16 Best Things to Do On The Amalfi Coast (Updated 2024)

Italy is full of beautiful coastal towns and villages, but none are as famous or, in our opinion, as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast. Located along the southern coast of Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Amalfi is historically significant as one of the three powerful maritime republics of the Italian Peninsula, along with Venice and Genoa. The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its colorful towns, such as Positano and Amalfi, which offer unique charm and picturesque settings against dramatic coastal cliffs. It is no wonder that the Amalfi coastline is known for having some of the most stunning views in the country and has garnered the nickname the “Divine Coast.” No Italy visit would be complete without spending time in this part of the country.

Driving along the winding roads of the beautiful coastline visiting the picturesque Amalfi Coast towns of Positano and Amalfi, as well as sampling the amazing food will have you feeling like you had been transported to some magical land. But, there are certainly more things to do on the Amalfi Coast than just admiring the scenery.

We took 3 days to explore Amalfi Coast and felt like we had just scratched the surface. Regardless of how many days you choose to spend visiting Amalfi Coast, it is a good idea to have a plan for what you want to see so you can make the most of your time.

Top Things to do on the Amalfi Coast

If you are looking for the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast, then you have come to the right place. We outline all the must-see attractions, activities, and day trips you can take from this absolutely stunning area of Italy. One of the key activities you shouldn’t miss is wine tasting, which offers memorable experiences at local vineyards combined with food pairings.

There are 13 picturesque coastal towns on the Amalfi Coast. While we weren’t able to visit all of them, we did spend time in the most popular Amalfi Coast towns, which are Positano, Amalfi Town, Ravello, and Sorrento. It is also important to explore smaller towns such as Vietri sul Mare and Nerano, which offer unique attributes and cultural significance. We will focus on these towns for this article.

Tips for Visiting Amalfi Coast

To be honest, the first thing you should know and come to terms with about the Amalfi Coast is that it is expensive. It has been a tourist attraction for many years, and this is evident in the prices. The majority of your budget will go to accommodation. In our opinion, this is not the place to pinch pennies. If you want the best Amalfi Coast experience, then splurge on a hotel room with a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You won’t regret it.

Visiting during the off-season, particularly from mid-October through April, allows for a more enjoyable experience with fewer crowds and less traffic.

One of our favorite things to do was greet the morning with a coffee on the balcony and close out the night with a glass of wine on our terrace. You can also opt for an apartment rental, which might be a bit cheaper. Depending on the time of year you visit, you will want to reserve your room well ahead of time and make reservations for dinner.

Do You Need A Car to Explore the Amalfi Coast?

The simple answer is no. You don’t necessarily need a car to experience the Amalfi Coast. The main towns have bus service and boat shuttles, so you are not trapped in the town you stay in. Speed boats can whisk you off to Capri or to one of the neighboring towns.

What it’s like to Drive on the Narrow Streets of the Amalfi Coast

You may want to ask yourself if you want to drive the Amalfi Coast. The roads are quite narrow, the traffic in the high season is insane, and parking can be a nightmare. That being said, we went in April, rented a car, and we’re really glad we did. It allowed us to explore more of the Amalfi coast in a shorter time, and we avoided the problems associated with high season.

Visiting during the off-season, particularly in mid-October through April, made driving along the coast much easier and more relaxed without the hassle of heavy traffic. We also got a thrill out of driving the narrow roads clinging to the side of the sea cliffs. It’s not for everyone, but we loved it!

Watch our video of our Amalfi Coast Road Trip.

You can book a private transfer from Naples to Positano for a hassle-free drive to your accommodation. The cost starts at $74 USD pp, and you can book here. Or this sharted transfer is only $34 USD pp.

If you don’t have a car and want to explore a lot in a short time, you can check out this highly-rated 8-hour tour by car and boat. You’ll visit our favorite towns on the coast, including Ravello, a stop in Amalfi Town for lunch, and Positano shopping.

How Many Days Should You Spend on the Amalfi Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site?

We suggest at least a week. Vietri sul Mare, the first town on the Amalfi Coast, is accessible by local train from Salerno. Three days with Positano as your base. A night in Ravello Amalfi Town and three days with Sorrento as another base to take some iconic day trips like a tour to Pompeii. The average stay is usually between 5- 7 days, which will allow you to experience most of what the Amalfi Coast has to offer. Of course, it is also dependent on your budget.

Best Things to Do Along the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its stunning coastal scenery, charming towns, and delicious cuisine. Among the attractions to explore are the ancient Roman ruins, such as Herculaneum and Valle delle Ferriere, which offer unique hiking experiences and cultural enrichment. From Positano’s picturesque beaches to Ravello’s stunning gardens, there is no shortage of breathtaking sights and activities.

