Positano and Spiaggia Grande beach on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast: Plan Your Trip

The Amalfi Coast isn’t difficult to visit, but it does need a bit of planning. Where you stay makes a difference to your entire experience, getting around takes more thought than you expect, and small decisions — like choosing the right base or avoiding peak travel times — can make a huge difference.

This page brings together all my Amalfi Coast guides in one place. Use it to get your bearings, work out what matters most for your trip, and then dive into the individual guides for the details.

Not Sure Where to Begin?

First trip to the Amalfi Coast → Where to Stay Amalfi Coast: Best Areas Compared (Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento & Ravello) – A clear breakdown of the main towns and how to choose the right base.
Planning your itinerary → Luxury Amalfi Coast Itinerary: How to Plan the Dreamiest Italy Trip – A structured route through the coast and surrounding areas.
Choosing between bases → Sorrento vs Positano: Where Should You Stay on the Amalfi Coast? and Naples vs Amalfi Coast: Where Should You Stay?
Travelling without a car → Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast Without a Car – The easiest towns to base yourself without needing to drive.
Avoiding common mistakes → Amalfi Coast Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make (And How to Avoid Them) – The small decisions that can make or break a trip.
Getting there → How to Get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast (Train, Ferry & Best Routes) and How to Get from Naples to Sorrento (Train, Ferry, Bus & Transfer Compared)

Amalfi Coast at a Glance

A quick snapshot to help you get your bearings before planning the details.

Best for: Coastal views, scenic drives, and relaxed seaside travel
Known for: Positano, cliffside villages, beaches, and boat trips
Region: Campania, southern Italy
Good for: Couples, food trips, and multi-stop Italy itineraries

Amalfi Coast Highlights

The essentials that shape a trip along the coast.

1. Dramatic coastline

The Amalfi Coast is all about the setting — steep cliffs, winding roads, and towns that seem to spill down towards the sea. The views are constant, and getting between places is part of the experience.

2. Choosing the right base

Where you stay matters more here than almost anywhere else in Italy. Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Ravello all offer very different experiences, and picking the right one will shape your entire trip.

3. Food and coastal dining

Meals tend to revolve around seafood, pasta, and local specialities, often with a sea view. Long lunches, sunset dinners, and simple ingredients done well are a big part of the appeal.

4. Boats, beaches and day trips

Some of the best experiences happen on the water — boat trips along the coast, visits to Capri, and exploring hidden coves that you can’t reach by road.

5. Things to do on the Amalfi Coast

Many trips revolve around exploring Positano, visiting nearby towns, taking boat trips, and making time for places like Pompeii or Capri. → Best Things to Do in Positano, Italy and Things to Do in Sorrento (And What I’d Skip)

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Where you stay on the Amalfi Coast will make or break your entire trip — from how easy it is to get around to the kind of experience you have day to day.

If you’re deciding where to base yourself, these guides break down the best areas and the types of hotels you’ll find across the region.

Where to Stay Amalfi Coast: Best Areas Compared (Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento & Ravello) – A clear overview of each town and what it’s like to stay there.
Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast Without a Car – The easiest options if you’re relying on public transport and ferries.
Boutique Hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Where to Stay by Town – Stylish hotels across the region, organised by location.
Boutique Hotels in Positano: 15 Stylish Stays on the Amalfi Coast – Design-led stays in one of the coast’s most iconic towns.
Luxury Hotels in Positano: Exceptional Places to Stay on the Amalfi Coast – High-end hotels with views, pools, and standout locations.
Boutique Hotels in Amalfi: Small, Stylish Places to Stay – A quieter base with a more traditional feel.

Amalfi Coast, Without the Guesswork

If you only read a handful of Amalfi Coast guides, start with these. They answer the questions most travellers struggle with — where to stay, how to get around, and how to plan a trip that actually works.

Where to Stay Amalfi Coast: Best Areas Compared (Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento & Ravello)
Where you stay on the Amalfi Coast shapes the entire trip. Towns that look close on a map feel very…
Read More Where to Stay Amalfi Coast: Best Areas Compared (Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento & Ravello)
Best Things to Do in Positano, Italy
Positano looks effortless in photos, but the reality is that how you spend your time here matters more than almost…
Read More Best Things to Do in Positano, Italy
Things to Do in Sorrento (And What I’d Skip)
Sorrento isn’t just a base for the Amalfi Coast — it earns its place. You’ve got clifftop views, a tight…
Read More Things to Do in Sorrento (And What I’d Skip)

Amalfi Coast for Experiences

The Amalfi Coast is as much about what you do beyond the towns as the places themselves. Day trips, historic sites, and nearby cities all add depth to a trip here.

Day Trips from Sorrento: Capri, Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Adventures – Easy ways to explore beyond your base.
Pompeii vs Herculaneum: Which One Should You Visit? – A practical comparison to help you choose.
The Ultimate Guide to Pizza in Naples Italy – A worthwhile detour if you’re travelling via Naples.

Amalfi Coast Travel Quick Tips

Best base for a first trip — Positano or Sorrento – Both offer easy access to the coast, with Sorrento slightly easier for transport.
Travelling without a car — Stay in Sorrento or Amalfi – Both are well connected by ferries and public transport. → Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast Without a Car
Getting around — Ferries are often the easiest and most enjoyable way to travel between towns; buses are available but can be slow and crowded.
Train travel — Sorrento connects to Naples by train, making it one of the easiest entry points to the coast.
Reservations — Book accommodation, ferries, and popular restaurants in advance during peak season. → Amalfi Coast Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make

Exploring Beyond the Amalfi Coast

Many trips to the Amalfi Coast also include time in nearby destinations. Naples, Pompeii, and the wider Campania region all add something different to the experience.