Amalfi Coast Travel Planning & Itineraries
The most photographed 50km of coastline on Earth. Pastel villages stacked into cliffs above an impossibly blue sea, lemon groves terraced into the hills, winding roads that demand a driver (do not rent a car here). Positano gets the postcards but Praiano sleeps better, Ravello sits above the chaos, and Amalfi town is the practical base. Mid-May to early October only — winter shuts most of it down.
Our AI planner helps you pace your Amalfi Coast days, pick the right neighbourhoods, and build a route that makes sense.
Planning Your Amalfi Coast Trip
Best Time to Visit
Mid-May to early June and mid-September to early October — sea is warm, hotels are open, prices are 30–40% off peak. Peak (July–August) is hot, jammed, and ferries get cancelled in choppy weather. Late October to mid-May is the off-season — half the hotels close, ferries stop, and roads can flood. Book the SS163 driver 1–2 months ahead in any season.
Budget Overview
Budget: $150–230 USD/day (B&B in Amalfi town, ferry passes, market lunches). The Coast has no real budget option — even hostels are €60+/night in season. Mid-range: $400–700 USD/day (sea-view 4-star in Positano or Praiano, dinners with view, half-day boat). Luxury: $1,500+ USD/day (Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro, Caruso, private boat days, helicopter from Naples).
Getting There
Fly into Naples (NAP) — direct from YYZ on Air Canada (seasonal). From NAP: private driver to Positano €130, 1h15. Or Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (€5, 1h10) then NLG ferry to Positano (€20, 40 min, Apr–Oct only). From Rome: Frecciarossa to Naples in 1h10, then transfer.
Getting Around
Walk + ferry + driver. Within towns: walk and stairs (lots of them). Between towns: ferries (Apr–Oct), SITA buses (year-round but slow), or hire a private driver (€350/day, splits 2 ways). Renting a car is a mistake — no parking, terrifying road.
Common Amalfi Coast planning mistakes
Renting a car
The SS163 is a single-lane cliff road. Italian buses don't slow for tourists. Park-and-pray €40/day adds up. Hire a driver.
Booking Positano without checking how high it is
Hotels are stacked vertically — some are 300+ steps above the beach. Read reviews. Check if a hotel shuttle exists.
Day-tripping from Rome
You'll spend 8h on transport for 4h on the Coast. Stay at minimum one night.
Visiting Capri's Blue Grotto in 2 hours
The queue is 1h+ in summer to enter the cave for 5 minutes. Book the first ferry from Anacapri side, arrive at 8:30am.
Amalfi Coast Neighbourhoods
Positano
The icon — vertical pastel village dropping into the sea. Crowded daytime, magical at sunset. 1,500 steps between top and beach. — best for: iconic photos, honeymoons, first-timers
Praiano
Quieter sister 10 min west of Positano. Same view, half the crowds, 30% cheaper hotels. Best sunsets on the Coast (faces west). — best for: repeat visitors, longer stays, romantic trips
Amalfi (town)
The historic capital. Bigger, flatter, and the ferry hub — easier base for hopping around. Less iconic but more practical. — best for: families, mid-range, ferry-day-trippers
Ravello
Cliff-top village 365m above Amalfi town. Cooler in summer, classical music festival (July), Villa Cimbrone gardens. — best for: quiet stays, escaping heat, slow travel
Atrani
Tiny pebble-beach village 5 min from Amalfi town. Authentic locals' restaurants, no cruise crowds. — best for: under-the-radar foodies
Sorrento (gateway)
Not technically Amalfi Coast — but the natural arrival hub from Naples. Lemon groves, train access. — best for: first night or last night, not your full stay
Amalfi Coast Food & Drink
Da Vincenzo
Family-run since 1958. Spaghetti alle vongole, sea bass al sale. €55/person. Book 2 weeks ahead in season.
La Tagliata
Montepertuso, above Positano. No menu — they bring you everything, €45 fixed. Free shuttle from Positano. Sunset views.
Lo Scoglio
Beach-club restaurant the Hollywood crowd loves. Spaghetti alle zucchine, raw seafood. €80–120/person. Book a month ahead.
Trattoria Da Gemma
Family-run, on the main piazza since 1872. Scialatielli ai frutti di mare, lemon cake. €40/person. Walk-in possible.
Belvedere Restaurant
Hotel Margherita's restaurant — full west-facing sunset terrace. Limoncello tasting at the end. €60/person.
Il Refettorio (Monastero Santa Rosa)
Converted 17th-c monastery, 1 Michelin star. Tasting €180. The legendary sfogliatella was invented here.
Sal de Riso
Minori. Italy's most famous pastry chef. Try the delizia al limone — lemon-cream sponge dome. €4 each.
Day Trips from Amalfi Coast
Capri
40 min by ferryDay trip by ferry from Positano or Amalfi (40 min). Blue Grotto, Faraglioni boat tour, Anacapri chairlift. Crowded but worth one day.
Pompeii
1h by train from SorrentoCombine with Naples arrival or departure. 1h by train from Sorrento. Half-day if you take a guide, full day with Vesuvius hike.
Ischia
1h ferry from NaplesLarger sister island to Capri — thermal spas, real local life, half the crowds. 1h ferry from Naples.
Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)
Start: 1h drive from PositanoCliff-edge trail from Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle (above Positano). 4h hike, jaw-dropping views.
Ready to build your Amalfi Coast days?
Tell us your dates, pace, and interests — we’ll draft a day-by-day Amalfi Coast itinerary in under a minute.
A Sample Amalfi Coast Itinerary
Here’s a flavour of what our AI planner builds. Generate your own personalized Amalfi Coast itinerary in 60 seconds.
Arrive Naples → Positano
- •NAP arrival
- •Private driver to Positano (1h15)
- •Drop bags, beach club afternoon
- •Sunset Aperol on hotel terrace
Positano explore
- •Beach morning at Spiaggia Grande
- •Lunch at Chez Black
- •Sentiero degli Dei hike afternoon (4h)
- •Dinner at La Tagliata
Capri day trip
- •8:30am ferry to Capri
- •Blue Grotto + Faraglioni boat
- •Lunch in Anacapri
- •Sunset ferry back, dinner in Positano
Ravello + Amalfi
- •Drive to Ravello via Coast
- •Villa Cimbrone + Villa Rufolo
- •Lunch in Atrani
- •Drive home via Amalfi town stroll
Amalfi Coast Travel FAQ
How many days do I need on the Amalfi Coast?
Four nights minimum — one each in Positano, Ravello, plus day trips. Three days is rushing; one week lets you actually slow down.
Should I rent a car?
No. The SS163 is a single-lane cliff road with hairpin turns and bus traffic. Hire a private driver (€350/day) or use ferries and SITA buses.
Positano or Praiano?
Positano if it's your first visit — the cliffside drama is unmatched. Praiano if you've been, you want quiet, or budget matters.
Can I day-trip from Rome or Naples?
Naples, yes (1h to Sorrento by Circumvesuviana, then ferry). Rome is too far — minimum overnight.
Is the water actually that blue?
Yes — limestone seafloor reflects sunlight. The famous Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto) and Capri's Blue Grotto are extras, not the main show.
Explore More Destinations
Want Amalfi Coast planned for you?
Your Savvy Jetsetter advisor personally plans Amalfi Coast trips with handpicked hotels, Fora Reserve perks, restaurant bookings, and end-to-end support. Hotel bookings are complimentary; the hotel pays the commission.