33 Best things to do on the Amalfi Coast (with walks and beaches)

Depending on where you actually stay and the type of activities you like the most, this guide will show you the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast.

Everyone is different. That is why I have organised this list based on different kinds of trips, for beaches or hiking/walking, for iconic sites or little gems.

I have also shared below a Google map you can save for your future reference.

I have started this list with 33 things. However, you will find more below because I have been updating this guide on a regular basis.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

You can read also

• Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast [best towns with or without car]
• Best itineraries of the Amalfi Coast for 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days (with maps and daily plans)
• The Ultimate Guide to the Amalfi Coast – All you need to know with plenty of tips
• Best area to stay in Positano (with a great view and on a budget)
• Best neighbourhoods to stay in Sorrento
• Positano or Amalfi, which one works best
• Getting to and around the Amalfi Coast with or without car [what works best]

Best things to do on the Amalfi Coast – In a nutshell

I have included a map below with all the spots I mention in this post.

This is a great reference that I suggest you save it for future use.

If still unsure on how to visit this unique part of Italy, you should check out my favourite travel itineraries along the coast, as well as the best towns to stay on the Amalfi Coast according to your holiday type.In this post, I have included sites that are not technically in the Amalfi Coast (from Piano di Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare), however, they are all so easily reachable by bus, car, ferry or organised trip.

Sorrento is a good example, just 40 minutes by bus or 45 minutes by ferry from Positano.

Here below is a list of quick answers to the common questions I regularly receive, however, keep reading for a more detailed description of every single thing to do on the Amalfi Coast.

