Italy

Amalfi Coast travel guide

Amalfi Coast

Dramatic cliffs, pastel villages, and Mediterranean glamour

The Loop Take

CHOOSE YOUR BASE BEFORE YOU BOOK THE VIEW.

Positano is the famous choice. It is also steep, busy and not ideal if you want to drive or walk to dinner without steps. Amalfi is more practical for moving along the coast. Ravello is quieter and higher up. Sorrento works best if you want rail access and day trips. We start with the day you want to have, then choose the town.

Ways to do Amalfi

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT THE COAST TO DO.

Choose two or three priorities. A week can hold beach time, Capri, Pompeii, a walk and long dinners. It cannot comfortably do all of them from every base.

The Coast & Capri

For a first visit that keeps the classic views, time on the water and one island day in the same frame.

A first-time coast

Naples, Ischia & Amalfi

For food, city energy, island time and a slower coastal finish rather than one single-note stay.

City, island, coast

Amalfi & Puglia

For a longer Italian journey that moves from dramatic shoreline to a very different southern landscape.

A longer contrast

Amalfi, slowly

One beautiful base, a few well-timed days out and no pressure to use every hour of the coast.

One place, properly

Where to stay

WHERE YOU STAY CHANGES EVERY DAY.

The town affects steps, transfer time, restaurant choice and whether you need a car or boat. We choose the base before choosing the hotel.

Positano for the full-picture stay

For couples who want a dramatic setting, easy access to the water and the atmosphere of the coast right outside the door.

Ravello for space and views

For a higher, calmer base where gardens, terraces and a different pace matter more than being right by the sea.

A quieter coastal base

For couples who would rather return to a less busy corner after a day on the water or in the villages.

The destination, felt

WHAT EACH TOWN GIVES YOU.

Positano gives you the famous cliffside setting and a lot of steps. Amalfi is easier for ferries and moving along the coast. Ravello is higher, quieter and better for gardens and long dinners. Sorrento is the practical choice for rail, Pompeii and a simpler airport transfer.

Lunch that accidentally lasts three hours.

When to go

PICK THE MONTH FOR THE DAYS YOU WANT.

Summer is best for sea time. Spring and autumn are easier for walking, Pompeii and the towns. Ferry services, heat and crowd levels still need checking around your dates.

A good time for

April–May

A strong starting point for exploring, longer lunches and a lighter feel before the busiest part of the season. Conditions can still vary in spring.

A good time for

June–September

Best for a summer version of the coast, with warmer days and water time high on the agenda. Allow for greater demand and a livelier atmosphere.

A good time for

October

A thoughtful choice for a slower version of the coast when you want food, views and walks to carry more of the trip.

A good time for

Loop pick

Choose timing after choosing the kind of days you want. That makes it easier to match the coast to you, not the other way around.

Good to know

PLAN THE ARRIVAL AS CAREFULLY AS THE HOTEL.

Naples is usually the main international gateway. The final leg can be by car, ferry or rail and transfer. The best option depends on the base, luggage and arrival time.

Nearest airport

Naples International Airport is the usual air gateway for the coast. Salerno Costa d’Amalfi can also be worth considering depending on your dates and route.

The final leg

Private transfer, ferry and rail connections each suit different arrival times and bases. Leave room for the final stretch rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Getting around

The coast rewards fewer moves. Water and road journeys can both be part of the experience, but the best mix depends on where you stay and how much you want to cover.

Car or no car

A car is not automatically the easiest answer. We will weigh your base, parking, road comfort and planned days before deciding what makes sense.

Make more of Italy

KEEP STARTING WITH THE KIND OF TRIP YOU WANT.

Use these travel styles to narrow the conversation. They are a way to choose the route, not another list of places to fit in.

An Italian coast journey

Use our illustrative Amalfi Coast route as a starting point, then reshape it around the places and time that matter to you.

View illustrative itinerary

Make the route part of it

If the journey between places matters as much as the arrival, explore a slower, more connected way to travel.

Explore this way to travel

Start planning

START WITH YOUR DATES AND PRIORITIES.

Tell us how many nights you have, when you want to travel and which parts of the destination matter most. We will recommend a route that gives them enough time.

Start planning