As we sat in the back of our taxi as we approached the Amalfi Coast, we were immediately captivated by the beauty of the coast. With steep cliffs to our right and the crashing of the waves to our left, we were thoroughly stunned by how all the pictures we had seen matched yet still couldn’t quite capture all the beauty this region has to offer. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Our home base of choice was Ravello because it was a little more secluded and a little less touristy, which perfectly aligned with our goals of a romantic couples’ locale. We also chose to travel in early October to the Amalfi Coast. These are two elements that made our experience nuanced and exciting. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
We were surprised by how much variety the Amalfi Coast had to offer, as well as surprised at the transportation challenges that come with this region. This region could be a full trip all on its own. However, planned thoughtfully it is more than possible to get a small taste as part of a broader Italy trip. This is the comprehensive, thoughtful Amalfi Coast travel guide that will help you to create an Amalfi Coast itinerary that is best for you. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Is the Amalfi Coast Worth Visiting?
The Amalfi Coast is known for the beautiful cliffside towns, relaxing beaches, and bright blue water. All of these things are absolutely true, but there is more to the Amalfi Coast than just Positano. The Amalfi Coast has a lot to offer from unique regional dishes to off-the-beaten path attractions. I really sought to find the Amalfi Coast that goes beyond social media and I feel that we were able to strike a balance between iconic vistas and interesting experiences.
Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast
Why October Was the Perfect Time for Us
Visiting the Amalfi Coast during early October was the best decision we could have made for our trip. It was the ideal time because the crowds were lighter, ferries were still running, and the overall experience was more relaxed. If your priority is to lounge at the beach, October may not be the best time for you. However, if you’re looking to explore, then it is a perfect time to go. Not only did it feel fairly relaxed, the lighting was also so beautiful at sunset. It really added to our experience as a whole.
Thinking of visiting Italy in October? Check out my full guide How to Plan a Trip to Italy: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors
How Many Days Do You Need on the Amalfi Coast?
We spent four days on the Amalfi Coast and I would not recommend doing any less than that. While the Amalfi Coast could be a full week-long trip all on its own, if you’re looking to get a taste without feeling rushed, four days is the sweet spot. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
There are several different cities on the Amalfi Coast to base yourself that offer something a little different. Here is my evaluation of a few top contenders.
Staying in Ravello (Our Experience)
Staying in Ravello was truly beautiful. This quaint town sits atop the cliff, so it offers gorgeous views of the water. Ravello is also off the beaten path a bit so it feels a bit more romantic and relaxed than other cities on the Amalfi Coast.
It did offer a few logistical challenges with transportation, however if you decide to stay here while on the Amalfi Coast this full guide [INSERT LINK] gives you all the information you’ll need to easily get around from Ravello to the rest of the coast. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Positano vs Ravello
Positano would be my runner-up recommendation to Ravello. Ravello is perfect if you are wanting a more romantic, relaxed, secluded type of vibe. However, for a first time visit if you want to be based somewhere that is more central and can serve as an easy home base, Positano is a great choice. While it is touristy, there are plenty of options to find food and accommodations at a variety of price ranges. Especially if you travel in October like we did. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Amalfi vs Ravello
Amalfi is great to get to other cities on the coast via ferry, but it was so touristy I really would not recommend staying here. It is also a cruise port so it always seemed to be flooded with day-tripers running around making it feel chaotic. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Best Town for First-Time Visitors
IF you plan to visit multiple cities on the Amalfi Coast, I would say base yourself in Positano for a first time trip. We loved staying in Ravello and I would highly recommend staying in Ravello for your trip to the Amalfi Coast. That being said, it just adds a few logistical considerations for transportation that you’ll have to plan for ahead of time. We obviously made it happen and had a wonderful time! Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
However, if you are looking for ease and a spot to serve as a true home-base, Positano checks a lot of boxes.
How to Get to the Amalfi Coast
Transportation on the Amalfi Coast is one aspect that we had so many lessons learned from our trip. It was a bit more complex than I understood ahead of time. The good news is, I have compiled a simple guide outlining the full scope of How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast: A Practical Guide for First-Time Visitors. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Flying into Naples
One option you can do is fly into Naples and then book private transport directly to your hotel or take a train from Naples to Salerno then arrange private transport or a taxi from the train station to your hotel. This can be a great option if your trip is solely on the Amalfi Coast or if you plan a multi-city flight plan.
Taking the Train from Rome or Florence
This is the option we did. We took the train from Rome to Salerno then flagged a taxi to Ravello. Overall, this was pretty straightforward. However, it was a long travel day and the taxi was expensive. Quite frankly, transportation costs on the Amalfi Coast are substantial no matter what option you choose. Therefore, I would recommend this option to still take the train to Salerno but book a private transfer from the train station to your hotel ahead of time for peace of mind and ease.
Private Transfers vs Ferries
Using ferries to get between cities on the Amalfi Coast was fairly easy and cost effective. This is the main form of transportation I would recommend throughout your trip. Where private transfers are extremely helpful is to get to and from either the train station or airport. This will make logistics much easier, so I highly recommend leveraging private transfers for that aspect of the trip.
Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
Visit Positano
We caught the ferry from Amalfi to Positano where we spent the afternoon exploring, eating, and drinking. I had made reservations at Lo Guarracino for lunch upon our arrival to Positano. I would absolutely return back to this restaurant. The food was fresh and delectable and the views over the water were unparalleled.
For the remainder of the afternoon, we wandered through the streets, soaked in the sites, and concluded with a limoncello spritz. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Explore Ravello
Villa Cimbrone
Walking from Piazza Centrale to the Villa is worth it just for the views. However, I highly recommend paying the Euros to go inside the grounds to explore. The gardens are stunning (perfect for a photo op) and we found it so peaceful to meander outside soaking in the vista of an endless ocean and stunning architecture as the backdrop.
Beyond Villa Cimbrone, there are plenty of delicious restaurants, scenic views, and a quaintness that feels so romantic and whimsical that spending a few days secluded in the mountains feels like the perfect getaway. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Capri Day Trip
I highly recommend taking a day trip to Capri. It is very luxury-shopping oriented, so if you are like me and this is not of interest to you, have no fear. Traveling to Capri is a short ferry ride from Amalfi or Positano and is absolutely worth it for the vibes and views.
The first activity we did was go on a boat tour around Capri, which I highly recommend.
We learned a ton about the island and generally enjoyed watching the glistening blue waters crashing against the towering cliffs of Capri.
Tip: Skip the Blue Grotto. Yes, it’s Instagrammable and iconic. No, it is not worth waiting in line on a boat for 3 hours. Luckily, our tour guide set the expectation when we stepped on the boat that if there was a line we would keep cruising due to this common issue. I am glad they did so that we could enjoy more time exploring Capri.
We walked from the boat dock up to the main area in Capri. This was not too difficult, but did take about 30 minutes or so. I discovered later that you can take the funicular from near the boat dock up to the main area in Capri, which takes about 15 minutes. Once we reached the top, we wandered a bit to get our bearings and decided it was time to eat.
We ate at a delicious restaurant called Angelica’s where we indulged in limoncello spritz, unique pastas, and even dessert. We had a lovely experience here and I would highly recommend stopping here for lunch to refresh and treat yourself.
After our lovely lunch, we spent our time meandering the small, aesthetic streets and soaking in the fresh air. Our walk led us to Belvedere Tragare, which is an iconic lookout point. Now THIS instagrammable, iconic spot is absolutely worth the journey. We spent a portion of our afternoon just soaking in the views from this locale.
Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Half Day to Pompeii
It was a wonderful experience where we learned so much about the history of Pompeii. As an anthropology enthusiast, I was nerding out over the archaeological ruins. It is truly miraculous how intact the city is and there is something so awe-inspiring about walking the streets that people did thousands of years ago.
Tip: Skip Amalfi Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
We spent one morning exploring a few of the “must-sees” in Amalfi. While Amalfi holds the first part of the phrase Amalfi coast, I can honestly say that skipping this city is completely fine. It is so overrun with tourism that nothing really seems authentic. From the food to the shopping, it is simultaneously expensive and just ok. However, if you plan to spend some time here, the Duomo and accompanying museum is really interesting and should be added to your itinerary if you plan to explore Amalfi.
What Most First-Time Visitors Underestimate
I said it once and I’ll say it again. Transportation. The only tough part here is thinking you’ll just figure it out when you get there. Is it possible? Yes. Would I recommend it? No. It is easy enough to book ferries, private transfers, and shuttles ahead of time so just make it a non-negotiable part of the planning process to book these before going.
It is also important to choose one city as a home base. This was something that was very effective for us and made day-tripping accessible. Trying to move multiple times would be a waste of time unless you are going for at least a week and plan to split the time between two cities.
Amalfi Coast Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
My recommendations here are very simple. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
- Pack Comfortable Shoes
- Reserve Accommodations Early
- Book Transportation Ahead of time
- Leave some flexibility in your schedule
What We Would Do Differently Next Time
The main thing I would do differently next time is plan transportation logistics ahead of the trip. This is something that I just did not know I needed to do until we got there. Obviously, we had a great time and figured it out. However, it would have made certain aspects more relaxed if I knew then what I know now. The good news is I have an extensive lessons learned list on how to navigate the Amalfi Coast so that neither myself or you have to struggle through it again. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous destination. From sparkling blue waters to aesthetic architecture to delicious food, there is so much to love. While transportation is a consideration, it is still well worth it to journey to the Amalfi Coast. Whether you plan to travel for the beach or hope to explore all the different cities on the coast, your trip will be exciting and aesthetic.
Check Out the Full Italy Planning Ecosystem:
How to Plan a Trip to Italy: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors
Best Time to Visit Italy: Why October is Perfect
Packing for Italy in October: What to Wear & What You Actually Need
What Coffee Culture in Italy Reveals About Everyday Life
A First-Timer’s Guide to Eating in Rome: Food Culture, Etiquette & What to Expect
A Realistic 2 Week Italy Itinerary for First Time Visitors
Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