• Best historical sites to visit: the most interesting historical sites are not actually on the Amalfi Coast, however, easily reachable from it. Pompeii is probably the most famous of all, the Archaeological area of Herculaneum comes second and you could potentially do both on the same day. The Duomo of Amalfi is another must visit. Another two interesting sites are the Castle of San Nicola de Thoro-Plano in Maiori and the Villa Romana of Minori. Read more below about all the historical sites
• Most popular things do: I am sure you already know how popular is this part of Italy (even too popular in July and August). Having to choose only 5 things to do on the Amalfi Coast I would definitely make sure to explore Positano, including spending some time at the local beach. Amalfi is another place you want to visit, with its Duomo and the lovely shopping street. For a spectacular view, I would definitely include the Path of the Gods trek ending in Positano. A day-tour to Pompeii is a must, as well as a charming day trip to Sorrento or Capri.
• Places to visit on the Amalfi Coast by car: driving along the coast is an experience in itself. In the above map, I highlighted a few viewpoints where you should stop for your photos. Driving from west to east (from Sorrento to Amalfi) can make your life easier because all these viewpoints will be on your side of the lane (drive on the right). With the car I would suggest visiting a few places hardly reachable by public transportation, like the Salvatore Di Giacomo Observatory (check opening time), the Furore Fjord, the Baia di Ieranto and the Punta Campanella Nature Reserve, for the unique view on the Island of Capri and the Bay of Naples.
• Places to visit on the Amalfi Coast by bus: the public bus transportation along the coast is actually very good and efficient, although very busy in July and August. Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento are all must-see places, so well connected by bus. The Furore Fjord is also easily reachable, the bus stop is a few meters before the bridge. The Marina di Praia pebble beach is also another charming place in a small gorge with a bus station just meters away. You can technically do also the Path of the Gods if you stay in Positano. You can grab the bus to Agerola (Bomerano), that takes around 1 hour, and then walk back through the path.
• Places to visit on the Amalfi Coast by ferry: keep in mind that the ferry runs only in summer. In saying that, there is a direct ferry from Positano to Naples that is so handy for day trips. Moreover, you can take a direct ferry to both Amalfi and Sorrento, besides other small towns. It is also so easy to organise a day trip to the nearby island of Capri and the island of Ischia.
• Things to do on the Amalfi Coast from Positano: Positano is one of the most convenient places to stay, central to almost everything (read my suggestion on the best areas of Positano). Wondering in town is an activity by itself. You should also spend some time at the local Main Beach or at the nearby Fornillo Beach, reachable through a walking path on the west side of town. If you are into trekking, you should do the scenic Path of the Gods, starting in Agerola and ending in Positano, or alternatively the walk to the nearby Vallone Porto that will take you to the end to the Path of the Gods. From Positano, you can of course take a ferry to literally everywhere, besides joining an organised tour, like the one I highly suggest to Pompeii or to the Crater on Mount Vesuvius (you could do both on your own but you would spend a ton of time on buses/trains). 
• Attractions to visit from Amalfi: as with Positano, the town of Amalfi is of course a destination by itself, with its Duomo, the boutique beach, the lovely centre (flat and easy to go around), and a few other attractions. Amalfi is also the hub of the bus network, with pretty much every destination you want, including the Naples Airport. I highly suggest doing some trekking in the Ferriere Valley, one of the best walks along the Amalfi Coast, or the short hike to the Torre dello Ziro. Are you looking for a nice beach? Go to the nearby Atrani Beach (better than the local beach), alternatively grab a bus to the wide and long Maiori Beach or the unique Furore Fjord.
• Best things to do in and near Sorrento: besides visiting the town itself, you should also plan a trip to both Pompeii and Herculaneum, very well connected with a direct train, as well as the city of Naples (dedicate an entire day trip to it). From Sorrento, take a bus or a ferry to Positano, Amalfi and the nearby Island of Capri, of course. Another great day trip is to Crater on Mount Vesuvius, however I highly suggest doing it with an organised tour (you could do it with a rented car but it would cost more). For more trekking, you could organise a walk to the Crapolla Fjord (bus to S.Agata and walk from there), to the Punta Campanella Park (bus to Termini) and the Baia of Ieranto (bus to Nerano).
• Places to visit on the island of Capri: where should I start here? This is a destination in itself, as you probably know (read my guide to Capri here). It is going to be a fabulous day trip, probably one of the best on the Amalfi Coast. Once on the island, you should add to your must-do list:
  • the Piazzetta di Capri (the epicentre of the island, the place to be seen),
  • the Marina Piccola Beach for a swim, 
  • a walk on the west coast, so spectacular, called the Sentiero dei Fortini Borbonici
  • a boat tour around the island to see the Grotta Bianca (White Cave) or the Grotta Verde (Green Cave)
• Amalfi Coast hidden things to do: there is not much hidden left on the Amalfi Coast, however you can still find a few spots overlooked by the most as the Crapolla Fjord (reachable by bus from Sorrento), the lovely pebble beach of Marina del Cantone, the secluded cove Cala di Mitigliano and the Castle of San Nicola de Thoro-Plano.
• Top 5 rated beaches on the Amalfi Coast: another hard call. They are all so beautiful on their own. The most dramatic one is probably the Furore Fjord. The most picturesque one is Positano Main Beach. The widest and longer, perfect for families, is Maiori Beach. The most underrated and still not as busy is Castiglione Beach (also known as Lido di Ravello). Baia di Ieranto is the hardest one to get to, but the walk to it is so spectacular. Read more below about all the beaches
• Unmissable trekking: if you have time to do only one walk, then the scenic Path of the Gods has to be. Another walk I highly suggest is in the Ferriere Valley. The trekking to Punta Campanella has also a magnificent view of the Bay of Naples and the Island of Capri. The lovely Sentiero dei Limoni (the Lemons Walk) is another easier and shorter option. And I would not miss the trekking to the Crater on Mount Vesuvius. Read more below about all the options
• How to get around the Amalfi Coast: the most charming way is by ferry, almost as quick as a bus, but they run only in summer and based on sea conditions. There is only one train line that runs between Naples and Sorrento, but none running on the Amalfi Coast. Renting a car is a great option for more flexibility, however, parking can be expensive everywhere you go. You can read my exhaustive guide to get around the Amalfi Coast with maps and links to all the transportation websites where you can book your ticket.

Iconic places to visit on the Amalfi Coast or nearby

Positano

Positano is the most picturesque town on the Amalfi Coast, in my opinion, and in Italy too, I may add.

The first thing you should do is to get lost in the maze of tiny lanes and steep stairs.

Eventually, you will end up at the Main Beach, a nice sandy/pebble one, great for some sunbathing and swimming

If the main beach is too busy, or you just want to explore more, take the path, west of the main beach, that follows the coast (next to a tower).

