Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of the most picturesque destinations in the world, drawing travelers from across the globe. Deciding to visit the Amalfi Coast is easy, but figuring out the best places to stay along the coast is not so simple, given the many great options.
Traveling to Italy is on people’s bucket lists all over the world. The culture. The food. The history. The beaches. It’s truly one of the best countries to visit, no matter what you hope to get from your dream vacation. And if you’re looking for amazing beaches and breathtaking views, traveling to the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy is the best way to do it.
Along the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find many big and small towns, offering visitors unique experiences. Whether you’re looking for incredible beaches, picturesque views, a romantic getaway, or the perfect family vacation, the Amalfi Coast is for you.
And remember, regardless of what you do, book great accommodation to complement your trip. We recommend renting an Amalfi Coast villa to experience the true taste of Italy.
Map of Amalfi Coast
Here is a map of the Amalfi Coast along with the islands of Capri and Ischia near the Gulf of Naples.
So, what are the best places to stay along the Amalfi Coast?
Amalfi
If you’re traveling to the Amalfi Coast, staying in the city of the same name makes sense. Amalfi’s largest town along the coast has plenty to offer without the grandeur and active nightlife you’ll find in places like Positano.
In Amalfi, you’ll find incredible architecture from medieval times, plenty of history and culture, and several rocky beaches. It’s the perfect balance between city life, culture, and relaxation on the beach. In Amalfi, you’ll find a little bit of everything, no matter what you’re interested in doing.
Ravello
If you’re traveling to the Amalfi Coast with a romantic trip in mind, staying in Ravello will be your best bet. Sitting high atop a cliff along the coast, Ravello offers some of the region’s best views and plenty of activities for couples.
With a much calmer and quieter atmosphere than other coastal cities, Ravello is the perfect place for a relaxing Italian vacation. Spend time taking in picturesque views, or take a day to explore some of the beautiful gardens. Ravello is the optimal romantic getaway along the Amalfi Coast.
Sorrento
One of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Amalfi Coast is the beautiful city of Sorrento. Considered a major hub of the area, staying in Sorrento allows you to make day trips to any of the other major cities around and return to your hotel by night.
There’s plenty to do in Sorrento itself, including an eclectic mix of old Italian culture and the modern way of life. But it’s also easy to visit Naples and Pompeii or nearby islands like Capri or Ischia.
Positano
The most popular city to travel to along the Amalfi Coast if you want to spend your days relaxing or swimming in amazing beaches is undoubtedly Positano. This coastal town is a short distance from Amalfi and has everything you need for the perfect beach getaway.
Positano is the destination of choice for beach-goers, home to two of the best beaches along the coast — Spiaggia Fornillo and Spiaggia Grande. In town, you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels to enjoy. Due to its popularity, Positano does get c
Praiano
Less than a half-hour from both Amalfi and Positano sits the quieter coastal town of Praiano. Another great option for couples (but also families!), Praiano offers a beautiful rocky shoreline and great views to take in during your Amalfi Coast vacation.
While staying in Praiano, you’ll find breathtaking views of much of the coast and endless sunlight. Perfect for couples and those who love relaxing at the beach. For the more adventurous vacationers, Praiano also offers access to popular hiking trails and some of the most amazing sunsets you’ll ever see.
Maiori and Minori
Strangely less crowded than some of the other popular destinations along the coast, Maiori and Minori are perfect for beach lovers to stay at. Maiori offers the single largest beach along the entire Amalfi Coast, and Minori provides a quiet beach with a gentle breeze throughout the day.
Staying in Maiori or Minori is perfect for family trips and those not looking for extravagant nightlife. Besides being a quieter option than other beach towns nearby, Maiori and Minori have some of the best pasta restaurants in Italy. They are perfect for enjoying the Italian culture while avoiding big crowds.
