Three Days of Cliff-Hugging Bliss on the Amalfi Coast
From Positano's pastel cascade to Ravello's lemon-scented gardens
Trip Overview
This tight three-day loop stitches the Amalfi Coast's headiest towns without ever feeling hurried. You will taste anchovies just-caught and sizzling in lemon juice while fishing boats bob within arm's reach, feel cave air cool against your cheeks inside the Emerald Grotto, and watch the sun dissolve into the Tyrrhenian from a jasmine-scented terrace laced with salt. Transport is by ferry, bus, and foot, the only ways to grasp how pastel houses cling to impossible cliffs and how fishing villages spill down to pebble coves below.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$180-220 per day
Best Seasons
May through early October
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Couples, Photography enthusiasts, Food lovers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Positano's Vertical Village and Fiordo di Furore
Descend Positano's stepped lanes to Spiaggia Grande, then ride the waves to the secret fjord beach at Furore.
Morning
Walk from Piazza dei Mulini to Spiaggia Grande via Via Cristoforo Colombo
The descent feels like walking into a watercolor: ochre and peach blocks stacked like sugar cubes, bougainvillea dripping from iron balconies, the metallic bite of sea air sharpening with every switchback. Pause at Franco's Bar for espresso while wooden boats nudge the crescent of dark pebbles below.
Lunch
Chez Black on the beachfront
Afternoon
Ferry to Fiordo di Furore for swimming and photography
The 30-minute boat ride hugs the coast, salt spray kissing your face. At Furore's fjord, cliffs dive into a narrow gorge where sunlight paints the water emerald. Jump in, then dry off on the tiny stone bridge that arches above the inlet like a marble ribbon.
Buy ferry tickets at Positano pier. Afternoon departures fill fast in July-August
Evening
Sunset spritz at Le Sirenuse's Franco's Bar followed by dinner
Reserve a cliff-edge table at La Tagliata for family-style grilled meats and endless views
Where to Stay Tonight
Upper Positano near Chiesa Nuova (Boutique guesthouse such as Casa Buonocore)
Elevator access saves your legs, and the bus stop for tomorrow's Amalfi run is two minutes away
See all Amalfi Coast accommodation options →Pack flip-flops in your bag, Positano's beach showers are free and the pebbles sizzle by midday.
Day 1 Budget: $190
2
Amalfi's Paper Mills, Lemon Groves, and Cathedral Splendor
Amalfi town and Valle delle Ferriere
Follow the scent of lemons inland to hidden waterfalls, then return to explore Amalfi's striped cathedral and busy piazza.
Morning
Valle delle Ferriere hike to waterfalls and ruined paper mills
Start behind Amalfi's bus station and climb stone steps perfumed by wild fennel. Moss-covered mills drip mountain water. The air turns cool and mineral-rich. Lemon trees heavy with Sfusato d'Amalfi flank the path, their waxy leaves brushing your shoulders as you duck beneath branches.
Lunch
Trattoria da Gemma on Via Fra Gerardo Sasso
Afternoon
Duomo di Sant'Andrea and Cloister of Paradise
Black-and-white stripes soar above the piazza; inside, baroque gold flickers against medieval stone while incense mingles with candle wax. Step into the Moorish cloister where birdsong ricochets off delicate arches and warm terracotta tiles feel smooth under bare feet.
Evening
Ferry to Minori for beachfront aperitivo and dinner
Pasticceria Pansa for sfogliatella and a limoncello tasting, then feast on ricotta-stuffed ravioli at Ristorante Giardiniello
Where to Stay Tonight
Historic center near Piazza del Duomo (Albergo Lidomare or similar family-run inn)
Fall asleep to church bells and wake up footsteps from the ferry pier for tomorrow's run to Ravello
See all Amalfi Coast accommodation options →Buy bus tickets in the tobacco shop opposite the cathedral. The driver won't sell them onboard.
Day 2 Budget: $170
3
Ravello's Gardens and Amalfi's Final Sunset
Rise to Ravello's lofty gardens where roses frame endless sea views, then glide back to Amalfi for one last sunset swim.
Morning
Bus to Ravello and Villa Cimbrone gardens
The bus wheezes uphill through hairpin bends, vineyards giving way to pine-scented air. At Villa Cimbrone, terraced paths overflow with heady roses and the Terrace of Infinity drops 365 meters straight into cobalt sea. Breathe in rosemary and the sweet lift of coastal wind.
Lunch
Cumpà Cosimo on Via Roma for gnocchi alla sorrentina
Afternoon
Villa Rufolo and walk back to Amalfi via Atrani
Villa Rufolo's crenellated tower overlooks tiled rooftops glinting like fish scales. Descend the medieval stairway to Atrani, its tiny piazza echoing with kids playing football and the clatter of espresso cups. Continue the gentle coastal path to Amalfi, tasting salt on your lips.
Evening
Aperitivo at Marina Grande beach club, sunset swim, farewell dinner
Reserve a waterside table at Ristorante Marina Grande for grilled octopus and final limoncello under the stars
Where to Stay Tonight
Spend your last night back in Amalfi for an easy morning ferry to Salerno or Sorrento (Same as Day 2 or upgrade to Hotel Santa Caterina if you crave a cliff-edge pool)
Early ferry departures leave from the pier 5 minutes away
See all Amalfi Coast accommodation options →Pack a sarong for spontaneous swims, Marina Grande rents loungers but lets you use the changing cabins for free.
Day 3 Budget: $200
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
SITA buses link every town every 30-60 minutes. Ferries run April-October and are faster but weather-dependent. Buy UnicoCostiera passes at any tobacco shop for unlimited bus travel. Walking paths like the Valley of the Mills and stairways between towns save money and reveal hidden corners.
Book Ahead
Ferry and bus tickets can be bought day-of except for July-August when pre-booking ferries online avoids queues. Villa Cimbrone and Rufolo do not require advance tickets except during Ravello Festival weekends.
Packing Essentials
Light hiking shoes for Valle delle Ferriere, quick-dry towel, swimsuit, sun hat, cash for smaller trattorias, motion-sickness tablets if prone to ferry swell, refillable water bottle, public fountains everywhere.
Total Budget
$540-660 for three days excluding airfare
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay in Atrani's hostels, picnic on focaccia and tomatoes from local markets, hike between towns instead of ferries, and choose trattorias without sea views, the food is just as good for half the price.
Luxury Upgrade
Base yourself at Le Sirenuse or Belmond Hotel Caruso, charter a private gozzo for hidden coves, book Michelin-starred dinners at Rossellinis and La Sponda, and arrange a private driver to skip bus queues.
Family-Friendly
Book family rooms at Hotel Floridiana in Amalfi with pool. Shorten hikes to 45 minutes each way, use beach clubs with kids' menus in Minori, and rent paddleboards instead of long ferry rides. Bring collapsible stroller, steps everywhere.
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