to Get Around

The Amalfi Coast is a 50 km strip of cliff road, stair lanes and ferry ports between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. Three to four days gives you Positano, Amalfi town, Ravello and one walk or boat day. Base in Amalfi town for transport, in Positano for views, or in Ravello for quiet. See our Italy guides if you are adding Rome or Naples to the same trip.

May to early June and September to early October are the best months. Ferries run often and the sea is warm enough to swim. July and August bring heat above 33C, full buses, high prices and traffic controls on the SS163.

How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast?

Three full days covers the essentials. Give Positano and a beach half day one day, Amalfi town plus Ravello the next, and the Path of the Gods or a boat trip the third. A fourth day buys a slower morning or a sidetrack to Minori or Cetara.

Two days works if time is tight. Pair Positano with Amalfi by ferry on day one, then Amalfi with Ravello on day two. Skip Capri on a two day visit. The island needs its own day.

One day from Naples or Sorrento is enough for Positano plus Amalfi. Start early and take the ferry between the two towns. If your wider plan is still open, our Italy itineraries help you place those days between Naples and Rome.

Where should you stay: Positano, Amalfi town or Ravello?

Pick your base by what you want to avoid: stairs, changes, or noise. Every town here is steep except parts of Amalfi and Maiori.

Base	Best for	Keep in mind
Positano	Views, beach clubs, evenings	Most expensive; many steps; scarce parking
Amalfi town	Ferries, buses, flatter centre	Day crowds 10am to 4pm
Ravello	Quiet, gardens, views from 350 m up	No beach; bus for every coastal day
Praiano	Lower prices, calmer	Fewer ferries; steep path to the harbour
Maiori or Minori	Long beaches, local prices	A short ferry hop from Amalfi; quieter nights

For a first visit, Amalfi town is the most practical base. Ferries leave for Positano, Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Salerno, and SITA buses climb to Ravello in about 25 minutes. The centre around Piazza Duomo is fairly flat by local standards.

Positano suits views and beach days. Spiaggia Grande sits below the pastel houses and boats leave for Amalfi and Capri in season. The catch is stairs. Many hotels need dozens of steps from the road or beach. Ask how many steps your room needs before you book.

Ravello suits quiet nights. It sits about 350 m above the sea, with two gardens and a calm main square. There is no beach and no port. You ride the bus down to Amalfi for every ferry day.

Praiano, Maiori and Minori suit tighter budgets. Praiano is calmer near Positano. Maiori has the longest beach and a flatter seafront. Minori is small, known for lemons, with quick ferry hops to Amalfi. If costs decide the trip, read our Italy budget guide before you lock dates.

What should you see and do on the Amalfi Coast?

Group sights by town. Crossing the coast twice in one day wastes hours.

Positano and the beaches

Spiaggia Grande is the main beach and ferry pier in one. It is pebbly, social and priced for the view. Lido L’Incanto lists EUR 40 per person (about $44/£34) in the first row and EUR 35 (about $38.50/£30) from the second row onwards for summer 2026, per its official 2026 price list. Other clubs generally sit between EUR 35 and EUR 60 per person. The eastern section stays free with no loungers. Arrive before 9am in peak season.

Fornillo, 300 m west, is calmer and cheaper. Clubs here typically charge EUR 25 to EUR 45 per person (about $27.50 to $49.50/£21 to £38). The water is often clearer because the ferry wash stays around the main pier. The beach faces west, so afternoons are best.

Amalfi town from the water, with the ferry pier and white houses along the cliff.

Beyond the towel, climb into the upper lanes for shops and small galleries. Santa Maria Assunta church sits just above the beach. Evening is the best time in Positano. Day boats leave and the stairs feel easier after the heat fades.

Amalfi town, the Duomo and lemons

Amalfi was a maritime republic in the Middle Ages, and the centre still reads as a working town. The Duomo di Sant’Andrea stands above Piazza Duomo at the top of 62 steps. Entry as a place of worship is free during services. The complex with the Cloister of Paradise, crypt and museum costs EUR 3 (about $3.30/£2.55) full price and EUR 1.50 reduced in 2026, according to a September 2026 visitor guide. Go at 9am or after 5pm.

The Paper Museum sits in a 13th century mill above town. The Valle delle Ferriere path starts nearby and climbs to a small waterfall. It takes about three hours return and needs shoes with grip.

Lemons are everywhere. Sfusato amalfitano is long, fragrant and low in seeds. You will see it in granita, delizia al limone cake and limoncello. Most bottled limoncello in souvenir shops is industrial. Ask who makes it. Our Italian food guide covers what else to eat around Campania.

Ravello, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone

Ravello has no beach crowds because it has no beach. It has gardens instead, and views that run the length of the coast on clear days.