Furore
Between Amalfi and Positano along the Amalfi Coast, Furore is often overlooked as visitors flock to the more popular towns nearby. But as you plan your trip, don’t make that same mistake! This city offers plenty and is more affordable than the popular options.
Set at the base of a cliff, Furore provides visitors with unique views you can’t get anywhere else on the Amalfi Coast. The city has old architecture, accommodating vacation homes, and amazing artwork. Don’t overlook this quaint coastal town!
Atrani
The smallest village in the country, Atrani, is another often overlooked option along the Amalfi Coast. Located just a few short miles from Amalfi’s popular city, it’s easy to understand why so many visitors don’t even know about this tiny town.
The popular beaches in Amalfi are also available in Atrani since the towns share the same shoreline. One of the best options for beach lovers along the coast, Atrani offers more affordable lodging than its sister city, Amalfi, which offers much of the same experience.
Read Also: 4 Family-Friendly Resorts in Amalfi Coast: Unforgettable Mediterranean Getaways for All Ages
Vietri sul Mare
Best known for its colorful ceramics and pottery, which are seemingly everywhere, Vietri sul Mare is a wonderful place to visit along the Amalfi Coast for both beach and art lovers. One of the last towns you’ll encounter traveling east along the coast, Vietri sul Mare is one of the quietest options.
Besides amazing ceramics, Vietri sul Mare also offers visitors incredible views that drew them to the Amalfi Coast in the first place. It’s not the most popular tourist destination, so you must deal with very few crowds during your trip if you stay here.
Salerno
As you come upon the Amalfi Coast’s eastern edge, you’ll find the quaint town of Salerno. A budget-friendly option, Salerno is a great place to consider staying as you plan your Amalfi Coast vacation.
It offers visitors amazing views and access to plenty of coastlines to enjoy. Salerno is also a great place to stay if you want to add day trips to other parts of Italy to your Amalfi Coast vacation. Within driving distance to Rome, Naples, and more, Salerno is a great hub if you’re planning on exploring Italy during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amalfi Coast
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is late spring and early fall. This means somewhere around late April through May and September through early October. These months provide visitors with the best weather and fun activities as the coast teems with life — residents and visitors.
Taking a trip to the Amalfi Coast during late spring and early fall affords visitors comfortable temperatures, typically in the mid-70s℉ during the day. Traveling during these months also guarantees that all the shops and restaurants in the area are open and accommodating visitors.
Many visitors may think that traveling during summer is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast, but these months are incredibly hot and extremely crowded. The heat can be so bad during these months that you won’t want to spend more than a few hours outside, and the crowds make it even less enjoyable.
How do you get around the Amalfi Coast?
The easiest way to get around the Amalfi Coast is to rent a car when you arrive. Not only will this give you total freedom to travel wherever you want whenever you want, but it also means you’ll be able to travel the entirety of the Amalfi Drive.
Like the hugely popular Pacific Coast Highway in the US, the Amalfi Drive is one of the most beautiful scenic drives anywhere in the world. It also connects all the major cities along the coast. So no matter where you want to go, driving the Amalfi Drive in a rental car is the best option.
Other popular methods of travel along the coast include public transport options like the bus and the ferry. Using these methods will take you to the most popular cities along the coast, but they simply won’t compare to the freedom of renting a rental car and enjoying the beautiful scenery at your own pace.
How long is the Amalfi Coast?
Amalfi Drive is the premier stretch of road that connects all the major cities of the Amalfi Coast. This roadway, also called Strada Statale 163, runs the length of the Amalfi Coast from the popular beach town of Positano in the west to the quaint town of Salerno in the east.
The Amalfi Drive runs for 50 miles (about 80 kilometers) along the Amalfi Coast and is the best way to experience the total length of the coast. Being only 50 miles long, it’s easy to see how staying anywhere along the Amalfi Coast still allows you to travel to any of the other towns nearby. You can drive from one side of the coast to another in only an hour or two.
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast for a honeymoon?
