20 stunning Amalfi Coast itinerary Options for Your Perfect Trip
In this guide, you’ll find all you need to draft your Amalfi Coast itinerary, including maps and detailed day-by-day plans with the best beaches, trekking routes, local culture, and dining options.
The Amalfi Coast itself may be not as long, just over 50km, however, there are so many things to do, including short trips to attractions like Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, the Vesuvius and I could keep going, all easily done on a day or half-day trip.
I visited the Amalfi Coast for the first time in my 20s. I am now much older, travelling with a small kid.
For this reason, I have built different day-by-day plans with maps and photos based on who you travel with (couples, family, singles) and what you like to do (beach lovers, history, trekking or just everything).
Still unsure? Add a comment below. I usually reply in no-time
But now let’s get into the meaty stuff
Best Amalfi Coast Itinerary – In a nutshell
Here down a few quick points, however, keep reading for more detailed information
- How many days in Amalfi Coast: In 10 days you will be able to experience not only the Amalfi Coast but also most of the iconic destinations reachable with day trips, for example, Sorrento, Capri, the Vesuvius, and Pompeii. With one week you will be able to focus on the Amalfi Coast itself and add a couple of day trips. In 5 days you can spend most of your time between Positano and Amalfi, with a few ferry trips to see the coastline, besides some amazing beaches. With just 3 or 4 days I suggest either staying in Positano or Amalfi and exploring from there. By the way, this is the most common question I receive. My suggestion here is to stay at least 5 days on Amalfi Coast, but obviously, we all have our own time constraints.
- Best place to base yourself in Amalfi Coast: my favourite base is Positano, absolutely stunning and so picturesque. The beach may be busy and probably not the best, but besides that, everything else is a unique experience. Sorrento, although not technically on the Amalfi Coast, is another great option, especially if you plan to visit Pompei, the Vesuvius and Naples.
- Must-see 5 places in Amalfi Coast: I will expand this section below but here shortly: Positano, Amalfi, Path of the Gods, the Furore Fjord, Ieranto Bay. A trip to these destinations should be on your bucket list of things to do on the Amalfi Coast. Read more on my expanded unmissable destinations below
- Best 5 beaches on Amalfi Coast: Maiori Beach, Furore Fjord, Ieranto Bay Beach, Duoglio Beach and the tiny Castiglione Beach. Keep reading below for beaches and photos
- Itinerary in 3 days: Base yourself in Positano where you will spend the remaining part of the first day. On the second day, take the ferry to Amalfi to see the old town and the Duomo, besides chilling out at the beach. On the final day, you will have a few options, based on your kind of breakaway. Read below for more details on 3 days in Amalfi Coast
- Itinerary in 4 days: with 4 days you can either decide to stay in Positano or Sorrento, especially if you plan to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius. On the 2nd and 3rd days, take the ferry to Amalfi and Sorrento (or Positano if you stay in Sorrento). For the last day, again a few options, including a unique Vespa Tour. Check out below more details for a 4-day stay
- Itinerary in 5 days: with 5 days you can even think to split your holiday into two towns to experience more of the coastline. The best option would be probably to break your stay between Positano and Sorrento and explore from there. You can read all the options below in the 5 days sections
- Itinerary in one week: 7 days will give you enough time to see most of the best attractions. Use Sorrento for visiting the Vesuvius, Pompei and even the Herculaneum. Than Positano for the heart of the Amalfi Coast. You can even squeeze in a couple of days in Capri, however, it will be a bit of a rush. Read more below on my 7 days options below
- Itinerary in 10 days: this is the ideal time you want to spend on the Amalfi Coast if you desire to experience almost all of it, including a few days in the marvellous Capri. Read more below on a 10 days itinerary
Amalfi Coast is well connected by bus or ferry. There are frequent runs between Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, down to Maiori Beach
Just keep in mind that ferries work only in summer and they may be cancelled in case of stormy water.
Buses can be pretty busy in August and the July weekends.
I have actually written a full guide on how to get around the Amalfi coast, including all the options for connecting to Naples and its airport
Getting around the Amalfi Coast
I would personally not suggest renting a car just for the Amalfi Coast. Parking is expensive and rare to find.
Unmissable places to see on Amalfi Coast
There are some amazing hidden gems and secret locations and I have included all of them in my dedicated guidebook with all the experiences on the Amalfi Coast.
Here below is a map and a selection of the attractions with a brief description (for more photos you can check my full post).
I added a small star (*) for what I consider the “must-see” places.
