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 |