Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to October (20-28°C, fewer crowds than July-August)
Language
Italian; English spoken in hotels and tourist restaurants
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Airport
Naples International (NAP), 65 km northwest (1.5 hours by car/ferry combo)
Population
5,000 (town proper)
Climate
Mediterranean, hot dry summers (25-32°C), mild wet winters (8-14°C)
Safety Rating
Very Safe (Level 1)
UNESCO Status
Part of the Costiera Amalfitana UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997
A striking 9th-century cathedral with an Arab-Norman facade, a Cloister of Paradise with 120 Moorish columns, and a crypt holding St. Andrew's relics. Cathedral free, cloister and museum €3. Open daily 9AM-7PM (shorter in winter). Allow 1 hour.
A working museum in a 13th-century paper mill — Amalfi was Europe's first producer of paper. Watch handmade paper being produced on original machinery. Entry €4.50. Open daily 10AM-6:30PM (Mar-Oct). Allow 45 min. Buy handmade paper souvenirs in the shop.
A natural reserve above Amalfi with waterfalls, rare Woodwardia ferns, and lemon terraces. The trail starts from Piazza Duomo and climbs 400 m over 5 km (2-3 hours round trip). Reserve entry €5. Wear hiking shoes — the path is steep and slippery near the waterfalls.
Amalfi's sfusato lemons are enormous and sweet. Visit Andrea Pansa (since 1830) on the piazza for lemon delizia cake, or join a limoncello-making class at local farms (~€25-35, 1 hour). Free-range lemon groves terrace the hills above town.
Amalfi's main street is lined with artisan ceramics — hand-painted plates, tiles, and Vietri-style pieces. Prices start at €10 for small tiles. Ceramiche d'Arte and Il Ducato are standout studios. Shops ship internationally if your purchase is too fragile to carry.
The small pebble beach at Marina Grande is the town's gathering spot. Sun lounger rental €15-25 for a half-day. Fishermen still launch from the harbor — buy fresh anchovies from their boats in the morning. Ferries to Positano (25 min, €9) and Capri depart from here.
Italy's smallest municipality by area, just a 5-min walk east of Amalfi through a tunnel. A tiny piazza opens to a beach framed by cliffs — no tourist crowds. The church of San Salvatore de' Birecto is where Amalfi's doges were crowned. Free to explore.
Arrive from Naples by ferry (1h20, €16-20) or SITA bus from Salerno (1h15, €2.50). Settle into the seaside town at the base of the cliffs.
Ferry from Naples or bus from Salerno(1.5 hours)
Ferry from Molo Beverello with Alilauro or NLG. SITA bus from Salerno is cheaper. Ferries dock at the Marina Grande right in town
Check into hotel(1 hour)
Hotel Luna Convento (€200+, converted 13th-century convent with pool), Hotel Lidomare (€100-150, family-run with sea views), or A'Scalinata Hostel (€30 dorm). Stay near Piazza Duomo
Walk to Piazza Duomo and climb the Cathedral steps(1 hour)
The 62-step staircase leads to the Duomo di Sant'Andrea (9th century). Cathedral free, Cloister of Paradise with 120 Moorish columns and crypt €3. Open 9AM-7PM
Stroll Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi(45 minutes)
The main street lined with ceramic shops, limoncello vendors, and artisan paper. Free to browse
Dinner at Trattoria Il Mulino(1.5 hours)
2 minutes from the piazza in the back streets. Local favorite — scialatielli ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta with seafood, €14-18). Better value than piazza restaurants
Explore Amalfi's unique heritage as Europe's first paper producer and its legendary lemon terraces.
Museo della Carta (Paper Museum)(1 hour)
€4.50. Working museum in a 13th-century paper mill. Watch handmade paper produced on original machinery. Buy handmade paper souvenirs in the shop. Open daily 10AM-6:30PM
Limoncello tasting at Andrea Pansa(45 minutes)
On the piazza, since 1830. Try lemon delizia cake (€5) and sample limoncello. Buy artisan limoncello from Antichi Sapori d'Amalfi (€8-12 for 500ml vs €15-20 at tourist shops)
Lunch at Marina Grande seafood restaurant(1 hour)
Fresh anchovies (Amalfi's specialty) and spaghetti alle vongole (clams), €12-16. Buy fresh fish from the fishermen's boats in the morning
Walk to Atrani village(30 minutes)
Italy's smallest municipality, 5 minutes east through a tunnel. A tiny piazza opens to a beach framed by cliffs. No tourist crowds. The church of San Salvatore de' Birecto hosted Amalfi doge coronations. Free
Return to Amalfi for an evening passeggiata(1 hour)
The Italian evening stroll starts around 6PM. The piazza comes alive with locals and visitors. Gelato from Gelateria Porto Salvo (€3)
Morning hike through a natural reserve above town with waterfalls, rare ferns, and lemon terraces.
Valle delle Ferriere hike(3 hours)
The trail starts from Piazza Duomo and climbs 400m over 5km. Reserve entry €5. Ancient ironworks ruins, waterfalls, and Woodwardia ferns found nowhere else in continental Europe. Wear hiking shoes — steep and slippery near falls
Late lunch back in town(1 hour)
Pizza at La Taverna di Masaniello, €6-8 for a margherita. Earned it after the hike
Afternoon beach at Marina Grande(2 hours)
The small pebble beach. Sun lounger rental €15-25 half-day. Or use the free section on the left side
Aperitivo at Bar Francese(1 hour)
On the Piazza Duomo. Aperol spritz (€6) watching the evening light hit the cathedral facade
Take the ferry along the coast to Positano — seeing the cliffside villages from the water is the best way to experience the Costiera.
