The number one destination on my bucket list and it surely did not disappoint. While I’m destined to explore several parts of Europe, no trip to Europe is complete without visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous coastline of towns along Southern Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula and is known as one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world. Here you’ll find a long stretch of majestic terrain, seaside cliffs, lush vegetation, turquoise Mediterranean waters, amazing food, strong culture, and kind locals.
After spending a full 7 days exploring The Amalfi Coast, I knew I wanted to compile a travel guide to help others make the most of their trip. This guide includes tips, tricks, suggestions, things to prepare for, things to avoid, places to go, and where to eat.
Throughout my trip, I was able to get insight into the towns of Conca Dei Marini, Positano, Ravello, Furore, Pompeii, and the island of Capri. There’s so much to see and do so buckle up and save this guide for your next trip to Southern Italy!
Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
How To Get To Amalfi Coast
Plane
Most people reading this are likely coming straight from the US. To get to the Amalfi Coast, you’ll want to fly directly to Naples International Airport which is about an hour and 20 minutes to Positano. Flights to Italy from the US range in price year-round. And can be anywhere from $600-$2,300 round trip. Flying to Europe is undoubtedly expensive. So I always recommend investing in a good travel credit card and booking your trip on points! Read my full guide on how to get the most out of travel credit cards and which to sign up for.
Train
A more cost-effective but longer option is to fly into Rome and then take the train to Naples. You would take the ItaliaRail and it would be an hour and a half to Naples and then another hour and a half to Positano. Many people often do this option as flights into Rome tend to be cheaper. You could also make a day or 2 out of it and stay in Rome to explore a bit!
Cruise
While I haven’t been on a Mediterranean cruise, I have been on 2 cruises in my life and know it is one of the best ways to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. They are often extremely affordable and include accommodations, food, activities, entertainment + the amount of exploring, culture, food, and excursions you get off the boat. Kind of the best of both worlds for those looking for comfort and convenience.
Best Time To Visit Amalfi Coast
Winter
Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the winter is a great idea if you love to avoid crowds and traffic during your travels. If you stay in coastal towns like Salerno and Sorrento, you’ll still get the authentic Amalfi Coast experience with amazing views, hikes, and terrain to explore.
Most of the more summer-friendly towns like Positano will be pretty deserted and not offer much to do, especially if it is raining. The major 4 & 5-star hotels will be hard to come by as well. But you can definitely find smaller boutique and bed-and-breakfast-style hotels to enjoy.
While you won’t get that classic Italian summer experience in Amalfi, the culture is there year-round and it will be WAY more affordable to enjoy it.
Spring
Spring is a lovely time to visit and is the beginning of the tourist season. While this season can sometimes bring unpredictable weather, it will most often be warm and sunny. The tourist season isn’t in full force. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and people are getting outdoors and hiking once again. You can most likely squeeze in a beach day too. Although the water will be quite cold.
Summer
Obviously, the best time to visit is also peak season. The Amalfi Coast is packed in the summer and the weather is HOT. But there is no shortage of things to do in this season.
If you plan your trip right, you can have the most beautiful, authentic, and magical trip during your summer in Italy. It’s truly the kind of trip everyone dreams of. And I highly recommend getting here in the summer. May and June are definitely the best months to go in terms of beach weather! It gets pretty brutal after June.
Fall
Fall is a gorgeous time to visit The Amalfi Coast, specifically in September and October if you still want to have a variety of things to do. The end of October closes the tourist season. And many businesses shut down for the fall/winter season. During these 2 months, the tourism has died down a bit. The temperature is bearable with warm sunny days and cool evenings and you still have everything available to you in terms of exploration, restaurants, excursions, etc.
How To Get Around Amalfi Coast
Car
You absolutely need a car or a private driver if you plan to explore anywhere other than Positano. While it is possible to stay and walk around Positano, I highly recommend exploring other towns to get the full Amalfi Coast experience. We used DayTrip for convenient airport transfers to and from Naples and they were awesome! You can set up transportation directly online and pay for everything in advance. It’s a great way to secure your rides and not have to worry about anything. In fact, the drivers are extremely professional, efficient, and communicative.
While you can rent a car, I would advise against it as you have to be an extremely experienced driver and used to stressful situations on the road. The roads on the coast are very tight and windy with cars, mopeds, buses, and pedestrians. I would suggest hiring a private driver or taking a taxi to get you where you need to go, for an overall better experience and peace of mind. The drivers here are very experienced!