1. Visit Positano

One of the top attractions is definitely viewing the terraced city of Positano. No Amalfi Coast tour would be complete without visiting Positano. Positano is the most picturesque and one of the best Amalfi Coast towns, and it is where we made our home base, which was in the center of all the action for a few days.

It was easy to explore the surrounding towns from Positano. If you don’t have a car (which we do recommend), there are bus services to popular attractions. Amalfi is so beautiful that UNESCO moved to preserve it by naming the Amalfi Coast an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape. Nowhere else can show that better than the amazing scenery of Positano.

Positano offers that postcard-perfect spot with pastel buildings terraced up sea cliffs overlooking turquoise waters. Simply spending time in Positano is enough to fulfill life’s bucket list but there are plenty of things to do to keep you occupied. the top attractions in Positano include Santa Maria Assunta, taking a postcard-perfect picture from Spiaggia Grande, catching some rays at Arienzo Beach Club, strolling the narrow lanes and shopping streets, and indulging in great food.

Where to Stay Positano

We booked a hotel in Positano overlooking the beach, and it didn’t disappoint. Palazzo Talamo had an incredible outdoor terrace where we enjoyed our morning coffee and sunset cocktails. We didn’t have to leave our room to enjoy the city, but there were plenty of places to see and things to do!

It was cheaper than the other rooms with a view, but the room itself was very basic. We definitely paid for the view, and it was worth every penny. Check out Palazzo Talamo on TripAdvisor or Booking.com. The rooms are basic, but you can’t beat the view for the price. It is important to note that there is no shortage of luxury hotels here waiting to take your money. so shop around for the best prices.

• For a real splurge book the Hotel Eden Roc – This four-star hotel is just a few meters from the beaches and the center of Positano with a panoramic pool and terrace overlooking the sea.
• The Hotel Poseidon is another historical hotel in Positano that has been in operation for 60 years with a prime locaton the vertical hill overlooking Positano and the sea.

2. Beach Time on Marina Grande Beach

The Marina Grande Beach is the main beach of Positano, attracting sun worshipers to its pebbly shore. Rows of beach umbrellas line the 300-meter-long shoreline. Make note that you will need to rent a chair from one of the beach clubs. You can’t just pluck yourself down on a chair of your choice when visiting the beaches of Italy.

You can catch boats for a day tour of Capri from here, and there are cafes and restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a sunset cocktail. The views of the pastel buildings from this beach are impressive.

While in Positano, you can book a boat ride to Capri. This full-day tour along the Sorrentine Peninsula to Capri to marvel at the high sea cliff views and Faraglioni Rocks. On this organized tour, you’ll have the option to swim or snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, explore sea caves and Paleolithic rocks, taste local limoncello liqueur, and have free time to explore the island of Capri. The tour includes snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

3. Hike The Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods is a 6.5 km hike that takes you high above Positano and offers stunning views of the Amalfi Coastline. The hike goes between the towns of Bomerano and Nocelle and is not too difficult. We suggest starting out early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds and making a day out of it. The rugged trail has spectacular views and is a nice respite from the busy towns along the popular coast.

If you did not rent a car, you can get to the hike by taking the bus to either Bomerano or Nocelle and start your hike from there. If you are staying in Positano or Praiano, you can also start the hike in either of these towns and not miss any of the stunning views. One caveat is that if you choose to start in Positano or Praiano, you will have to hike up about 1,700 steep stairs to get to the path. Unless you are in good shape, I would recommend starting in the other towns.

You can book a guided walking tour of the Path of the Gods here. This guided tour takes you on a 7km (4.5 miles) hike along “Sentiero degli Dei,” the Pathway of the Gods. You will walk from Agerola Bomerano to Positano, stopping at Nocelle for lunch in a trattoria. You can also climb the stairs down (but remember you have to go back up) to Positano town center.

4. Visit the Town of Amalfi

Amalfi Town is another popular stop on the Amalfi Coast. We were actually surprised by how beautiful it was, thinking that it couldn’t possibly compare to Positano, and yet it does. The Coast is named after Amalfi, as it was once a powerhouse in maritime trade from the 9th to 11th centuries. An earthquake devastated the city in 1343, and the town is much smaller than it once was, but it has retained its crown as a shining star for tourism.

Make sure to stop and admire the Amalfi Cathedral; you can’t miss it as its Duomo is the star attraction of the town. Once inside, stroll the Cloisters, which are a row of 120 columns that remind you of something out of Arabian Nights. The medieval nobles are buried here, surrounded by palm trees, the bell tower, and the duomo, making for yet another picturesque view of the Amalfi Coast. Then, it is time to head into the streets and do some shopping. This beautiful town is by far the best place to get your souvenirs and stock up on some of that tasty Amalfi Limoncello. The cultural significance of Amalfi lemons is celebrated through the Amalfi Lemon Experience offered by the Aceto family, which includes tours of lemon groves, picnics, and cooking classes.