Iconic places on the Amalfi Coast
- (*) Positano: the most picturesque town of all
- (*) Amalfi: impressive Duomo and great shopping town
- (*) Sorrento: reachable by ferry or bus, with a lovely old town and an unusual coastline reachable by lift
- Ravello: famous for its Music Festival
- Atrani: boutique beach and old town
Historical sites
- (*) Pompeii: one of the most famous ancient Roman sites in the world, a must
- Herculaneum: the alternative to Pompeii if you are running out of time. Much smaller in scale, however, as beautiful
- Duomo of Amalfi: over 800 years old
- Vallone dei Mulini: a unique valley with mills covered by wild vegetation.
- more sites on my History section guide
Best beaches
I can count easily over 20 of them.
Here below is only a small selection. You can check out all of them on my guide, where I added a small description for all of them, and on the Google map, I shared below.
- (*) Maiori Beach: the widest and longest of all. The best beach for families with kids
- Minori Beach: smaller but as nice
- (*) Castiglione Beach: a boutique one close to Amalfi
- Amalfi Beach: not my favourite, but handy if you stay there
- (*) Duoglio Beach: under a cliff
- (*) Furore Fjord: the most impressive of all
- (*) Positano Main Beach: it’s definitely the most popular beach along the coast. The view of Positano Bay is just gorgeous. It can be really busy, especially in July and August.
- Positano Fornillo Beach: the alternative, less crowded
- (*) Crapolla Fjord: accessible through a 20-30 minutes walk
Best walks
There are a few walks around the coast, however, the most iconic one is without any doubt the Path of the Gods, a real must for the stunning views you will experience.
Others that I would like to list here are:
- (*) Ferriere Valley Walk: you can do it on your own from Amalfi, between gorges and waterfalls
- Punta Campanella Walk: for the best view of the Bay of Naples
- (*) Mount Vesuvius Hike: the most iconic trek to the top of the crater
Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 3 days
This is the shortest stay I would suggest.
Experiencing the Amalfi Coast in one or two days would be too much of a rush and you would miss out on so many things. Such a pity.
The best place to base yourself is Positano, central to everything.
Sorrento is the alternative, better connected to Naples, Pompeii and the Vesuvius, besides Positano, of course.
Both Positano and Sorrento have direct connections by private bus to the Naples Airport, which is a great time saver.
Positano works better if you want to experience the best beaches, or want to have a romantic break away or just a mix of everything.
Sorrento is a winner if you are more into historic sites, or you are on a family trip with small kids.
From both towns, you can plan to visit by ferry or bus some of the most iconic sites, besides having a relaxing time at the beach.
Here below is a quick table for 3 days to explore as much as possible. However, I highly suggest reading this comprehensive post with day-by-day plans of possible 3-day itineraries in Amalfi Coast based on your kind of holiday (beaches, couples, families, history, everything), including maps as well as photos.
3 days itinerary guide to Amalfi Coast
| Day | Hotel | Activities | Lunch/dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Explore Positano 2. Visit the main beach and Fornillo Beach or Arienzo Beach | Lunch: Posides Cafe |
| Day 2 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Organized tour to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius | Dinner: Li Galli or Mirage Restaurant |
| Day 3 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Ferry to Amalfi 2. Explore Amalfi and Torre dello Ziro 3. Ferry to Sorrento 4. Explore Sorrento and return to Positano by bus | Lunch: Dejavu Cafe Dinner: Li Galli or Mirage Restaurant |
| Day 3 (Alternative) | Alcione (Positano) | Path of the Gods trekking day with an organized tour |
Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 4 days
In 4 days I would suggest again staying in one town and exploring from there, avoiding wasting time on moving between accommodations.
There is an exception, though, in case you are on an active trip trying to see as much as possible.
In this case, I suggest splitting the stay between Positano and Amalfi, experiencing both towns by day and night.
For beaches, I highly recommend the impressive Furore Fjord beside the main beach of Positano, quite busy, but with the most picturesque view of the town perched on the hill.
For couples, why not plan an itinerary touching the Ferriere Valley walk, between gorges and waterfalls, and Duoglio Beach, under an impressive cliff?
The town of Maiori is one of the best destinations for families, with the widest and longest beach on the coast, perfect for kids.
From Maiori, you can also visit Positano or Amalfi on a half-day or full-day trip.
You should read this full guide to 4-day itineraries in Amalfi Coast based on your kind of holiday (beaches, couples, families, history, everything), including day-by-day plans with excursions, maps as well as photos.
