When planning your Amalfi Coast vacation, the first thing you need to decide is where to stay. Here's our insider's guide to help you choose.
Browse the main highlights with pros and cons for each town and village.
The Amalfi Coast is made up of 13 towns, each with its own characteristics. Here's a list of the pros and cons of them all, plus some adjacent locales, so you can make the best choice for your needs. From luxury hotels to family-run lodgings, from boat tours to the most central locations, whether it’s your first time or you’re an expert in the area, browse our pros and cons list for the best way to choose your destinations.
Town | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Positano | Sweeping panorama that's an iconic symbol of the Amalfi Coast | Cliffside town, difficult for those with limited mobility |
Ideal for couples and nightlife | Higher prices compared to other towns in the area | |
Wide selection of restaurants and boutiques | ||
Excellent departure point for boat tours | ||
Praiano | Charming village, less touristy than Positano | Far from the main points that connect the coastline villages |
Cliffside beaches with sun until sunset | ||
Amalfi | Central location along the coast makes it convenient for traveling around | Chaotic during high tourist season |
Lots of history and cultural attractions | Beaches aren't the most beautiful; other beaches are accessible by boat | |
Ravello | Cultural center with frequent events and stunning views | Closest beach is 4 km away |
Calm atmosphere, especially in the evening | Difficult to reach with public transport | |
Conca dei Marini | Picturesque and not very touristy | Cliffside village with lots of stair climbing required to get around |
Must-see sights such as the Emerald Grotto | ||
Furore | Untamed natural beauty, authentic coast | More challenging to travel to/from, not as well-connected |
Atrani | Within walking distance of the historic center of Amalfi | Very small village, crowded in the summer |
Best restaurants and small sandy beach suitable for children | ||
Maiori | Large, flat sandy beach ideal for families | Modern buildings make it less picturesque than other area villages |
Lower prices compared to more famous locales | No nightlife | |
Minori | Calm and inexpensive, authentic atmosphere | Less charming outside the historic center than other area villages |
Best restaurants and pastry shops in the center of the Amalfi Coast | Limited nightlife options | |
Vietri sul Mare | Well-connected by the highway, famous for ceramics | Relatively far from Positano by land; sea isn't always calm due to proximity to Salerno |
Good availability of parking near the sea | ||
Nerano | Excellent cuisine with gourmet restaurants and pristine coves nearby | Closer to the Sorrento Peninsula than the Amalfi Coast |
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi | Michelin-starred restaurants and stunning views, calm atmosphere | Located on a hill, car necessary for going to the beach |
Cetara | Off the beaten path, famous for seafood restaurants | Rather removed from the tourist heart of the Amalfi Coast |
Tramonti | Reserved and quiet with many farm stay accommodations and traditional local products | Hilltop location means you need a car to get to the beach, not an easy base for traveling to other villages along the coast |
Sorrento | Always lively with a wide choice of hotels and restaurants, excellent base for exploring the surrounding area | Not on the Amalfi Coast but on the Sorrento Peninsula, often confused with the Amalfi Coast |
Li Galli islets | Pristine islands reachable by boat from Positano | Privately owned with access by invitation only |
Positano and Ravello are two of the most romantic destinations on the Amalfi Coast, ideal for couples. In Positano, the atmosphere is enchanting, with luxury hotels and restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea, perfect for a candlelit dinner. It also offers several beach clubs to relax and is the perfect departure point for boat trips.
Ravello, on the other hand, is famous for its gardens and panoramic views. The Terrazza dell'Infinito (Infinity Terrace) at Villa Cimbrone offers stunning views of the sea, while the surrounding terraced gardens are ideal for intimate moments. Ravello is a place where couples can enjoy tranquility and natural beauty, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a more serene and contemplative experience, away from the crowds.
The Amalfi Coast isn't generally recommended for families with small children due to its rocky beaches and many steps. However, there are some places where it's easier and more comfortable to stay with children.
Minori and Maiori are both flat and therefore good choices for families. They both have small public beaches that are easily accessible from the boardwalk and have amenities available such as sun loungers and umbrellas. In addition, restaurants and shops are close by, making for a stay that's easier and more comfortable when traveling with little ones.
Amalfi is well-connected to the other towns along the coast and offers numerous attractions for children, such as a playground near the port and the Paper Museum, which organizes guided tours. There are a variety of boat trips that depart from the port making for an activity that's sure to delight children.
