Amalfi Travel Guide

Quick Facts: Amalfi Coast, Italy

Destination Overview

Why Visit Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast is about contrast: salt air and mountain trails, quiet church squares and packed beach clubs, tiny fishermen’s coves and headline luxury hotels. You come for the views, but you stay for the details, ceramics in Vietri sul Mare, lemon-scented paper in Amalfi, and sunset light hitting Ravello’s gardens. It’s also surprisingly doable without a car if you plan around ferries and early starts.

Best Time to Visit Amalfi Coast

• Spring – April to June brings clear light, hiking weather, and lemon blossom scents. May is the sweet spot for warm days without peak-level crowds.
• Summer – July and August are hot and busy. Beaches and nightlife peak, but buses clog and reservations become non-negotiable. Build in midday shade time and book boats early.
• Autumn – September to mid-October stays warm for swimming with fewer tour groups. It’s the best balance for most travelers, especially photographers.
• Winter – November to March is quiet and cheaper, but many hotels, beach clubs, and some ferry routes shut down. It’s great for slow days in Amalfi and Ravello, less great if Positano is your main goal.

Travel Difficulty & Ideal Duration

Difficulty: Moderate

Recommended: 3 to 5 days for first timers, 7 days if you want hiking, beach time, and boat days without rushing. Expect lots of stairs, uneven stone paths, and tight schedules in peak season.

Essential Travel Information

Visa & Entry

Italy is in the Schengen Area. Many travelers can enter visa-free for short stays, but rules depend on your passport and purpose of travel. Check official requirements before booking, and confirm that your passport validity meets Schengen rules. Start here: Italy’s official visa portal and Re-open EU (entry rules and updates).

Money & Realistic Daily Costs

• Budget: €120–€180 per person/day (shared room or hostel-style stays, simple meals, buses, one paid attraction)
• Mid-range: €220–€380 per person/day (comfortable hotel, a ferry ride, one sit-down dinner, occasional taxis)
• Luxury: €600+ per person/day (high-end hotels, private transfers, boat charter, beach club loungers, tasting menus)

Language & Communication

Italian is the default; English is common in hotels, tours, and popular restaurants. Download offline maps and Italian in Google Translate. For mobile data, an eSIM usually works well if your phone supports it. Coverage is generally good in towns, but you can get weak signals on hiking trails and in cliffside bends.

Getting There & Around

Air, Rail, Bus: Most travelers fly into Naples (NAP) or arrive by train to Napoli Centrale, then continue to Sorrento (for the west side) or Salerno (for the east side). From Salerno, seasonal ferries make coastal hops straightforward. From Sorrento, you can connect by bus or ferry to Positano and Amalfi in season.

Local transport: SITA buses cover key routes along the coast, but they fill fast. Ferries (seasonal) often save time and sanity. Walking is part of the deal: expect stairs, steep lanes, and uphill climbs. Taxis and private drivers are expensive but useful for early departures or late dinners.

Top Things to Do in Amalfi Coast

Must-See Landmarks & Cultural Sites

• Duomo di Amalfi (Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea) and the Monumental Complex
  Admission and timing: The church is often free to enter, but the museum, cloister, and crypt usually require a ticket. Plan 60–90 minutes and avoid mass times.
  Best visiting time: Early morning (09:00–10:30) before day-trippers flood Corso Italia.
  The striped façade and broad steps are classic Amalfi. Inside, it’s calmer and cooler, and the cloister gives you a quiet break from the street.
• Villa Rufolo (Ravello)
  Address: Piazza Duomo, Ravello (SA)
  Admission and timing: Ticketed entry, typically open daily with seasonal hours. Plan 60 minutes for gardens and viewpoints.
  Best visiting time: Late afternoon for softer light and fewer tour groups.
  This is the Ravello postcard view: gardens, arches, and a sea horizon that feels unreal.
• Villa Cimbrone Gardens and the Terrace of Infinity (Ravello)
  Address: Via S. Chiara 26, Ravello (SA)
  Admission and timing: Ticketed gardens, typically open from morning until sunset. Plan 90 minutes if you like slow wandering.
  Best visiting time: Golden hour, but arrive earlier to secure space on the terrace.
  The Terrace of Infinity is the headline, but the real joy is the path getting there, shaded lanes, statues, and sudden views.
• Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto), Conca dei Marini
  Admission and timing: Tickets bought at the entrance, visits are short and guided by boatmen, and the grotto can close due to sea conditions.
  Best visiting time: Midday when light penetrates the water for that neon-green glow.
  It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also genuinely strange in the best way, like underwater stage lighting.
• Marina Grande and the dome of Santa Maria Assunta (Positano)
  Best visiting time: Sunrise for quiet streets, or late evening when day-trippers leave.
  Positano’s beach is crowded, but the scene is iconic. Walk a few minutes away from the main umbrellas and you’ll find calmer corners and better photos.
• Museo della Carta (Paper Museum), Amalfi
  Best visiting time: Late morning, then pair it with a long lunch in Amalfi’s backstreets.
  Amalfi’s paper-making history is real and tactile. The demonstrations are the fun part, and it’s a smart rainy-day option.