It’s a bit of a challenging walk that will take you first to a small cove and then to Fornillo Beach, a quieter beach with a public area too.

For more info, you should read my guide on Positano, with the best area to stay for a gorgeous view, restaurants, cafes and bars to check out.

One place I suggest for a late drink, an amazing view and some good music is the Music on the Rocks.

True, it is expensive, as most of the things in Positano I must say, but I guess you do not come to this town every year, right?

If you drive to Positano, expect to pay around 50euro/day for parking

Amalfi

As famous as Positano, easier to walk around (flat in the central part), as beautiful but probably not as dramatic and picturesque.

I wrote a dedicate article on the difference between Positano and Amalfi, if interested.

From the main square, Piazza Flavio Gioia, walk inside the town and you will be in no time in front of the impressive Duomo di Amalfi, a cathedral built in the 9th century and renovated multiple times since.

Than have a walk along the central street of Via Lorenzo D’Amalfi, the best shopping area in the entire Amalfi Coast.

The pedestrian street keeps going for around 3-400 metres till you see the Art Museum “Dalla Carta alla Cartolina”, a boutique museum on paper-made artefacts with an interesting shopping section.

Keep walking for another 100m and you will be in front of the Museum of Paper, where you can learn more about the history and the making of the traditional Amalfi paper.

A great walk that you can start and finish in Amalfi is the Ferriere Valley. A shorter one is to the Torre dell Ziro. You can read more info below in the walks section for both.

The local Amalfi Beach is small and only private, however, very well located, just in front of the town.

There is a super tiny public beach, next to the marina (not the most impressive one).

My suggestion here is to have a short walk (700m) to the Atrani Beach, much nicer, or even better to the Lido di Ravello (add another 200m)

About restaurants, cafes and bars, you should check the Amalfi Section of the Coast Guide.

Ravello

A lovely hilltop town full of history and style, famous for its Music Festival.

Start your visit from the Duomo square, a rectangular square hosting also two museums.

Walk then to the Villa Rufolo, over 800 years old, with a terraced garden and one of the best view you can have on the Amalfi Coast

Wander around town and have a walk to the Terrazza dell’Infinito, another lovely spot with a superb view.

I wrote more about the town, including a few hotel suggestions on the Ravello section of my Coast Guide

Atrani

Atrani is less than a km from Amalfi, however a world apart from it.

Not as busy, cheaper, with a better beach, but arguably with less history.

In saying that, the small town deserves surely a visit, with the Santa Maria Maddalena Chuch, being your first stop.

Besides being one of the most beautiful churches along the coast, it offers also a great viewpoint of the small Atrani cove.

Walk then to the Umberto I Square and you will feel suddenly in another world, 200 years old.

Get lost in the boutique village turning left or right in any of the small lanes.

From Atrani you can also walk to the Torre dell Ziro, a nice viewpoint over Amalfi

Atrani offers some great value accommodations that I mentioned also on my guide to the Coast.

Sorrento

Technically not in the Amalfi Coast, however easily reachable by either the bus or the more romantic ferry boat.

Sorrento has it all, however it can be also very busy, especially in July and August. In this case, I highly suggest a visit in the early morning before the day-tour crowd comes.

Start your exploration from Piazza Tasso, the central square of the town.

Have a look at Palazzo Veniero and Palazzo Correale, and grab a few shots of the unique and unexpected Vallone dei Mulini.

Continue your wandering with the Dominova Seat, the Chiostro di San Francesco art centre and the Church of Saint Paul.

For a bite and a swim, head down to Bagni Salvatore, through the lift next to the Villa Comunale, a real gem of Sorrento, for both food and view.

For more information, you should check out my guide to Sorrento with more suggestions on restaurants, cafes and a few hotels/airbnb too.

Best historical sites to visit on the Amalfi Coast or nearby

Pompeii Archaeological Park

This is one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world.

A sudden eruption happened over 2,000 years ago, one of the deadliest in Europe ever. 

The Vesuvius’ ash covered this Roman city, preserving it for many years from the weather and the warm temperatures.