Villa Rufolo opens 9am to 8pm from 29 March 2026 with last entry at 7.30pm. It charges EUR 8 (about $9/£7) ordinary, EUR 7 for groups from 15 and EUR 6 for over 65s and children 5 to 12, tickets only on site, per the official 2026 notice. The sea terraces and concert platform are the draw.

Villa Cimbrone, a 15 minute walk south, charges EUR 10 (about $11/£8.50) for adults in the 2026 season, per Grandi Giardini Italiani. Gardens open daily from 9am to sunset. The Terrace of Infinity sits high above the sea. Go in the morning before tour groups arrive.

Lawns and the villa building at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.

The walk from Ravello down to Amalfi takes about one hour. It is paved, steep in parts and best done downhill. Wear shoes with grip after rain.

Carved stone detail on the Villa Cimbrone building.

Should you hike the Path of the Gods?

Yes, if you can walk 7 to 8 km on rocky ground. The Sentiero degli Dei runs between Bomerano in Agerola and Nocelle above Positano. The classic traverse is about 7.5 km, takes 2.5 to 3 hours plus stops, and is free. Red and white CAI marks show the way.

Walk westbound from Bomerano to Nocelle. Views toward Positano and Capri stay ahead of you. Take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Bomerano, then walk. From Nocelle, descend about 1,700 steps to Positano in 30 to 45 minutes or take the local bus. Knees decide this part more than fitness.

Start before 9am in summer. Much of the path has no shade, and midday heat can pass 32C in July and August. Carry at least one litre of water per person, plus a hat.

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How much does it cost on the Amalfi Coast in 2026?

Item	Price in 2026	Notes
SITA 24 hour COSTIERASITA pass	EUR 10 (about $11/£8.50)	Unlimited SITA buses; personal, validate on first ride
SITA single, short hop	EUR 1.80 to EUR 2.60 (about $2 to $2.85/£1.55 to £2.20)	Buy at tabacchi or via Unico Campania app
Ferry Amalfi to Positano	EUR 10 (about $11/£8.50)	About 25 minutes; several sailings daily
Ferry Salerno to Amalfi	EUR 12 (about $13/£10)	About 35 minutes; surcharge included
Ferry Salerno to Positano	EUR 17 (about $19/£14.50)	About 70 minutes
Villa Cimbrone, Ravello	EUR 10 (about $11/£8.50)	Daily 9am to sunset in 2026 season
Villa Rufolo, Ravello	EUR 8 (about $9/£7)	9am to 8pm from 29 March 2026
Amalfi Duomo complex	EUR 3 (about $3.30/£2.55)	Church free during services
Beach lounger, Spiaggia Grande	EUR 35 to EUR 60 (about $38.50 to $66/£30 to £51)	Per person; first row costs most
Lunch away from waterfront	EUR 12 to EUR 16 (about $13 to $17.50/£10 to £13.50)	Waterfront doubles it in Positano

A mid range day with a room, two meals, local transport and one paid garden or museum lands around EUR 100 to EUR 180 per person (about $110 to $198/£85 to £153). Positano with waterfront dining often passes EUR 200 per day. A tighter day based in Praiano or Minori can sit near EUR 70 to EUR 100. City tax is extra. For wider trip maths, see our Italy budget guide.

How do you get around: ferry, bus or car?

Ferries win between coastal towns in season. Buses reach the hills. Cars suit few visitors.

Option	When it wins	What it costs in 2026	Catch
Ferry	Positano to Amalfi, Salerno to Amalfi	Amalfi to Positano EUR 10; Salerno to Amalfi EUR 12	Seasonal, April to October; cancelled in rough seas
SITA bus	Ravello, early starts, late evenings	24 hour pass EUR 10; singles EUR 1.80 to EUR 2.60	Crowded 10am to 4pm; traffic adds time
Car	Spring weekdays, inland villages	Fuel plus parking at several euros per hour	Narrow SS163; plate controls 10am to 6pm; ZTL zones

Travelmar runs the densest coastal network. Its official 2026 fares list Salerno to Amalfi at EUR 12, Salerno to Positano at EUR 17 and Amalfi to Positano at EUR 10. Its timetable from 1 April 2026 shows frequent daytime sailings, for example Amalfi to Positano in about 25 minutes. One bag up to 45 by 35 by 20 cm is included; larger luggage costs EUR 3. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early in July and August. Rough seas cancel afternoon boats first, so keep a bus backup for flights and trains.

