The Almalfi Coast is a dramatic meeting of mountains and sea along the Sorrentine Peninsula, where towns painted in terracotta and pink tumble down steep cliffsides to the water's edge. The essential things to do in the Amalfi Coast often involve this landscape, such as exploring the towns connected by a winding road and discovering secluded coves and terraced lemon groves along the shoreline. The Amalfi Coast is, without doubt, one of the best places to visit in Southern Italy.
- Must-do activities in the main towns: Positano and Amalfi
- Unforgettable experiences across Italy’s Amalfi Coast
- Exploring other must-visit Amalfi Coast places
- Planning your perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary
- Best day trips and excursions from the Amalfi Coast
- Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
- Living on the Amalfi Coast
Must-do activities in the main towns: Positano and Amalfi
You'll likely be asked to pick a favourite between Positano and Amalfi, the two main hubs on this coastline, which is a proud UNESCO World Heritage site. Each has a completely distinct character, so it’s worth knowing what to expect from both. Positano is all about the dramatic, vertical landscape and has a more exclusive feel, while Amalfi is a proper historical town with a bit more grit and a different kind of energy.
Top things to do in Positano
You can't really miss Spiaggia Grande, the main beach. It's the spot where everyone takes that classic photo of the colourful houses cascading down the cliff. It gets incredibly busy, so be prepared for that, but it's one of those views you have to see for yourself. The best part of Positano is getting lost in the little lanes that zig-zag up the hill from the sea. You'll find lots of small shops selling linen clothes and handmade leather sandals.
For a pre-dinner drink, or aperitivo, Franco's Bar has an incredible outlook over the water. If the main beach is too much of a scene, you could head to a private spot like Arienzo Beach Club for a more relaxed day by the sea.
Essential attractions in Amalfi town
Unlike Positano, Amalfi feels more like a proper, historic town that was once a major maritime power. Its heart is the Piazza del Duomo, which is completely dominated by the Duomo di Sant'Andrea. You have to climb a grand staircase to get to it, and the mix of Arab-Norman architecture is really something to see.
If you walk up the main street, away from the square, you'll find the Museo della Carta, a paper museum in an old mill. It shows how the town was once famous for its paper-making. And you can’t leave town without trying a delizia al limone, the local lemon cake. The place to go is Pasticceria Pansa, a family-run pastry shop on the main square that’s been there since 1830.
Unforgettable experiences across Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Once you've got your bearings in the towns, some of the best experiences are the ones that take in the whole coastline. It’s really about getting out there and seeing it from different angles, like from the water, a clifftop trail, or through its food.
Take a scenic boat trip along the Coastline
One of the best things you can do is see the coast from the water. The famous Amalfi Drive road is an experience in itself, but it can be slow and stressful, whereas on a boat, you just glide past it all.
You can hire a small private boat, often a traditional wooden gozzo, or join a more budget-friendly group tour. From the sea, you get a real sense of the scale of the cliffs and can peek into little coves and sea caves, like the Grotta dello Smeraldo, that are impossible to reach otherwise.
Hike the famous Path of the Gods
If you fancy stretching your legs and earning your southern Italian pasta dish, this is the way to do it. The Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods, is a well-known trail that runs high above the coast between the little village of Bomerano and Nocelle.
The views are vast – on a clear day, you can see the entire peninsula and across the water to the island of Capri. It’s mostly downhill if you start in Bomerano, but don't be fooled; you'll need proper shoes and plenty of water.
Indulge in authentic Amalfi Coast food and drink
You can't talk about this area without talking about the local lemons; they're huge, knobbly, and incredibly fragrant. You’ll see them everywhere, grown in terraced groves shored up by old stone walls. Naturally, you have to try some proper limoncello, the local liqueur. But it’s also worth seeking out the simple things, like a refreshing lemon granita on a hot afternoon.
For a proper meal, look for a typical Southern Italian pasta dish like scialatielli, often served with fresh seafood. For a really memorable evening, some restaurants have gardens where you can eat dinner right under the lemon trees.
Exploring other must-visit Amalfi Coast places
While Positano and Amalfi tend to steal the spotlight, a few of the other towns along the coast are real highlights. They offer a bit of peace and quiet away from the crowds and a chance to see some incredible local craftsmanship.
Discover the gardens and views of Ravello
Ravello is perched high up in the hills above Amalfi, so it has a completely different, more serene atmosphere. It’s known for its classical music festival and its incredible historic villas with jaw-dropping gardens.
You have to visit Villa Cimbrone to see the Terrazza dell'Infinito (Terrace of Infinity). It’s a long balcony lined with marble busts that looks straight out over the sea. The gardens at Villa Rufolo are also beautiful and famously inspired the composer Wagner.
Find unique souvenirs in Vietri sul Mare
At the eastern end of the coastline, you'll find Vietri sul Mare, the undisputed capital of ceramics. You'll see colourful, hand-painted tiles on everything from shop signs to the dome of the main church. You can find little shops selling everything from a single tile to huge, ornate dinner sets. Some of the workshops let you pop in and see the artisans painting their intricate designs by hand.