As mentioned above, Ravello is arguably the most romantic city along the Amalfi Coast. Set atop a mountain overlooking much of the coast, Ravello is the perfect place for a pair of newlyweds to wind down and enjoy the honeymoon of their dreams.
From various viewpoints in Ravello, you’ll be able to relax with that special someone and take in some of the best views of the Amalfi Coast. If you want to get the best aerial view around, make the journey to Villa Cimbrone and take a moment to relax on the terrace overlooking nearly the entire coast.
Along the way, you’ll walk through incredible gardens and breathtaking villas to add to the romantic ambiance. For your honeymoon, consider staying at one of the romantic resorts that Ravello has to offer, such as the Belmond Hotel Caruso or Hotel Villa Fraulo.
What is the most beautiful town on the Amalfi Coast?
Although beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder, it’s not hard to find beautiful cities along the Amalfi Coast. Choosing which one is the most beautiful, however, is a bit more of a challenge. But our picks for the most beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast are Positano and Ravello.
It depends on what you’re looking for, but if breathtaking beaches and picturesque water views are your things, Positano is the place for you. With incredible stretches of sandy beaches and piercing blue waters, you won’t be disappointed by what you see in Positano.
Secondly, as mentioned just above, Ravello offers the most amazing views of the entire Amalfi Coast to those who visit. So, although you don’t have direct access to the beaches in Ravello, you do have access to views of the beaches you won’t get anywhere else.
Where can you stay on the Amalfi Coast without a car?
If you are traveling to the Amalfi Coast without a car and don’t plan on renting one, staying in the central hub of Amalfi is the best choice. As the biggest city on the coast, Amalfi has plenty to do if you want to relax and stay in town. But it also provides access to all the public transport along the coast, so you can still travel without a car.
If you want to make a day trip to any other amazing cities along the coast, you’ll be able to find a bus or a ferry to get there. Take a trip to Positano for the amazing beaches. Or take a bus to visit the ruins of Pompeii and absorb the area’s history. Then it’s just a simple bus or ferry ride back to Amalfi.
Where do families stay on the Amalfi Coast?
While some more popular destinations like Amalfi and Positano offer many bars and active nightlife, they may not be the best options for family trips. If you want to find a quieter place to stay and enjoy the perfect family vacation, consider staying in Maori or the nearby town of Minori.
As mentioned above, Maori and Minori are strangely less crowded than other destinations along the coast even though Maori is home to the biggest beach in the area. So you and your family can relax on the beach while avoiding the big crowds of the other popular towns. Minori is even quieter than Maori and is home to some of the best pasta restaurants in Italy, perfect for a family vacation.
Where should you stay on the Amalfi Coast for swimming and beaches?
Although most towns along the Amalfi Coast offer visitors access to amazing beaches, this one’s pretty easy: Positano. The coastal town of Positano is home to two of the best beaches anywhere on the coast Spiaggia Grande and Spiaggia Fornillo. And if those beaches aren’t enough, the town has transportation options to nearly anywhere along the coast.
Positano is a near-paradise for anyone wanting to spend their Amalfi coast trip soaking in the sun and enjoying the crystal clear waters that Italy has to offer. But expect to find the beaches crowded during the high season and expensive accommodations due to their popularity.
Is it better to stay in Amalfi or Positano?
As two of the three most popular towns along the Amalfi Coast (the other being Sorrento), deciding where to stay can be a toss-up: Amalfi or Positano. It comes down to your preference and what you want to get from your Amalfi Coast vacation.
Amalfi is arguably the better of the two in terms of a central hub connecting to the rest of the coast. But Positano has the best beaches anywhere in the area. Even though each city is slightly better in these areas, both can do the other. Positano can be a great hub, and Amalfi has access to amazing beaches. So it comes down to personal preference. If you want a beach vacation, stay in Positano. If you want to travel to different places during your trip, stay in Amalfi.
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