SITA Sud buses run year round on three lines: Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi, Amalfi to Salerno, and Amalfi to Ravello. The COSTIERASITA 24 hour ticket costs EUR 10 (about $11/£8.50) in 2026, per the Positano bus schedule page. It is personal. Write your name and date of birth on it and validate on first boarding. Buy at a tabacchi or via the Unico Campania app.

Driving the SS163 is scenic and slow. The road runs about 50 km from Positano to Vietri, often single lane width. On busy dates in 2026, alternate number plate controls apply between Vietri and Positano, generally 10am to 6pm. Parking in Positano and Amalfi is scarce, costs several euros per hour, and fills by mid morning. Town centres have ZTL zones with cameras and fines. Unless you stay inland or travel in low season, skip the car. Our Italy tips cover licences and ZTL signs.

To arrive, train to Salerno then ferry is cleanest from April to October. Naples to Salerno takes 40 to 60 minutes for around EUR 5 to EUR 6 (about $5.50 to $6.60/£4.25 to £5). Walk about 700 m to the pier, then sail to Amalfi in about 35 minutes. From the west, take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento in about 70 minutes, then ferry or bus east.

When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?

May to early June is the best balance for most visitors. Daytime sits around 22C to 26C, lemons colour the terraces, and ferries run full timetables. The sea warms from about 19C to 23C, cool at first but fine for a short swim by June.

September to early October is the second best window. The sea is warmest in September at about 24C, crowds thin after the first week, and walking conditions are good. Rain rises from summer lows, so keep one flexible day.

July and August are hot, costly and congested. Temperatures often reach 33C to 36C by early afternoon. Buses run full, key ferries sell out, and free beach sections fill before 8am. If August is your only option, base in Maiori or Minori, use ferries, start before 9am, and book months ahead.

November to March is quiet. Many hotels and restaurants close, ferries shrink, and some paths turn slippery after rain. Prices drop by up to half.

The coast works when you stop rushing it. Pick one base, group sights by town and start early. Once those habits are set, browse our city guides for the next stop.

At a glance

Positano

Cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast known for pastel houses above Spiaggia Grande and steps down to the sea.

Address

Positano, IT

Positano

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast?

Three full days covers Positano, Amalfi town, Ravello and one walk or boat trip. Add a fourth day for the Path of the Gods or a slower beach afternoon. One day from Naples works for Positano plus Amalfi by ferry, but you will queue more than you see in July and August.

Should you stay in Positano, Amalfi town or Ravello?

Amalfi town suits most first visits for ferries, buses and flatter streets. Positano suits views, beach clubs and evening atmosphere if you accept stairs and higher prices. Ravello suits quiet nights above the sea with garden views, but you need the bus for every beach or ferry day.

Is the ferry or the bus better on the Amalfi Coast?

Take the ferry between coastal towns in season. Travelmar lists Amalfi to Positano at 10 euros and Salerno to Amalfi at 12 euros in 2026, with a 25 minute crossing between Amalfi and Positano. Use the SITA bus for Ravello, for early starts, for late evenings and when rough seas stop boats. A 24 hour COSTIERASITA pass costs 10 euros in 2026.

Can you do the Path of the Gods without a car?

Yes. Take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Bomerano, walk the marked trail west to Nocelle in 2.5 to 4 hours, then walk down about 1,700 steps to Positano in 30 to 45 minutes or catch the local bus. Start before 9am in summer, wear shoes with grip and carry water, as much of the route has no shade.

When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?

May to early June brings stable weather, sea temperatures rising from 19C to 23C, full ferry timetables and fewer traffic controls. September to early October brings the warmest sea and thinner crowds after the first week of September. July and August are hottest, most expensive and most congested, with alternate number plate controls on the SS163 on busy dates.

How much does a beach day cost in Positano?

Lido L'Incanto on Spiaggia Grande lists 40 euros per person in the first row and 35 euros from the second row onwards for summer 2026. Other Spiaggia Grande clubs generally charge 35 to 60 euros per person for a lounger plus umbrella. Fornillo clubs charge less, typically 25 to 45 euros per person. The eastern section of Spiaggia Grande stays free with no loungers, and it fills before 9am in peak season.

Useful links (6)

1. Travelmar 2026 fares, official PDF— travelmar.it
2. Travelmar timetable from 1 April 2026, official PDF— travelmar.it
3. Villa Rufolo opening days and entry from 29 March 2026, official— villarufolo.com
4. Villa Cimbrone gardens 2026 season, Grandi Giardini Italiani— grandigiardini.it
5. SITA bus schedule Positano, COSTIERASITA 24 hours 10 euros— positano.com
6. Lido L'Incanto beach price list summer 2026, official— lincantopositano.com

Photo credits

Thank you to Bernard Gagnon, Wolfgang Moroder, Jensens and Mentnafunangann for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Public domain