The thing that left me more open-mouth, and I do still remember it like yesterday, is the Two Maidens, two perfectly recognisable figures covered in ash, hugging and waiting together the end of life.

It is an enormous place to explore and I personally suggest allocating at least 3 hours for it (a full day if you want to see the entire Pompeii area).

You will be given a map, you can take an audio guide and I personally suggest using Google Map for a virtual tour before actually going there.

There are different ways to explore Pompeii:

• do it yourself: from one of the towns to stay to visit Pompeii either walk or take the direct train (Campania Express website for tickets). I highly suggest buying the tickets in advance to skip the line. You can decide to buy just the entrance ticket or the entrance + a guide for a better experience.
• with an organised tour: best if you are in any town on the Amalfi Coast (bus+train takes a long time) or you want to make it a day trip with the Vesuvio hike
  • from Naples or Sorrento: a great value tour including both the Vesuvio hike and Pompeii, a fantastic day-tour to the two most iconic attractions in the area
  • from Positano: Pompeii and Vesuvio on a day trip, again great value

Herculaneum Historical Park

A Roman town with exactly the same story as Pompeii, covered by hash 2,000 years ago and preserved till today for us to visit.

There is, however, a big difference, it’s much smaller than Pompeii and it can be visited all in 2-3 hours.

It’s also not as popular as Pompeii which means there are fewer tourists around.

They are both amazing places. I personally suggest a visit to the Herculaneum if you have just 1-2 days in Naples or Sorrento.

If you have more time, then Pompeii has to be.

Also in this case I suggest buying the skip-the-line ticket. Sometimes queues can be really long and annoying.

Other Historical sites

• Castle of San Nicola de Thoro-Plano in Maiori, not on the popular route that means there are not as many people around. Try to visit it in the early morning for a better view of the coast. The friendly guide sells also bottles of Limoncello made by himself (an interesting mix I thought LOL)
• Villa Romana in Minori, a 2,000 year old Roman villa (free entrance), small and with a great state of conservation, good to have a walk around
• Duomo of Amalfi, over 800 years old with multiple renovations like the 200 years old facade
• Villa Rufolo in Ravello, Arab style, over 800 years old and with one of the most scenic views over the Amalfi Coast, from east to west.
• Bagni Regina Giovanna close to Sorrento, has the ruins of a Roman Villa with access to a pool-like place for swimming. One of the best spots for sunset.
• Vallone dei Mulini, quite a unique place. It’s a valley right in the middle of Sorrento centre, with a few mills (mulini) reclaimed by the nature, with plants and trees all around the buildings.

Best beaches for a swim on the Amalfi Coast or nearby

Here below a list of my favourite beaches (from east to west), which is by no means exhaustive and I tend to update it on a regular basis. 

These beaches, as well as any other place I have mentioned in this guide (plus others I still have to write about) are all in my shared Google Map.