4 days itinerary guide to Amalfi Coast
Here below is a table that summarizes one of my suggested plans included in the above guide
| Day | Hotel | Activities | Lunch/dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Wander around Positano 2. Visit the main beach 3. Walk to Fornillo Beach or Arienzo Beach | Lunch: Posides Cafe Dinner: Li Galli or Mirage Restaurant |
| Day 2 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Organised tour to Pompeii in the morning 2. Organised tour to Vesuvius in the afternoon | – |
| Day 3 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Ferry to Amalfi 2. Explore Amalfi town 3. Visit Torre dello Ziro (optional) 4. Relax at Atrani Beach or Castiglione Beach | Lunch: Dejavu Cafe (Amalfi) Lunch: Lido di Ravello (Castiglione Beach) |
| Day 4 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | Join the Path of the Gods trekking tour | – |
Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 5 days
In 5 days on Amalfi Coast, you might even consider building a small itinerary based on 2 towns from which to explore nearby attractions.
You can, however, opt for a more relaxing break by staying in one location and taking day trips to your favourite attractions, such as beaches, walks, and historic sites.
With its historic centre and plenty of things to do, Positano is still my favourite town to be based in.
For beaches, I would suggest splitting your stay between Positano and Sorrento, where the beach is reachable by a lift inside the cliff
For couples, why not plan an itinerary touching Positano and Capri, one of the most romantic islands in Italy?
Maiori is still my favourite place to be for families, even more with 5 days, enough time to relax at the local child-friendly beach and take a couple of day trips to explore the marvellous Amalfi Coast.
Here is a quick table that summarizes a 5-day itinerary on the Amalfi Coast to explore “the lot”. However, there are other options that may work better for beaches, couples, families or history, all described in my guide
5 days itinerary guide to Amalfi Coast
| Day | Hotel | Activities | Lunch/dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Wander around Positano 2. Visit the main beach 3. Walk to Fornillo Beach or Arienzo Beach | Lunch: Posides Cafe |
| Day 2 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Organised tour to Pompeii and Vesuvius | – |
| Day 3 | Alcione (Positano) | 1. Path of the Gods trekking tour | – |
| Day 4 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Explore Amalfi town 2. Walk up to Torre dello Ziro (optional) 3. Visit Atrani Beach or Castiglione Beach | Lunch: Dejavu Cafe (Amalfi) or Lido di Ravello (Castiglione Beach) |
| Day 5 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Ferriere Valley walk 2. Visit Duoglio Beach | Lunch: Duoglio Beach |
| Day 5 Alternative | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Ferry to Cetara 2. Book beach sunbeds 3. Explore the old town | Lunch: Spadone |
Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 7 days
You can do so much in a week
You can split your stay between two locations or even three if you want to maximise your time
Positano and Sorrento are the best towns to stay for couples.
From there, you can also organise great trips by bus or ferry. Or why not join this Vespa Tour, probably the most romantic way to see the coastline?
To make the most out of the trip, you can think also about squeezing in 2 days in Capri.
It will be a very active holiday, however, you will go back home with so many memories
I have written this ultimate guide with three itineraries of a week on the Amalfi Coast where you can see day-by-day plans based on your type of holiday. It’s a great reference with maps and photos.
7 days itinerary guide to Amalfi Coast
Here is a quick summary table I sourced from the above guide for a great itinerary of 7 days to experience most of the Amalfi Coast.
| Day | Hotel | Activities | Lunch/Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Explore Positano shopping streets 2. Visit the main beach 3. Walk to Fornillo Beach or Arienzo Beach | Lunch: Posides Cafe |
| Day 2 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Ferry to Amalfi 2. Bus to Agerola & walk Path of the Gods OR 3. Local boat to Duoglio Beach | Lunch: Dejavu Cafe Dinner: Li Galli or Mirage Restaurant |
| Day 3 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Vespa Tour on the Amalfi Coast OR 2. Ferry to Cetara and explore | Lunch: Spadone (Cetara) |
| Day 4 | Palazzo Marziale (Sorrento) | 1. Ferry/bus to Sorrento 2. Visit Old Centre & Vallone dei Mulini 3. Swim at Bagni Salvatore 4. Sunset at Bagni Regina Giovanna | Dinner: 86 Bistrò |
| Day 5 | Palazzo Marziale (Sorrento) | 1. Organised Day-Tour to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius | – |
| Day 6 | La Reginella (Capri) | 1. Ferry to Capri 2. Leave bags at the accommodation 3. Walk the Sentiero dei Fortini Borbonici | Dinner: Ristorante D’Amore |
| Day 7 | La Reginella (Capri) | 1. Explore Capri with a minivan bus network OR 2. Boat tour around the island coastline | Lunch: Marina Piccola |
Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 10 days
10 days will give you enough time to explore most of the attractions and a few hidden gems.
You will be able to enjoy most of the amazing beaches, visit iconic sites and historical destinations, walk-in secret gorges with waterfalls and enjoy the local life as well as take some time off to relax.
If you are on an active trip, you can also think about changing accommodation 4 times.
In this way, you will experience Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento and Capri by both day and night.
