Epic Amalfi Coast Itinerary
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Beautiful, romantic, and sun-kissed, a trip to the Amalfi Coast is a dream vacation destination. The four day Amalfi Coast Itinerary outlined in this post is the one Randy and I used when we visited the region. The article includes information about where to stay, how to get around, and Amalfi Coast things to do.
The gorgeous landscapes and rich culture of the Amalfi Coast - Italy was all that we had hoped for. However, the expense and crowding of the area did present challenges. In this article we include tips for balancing finances with managing the masses. For more information on the region, read our Positano Travel Guide and Amalfi Coast Travel Guide.
For information on organized tours to the destinations we reference in this itinerary, click here:
WHERE IS THE AMALFI COAST ITALY
The Amalfi Coast is located in southern Italy’s Campania region on the Mediterranean Sea. The winding Amalfi Coast Drive is the main road in the region. It runs from Sorrento to Vietra sul Mare. The entire 37 mile (60km) roadway is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its exceptions cultural and natural scenic value.
HOW TO GET AROUND THE AMALFI COAST
There is no direct air or train service to the Amalfi Coast. Most visitors will travel to Naples by plane or train, and then complete the journey by car, bus, or ferry. With only one main road leading into and out of the region, there are frequent traffic jams. In addition, ferries do not run in the winter or in inclement weather. This makes careful planning around transportation essential.
Unfamiliar with area roads, parking, and bus schedules; we hired a private car service to drive us from the airport to our hotel ($240 Euros). This was our most expensive option. However, after experiencing the cliffs, traffic, and hairpin turns of Amalfi Coast Drive, we were glad to have a local driver.
During our stay when traveling between Amalfi Coast towns, we used a combination of private car service, buses, and ferries. Click on these links for info on reservations and pricing:
WHERE TO STAY ON THE AMALFI COAST
There are 13 Amalfi Coast towns. Most are small villages sandwiched between the sea and slopes of the Lattari Mountains.
Positano and Amalfi Town are the largest and most visited Amalfi Coast towns. Both are transportation hubs with public parking lots, Sita bus stops, transfer companies, taxis, charter boats, and public ferries. Also, both towns have a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, and shopping. For these reasons, we recommend staying in one of these two towns. Click on these links to check out hotels in these towns:
We chose to use Positano as our base because of its gorgeous beach, great restaurants, and because we fell in love with the Albergo Miramare Positano. For us, this hotel offered the right balance of luxury and Mediterranean style at a reasonable price.
POSITANO STAIRS
Be prepared for the large number of stairs in Positano. There are steep steps literally everywhere you go. Positano has only a few one way roads where motor vehicles are allowed. Much of the town is strung together by narrow pedestrian lanes and alleys that connect the many rows of villas that are stacked atop one another. If you are arriving with luggage, pay for a porter unless you want to haul your luggage from the road to your hotel.
WHERE TO STAY IN POSITANO
Positano’s luxe location and reputation for glam comes at a price. Expect for rates to be higher. For us, the Albergo Miramare Positano was the perfect combination of indulgence and economy. The location was in-town, breakfast was included, the views from our balcony were phenomenal, and prices were reasonable compared to similar properties.
TIPS TO AVOID THE CROWDS
Avoid the months of July and August.
Take a car service for lengthy trips. It is the most expensive way to transport, but it will save you massive amounts of time and stress.
Tour village centers before 11am and after 4pm to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Shop in the evening when the piazzas are lit-up and lively, but not packed.
Make reservations for all meals, even at “informal” restaurants for a table with a good view.
Book a hotel away from the main thoroughfares (where day-trippers likely won’t wander).
POSITANO RESTAURANTS ON THE ITINERARY
In Positano, you don’t need to eat at an expensive restaurant to have exceptional views. You just need to choose the right restaurant and always make a reservation. We made reservations for all dinners about 4 weeks prior to leaving home. We suggest the following Positano restaurants:
Lo Guarracino: Neapolitan restaurant. Reasonable prices and outstanding views.