Hidden Gems & Local Favorites

• Castiglione di Ravello viewpoint – A quick stop above Amalfi with a beach and a steep stair down. Go early, the light is better and the parking chaos has not started.
• Atrani – The tiny neighbor to Amalfi that still feels lived-in. Grab a coffee in the main square and watch daily life roll by.
• Praiano’s sunset lanes – Less frantic than Positano, with strong west-facing sunset views. Pick a bar terrace, keep it simple, and stay until the last light.
• Vietri sul Mare ceramics workshops – For real hand-painted pieces, look beyond the busiest shops and ask about shipping. Ceramics make better souvenirs than limoncello bottles.
• Minori and the lemon pastry crawl – Minori is compact and easy. Come for a relaxed afternoon, then hunt down delizia al limone and sfogliatella.
• Maiori promenade swim – Not the most dramatic town, but one of the easiest for an uncomplicated beach day with fewer stairs.

Unique Experiences You Can’t Miss

• Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) hike – Free, 3–5 hours depending on route and pace. Start early (around 08:00) to beat heat and crowds. Wear grippy shoes and carry 1–1.5 L of water.
• Half-day boat trip: Positano and Amalfi from the water – Group tours often start around €60–€120 per person, 3–4 hours. Book 2–7 days ahead in summer, earlier for weekends.
• Lemon grove visit and limoncello tasting – Typical small-group tastings run €25–€50 and last 60–90 minutes. Book a day ahead in shoulder season, 3–5 days in summer.
• Cooking class: scialatielli and tiramisù, coastal-style – Expect €90–€160 for 3–4 hours including wine. Book 1–2 weeks ahead in peak months.
• Beach club day in Positano or Praiano – A set of loungers can run €40–€120+ depending on location and season. Reserve as soon as your dates are locked.
• Ravello concert night (seasonal) – If you can line up a performance in Ravello, do it. Ticket prices vary, but the setting is the point.

Best Photo Spots

• Positano from the road above town – Early morning gives you cleaner layers and fewer boats. Keep your lens ready on bends, but do not stop where it’s unsafe.
• Ravello’s Villa Rufolo terraces – Late afternoon softens haze. The classic shot is the garden framing the sea.
• Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity – Arrive before golden hour, then wait. People cycle through, and you’ll get a clean moment.
• Amalfi Cathedral steps – Best before 10:00. After that, it becomes a line of phones and tour flags.
• Atrani’s viewpoint from the road tunnel area – Quick, dramatic, and usually less crowded than the big-name spots.
• From the ferry – If you want the “stacked town on cliffs” look, shoot from the water. Even a short ferry hop gives you better angles than the road.

Where to Stay in Amalfi Coast

Best Areas or Neighborhoods

• Amalfi – Central hub for ferries and buses, easy day trips, lively evenings. Downsides: day-tripper crowds and limited quiet streets near the main drag.
• Ravello – Cooler air, gardens, and views. Best for romance and calm. Downsides: you’ll rely on buses or taxis down to the water.
• Positano – The iconic scene and the priciest base. Great if you want “the look.” Downsides: stairs, crowds, and expensive taxis.
• Praiano – Quieter with strong sunset views, good mid-point between Amalfi and Positano. Downsides: fewer late-night options.
• Maiori and Minori – More space, easier walking, often better value. Downsides: less “cliff drama,” but still beautiful.
• Salerno (as a base) – Smart for budget and logistics. You day-trip by ferry. Downsides: less of that coastal town feel at night.

What & Where to Eat in Amalfi Coast

Must-Try Dishes

• Scialatielli ai frutti di mare – Fresh pasta with mixed seafood; expect €18–€28 in sit-down restaurants in Amalfi or Positano.
• Delizia al limone – A lemon cream dome dessert; €5–€8 at pastry shops in Minori or Amalfi.
• Totani e patate – Squid and potatoes, simple and salty; €14–€22.
• Parmigiana di melanzane – Eggplant baked with tomato and cheese; €10–€16 as a starter or side.
• Spaghetti alle vongole – Clams, garlic, olive oil; €16–€26 near the water.
• Colatura (nearby specialty) – Anchovy essence used on pasta, more common toward Cetara; try it when you see it on menus.

Restaurants & Cafés

• Classic Amalfi dinner: Trattoria Da Gemma – Via Fra Gerardo Sasso, 11, 84011 Amalfi (SA) • mains €18–€35
• Positano waterfront institution: Chez Black – Via del Brigantino, 19, 84017 Positano (SA) • pizza €14–€22, seafood €24–€45
• Farm-to-table with a view: La Tagliata – Via Tagliata 32B, 84017 Positano (SA) • fixed menu often €55–€75
• Seafood on the water (nearby, worth it): Lo Scoglio – Piazza delle Sirene, 15, Marina del Cantone (Nerano), Massa Lubrense (NA) • pasta €18–€32
• Special occasion splurge: La Sponda (Le Sirenuse) – Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano (SA) • tasting menus vary, expect €200+
• Quick lunch with fewer crowds: Atrani cafés around Piazza Umberto I • sandwiches and espresso €6–€15
• Pastry stop: Minori pastry shops for delizia al limone • €3–€8