This guided tour lets you explore the town of Amalfi, the main shopping street of Amalfi, and the cathedral. It also explores Positano to the central Piazza Dei Mulini and Ravello, where you’ll drive past wineries and olive factories, riding high to the top of a mountain overlooking Amalfi and Minori as you explore the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.

5. Drive the Winding Roads on the Amalfi Coast

No Amalfi Coast Trip would be complete without experiencing this drive. The Italian Riviera in southern Italy is a winding road with steep drop-offs into the sea. It is narrow, and Italians drive fast. But if you are into taking the challenge, you will be rewarded with one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The entire Amalfi Coast in Italy officially spans 75km from Sorrento to Cetara, but the views get more spectacular the closer to Positano you get. Make sure to stop at the Conca Dei Marini Viewpoint, where you can take in the views of Sofia Loren’s former villa and the beautiful Saraceno Hotel, which used to be a fortress.

The coastal drive may not be for the faint of heart, but it is something you will remember from your Amalfi trip for the rest of your life. It is also one of the best ways to see a lot of the Amalfi Coast things to do in a short time. If you don’t want to drive yourself you can always hire a private driver for the afternoon. Check for car rental prices and comparisons in the Amalfi Coast here.

6. Emerald Grotto at Conca del Marini

You must go out on the water to truly take in the splendor of this coast, and one of the top attractions in Almalfi is located just a few kilometers outside of the town of Amalfi, the small town of Conca del Marini, which is famous for the Emerald Grotto. This is a sea cave that lights up to an emerald green when the sun reflects through the emerald water. Tours can be booked through the official Grotto rowboats. Like many places on the Amalfi Coast, lines can be long, so book a tour in advance from one of the neighboring towns.

An Amalfi Coast Boat Tour is a full-day cruise that takes you to Positano, beach time, and a stop at the Emerald Cave. It includes so much more than just the Emerald Cave, Explore the Amalfi Coast by boat Stop for 2.5 hours in the historic city of Amalfi and use the time to visit the Cathedral of Saint Andrew to see the Cloister of Paradise. You’ll also admire the church overlooking the sea in the fishing village of Praiano and have two free hours in Positano to go ashore and explore.

7. Hike The Valle Dei Mulini

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors while enjoying beautiful Amalfi Coast views, the Valle Dei Mulini Hike is a popular trek from the town of Amalfi. It takes you past ruins and the old paper mill until you come across waterfalls and Mother Nature. Be sure to visit Minori, which is located between Cetera and Amalfi. You can hike this entire route if you have the time!

Minori is a lovely seaside town with yet another picturesque harbor. The main attraction is the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, which dates back to the 11th century.

8. Visit Villa Rufolo in Revello

We were told not to miss the historic town of Revello, and I am glad we decided to make a day trip out of it. This mountaintop town is definitely the most romantic of the towns along the Amalfi Coast, with beautiful terraced gardens in the Villa Cimbrone, incredible cuisine, and amazing views that will make your jaw drop.

As we walked up to the main square, it was easy to find Villa Rufolo. It is one of the top attractions on the entire coast. After paying our €5 entry fee, we walked through the narrow paths lining the cliffside. Walking higher and higher, we came to the top for the most incredible panoramic views of the sea. The Terrace of Infinity is the perfect place to catch the sunset, as it has some of the most gorgeous views along the entire coastline.

Another must-see in Ravello is the cathedral. Located directly across from Villa Rufolo is the Duomo. I’m sensing a theme here—there’s a Duomo in every town! The Duomo dates back to the 11th century and pays tribute to St. Pantaleone.

9. Furore Beach (Fiordo di Furore)

I remember seeing this beach on television before we visited, as it was being used for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series, and I knew I had to visit. This is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Amalfi Coast, and I will never forget stopping by the car and looking over the bridge at this little slice of paradise.

You have a couple of choices when visiting the beach itself. You can hire a boat from Positano or Amalfi, you can catch a bus, or drive to the small town of Furore and descend the 944 steps to Furore Beach, known as the Marina di Furore, which is Italy’s only Fjord. If you decide to drive, note that there is almost no parking in the town of Furore.

If you do decide to visit Furore Beach and you want to sunbathe, make sure to do it early in the day, as the beach only gets sun for a few hours a day.

10. Take a Day Trip to Capri

Capri is the place where dreams are made of. The rich and famous setup anchor along its shores, showing off their superyachts. While we don’t have superyachts, there are ways for regular people to explore the island. You can take a boat from Positano to Capri for the perfect day trip.