I have added a * to my favourites

• Sovrano “Lo sgarrupo” Beach: between Maiori and Salerno, this is a little cove reachable by either bus or car. Access is very challenging. You literally have to hike your way through, which makes it somehow selective and not as busy as a result.
• (*) Maiori Beach: the widest and longest of all. It’s mostly sandy, with a few pebbles here and there. This is the best beach for families with kids, easy to access and with plenty of space. Public space is available on both sides.
• Minori Beach: much smaller scale than Maiori Beach, still so beautiful. It can be really busy in August and the weekends of July, but that’s expected. It’s another sandy beach with pebbles. Both Minori and Maiori can be reached by ferry or bus from Amalfi.
• (*) Castiglione Beach: nice little beach in a small cove. It’s not a hidden beach, but surely one of the quietest. The private part is run by Lido di Ravello, a family run place that provides great food too.
• Atrani Beach: I love the setup of this beach as well as the boutique village that you can visit for lunch. It’s just 700m from Amalfi, however really a world apart.
• Amalfi Beach: it’s a small one, all private. Easy accessible, but surely not the reason to visit Amalfi. There is a small public beach next to the Marina, but again not the best.
• (*) Duoglio Beach: another tiny one, under a cliff. Reachable by a long stair or by boat from Amalfi (2-3euro). Very picturesque, however mostly private (not as expensive as others)
• (*) Furore Fjord: the most impressive of all, a beautiful gorge with super clean turquoise water coming in. Parking is the only drawback, however, there is a bus stop just before the bridge, which is so convenient. It can be very busy in August and the July weekends.
• Marina di Praia: another small cove, easily accessible by bus.
• Arienzo Beach: right at the end of the Path of the Gods, great spot for a swim at the end of the walk. This is a beach you want to visit if you are in Positano and you prefer to have something more intimate.
• (*) Positano Main Beach: it’s definitely the most popular beach of all, and for a good reason, it’s so spectacular, with a picturesque view of the town perching on the hills. It’s mostly private, however, there is also a small public area. Sort of sandy.
• Positano Fornillo Beach: accessible from the main beach through a short, however challenging in a few points, coastal walk. It’s much quieter and less expensive.
• Tordigliano Beach: a boutique sandy beach accessible through a challenging 15 minutes walk down a cliff
• (*) Crapolla Fjord: a lovely romantic gorge accessible through a 20-30 minutes walk. You can take a bus from Sorrento to S.Agata or drive your car to the start of the walk. Very quiet during the week.
• Marina del Cantone: a small beach off the beaten path accessible from Sorrento by bus (1hour)
• (*) Baia di Ieranto: not a hidden spot, however, also not as busy as most of the beaches in the Amalfi Coast. Accessible through a 20-30minutes walk from Nerano, south of Sorrento.
• (*) Bagni Salvatore: Sorrento town has many beaches, mostly private. Bagni Salvatore stands out for its view of the cliff, the service, the family made local food and the access through the lift 

One thing I want to stress about the beaches is that they are not cheap. 

If you go public, it’s free, of course. However, if you decide to rent a sun umbrella and a couple of sunbeds, be ready to pay anything between 25euro and 80euro for a day, based on the time (weekends and August is the most expensive time) and position (the first row can be twice or more the cost of the back rows).

If you need to park the car, budget also on average 4-5 euros/hour or 20euros/day.

Best walks to do on the Amalfi Coast or nearby

The whole coast has walks, some more challenging than others. 

I highly suggest downloading the app MAPS.ME (Android or iPhones). It works also offline, which is great because signal is not always available.

Path of the Gods walk

The most scenic of all walks is the Path of the Gods.

It starts in Bomerano and follows the coast with magnificent viewpoints all along the route.

The end point is Positano where you can have a nice swim.

It can be done in two ways:

• DIY: take the bus to Agerola (Bomerano). From there, walk up 200 on the Strada Statale 366 till you see a big parking area. Turn left on Via Casalone and after 100m turn righst again on the start of the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods). If you start in the early morning, you can plan to have lunch at the Chiosco. You will end your walk in Positano. The walk takes 3-4 hours based on the numbers of your stops
• Organised Tour: this is a no worries experience with a guide that will provide plenty of information during the walk. Tours start from Positano, from Amalfi or from Sorrento.

Ferriere Valley walk

This is an easy walk you can do from the town of Amalfi.

It goes through a valley with gorges and waterfalls.

It’s quite spectacular and best done in spring when there is more water.

You can do it on your own following the path on the MAPS.ME app or join one of the local tours you find in town.

Punta Campanella Walk

This is the best walk for a view of the Bay of Naples and the Island of Capri.

It starts from the village of Termini, reachable by car or bus from Sorrento.

Walk south, following the path to Punta Campanella, as easy as that.

It’s a 7km return walk. 

You can also add, if you feel, a detour to Cala di Mitigliano for a swim (1km return)

Another, much easier, walk I suggest is the Sentiero dei Limoni (the Lemons Walk), going from Minori to Maiori

Mount Vesuvius hike

From the Amalfi Coast you can also organise a walk to the craters of the Mount Vesuvius.

This is one activity that you can potentially do on your own only if you have a car however you need to book all in advance, both parking and entrance tickets.

You cannot buy the entrance ticket at the gate

Another possibility is to join a tour, which is, in my opinion, the best solution, especially because they usually come as day trip including Pompeii too. Basically, you kill two birds with one stone.

You can check this Vesuvio + Pompeii tour from Sorrento, or this one from Positano

Vesuvio+Pompeii from Sorrento   from Positano