How to Reach the Amalfi Coast
The nearest major airports are Naples (NAP, 1.5 hrs) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO, 3 hrs). From Naples, take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, then the SITA bus or ferry along the coast. Ferries from Salerno offer a particularly scenic arrival.
Park your car in Sorrento or Salerno and use ferries and local buses along the coast — parking in Positano is extremely limited, expensive, and the hairpin roads genuinely demand full concentration.
Top Things to See & Do
1. Positano
The most photogenic village on the coast, its pastel houses cascading steeply down to a small beach. Browse boutiques selling hand-made sandals and ceramics, swim from the beach, eat grilled fish at a table with a view over the water. Positano is the quintessence of la dolce vita.
2. Amalfi Town
The historic maritime republic that gave the coast its name. The Arab-Norman Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, the Paper Museum, and the whitewashed lanes climbing the hillside are all worth a leisurely morning.
3. Ravello
High above the coast on a mountain ridge, Ravello offers the most extraordinary views on the entire Amalfi Coast. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone have gardens overlooking the sea that are among the most beautiful in all of Italy.
4. Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)
The most dramatic coastal walk in Italy — a 7km trail along the clifftops above Positano. Best walked east to west in morning light, with views that will stop you in your tracks at every turn.
5. Capri Day Trip
The island of Capri is a short ferry ride away. The Blue Grotto, the clifftop town of Anacapri, and a swim by the Faraglioni sea stacks make it an unforgettable day from the mainland.
What to Eat on the Amalfi Coast
- Fresh seafood — grilled fish, spaghetti alle vongole, and mixed fritto di mare are exceptional everywhere
- Scialatielli — the local pasta, thick and chewy, usually served with seafood
- Lemon everything — limoncello, lemon granita, lemon tarts — the Amalfi sfusato lemon is legendary worldwide
- Mozzarella di bufala — made nearby in Campania, the finest in the world without question
Best Time to Visit
May–June and September–October are the sweet spots: warm, sunny, and far less crowded than peak July–August. Spring brings wildflowers along the clifftop paths and cooler temperatures perfect for hiking.
