The Amalfi Coast runs about 31 miles (50 km) along the Tyrrhenian coast of Campania, from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, with the Lattari Mountains behind it. It suits travelers who want a string of cliffside towns, gardens with sea views and a mountain trail, all reachable in three days.
Ferries run between the main ports in season and make a calmer way to move along the coast.
At a glance
- Length: about 31 miles (50 km) of coast, between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno
- Towns: 13 to 16 municipalities, from Positano to Vietri sul Mare
- Getting there: Salerno Airport or Naples Airport, then transfers by bus or ferry
- Days: 3 for Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and the Path of the Gods; 5 for a slower pace
- To do: the Path of the Gods, Travelmar ferries, the gardens of Ravello
Where is the Amalfi Coast and what is it like?
The Amalfi Coast lies between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, in the province of Salerno. It stretches from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, which is the first town of the coast when you arrive from Salerno and its easternmost. Official counts give 13 to 16 municipalities.
The towns sit in coves and on slopes between the cliffs and the sea. Minori lies in an inlet between Capo d’Orso and Conca dei Marini, Cetara is an old fishing village at the foot of Monte Falerio, and Atrani is a very small village next to Amalfi. Ravello stands on a hill 1,198 feet (365 meters) high. There are no large sandy beaches here. Expect rocky coves, pebble beaches and small bays.
Amalfi was a flourishing Maritime Republic from the 9th to the 11th century, the oldest of the four Maritime Republics. It introduced the magnetic compass to Europe and wrote the Tavole Amalfitane maritime code. The Normans conquered it in 1136, and the Amalfi Coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Where to go on the Amalfi Coast
Positano
Positano is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. It is one end of the coast and the finish of the Path of the Gods. Ferries connect it with Amalfi and Salerno in season.
Hikers coming down from Agerola end their walk here.
Amalfi
Amalfi draws many visitors in every period of the year, especially in the warm season. The Cathedral of St Andrew the Apostle dominates Piazza Duomo with its imposing staircase, and the Chiostro del Paradiso, a 12th-century cloister, is attached to it.
Marina Grande beach is made of sand and pebbles, with lidos, bars and restaurants. It is convenient and therefore often crowded in peak season. The Amalfi Paper Museum gives a discount on admission to holders of a Travelmar ticket. Shuttle buses leave from Amalfi for Agerola, the start of the Path of the Gods.
Ravello
Ravello is the town for gardens and terraces. Villa Rufolo is a 13th-century jewel with Italian gardens and panoramic terraces. At Villa Cimbrone, the Terrazzo dell’Infinito is a well-known viewpoint over the coast.
The SITA Sud bus line between Scala, Ravello and Amalfi covers the climb to the hill. Come in the evening in summer if you can: the Ravello Festival uses the Villa Rufolo gardens from June to September.
Praiano
Praiano lies between Positano and Amalfi. It dates back to Roman times, when it was known as Plagianum. A local Mobility Bus links Praiano Alto with the Marina di Praiano beach and the shopping center.
Ferries leave Praiano for Amalfi, Atrani, Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Salerno. That makes it a practical base for travelers who want the towns without staying in Positano or Amalfi.
Cetara
Cetara is the home of colatura di alici, an amber anchovy condiment used mainly to dress spaghetti.
Ferries stop here from Salerno and from the other tourist ports. Come for lunch with the local products in mind: Amalfi lemons (PGI Sfusati) and colatura di alici are the two the tourist board names.
What is there to do on the Amalfi Coast?
The Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods is a nine-kilometer (5.6-mile) trail from Agerola to Positano. It starts at Piazza Paolo Capasso in Bomerano, at 2,028 feet (618 meters), and ends at Nocelle, a hamlet of Positano, at 1,378 feet (420 meters). Walking time runs from 3 to 4 hours. Difficulty is rated easy, with some exposed sections.
To reach the start, take a Travelmar ferry to Amalfi and then the shuttle bus to Agerola (Bomerano). Frequent SITA buses also reach Bomerano from Amalfi. From Nocelle you can take a SITA bus back to Bomerano via Amalfi, or go down 1700 steps to Arienzo on the coast road.
By mayoral ordinance of September 26, 2025, some sections were closed to pedestrians for works on the trail, including repair of paving and chestnut-pole protections at exposed points. Hikers are asked to follow the alternative routes on the municipality’s map, so check it before you go. Bring mountain shoes, a hat, sun cream, a daypack and water. There is a spring at Grotta Biscotto and a drinking fountain at Nocelle. Most of the people you meet are other hikers, mostly foreigners.
The Emerald Grotto
The Emerald Grotto can be reached by lift or by small boat. Entrance costs ten euros and includes the small boat tour inside.
It makes a short stop in a day of ferries and bus rides. Choose the boat if you prefer to arrive by sea.
Ravello’s villas and festival
Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are the two gardens to see in Ravello. Entrance to Villa Cimbrone costs ten euros.
Between June and September the Ravello Festival takes place in the gardens of Villa Rufolo.
Pompeii by sea
The Pompeii Ruins Tour visits the ancient city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The excursion is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
If you want views, hiking and gardens, the coast delivers all three. With children or a slower pace, the ferry tours are the easier choice. Those who want a big sandy beach will find rocky coves and pebble beaches instead.
How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast?
Three days are enough to visit Positano, Amalfi and Ravello and to walk the Path of the Gods. That makes a long weekend a realistic length.
Five days allow a slower pace, with time for beaches and boat excursions. The extra days fit the Pompeii tour on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, or a stop in Cetara for lunch. With less time, keep the ferry between Positano and Amalfi and drop the villas of Ravello or the trail.
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
Positano and Amalfi are the best-known bases. Praiano lies between the two, and from there ferries go to Amalfi, Maiori, Cetara and Salerno.
Nocelle, the hamlet at the end of the Path of the Gods, has a couple of B&Bs. Hikers can sleep there and walk back down the next day.
How do you get to the Amalfi Coast and get around?
Salerno Airport and Naples Airport serve the coast with transfers. Access is also by car, train, ferry or airplane. A Pintour bus line stops at Naples Airport, Pompei, Vietri and the Amalfi Coast. Salerno also has a cruise terminal as a gateway to the coast.
Travelmar advises discovering the coast by sea to avoid long car queues and parking problems. Tickets can be bought online by selecting the departure port, or at the ticket offices near the boarding points.
On land, SITA Sud is the regional bus. Its summer 2026 lines include Amalfi to Positano to Sorrento, Amalfi to Maiori to Salerno, Scala to Ravello to Amalfi and Amalfi to Agerola. In season, the ferries are the alternative to the coast road.
The Mobility Bus is the local Positano to Praiano bus. Amalfi’s urban minibus runs seven days a week in the historic center and the hamlets. By car, the road from the coast road to Bomerano covers 7 miles (11 km) from Vettica Minore.
What to know before visiting the Amalfi Coast
- Some sections of the Path of the Gods are closed for works.
- Marina Grande beach in Amalfi is often crowded in peak season.
- Travelmar’s contact center number is +39 089 87 29 50.
- Ferry from Positano to Amalfi, one way, adult: €13.00
- Ferry from Maiori to Sorrento, adult: €29.50 one way, €59.00 return
- Ferry from Maiori to Sorrento, child (2 to 12): €19.00 one way, €38.00 return
Booking the Amalfi Coast for November: what to know
The Ravello Festival runs from June to September, so it will have ended by November. Ferries run in season, so check the Travelmar schedule for your dates before building a day around a boat.
Sources
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