Bus
Public transportation is always an option. And while the Amalfi Coast does have the SITA bus, I highly recommend avoiding the bus as much as you can. Yes, it is the most cost-effective way to get around the coast. But it’s also extremely unreliable and packed out during the summer months.
Scooter
Another option that is doable but one I advise against. If your heart is set on getting a scooter and you’re an experienced driver, that is one thing. But I’m telling you that you don’t need to get a scooter to get the real experience of Italy. They look cool and are probably fun to drive around. But as I mentioned, the roads are extremely tight and windy. I personally don’t think it’s worth the risk.
Ferry
If you plan to have your home base in Positano, you can absolutely take ferries to a few surrounding destinations including Naples, Amalfi, Capri, Salerno, and Sorrento. The ferries don’t run as often as trains and buses do. So definitely keep this in mind and research times and ferry tickets beforehand to be set up for success.
Best Things To Do In Amalfi Coast
Visit The Beaches
If you’re visiting The Amalfi Coast in the summer, no trip is complete without making it to the beaches. These are some of the most famous and beautiful beaches in the world. And while some of them are rocky, they offer some of the most stunning and tranquil sceneries. There are several all around the coast. And many of them also offer private clubs where you pay to get VIP seating and treatment. The packages vary in price so you can pick which type of experience you want. Of course, there are many free beaches to visit as well.
Furore Fjord
The Furore Fjord is a hidden gem must-see in the town of Furore, right below the SITA bus stop on the bridge. This was hands down one of my favorite memories of the trip as it was the type of Italian summer scenery I always dreamed of. It’s a visually stunning cove with plenty of space to relax, swim and jump off cliffs.
Furore is known as “the town that doesn’t exist” because of how little is going on there. Unlike many towns on the Amalfi Coast, it doesn’t have a main square or town center, rather restaurants and shops are sprinkled throughout. While we experienced probably the most sleepy town possible (with gorgeous views of the stars from our terrace at night) we certainly didn’t sleep on Furore Fjord. I had always dreamed of swimming in the Mediterranean in a scenery like this. Maybe this stems from going to the beaches and lakes as a kid, but I am always the most relaxed and in my element when I’m by the water.
Grotta Dello Smeraldo in Conca Dei Marini
If you’re looking for a beautiful grotto to visit other than the grottos of Capri, then you’ll want to stop by the lesser-known town of Conca Dei Marini where they have a beautiful Grotta Dello Smeraldo to visit with helpful tour guides. It costs €5 to enter.
Villa Rufolo
Ravello is definitely one of the hidden gems of The Amalfi Coast. It was on my list of towns to visit based on its reputation for its iconic cliffside gardens and terraces. We visited Villa Rufolo, a very historic landmark dating back to the 13th century, which quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. Villa Rufolo is €7 euros to enter.
Between the stunning architecture, several levels of gardens, flowers, and amazing views, it felt like we were transported into another world entirely. You just wanted to stay there forever. It’s also known for its interesting alleyways, lovely piazzas, cultural roots, and heavy musical events. I highly recommend visiting Ravello, as it will be one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen.
Ferry to Capri
Before coming to the Amalfi Coast, I was told Capri is an absolute must-do by almost everyone, and it’s obvious why. This island, a 30-minute ferry ride from Positano, is known for its rugged landscape, crystal blue waters, dramatic coves, amazing views, hotels, dining, and shopping. There’s so much to do on the island that staying 1-2 days at least, might be ideal for those looking to get the most out of the island.
Between the Blue Grotto, boast excisions, Villa San Michele, the Piazzetta with food and cocktails, the famous Mount Solaro, and the many hidden gems you’ll find walking around here, you’ll always find something interesting to do. The ferry from Positano to Capri is €20 euros, one-way.
Tour of Pompeii
If you’re a history buff, then a tour of Pompeii is just what you need. This ancient Roman town was destroyed nearly 2,000 years ago by Mount Vesuvius volcano and still has buildings and architecture to explore. You’ll be able to see gardens, homes, bakeries, brothels, and main squares full of history and gorgeous landmarks.
We did the Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Full-Day Tour for €150 and had a fabulous time! After exploring the ancient town, they take you up to the active Mount Vesuvius where you get to hike up to the top and see inside. The volcano itself is still active and experts say it should erupt within the next 10-15 years and they should know about 4-5 days before it happens.
Sunset Cruise
A sunset cruise is a great way to see Positano, The Amalfi Coast, and all its amazing scenery. It’s a great way to relax, and enjoy some champagne and the company of loved ones. They have group charters or you can even book your own private boat!