Street Food & Dietary Tips

• Simple wins: Grab pizza al taglio or panini in Amalfi’s backstreets, then eat by the water. Expect €5–€12.
• Seafood sanity check: If a place pushes “fresh catch” too hard, look for a menu with seasonal fish named clearly. Ask “È fresco?” if you care.
• Vegetarian is easy: Eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and mozzarella appear everywhere. Vegan is doable but requires clearer ordering.
• Gluten-free: Better in larger towns. Use the phrase “Sono celiaco/a” and look for packaged options if you’re hiking.
• Water: Carry a refillable bottle. In peak heat, plan at least 1 L per half day, more for hikes.
• Ice and tap water: Normal in tourist zones, but still ask if you want bottled: “Acqua naturale, per favore.”

Local Culture & Etiquette

• Norms – Greet with “Buongiorno” and “Buonasera.” Dress modestly in churches, cover shoulders and avoid beachwear inside.
• Do’s & Don’ts – Do step aside on narrow lanes so locals can pass. Do not block stairways for photos. Do not pick lemons from private terraces, even if they look tempting.
• Tipping – Not required like in the US. Service can be included (“coperto” or service charge). Rounding up or leaving €1–€5 for good service is appreciated.
• Festivals & Events – Look for summer concerts in Ravello, local saint feast days, and Christmas events in Amalfi in December. Dates shift, so check local calendars close to travel.

Practical Tips & Safety

• Health & Safety – Emergency number is 112 in Italy. Heat exhaustion and ankle twists are the most common tourist problems. Wear shoes with grip, and pace your stairs.
• What to Pack – Reef shoes for pebbly beaches, a light layer for evening breezes, blister plasters, and a small daypack for water and sunscreen. In shoulder season, add a rain jacket.
• Money Saving – Eat your “big meal” at lunch, then keep dinner simple. Choose ferry day trips over private drivers. Stay in Maiori, Minori, or Salerno for better value, then visit Positano as a day trip.
• Emergency Phrases – “Aiuto!” (help), “Ho bisogno di un medico.” (I need a doctor), “Dove è la farmacia?” (where is the pharmacy?), “Ho perso il passaporto.” (I lost my passport)

Amalfi Coast Itineraries

3-Day Express Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Base in Amalfi. Morning: Duomo complex and a backstreet coffee. Midday: paper museum or Atrani stroll. Afternoon: ferry to Positano for photos and a beach swim. Dinner back in Amalfi.
2. Day 2 – Ravello day. Morning: Villa Rufolo. Lunch: light and early. Afternoon: Villa Cimbrone gardens. Evening: aperitivo with a view, then bus down before it gets packed.
3. Day 3 – Hike and sea. Early start for Path of the Gods (choose a manageable route). Afternoon: reward yourself with a boat ride or a calmer beach town like Maiori.

7-Day Comprehensive Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Arrive via Salerno or Sorrento, settle in, short orientation walk, early dinner.
2. Day 2 – Amalfi: Duomo, paper museum, Atrani, slow evening.
3. Day 3 – Positano: morning ferry, photo walk, beach time, dinner reservation.
4. Day 4 – Ravello: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, sunset views.
5. Day 5 – Boat day: group tour or private rental if you can swing it. Swim stops, coastal viewpoints, relaxed lunch.
6. Day 6 – Hiking day: Path of the Gods or a shorter stair-walk between towns. Evening in Praiano for sunset.
7. Day 7 – Vietri sul Mare for ceramics and an easy final meal, then depart via Salerno or Naples.

Off the Beaten Path Route

Stay in Minori or Maiori, then loop east: morning ceramics in Vietri sul Mare, lunch in Cetara (anchovy-focused seafood), and a relaxed afternoon swim in Maiori. On another day, do Atrani plus a quiet uphill walk, then return by ferry if available. It’s less “glossy postcard,” more everyday coast, and it usually feels better in peak months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Experiences Not to Miss

• A ferry hop at sunset, even a short one, because the coast looks better from the sea than from the road.
• Ravello’s gardens in late afternoon, when the light softens and the viewpoints finally feel calm.
• A proper lemon dessert stop in Minori, then a slow stroll along the water.
• A morning walk in Positano before 10:30, when the lanes are still quiet enough to hear your footsteps.
• A simple seafood lunch in a small harbor town, then a swim without a schedule.
• One hike day, even a shorter route, to feel how steep and wild the landscape really is.

Make the Coast Yours, Not a Checklist

The Amalfi Coast rewards travelers who plan smart, then slow down. Pick one base, lock in a few key reservations, and leave space for small surprises, a backstreet café, a sudden swim, a viewpoint you didn’t expect. Move by ferry when you can, walk when it feels right, and treat the towns like real places, not a stage set. Start with your dates, choose your base, and build a trip that fits your pace.

Useful Links / Official Sources

• Amalfi official local tourism portal
• Travelmar ferries (timetables and tickets)
• Trenitalia (rail routes to Naples and Salerno)
• EAV (Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento info)
• Re-open EU (entry rules and updates)
• Italy visa portal (official)