The Perfect Amalfi Coast Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal (1 or 5 – 7 Day Stay Ideas)

Last Updated on 1st August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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The gorgeous and dramatic stretch of the Amalfi Coast is like no other place in Italy, or indeed the world. Best explored over several days to truly soak up the area’s ambience, sample a smattering of local dishes, and enjoy several gorgeous sunsets, here’s your ultimate Amalfi Coast Itinerary.

I have created a one-day in the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary (see below), but if you’re staying longer, there are suggestions for 5 days or 7 days on the Costiera Amalfitana.

The first five days will concentrate solely on the Amalfi Coast, while day six and seven will be spent at nearby attractions and destinations. If you don’t have a full week available, then you can follow just the first five days of this itinerary.

Where is the Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast is in Southern Italy, just south of the city of Naples (the 4th largest metropolitan area in Italy). Located in the Province of Salerno (which is one of the largest towns on the stretch of coastline), Amalfi is a particular length of coastline of the Salerno Gulf on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The Amalfi Coast draws millions of visitors every year thanks to its dramatic coastal towns, stunning turquoise blue waters, and winding narrow streets. Please note that the name Amalfi is not only used to designate the stretch of coastline but is also the name of one of the most prominent towns on the coastal stretch.

What if you only have one day on the Amalfi Coast?

If you only have one day to spend on the Amalfi Coast then I recommend focusing on the major sites that the area has to offer: Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano. I would personally start by heading to Ravello, where hilltop villas overlook the mountainous sea cliffs that the region is so famous for.

Then, you’ll want to head on to Amalfi where the glitzy glamour of the town soon becomes apparent. Some of the must-see things to do in town include a visit to the Paper Museum, sipping on limoncello at the Amalfi Lemon Experience and wandering through the Cloisters of Paradise.

If you would prefer for all of the transport details to be taken care of for you, then I would opt for a boat cruise (cruises depart from Salento regularly, but typically a full-day one begins first thing in the morning).

Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary

For this itinerary, you’ll want to have access to your own vehicle. I recommend renting the smallest car possible (which is typically a Fiat 500) so that you can complete this suggested driving route at your leisure.

Day 1 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Positano and the Path of the Gods 

Start your travels by visiting undoubtedly the most famous town on the Amalfi Coast, Positano. Nestled between an enclave of mountainous hills, the town is famed for its splash of colourful pastel-hued houses that are dreamily painted across the jagged coastline.

Positano is abundant with things to do, however, the town itself is quite small so can easily be seen in a day, still leaving time for you to explore the Path of Gods hiking trail and soak up breathtaking views.

Begin your day by simply wandering around and getting lost in Positano’s winding maze of narrow streets, from here you are likely to come across a cosy café where you can start by indulging in a traditional Italian breakfast.

After breakfast head to see the little miniature village models (generally small shrines to honour the Virgin Mary), which can be found scattered across the towns of the Amalfi Coastline and are often tucked away in a roadside.

Then, head to the beach! Of course, one of the greatest joys of visiting coastal towns is their abundance of beautiful beaches. Spiaggia Grande is the main beach of Positano, but there are four beaches in total to choose from. Generally, Arienzo Beach Club is the quietest as it’s only reachable by boat or a steep set of stairs.

Enjoy a seaside lunch, thanks to the obvious proximity to the sea, here is where you’ll find some of the finest and freshest seafood you can imagine! Although, it’s worth noting that if you wish to have a sit-down meal in the town be sure to book in advance, particularly during the peak season.

Spend the afternoon doing one of the most popular activities in the town, shopping. Positano is particularly well-known for its clothing boutiques, handmade sandals, and colourful ceramics which feature local motifs such as lemons and olives.

Once the temperatures have cooled a little in the late afternoon, take yourself on the Amalfi Coast’s most popular hiking route and marvel at stunning views that are sure to take your breath away! The Path of Gods is considered to be a moderately challenging route so wear comfy shoes and bring lots of water.

End your day with a limoncello spritz, a sunset view and a delicious dinner! Many people say that the best time to see Positano is after dark when the pastel houses are illuminated and moonlight is reflected across the water…and to be honest, I couldn’t agree more.

Day 2 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Furore, Praiano & San Michele 

Travel to a “town that doesn’t exist” thanks to the fjord-like gorge that sits bang in the middle of it. As there’s no main square, or town for that matter, your visit to Furore will be centred around visiting the natural landscape and beach.

Furore is famed for its impressive huge stone arch that connects over a magnificent sparkling gorge. Spend the morning here hiking, exploring the hidden coves and taking a dip in the warming waters of the Mediterranean Sea on the hidden pebble beach below the arch.

