Amalfi Coast Itinerary
The perfect 3-day and 7-day plan — Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and Capri, done right.
The Amalfi Coast is 40km of coastline. It takes less than two hours to drive end-to-end — yet most people spend their whole trip in one town and miss what makes the coast extraordinary.
This itinerary is built around movement: ferry in the morning, a hillside village by afternoon, a different beach at sunset. Both plans below use Amalfi town as the base — it's the most central, the most affordable, and the ferry hub that connects everything.
Got 3 days? You'll see the highlights without rushing. Got 7? You'll leave knowing you actually saw the coast.
The 3-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary
Best for: Weekend trips, add-ons to a Rome/Naples itinerary
Arrive in Amalfi — Get Your Bearings
Check into your hotel and walk straight to Piazza del Duomo. Climb the 62 steps to the Duomo di Amalfi — entry is cheap and the Cloister of Paradise alone is worth it. Spend an hour exploring the historic paper-making district (Cartiera).
Grab lunch at a waterfront trattoria — order the scialatielli ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta with seafood). After, take the 20-minute ferry to Positano. Walk up through the bougainvillea-draped lanes to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, then down to Spiaggia Grande for a swim.
Ferry back to Amalfi by 7pm. Dinner in town — try Il Teatro for local cuisine that won't break the bank. Limoncello nightcap on your terrace.
Ravello + Fornillo Beach
Take the early SITA bus up to Ravello (25 min, €1.30). Walk through Villa Cimbrone's gardens to the Terrace of Infinity — the view is genuinely one of the best in Italy. Villa Rufolo is nearby and worth 30 minutes.
Bus back down to Amalfi, then ferry to Positano's quieter Fornillo Beach — fewer crowds than Spiaggia Grande, same turquoise water. Rent a sun lounger and stay until 5pm.
Sunset aperitivo at La Tagliata or any terrace bar in Positano. Dinner in Positano — you're already there, so splurge once. Ferry home after.
Valle delle Ferriere Hike + Departure
Do the Valle delle Ferriere trail before it gets hot — start by 8am if possible. The 4km hike through lemon groves and waterfalls is the Amalfi Coast's best-kept secret. Trailhead is a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.
Back in town by noon. Last lunch at a harbour café, pick up limoncello and handmade paper gifts from the Cartiera shops. Catch your bus or ferry to Naples/Sorrento for onward travel.
Depart or extend — if you have flexibility, add the 7-day plan's Capri day trip here.
The 7-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary
Best for: Dedicated coast trips, slow travel, first-time Italy visitors
Sorrento — Your Gateway Base
Most people skip Sorrento in favour of jumping straight to the coast — that's a mistake. It's cheaper, better connected by train from Naples, and a fantastic base. Day 1: arrive, explore the old town, walk to Marina Grande for dinner. Day 2: take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii (45 min) — the ruins deserve a full morning. Back to Sorrento for the afternoon, then the coast begins.
Positano — The Full Day
Early ferry from Sorrento to Positano (40 min). Morning: climb the lanes before the day-trippers arrive — the town feels completely different at 8am. Church of Santa Maria Assunta, ceramic shop browsing, coffee at Caffè Positano. Afternoon: Spiaggia Grande swim, then hire a small boat for 2 hours to reach hidden coves inaccessible by foot. Stay for sunset from the beach — it hits the cliffs perfectly — then ferry to Amalfi to check in.
Amalfi Town — History Day
Full day in Amalfi. Morning: Duomo, Cloister of Paradise, Museo della Carta (the paper museum is genuinely fascinating — 45 min). Afternoon: walk the Atrani shortcut — it's a 10-minute walk from Amalfi's piazza to the tiny village of Atrani, one of Italy's smallest towns and almost completely tourist-free. Evening: best dinner of the trip at a restaurant overlooking the harbour.
Ravello + Hillside Villages
Morning bus to Ravello. Villa Cimbrone (Terrace of Infinity) then Villa Rufolo and its famous gardens — if you're visiting in summer, check if the Ravello Festival has any evening concerts. Afternoon: walk the 4km downhill path from Ravello back toward Minori — passing through chestnut groves with coast views. Arrive in Minori for a late lunch, then ferry back to Amalfi.
Capri Day Trip
Take the first ferry of the day (typically 8:30am). Capri town in the morning — walk up to the Gardens of Augustus for the best views, skip the overpriced chairlift. Afternoon: Blue Grotto boat tour (go early — queues build by midday and tours get cancelled if waves pick up). Marina Piccola for a late swim. Ferry back by 6pm — Capri as a day trip is far better value than staying overnight.
Valle delle Ferriere + Slow Morning
Final morning hike up Valle delle Ferriere (4km, start at 8am before the heat). Back by 11am for a long farewell lunch on the harbour. Last swim at the Lido, pick up limoncello, handmade Amalfi paper, and local ceramics. Afternoon ferry or bus to Naples for your flight, or continue to Rome by train.
🧳 Practical Information
Getting Around
The SITA bus runs along the SS163 connecting Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno. Buy tickets from tabacchi shops before boarding — €1.30–€2.50 per ride. Ferries are faster and more scenic but 4–5× the price. For the full coast, combine both.
Where to Base Yourself
Amalfi town is the best base: central ferry port, cheapest hotels, walkable. Positano is the most beautiful but most expensive. Sorrento suits budget travelers and those arriving by train from Naples. Ravello is for honeymooners and total escape.
Best Time to Visit
May–June: warm, not yet peak, flowers in bloom — the best month is late May. September–October: crowds thin out, sea still warm, golden light. July–August: packed, prices peak, the SS163 road becomes a traffic nightmare. November–March: most restaurants and hotels close.
Budget Guide
Budget traveler (Amalfi base, local restaurants, buses): €120–160/day. Mid-range (mix of towns, some ferry travel, nicer dinners): €200–280/day. Luxury (Positano hotels, private boats, fine dining): €400+/day. The coast can be done affordably — but it requires staying in Amalfi, not Positano.
🏨 Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi
Best for: Most travelers
Price: $$$
Central ferry port, widest choice of restaurants, walkable historic center. The smartest base for both itineraries.
Browse Amalfi Hotels
Positano
Best for: Honeymoons, splurges
Price: $$$$
The most glamorous option. Worth it if budget isn't a concern — but expect to pay 2× Amalfi prices for the same room quality.
Browse Positano Hotels
Ravello
Best for: Peace, couples, writers
Price: $$$
Perched 350m above the sea — no beach access but extraordinary quiet and views. Virginia Woolf and D.H. Lawrence wrote here. Best for 7-day+ trips.
Browse Ravello HotelsReady to Book?
Base yourself in Amalfi, move by ferry, and go slowly. The coast rewards patience more than any other place in Italy.