Buca di Bacco Positano: Mediterranean fare with a sea view terrace.
Chex Black Positano: Beachfront restaurant with fabulous views. Fun food and drink menu.
Da Gabrisi: Pasta and seafood on a sidewalk terrace overlooking Positano town.
Il Capitano: Refined restaurant with spectacular nighttime terrace and views of the sea.
AMALFI COAST ITINERARY 4 DAYS
DAY 1: Check in. Explore Waterfront. Dinner at Lo Guarracino.
After check in, it was late afternoon. Heading out to explore, our first stop was the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. After descending some 220 steps we glimpsed the church’s Moorish-styled dome. Cutting through a charming piazza, we climbed the stairs to the church and caught the tail end of a wedding.
Next, we headed to the beach. Positano Spiaggia Grande is a 300-meter stretch of pebbly sand that borders the Mediterranean Sea. We walked the gorgeous strip of waterfront from end to end, and then had drinks at the Buca di Bacco restaurant.
From Positano Harbor, we made our way to Via dei Mulini. We walked the pedestrian shopping lane, enjoying the shade from the vines that wrapped around the ceiling of the pergola. Then, we walked back to the waterfront and found the ferry pier.
Trekking past the pier we located a cliffside walkway. The path led us past old city walls, a watchtower, and breathtaking views of the coast. Eventually, the route ended at Fornillo Beach which was wonderfully tranquil in the glow of the late afternoon sun.
On our way back to Positano Town, we stopped to have dinner at Lo Guarracino. The Neapolitan menu featured fresh fish, pasta, and pizza. We ate in the lovely Garden Room with views of the sea and the sky. (Don’t miss this gem!)
DAY 2: Hike the Path of the Gods. Afternoon at the Beach. Dinner at Da Gabrisi.
At 8am we took a private car service to the town of Bomerano ($120.00Euros). The mountaintop village was the starting point for our Path of the Gods hike.
From Bomerano, we hiked the Path of the Gods trail one-way to the village of Nocelle (3.6 miles or 5.6km). The cliffside trek follows the jagged coast through lemon groves and family farms. When we reached Nocelle we took a local bus down the mountain back to Positano. For more information of making the hike read our article, Path of the Gods Hike.
This afternoon we had lunch at the fun Chez Black Positano beachside restaurant, and then hung out by the water.
That evening, we walked (up) to Piazza dei Mulini. After checking out the interior of the Chiesa Santa Maria del Rosario, we meandered through the upper part of Positano Town on Viale Pasitea. We had dinner at Da Gabrisi Restaurant. Our terrace table overlooked Postiano Town and harbor.
On the way back to the hotel, we bar-hopped. At each stop, the sparkling lights of town got prettier. In the evening, when the cars and the people thin out, suddenly everything feels magical.
DAY 3: Day Trip to Ravello and Amalfi Town. Dinner at Il Capitaino
At 9am we took a private car to the mountaintop of Ravello ($120.00 Euros) where we toured the Duomo di Ravello, Villa Rufolo, and Villa Cimbrone gardens. In the late morning, we walked to Ravello’s Sita Bus stop. On advice of a local traffic officer, we skipped the Sita Bus and took a small private bus to Amalfi Town for $2 Euros each (no stops).
In Amalfi Town we toured the Amalfi Duomo, Cloisters of Paradise, and waterfront before trekking through a tunnel to the neighboring village of Atrani. We topped off a great day of sightseeing by taking the ferry from Amalfi Town back to Positano.
For our last night in town, we walked to Il Capitaino and had dinner on an outside terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Unforgettable.
DAY 4: Ferry to Salerno.
After a breakfast buffet, we packed up and headed to the ferry pier for transport to the Salerno train station. Saying goodbye to Positano from the water was a great ending to our 4 days on the Amalfi Coast Italy.
Fino alla prossima volta (Until next time), Laura and Randy
For more information on travel to the Amalfi Coast Italy, read our travel blog posts on:
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