If you don’t have time (or the room in your wallet) to stay on Capri there are several tours offered by Get Your Guide. For a unique boat tour from Positano, take a boat tour to Capri. This small-group tour takes you around the island of Capri for snorkeling and the Marina Grande of Sorrento. Book it here: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Blue Grotto

While you are in Capri, make sure to visit the famous Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is an impressive sea cave where the light passes through an underwater hole that illuminates the cave. The Blue Grotto is something you don’t want to miss when you are visiting Capri.

Book this tour from Sorrento to Capri, where you’ll visit the Blue Grotto via a small rowboat, then circle the island on a larger boat to see sights like the White Grotto and the Lighthouse of Punta Carena. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling and free time to explore the center of Capri. Includes snacks, beer, and a bottle of Prosecco

11. Day Trip to Pompei

We were very disappointed with our stop at the Unesco World Heritage site of Pompei due to the sheer volume of people. These ancient ruins attract a huge amount of visitors. We really should have booked a private tour so we could skip the line.

Instead, book a tour from Sorrento to skip the line and enjoy relative comfort. A Half-Day Tour from Sorrento is all you need. (but then again, we’ve never been big on visiting ruins for long. Check out this other private half-day tour $200 for a group of 3.

12. Lookout from Punta Lagno of Capri

Having a car was heavenly in Amalfi, and we spent our days exploring lookouts and turnoffs all along the coast. It was driving to Punta Lagno that we spotted this awesome view of Capri. We parked our car and walked along the trail to stumble upon this incredible lookout.

13. Visit The Ferriere Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is a three-hour walk into a microclimate of rare plants, orchids, and the pinguecula – a carnivorous plant more commonly known as the butterwort. Starting from the main square of Amalfi, you walk up the stairs of the church to see signs for Valle Delle Ferriere.

It takes you to waterfalls and hidden springs along the Rio Canneto, a river that fed the papermill of Almafi. Here, you’ll find lemon trees and magnificent views.

14. Amalfi Coast Boat Tours

When you visit the Amalfi Coast, you must get out on the water to really take in the stunning coastline. There are so many things to see on the Amalfi Coast; besides the five towns listed above, there are nine other stops. One could spend an entire summer on the Italian Riviera and barely scratch the surface of all there is to see and do! Taking a boat tour to Capri is one of the top things to do when you visit the Amalfi Coast.

This tour lets you visit Capri in style. The small group tour leaves from Naples and takes you out on the sea to enjoy a panoramic view of Capri, the Augustus Gardens, Anacapri, and La Piazzetta; take the jetfoil to Capri and the funicular railway for panoramic views and a visit to the Blue Grotto. Plus, so much more. Get prices and more details here.

15. Explore Sorrento

Sorrento is probably the most popular stop on the Amalfi Coast. We found the town to be very crowded and busy, but we still managed to spend a few days making it a home base to explore the other side of the Gulf of Naples. We had a lovely stay at the Villa Ketty, Vico Equense, Italy, located a little outside the city. It made for a good base at a reasonable price. See it here on TripAdvisor.

Old Sorrento is the perfect place to get lost in the pedestrian streets. The Grand Marina is a colorful spot in the city center of Sorrento, lined with seafood restaurants, pedestrian paths, and patio terraces. Whenever we can, we love to eat overlooking the water. The Piazza Tasso is the main square of Sorrento. From here, you enter Via San Cesareo’s shopping street. Just a five-minute walk from Piazza Tasso is the Basilica of Saint Antonio. Dated back to the 11th century, this church is dedicated to San Antonio. His tomb is located in the crypt.

From Sorrento, this full-day boat trip takes you to visit Amalfi and Positano. You’ll have time to stop and do some swimming and snorkeling and enjoy prosecco, beer, Pepsi, or water as you take in the extraordinary coastal views. If you want a cheaper option, you can check out the ferry service.

16. Eat Gelato and Sample Limoncello

It’s not like it is unique to Sorrento, but any excuse to have gelato in Italy is a good thing. While you are getting lost in the streets, grab yourself and enjoy your favorite flavor! Limoncello originated on the Naples Coast thanks to Sorrento lemon trees that are meticulously fermented to make this refreshing lemon liqueur. Enjoy a limoncello aperitif in the evening as you enjoy the scene overlooking the coast.

When visiting Italy, you must indulge in wine, and wine tours are the best way to get a sense of the region’s favorite drink. This private wine tour takes you from Naples or the Amalfi Coast to the Irpinia wine region in Campania. It is a great trip to explore the wine cellars of Campania with an expert sommelier guide and driver.

Car Rental in Italy

We rented a Fiat 500 in Rome and hit the road for a three-hour drive south. It was the perfect size for exploring the winding, narrow roads. We booked through Ryan Air booking for a steal at $75 for ten days.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Italy. Our road trip through the Amalfi Coast, following our own itinerary and having the freedom to change our route on a whim, was an absolute highlight of any of our trips to Italy. For an unforgettable experience, make sure to add Amalfi to your Italy itinerary.