Top Things to Do in Amalfi Coast

The SITA Sud bus runs along the SS163 coastal road connecting Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno for about €2, 4 per ride, though it's crowded in summer and the hairpin turns aren't for the queasy. Ferries operated by TravelMar and Alilauro run April through October between towns for €8, 18, offering a more scenic and less stressful option. If you're based in Positano or Amalfi, you can walk between neighboring villages, Praiano is about 4 km from Positano, for instance, though the routes involve steep staircases.

Three to four days gives you enough time to visit Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello without rushing, plus a day trip to Capri or a hike on the Path of the Gods. If you want to explore smaller towns like Atrani, Praiano, or Furore, or relax on beaches without a packed itinerary, five to seven days is ideal. Staying in one base town and making day trips by bus or ferry keeps logistics simpler than changing hotels every night.

July and August bring cruise ship crowds, traffic jams on the SS163, and hotel rates that can hit €400+ per night in Positano. Beaches like Marina Grande in Positano are elbow-to-elbow, and popular restaurants need reservations days in advance. June and September offer warm, sunny weather with half the crowds and better prices, while May and early October are even quieter but less reliable for swimming.

Positano has the most glamorous vibe and well-known views but steep prices (expect €250+ for mid-range hotels) and hundreds of stairs between hotels and the beach. Amalfi is flatter, more affordable (€120, 180 for good hotels), and centrally located for day trips, though it feels busier and less exclusive. Ravello sits 350 meters above the coast with impressive views and elegant gardens, but you'll need to bus down to Amalfi for beaches and nightlife.

Most beaches are pebbly or rocky, Marina Grande in Positano and Spiaggia Grande in Amalfi have dark gray pebbles, so bring water shoes. Beach clubs (stabilimenti) rent loungers and umbrellas for €20, 40 per day and offer easier access to the water with platforms and ladders. For sandy beaches, head to Maiori or Minori, which have wider, less crowded stretches popular with Italian families.

The SS163 is a narrow, winding two-lane road carved into cliffs, with tour buses squeezing past you on blind curves and minimal guardrails. If you're not comfortable with stick shifts, aggressive Italian drivers, and near-vertical drops, skip the rental car. Parking is scarce and expensive (€5, 10 per hour in Positano), and many hotels don't have parking at all.

The Sentiero degli Dei runs 7.8 km from Bomerano (above Positano) to Nocelle, offering sweeping views of the coastline and Capri from terraced hillsides at 500 meters elevation. The hike takes three to four hours and is moderate in difficulty, mostly downhill if you start in Bomerano. But wear good shoes, as parts are rocky and uneven. Catch the SITA bus from Amalfi to Bomerano early in the morning to avoid midday heat.

Many cliffside restaurants charge €25, 40 for pasta and €50+ for seafood mains, banking on location over quality. For better value, head uphill to family-run spots like Da Vincenzo or C'Era una Volta, where you'll pay €15, 20 for excellent pasta and eat alongside locals. In Amalfi, trattorias near Piazza Duomo charge tourist prices. Walk 10 minutes to Il Teatro or Trattoria da Gemma for better food at half the cost.

Day-trippers flood Capri between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., from cruise ships docking in Naples and Sorrento. Ferries from Amalfi or Positano take 40, 60 minutes and cost €20, 25 each way. If you stay overnight, you'll have the island's quieter side, early morning walks in Anacapri, sunset from Villa San Michele, and restaurants that aren't slammed, but hotels start at €200 per night in season.

Sfusato amalfitano lemons, huge, thick-skinned, and intensely fragrant, grow on terraced groves above the coast and are used to make limoncello, the sweet lemon liqueur served ice-cold after meals. Quality varies wildly: touristy shops sell syrupy versions for €15, 20 per bottle, while local producers like Limonoro or Villa Massa make smoother, more balanced versions for similar prices. You'll also see lemon granita, lemon pasta, and lemon pastries everywhere.

Ravello's two main draws are Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, both with impressive cliffside gardens, the Terrace of Infinity at Cimbrone is one of the coast's most photographed spots. Admission is €7, 10 per villa, and the town itself is quieter and more refined than the beach towns below. If you only have a few days, prioritize Positano and Amalfi. But if you have four or more, Ravello makes a great half-day trip, for lunch at Rossellinis or Cumpa' Cosimo.

Many family-run hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants close from November through March, in smaller towns like Positano and Praiano. Amalfi and Sorrento stay more active year-round, but expect limited ferry service and fewer dining options. April and late October are shoulder season, most places are open, crowds are thin, and prices drop 30, 50%, though weather can be unpredictable.