Costa Amalfitana, Italy: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Costa Amalfitana (Costiera Amalfitana in Italian) is the stretch of coastline in Campania that runs from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, on the southern side of the Sorrento peninsula. The towns step down the slopes of the Montes Lattari to the sea, with colorful houses, lemon terraces and churches topped by ceramic domes. Since 1997 the coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amalfi was a maritime republic trading with Constantinople and the East between the 9th and 12th centuries, and the cathedral of Sant'Andrea preserves that memory. Positano is the vertical village of narrow stepped alleys and a pebble beach. Ravello sits up high, around 350 meters above sea level, with the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone overlooking the Gulf of Salerno.

Getting around is part of the experience. The SS163 Amalfitana road is narrow and very winding, SITA buses connect the towns and, in season, boats run along the coast. Hikers can take the Sentiero degli Dei, a high trail between Agerola and Positano.

The region is the home of limoncello, a liqueur made from the local lemons, and of the carta di Amalfi, handmade paper produced since the Middle Ages.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Amalfi, Positano, Ravello.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Costa Amalfitana is

Contornos: ISTAT, limites administrativos 2026, CC BY 4.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Costa Amalfitana

✈ Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli (NAP), in Napoli · 70 km to Amalfi

✈ Aeroporto Salerno Costa d'Amalfi (QSR), in Pontecagnano Faiano · 45 km to Amalfi

Confirm before booking. The most commonly used airport is Naples (NAP). From Naples the Circumvesuviana train goes to Sorrento and regional trains go to Salerno; from there SITA buses or boats continue. From Rome, high-speed trains run to Salerno.

Suggested arrival point: Amalfi

Campânia · Costa Amalfitana Suggested arrival point

Amalfi

Amalfi, which gave its name to the coast, was a prosperous maritime republic between the 9th and 12th centuries. Today it is the hub for boats and buses in the region. The cathedral of Sant'Andrea, with the Chiostro del Paradiso, dominates the square; the Museo della Carta tells the story of handmade paper; Atrani is a 10-minute walk away; and from there you can reach the Grotta dello Smeraldo and the Greek temples of Paestum.

Campânia · Costa Amalfitana

Positano

Positano descends the hillside in steps down to the sea, with pastel-colored houses, narrow stair streets and shops selling linen clothing and handmade sandals. Below are the Spiaggia Grande and the church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its ceramic dome. Above, the Sentiero degli Dei reaches Nocelle, a small village belonging to Positano. There is no train station: you get there by bus or by boat.

Campânia · Costa Amalfitana

Ravello

Ravello sits high, about 350 meters above the sea, 7 kilometers from Amalfi. It is a town of gardens and music: Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner and hosts the Ravello Festival in summer, and Villa Cimbrone, with the Terrazza dell'Infinito overlooking the Gulf of Salerno. In the main square is the Duomo di Ravello, with 12th-century bronze doors.

The local experience

Things to do in Costa Amalfitana

Positano · Campânia · Church

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

The church with the green-and-yellow ceramic dome that appears in almost every photo of Positano, next to the beach, with the Byzantine icon of the Black Virgin on the altar.

Amalfi · Campânia · Cathedral

Duomo di Amalfi

The cathedral of Sant'Andrea, at the top of a staircase above the Piazza Duomo, with a striped façade, a tiled campanile, the crypt of the apostle Andrew and the Chiostro del Paradiso beside it.

Ravello · Campânia · Village

Villa Rufolo

Medieval villa of wealthy merchants, on the Piazza del Duomo in Ravello, with an Arab-Norman cloister, the Torre Maggiore and terraced gardens over the Gulf of Salerno that inspired Richard Wagner.

Amalfi · Campânia · Museum

Museo della Carta

Old paper mill in the Vale dos Moinhos, with water-driven machines that made the carta di Amalfi, the town's handmade paper, and a demonstration of how a sheet is made by hand.

See 7 more places in Costa Amalfitana

Positano · Campânia · Beach

Spiaggia Grande

The main beach of Positano, made of grey pebbles, with colorful umbrellas and the village rising in terraces behind it. Beside it, via a seaside trail, lies the quieter Fornillo beach.

Ravello · Campânia · Garden

Villa Cimbrone

Gardens of a historic villa on the tip of Ravello's promontory, with statues, small temples and the Terrazza dell'Infinito, a terrace of marble busts suspended over the Gulf of Salerno.

Amalfi · Campânia · Village

Atrani

Village neighboring Amalfi, one of the smallest communes in Italy by area, with a bar square on the beach, narrow covered lanes and the church of Santa Maria Maddalena above the sea.

Ravello · Campânia · Cathedral

Duomo di Ravello

Old cathedral of Ravello, from the 11th century, on the main square, with bronze doors from 1179, two pulpits with mosaics and the chapel of the patron saint San Pantaleone. It has a museum in the crypt.

Positano · Campânia · Trail

Sentiero degli Dei

Trail of about 7.8 km in the heights of the Montes Lattari, from Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle (Positano), with continuous views of the coast to the island of Capri. Almost all downhill in that direction.

Amalfi · Campânia · Grotto

Grotta dello Smeraldo

Sea grotto in Conca dei Marini, a few kilometers from Amalfi, where light entering through an underwater opening turns the sea emerald green. The visit is made by rowing boat inside the cave.

Amalfi · Campânia · Archaeological site

Parco Archeologico di Paestum

Ancient Greek city of Poseidonia, south of Salerno, with three large Doric temples standing, walls and a museum with the Tomba del Tuffatore. Day trip by train from Salerno.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The season runs from April to October, when boats usually operate and hotels and restaurants are open. May, June and September often offer good swimming conditions and fewer crowds than July and August, the hottest and busiest months. From November to March many services close and sea transport is reduced.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days are enough to see Amalfi, Positano and Ravello without rushing. With four or five days you can add the Sentiero degli Dei, a beach day and a trip to the Greek temples of Paestum. In a single day from Naples or Sorrento it's possible to visit Positano and Amalfi, but travel time on roads and boats is significant.

Which city to stay in

Amalfi is the most practical base: it's the hub for boats and buses, with easy access to Ravello, Atrani and Positano. Positano has the most famous view but is full of steps and more expensive in high season. Ravello is quieter and sits up high, good for those who prefer gardens over beaches. Maiori and Minori on the waterfront have wider beaches. Salerno and Sorrento, off the main coastal road, are better for travelers on a budget and for day trips.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Costa Amalfitana

Do you need a car on the Costa Amalfitana?

It is not necessary, and in most cases it's better not to have one. The SS163 is narrow, parking spaces are rare and paid, and during some holidays and high season there are driving restrictions by license plate for non-residents. SITA buses and boats connect the towns. If you rent a car, check traffic and circulation rules before you go.

How many days should you allow for the Costa Amalfitana?

Ideally three to five days. Three days cover Amalfi, Positano and Ravello; with more time you can add the Sentiero degli Dei, the Grotta dello Smeraldo, Atrani and Paestum.

Can you do a day trip from Naples or Rome?

From Naples yes, if you leave early: train to Salerno or Sorrento and then boat or bus, allowing time for one or two towns. From Rome the day becomes too long; it's better to spend at least one night on the coast.

Do the boats operate year-round?

No. Boat services between Salerno, Amalfi and Positano generally run from April to October, and departures depend on sea conditions. In winter transport is mainly by bus.

Costa Amalfitana

A region to enjoyat your own pace.