Watch a sunset in Praiano
Praiano is a quieter, less-known village, and because of its position on the coast, it gets the sun for the longest. While everyone is scrambling for a spot on an overpriced terrace in Positano, you can find a more relaxed atmosphere here to gaze at the sunset. It’s a lovely, sleepy place to grab a seat at a little bar while on your honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, and watch the sky change colour over the water.
Planning your perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary
The Amalfi Coast is a string of little towns connected by one very famous, very narrow, and very busy road, so figuring out where you want to be and when is key to enjoying yourself.
How many days are enough for the Amalfi Coast?
If you’re short on time, you could squeeze the highlights into a long weekend of three or four days. You’d have to pick a base and be prepared for a fast pace, but you could see one or two main towns and do a boat trip.
A full week is the ideal amount of time. It lets you slow down, explore a few different towns properly, do the Path of the Gods hike, and maybe even take a day trip to Capri or Pompeii. Anything less, like a day trip from Naples, will only give you a tiny, crowded snapshot.
Best time of year for your visit
If you visit in July or August, you're hitting peak season. Expect glorious sunshine, but also big crowds and peak prices for everything. The roads and beaches will be packed.
April, May, September, and October are fantastic months to visit. The weather is still warm and pleasant, the sea is definitely swimmable, but the crowds have thinned out considerably.
If you’re thinking of going in the winter, from November to March, be aware that many hotels and restaurants close down completely, and the weather can be wet and unpredictable.
Unique, romantic and non-touristy things to do
For anyone on a honeymoon or just looking for a bit of romance, hiring a small private boat for a sunset tour is an unforgettable experience. Another great idea is to take a local cooking class. To dodge the crowds, take the short walk from Amalfi's busy main square to its tiny, quiet neighbour, Atrani. For families, spending the day at a slightly more accessible, family-friendly beach or focusing on boat trips can be a lot less stressful than navigating the steep, crowded streets with kids in tow.
What to do on the Amalfi Coast if it rains
A rainy day on the Amalfi Coast is a good opportunity to head up to the relative quiet of Ravello, which has a couple of interesting spots for a damp afternoon. You could admire the collection of art in the Diocesan Museum or visit the small and unusual Coral Museum. Plus, ducking into the little independent boutiques and workshops is a great way to wait out a downpour.
Best day trips and excursions from the Amalfi Coast
Once you’ve settled in, you'll find you're in a great position to explore some other iconic Italian spots. A couple of classic day trips are popular for a good reason, and if you have the time, they are well worth the effort.
A trip to the glamorous Island of Capri
You can’t really miss the outline of Capri sitting out in the bay. The island has a reputation for being a bit of a playground for the rich and famous, and while that’s true in parts, there's much more to it.
The boat trip into the Blue Grotto is a bit of a tourist conveyor belt, but seeing that luminous blue water is pretty special. For a great view, head to the Gardens of Augustus for that classic postcard shot of the famous Faraglioni rock formations.
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii
Seeing a whole Roman city preserved in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius is a powerful experience. You can walk down ancient cobbled streets, step inside villas that still have their painted frescoes on the walls, and stand in the middle of the old forum where public life once buzzed.
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
Choosing where to stay on the Amalfi Coast can make or break your trip, as getting from one town to another isn't always quick. Your best bet depends entirely on what you’re looking for: do you want to be in the middle of all the action, or would you prefer somewhere quieter to retreat to at the end of the day?
For a peaceful escape: Ravello and Praiano
These smaller spots are ideal if you want a more low-key experience. Ravello is perched high in the hills, offering incredible views and a serene atmosphere, but you'll need to take a bus down to the sea. Praiano is a quieter village on the coast itself, between the two main towns, which gives you a great sense of local life without the intense crowds.
For convenience and transport links: Salerno
Often overlooked, Salerno is a larger, proper city at the eastern end of the coast. It’s a very practical base. Accommodation and food are generally more affordable, and its major train station and ferry port make it easy to get to and from, and to explore the rest of the coast. You miss out on the feeling of staying in a tiny cliffside village, but you gain a lot in convenience.
Living on the Amalfi Coast
It’s easy to visit for a week and dream of packing it all in and moving here for good. But living on the Amalfi Coast is a very different experience from holidaying on it. The incredible summer buzz also brings intense crowds and traffic, while the deep quiet of winter can feel quite isolating for some.
That said, the dream of owning a home here is a powerful one. The region is, unsurprisingly, always a feature among the top Italian coastal towns for buying holiday homes. For those seriously considering it, a bit of research is key, and it helps to read a specific guide to buying property on the Amalfi Coast to get your head around the unique local market. Plus, it's always interesting to look into what seaside homes cost on the Italian coast before committing.
- Property for sale on the Amalfi Coast
- Long-term rentals on the Amalfi Coast
- Holiday rentals on the Amalfi Coast
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