Ferry from Amalfi to Positano(25 minutes)
€9 with Travelmar. The coastal views from the ferry are spectacular — no road stress
Explore Positano — Via dei Mulini and Church of Santa Maria Assunta(2 hours)
Walk the steep streets past linen boutiques. The majolica-tiled dome is iconic. Custom leather sandals at Safari: €45-80, made in 20 minutes
Lunch at Da Vincenzo in Positano(1.5 hours)
One of the few restaurants locals actually eat at. Scialatielli with zucchini and prawns, €16. Reserve ahead in summer
Spiaggia Grande beach time(1.5 hours)
Positano's main beach. The west end is free. Loungers from €20/day at private beach clubs
Ferry back to Amalfi(25 minutes)
Last ferry at 6:30PM (check seasonally). Don't miss it
Bus up the mountainside to the 'City of Music' perched 350m above the sea — gardens, villas, and the most famous view on the coast.
SITA bus from Amalfi to Ravello(25 minutes)
€1.30. Buy tickets at tabacchi shops. The winding road climbs through lemon groves with hairpin turns
Villa Rufolo gardens(1.5 hours)
€8. The terrace gardens inspired Wagner's Parsifal. The views over the coast are the most famous on the Amalfi Coast. The summer Ravello Festival hosts concerts on a stage suspended over the view
Villa Cimbrone gardens(1.5 hours)
€8. Walk through hotel grounds to the Terrazza dell'Infinito (Terrace of Infinity) — a belvedere with marble busts overlooking the sea. Gore Vidal called it 'the most beautiful view in the world'
Lunch at Ristorante Vittoria(1 hour)
On the main piazza. Handmade ravioli with lemon ricotta (€14). Tourist-priced but decent quality
Dinner at Ristorante Da Gemma(1.5 hours)
Amalfi institution since 1872. Zuppa di pesce (fish soup, €20) and fresh pasta. On Via Fra Gerardo Sasso. Reserve ahead
A relaxed final full day exploring Amalfi's artisan ceramics and soaking up the atmosphere.
Ceramic shopping on Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi(1.5 hours)
Hand-painted Vietri-style plates, tiles, and serving pieces. Prices start at €10 for small tiles. Ceramiche d'Arte and Il Ducato are standout studios. Most shops ship internationally
Limoncello-making class(1 hour)
€25-35 at local farms. Learn to make limoncello from Amalfi's enormous sfusato lemons. Take home a small bottle
Lunch at La Pansa(1 hour)
Another piazza institution. Lemon granita (€4) is the perfect summer lunch
Free afternoon — beach or rest(2.5 hours)
Final swim at Marina Grande, or rest on your hotel terrace. Respect the siesta hours (1-3PM) — shops close
Farewell dinner on the waterfront(1.5 hours)
Ristorante La Caravella (Michelin-starred since 1966, tasting menu €90) or a simple pizza and Falanghina wine at a waterfront trattoria
Final morning before ferry or bus to Naples/Salerno.
Morning espresso at a piazza café(30 minutes)
Caffè standing at the bar (€1.20) — the Italian way
Last walk through Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi(30 minutes)
Pick up final ceramics or limoncello
Ferry to Naples or SITA bus to Salerno(1.5 hours)
Ferry from Marina Grande. Bus from the main road. Allow 3+ hours total to reach NAP airport
Italy is in the Schengen area. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free. ETIAS authorization (~€7) required from 2025 for visa-exempt travelers.
SITA bus from Salerno (1h15, €2.50) or ferry from Naples Molo Beverello (1h20, €16-20 with Alilauro or NLG). Driving the SS163 coastal road is scenic but nerve-wracking — single lane, hairpin turns, and summer traffic jams. Ferries avoid all that.
The SITA bus is the cheapest way to hop between Amalfi Coast towns (€1.30-2.50). Buy tickets at tabacchi shops before boarding — you cannot pay on the bus. Buses fill up fast in summer — queue early at major stops. Standing room only is common.
Restaurants on Piazza Duomo charge 30-50% premiums. Walk 2 minutes up Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi or down to the harbor for better value. A pizza margherita costs €6-8 off-piazza vs €12-15 on it. Trattoria Il Mulino in the back streets is a local favorite.
Tourist shops sell mass-produced limoncello at inflated prices. Buy from local producers like Antichi Sapori d'Amalfi or at the cooperative near the paper museum. A 500ml bottle of artisan limoncello costs €8-12 vs €15-20 in tourist shops. Look for 'produzione propria' (own production).
Shops and the paper museum close 1-3PM. Use this time for lunch (Italians eat late, 1-2:30PM) or the beach. Churches may have restricted midday hours. Evening passeggiata (stroll) starts around 6PM — the piazza comes alive.
The SS163 Amalfi Coast road is narrow, winding, and chaotic in summer. If you must drive, go counterclockwise (Sorrento-to-Amalfi) to be on the cliff-side, not the drop-side. Parking in Amalfi costs €5/hour in the Luna Rossa garage. Consider ferries instead.
TipsThe piazza restaurant markup, the SITA bus ticket rule, the paper museum nobody visits, and the limoncello you should actually buy — hard-won advice from six visits to the Amalfi Coast.
Travel GuidesThe cathedral that mixes Arab and Norman architecture, the paper mill that changed European history, the 5-minute walk to Italy's smallest town, and the lemon grove that makes the coast's best limoncello.
Travel GuidesBefore Positano was famous, Amalfi ruled the Mediterranean. A thematic guide to the town's extraordinary history — from its rivalry with Venice to Europe's first paper production.