A 10-day Amalfi Coast itinerary could not be described in just a few lines. It deserves so much more because each of us likes to spend our holidays according to our own passions, such as sunbathing or trekking, for example.
For this reason, I wrote a very comprehensive guide with maps and possible daily plans for three 10-day itineraries on the Amalfi Coast. Here below I attach a summary table for the most comprehensive itinerary (more on the guide).
| Day | Hotel | Activities | Lunch/Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Explore Positano shopping streets 2. Visit the main beach 3. Walk to Fornillo Beach or Arienzo Beach | Lunch: Posides Cafe |
| Day 2 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Path of the Gods walk | Lunch: Il Chiosco |
| Day 3 | Nunziata (Positano) | 1. Vespa Tour on the Amalfi Coast | Dinner: Li Galli or Mirage Restaurant |
| Day 4 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Ferry to Amalfi 2. Walk in the old town 3. Visit Duomo 4. Walk in Ferriere Valley or visit Duoglio Beach | Lunch: Dejavu Cafe |
| Day 5 | Paradiso (Amalfi) | 1. Ferry to Cetara 2. Explore the old town 3. Visit the beach | Lunch: Spadone |
| Day 6 | Palazzo Marziale (Sorrento) | 1. Ferry/bus to Sorrento 2. Visit the Old Centre & Valley of the Mills 3. Swim at Bagni Salvatore 4. Sunset at Bagni Regina Giovanna | – |
| Day 7 | Palazzo Marziale (Sorrento) | 1. Organised Day-Tour to Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius | Dinner: 86 Bistrò |
| Day 8 | Palazzo Marziale (Sorrento) | 1. Walk to Punta Campanella 2. (Optional) Swim at Cala di Mitigliano | – |
| Day 9 | La Reginella (Capri) | 1. Ferry to Capri 2. Bus to Punta Carena 3. Hike Sentiero dei Fortini Borbonici 4. Bus back from Anacapri | Dinner: Ristorante D’Amore |
| Day 10 | La Reginella (Capri) | 1. Explore the island with the minivan bus network OR 2. Boat tour around the island | Lunch: Marina Piccola |
10 days in Amalfi Coast full guide
More information about the Amalfi Coast
- Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, the best (and worst) areas to book your holiday
- 33 great experiences to have on the Amalfi Coast, including a few hidden gems
- The Ultimate Guide to the Amalfi Coast – All you need to know with plenty of tips
- Getting around the Amalfi Coast with or without a car [what works best]
- Amalfi or Positano – A full comparison with the best (and worst) of both
Frequently Asked Questions for an Amalfi Coast Itinerary
What’s the ideal length for an Amalfi Coast trip?
A 5-7 day trip allows you to explore main towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, while 10 days provide time for lesser-known towns and day trips.
Which airport should I fly into?
Naples International Airport is the closest and most convenient airport for the Amalfi Coast.
What are the must-see attractions on the Amalfi Coast?
Don’t miss Positano’s colourful houses, Amalfi’s Cathedral, Ravello’s Villa Rufolo, and the beautiful beaches. There are however so many attractions on the Amalfi Coast
What’s the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?
I highly suggest getting around the Amalfi Coast by bus and boat, the easiest way.
What’s the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Late spring (April-June) and early fall (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Where can I find the best views on the Amalfi Coast?
Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone, the Path of the Gods hike, and Positano’s hillside streets offer breathtaking views.
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Amalfi Coast Itinerary – In a nutshell
- 2 Unmissable places to see on Amalfi Coast
- 3 Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 3 days
- 4 Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 4 days
- 5 Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 5 days
- 6 Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 7 days
- 7 Amalfi Coast Itinerary in 10 days
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions for an Amalfi Coast Itinerary
- 8.1 What’s the ideal length for an Amalfi Coast trip?
- 8.2 Which airport should I fly into?
- 8.3 What are the must-see attractions on the Amalfi Coast?
- 8.4 What’s the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?
- 8.5 What’s the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
- 8.6 Where can I find the best views on the Amalfi Coast?
Hi, do you have any recommendations for boat hire from Positano please? We’re a group of 4 adults, 6 children looking to hire a boat for a 4 hour trip around Capri leaving from, and returning to Positano… We’re also looking for a lovely place to have lunch in Positano afterwards if you can recommend any places? Thank you
Sorry Abi for the late reply. Unfortunately, I do not have any specific recommendation on the boat hire.
Enjoy your trip!!
Cheers
How do I get the 10 day itinerary? Thank you, Nancy
What do you think about visiting the Amalfi Coast during December? Would that be a good idea or not. Do ferries run and will we still be able to get to Capri?
Thank you.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, absolutely not a bad idea. In fact, you may have a spring week during that period. But you may also have 5 days of rain and cold weather. It’s all down to luck, to be honest with you.
Enjoy your trip