In order to visit some of the smaller villages along the Amalfi Coast that aren't serviced by public transport (such as Furore and Vietri sul Mare, for example) you'll need to have a car.
However, staying on the Amalfi Coast without a car is feasible. Key towns like Amalfi and Positano are well-serviced by public transportation (buses and ferries), making it easy to explore without needing a vehicle.
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is during what are known as the "shoulder seasons" in spring (April and May) and fall (September to October). During these times, the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller compared to the peak summer months. Winter is best avoided since many restaurants and hotels that are only open seasonally remain closed.
Praiano serves as a great base for hikers, with the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) starting here, offering breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and surrounding landscapes. Ravello is famous for its lush gardens and stunning vistas. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo feature beautifully manicured gardens that provide serene spots to relax while enjoying panoramic views of the coastline. Known for its dramatic fjord, Furore offers a picturesque setting with colorful houses nestled in the cliffs. It’s less touristy than other towns, making it ideal for those seeking a quieter experience surrounded by nature.
The cathedral in Amalfi, known as the Duomo, dates back to the 9th century and is known for its impressive Arab-Norman architecture. The adjacent Chiostro del Paradiso (Cloister of Paradise) is also worth a visit for its serene atmosphere and beautiful architecture. In Ravello, Villa Rufolo is a historic villa originally built in the 13th century, with gardens that offer breathtaking views of the coastline. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano is famous for its colorful dome and houses a Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna.
In Nerano, try the traditional pasta dish "Spaghetti alla Nerano," which consists of spaghetti tossed with sautéed zucchini and Provolone cheese. In Cetara, try the "alici di Cetara," which are anchovies prepared in various ways—fried, marinated, or brined—and often served as an appetizer. A dish that originated in Praiano is called "Totani e Patate alla Praianese," which features calamari rings braised with potatoes in red wine sauce. As for sweets, make sure to sample Delizia al Limone, a lemon-flavored cake that highlights the region's famous lemons, or Pastiera, a traditional Neapolitan Easter pie made with ricotta cheese and wheat.
The Amalfi Coast is a 34-mile stretch of coastline in the Campania region of Italy. When planning your Amalfi Coast vacation, the first thing you need to decide is what town, or towns, you want to stay in or perhaps just visit on a day trip. It takes about four hours to reach this part of southern Italy from Rome, and only an hour and a half from Naples. There are many charming cliffside villages to explore, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy beautiful sea views, stop into local cafes, or splurge on a Michelin-starred restaurant. The Amalfi Coast towns you can explore in southern Italy are numerous, so to help you choose we’ve gathered together the best towns in our insider's guide.
Browse all the small towns above and compare the pros and cons for each. Whether you’re looking for stunning views, a private beach, a 5-star hotel, unforgettable frescoes, terraced gardens, or a clifftop paradise, you’ll find it all here. We didn’t include the islands of Ischia or Capri in this guide, but rather just the charming Amalfi Coast towns along the shores or in the inland vicinity.
The Amalfi Coast is home to 13 cities and towns, scattered like jewels along the 55-kilometer, UNESCO-listed coastline that's considered one of the most magnificent in the Mediterranean Sea. Dazzling landscapes and fascinating historic and cultural sights await along the stretch of coast between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, famous for its winding highway skirting dramatic cliffs thick with tiny villages and luxurious villas clinging to the rocky slopes and breathtaking views behind every curve. Panoramic hiking trails take adventurers up into the hills along footpaths once used by shepherds and traveling merchants, including the spectacular Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). Flights of steps carved directly out of the cliff face set off down to the water's edge where crystalline coves and tiny jetties, perfect for setting sail to explore by sea, hide from prying eyes above.
In short, there's a lot to take into account when deciding where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. The first factor you should consider is your travel style and itinerary. If you're planning on a day trip and taking a number of tours, we suggest the towns of Positano and Amalfi, which are transportation hubs and convenient bases for exploring the entire coast. If you're looking forward to settling in and relaxing during your stay, opt for Praiano, Ravello, or one of the smaller villages like Conca dei Marini. Regardless of which Amalfi Coast town you choose, you'll be captivated by the beauty and magic of this tiny slice of paradise.
How to Get to the Amalfi Coast