We did a Small Group Tour to Positano and it was fun but I expected a little more out of it. The atmosphere and setting were beautiful but the sun can’t even be seen as it sets behind the mountain of Positano. We were given little information during the trip and it would have been nice to hear more about the history/stories of what we were seeing. They did include some snack sandwiches and small champagne, but I have definitely been on nicer sunset cruises before. If you want to do a sunset cruise, definitely do your research to scope out the best one.
Hiking
Plenty of outdoor adventures in Amalfi with LOTS of walking and hiking to go around. While there are so many different trails to enjoy, The Path of The Gods is one of the most famous.
Best Hotels In Amalfi Coast
As an avid hotel blogger, it pained me to not be able to stay at any hotels during my stay here but when I travel with my 2 best friends, we mostly stay at Airbnbs. Here are a few suggestions for hotels in each place I stayed, based on research and reviews.
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Best Restaurants In Amalfi Coast
Before I dive into recommendations, it must be said that the food in Italy is some of the best I’ve ever had. Italian food is my favorite cuisine and I was interested to try the food because everyone always told me the food in Italy is just “different.” Little did I know if it would be 10x better than anything I’ve had in the US.
Every meal was delicious, on-point, and extremely affordable! Most of the restaurants closer to the Positano touristy destinations were pricier, but in Conca Dei Marini for example, you can get a cocktail for €7, a personal pizza for €7, and a bowl of pasta for €10. Unbeatable and it had the freshest and best ingredients.
Dishes I highly recommend trying, include a personal Margherita pizza, ravioli, bolognese, carbonara & linguine a Vongole with fresh steamer clams, baked white fish with lemon & potatoes, fresh bread & olives with olive oil & balsamic, and Pistachio & lemon gelato for dessert.
Conca Dei Marini
It doesn’t get as authentic as a side-street, hole-in-the-wall bakery. We grabbed pastries and espresso at Bar Santa Rosa most mornings in Conca Dei Marini and loved the flavors, kind staff, and lovely views of the Mediterranean.
This was our favorite restaurant during our entire stay on The Amalfi Coast. It was just a short walk from our Airbnb and a quiet and comfortable atmosphere during the day and a bright and lively vibe in the evenings. We ate at least one meal here a day and truly felt like a local, being able to take everything in. Slow travel at its best! The owner and staff were great and we shared many meals and laughs under that tented outdoor slice of Heaven. We hope to make it back one day.
Another awesome restaurant in Conca Dei Marini with amazing service and hospitality. We ate here twice during our stay and were treated like royalty when the owner of the restaurant let us drop our bags off before going on an excursion and picked us up afterward when we were stranded and didn’t have a ride. He then let us order lunch at the restaurant even when it was closed between lunch and dinner. We were totally amazed at how kind everyone was and how little they expected in return. A truly memorable experience.
Positano
My Best Tips for Amalfi Coast
Do thorough research
Sounds typical right, like of course you’re going to do research but the reason I say this is if you plan to visit Positano often and have excursions leaving from Positano (many of them do) then you’ll want to stay closer to Positano. If you want more of a local experience with fewer crowds, then you’ll want to stay a few towns over like Conca Dei Marini, Furore, Praiano, or Ravello.
Get a car or a private driver
You absolutely need a car of some sort here. While renting a car is a viable option, you need to be extremely experienced and confident driving on these roads. Drivers in the area are very experienced and will also make you feel at ease! You can hire drivers or transportation transfers for specific days and times that best suit your needs.
Make dinner reservations in Positano
To be honest, dinner reservations aren’t as important here as many people will tell you. I say that because the food is AMAZING everywhere you go and you’ll always find a table somewhere. However, the restaurants that are really popular in the area and have that view or Insta-worthy spot you’re looking for will definitely require a reservation. Many of these spots are booked months out so you’ll want to get on that asap.
Bring Lots of Cash
I didn’t bring nearly enough cash with me as I have the Chase Sapphire credit card with no foreign transaction fees but you will still need to use cash for many instances like taxis, tickets, museums, gardens, etc. Best to budget and stock up before. They have currency exchange stations in all international terminals to make it easy.
Make an effort to have more local, authentic experience
There’s a reason why Positano is so popular and touristy because it’s amazing, but some of my favorite experiences and authentic moments happened in the not-so-well-known areas. You’ll also meet the best people.
THE GOODS
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