Next, head to another quiet town which is perched high above on the cliffs, Praiano. Find somewhere to grab lunch, Ristorante Il Pino offers spectacular views overlooking the azure sea, or you could head to a shop and pick up some local delights to enjoy on the main beach Marina di Praia tucked between two looming cliff faces.

Spend a little time exploring Praiano, the village is pretty small so you’ll only need 2-3 hours depending on how long you choose to sit and soak up the leisurely pace of life here. A particular highlight not to be missed when visiting is the beautiful Church of St. Gennaro, which stands as the only building of baroque architecture along the Amalfi Coast. 

Head over to the neighbouring town, San Michele ******

Day 3 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello & Pontone 

What you may not know is that the Amalfi Coast takes its name from the jewel town, Amalfi itself. According to legends, the Roman god Hercules fell in love with a nymph called Amalfi. When she died, Hercules wanted to bury her in the most beautiful place on earth and thus decided on this town.

First, stop for coffee and a sweet pastry and enjoy breakfast like a local! Then, start exploring Amalfi town by visiting some of its most unique sights. You’ll likely need to set aside 2-3 hours to see the town, possibly more time if you want to relax on the beach as well.

See centuries-old machinery at work for yourself at The Paper Museum, then learn and taste sun-kissed lemons at the Amalfi Lemon Experience. Also not to be missed is the small pocket of peace, The Cloister of Paradise, which is set within the town’s Duomo and was built between 1266 and 1268. 

On the street, Ruga Nova Mercatorum, you’ll find shops selling treasures such as traditional homemade ceramics, which make for the perfect souvenir to bring home and remember your trip!

Next, take a short ten-minute walk through a not-so-obvious pedestrian tunnel (as if walking through a secret passageway) and you’ll find the charming fishing village, Atrani. This tiny village is attached to that of Amalfi, so many people often think of it as the same place. 

Here you can spend some time relaxing on the beach, which is often quieter than that of the bustling Amalfi Town and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants by the waterfront. Le Palme serves mouthwatering Italian pizza and offers vegan options.

After filling up with delicious Italian food, you can either hike to the next town or drive (the hike from Amalfi to Ravello takes approximately 50 minutes one-way).

Walking along paths rich with history which boast spectacular views is truly an enchanting way to reach the beautiful town of Ravello. However, the route can be quite challenging, with quite a few steep inclines at points, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Once in Ravello, you will be able to explore treasures such as the immaculate gardens of a historic villa which dates back to the 11th century and is a beautiful example of Italianate architecture. Here, you will also find the Terrace of Infinity, which is as romantic as the name suggests, offering views overlooking the picture-perfect town and beyond.

Ravello is full of charm and ideally, you’ll want to set aside 3-4 hours for your visit. Particularly if you happen to be visiting during July and August as the town comes to live with a two-month-long festival celebrating all things music!

End your day in the hilltop village of Pontone, the oldest settlement of the Amalfi Coast. Thanks to its position atop the hillside of Mount Pontone, the village boasts stunning views as well as being an idyllic spot for (even more) hiking in the surrounding nature trails!

The village can be reached by foot from Amalfi if you are willing to climb the steep ascent of 750 steps (which may be a lot considering the amount of hiking already). The picturesque medieval village is the prime spot to watch the sunset, and there are a few local restaurants where you can have dinner.

Day 4 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Minori, Maiori, Vietri sul Mare & Cetara

Begin another delightful day on the Amalfi Coast in the charming town of Minori. This small town is a little lesser known so start the day off wandering the narrow maze of streets and soaking up the tranquility of the town as you sip on morning coffee.

One of the must-see sights in the quaint town is the lemon-coloured cathedral, Basilica of Saint Trofimena which is dedicated to the female saint, Trofimena. Then, book yourself on a ‘Lemon Tour’ and immerse yourself in the old rural life, learning all about the cultivation and importance of lemons to the coastline heritage.

You can walk from Minori to Maiori via the Path of Lemons, which is one of the most evocative trails that takes you through an abundance of lemon groves (the walk takes 1.5 hours and is moderately challenging).

In Maiori stop for lunch and soak up the views, then head to the beach, which is the biggest stretch of beach in the whole of the Amalfi Coast! A historic Norman Tower looms over the beach. Here you can relax, go for a dip and explore Grotta del Pandora, which are hidden coves only reachable by sea.

Spend the afternoon in the ‘Ceramic Capital of the Coast’, Vietri sul Mare. You’ll want to set aside at least 2-3 hours minimum to fully experience the charm of this town. And, the best way to experience Vietri sul Mare is to simply wander around and get lost down the narrow winding streets.

A highlight, of course, is a visit to the Vietri Ceramics Museum which is dedicated to the heritage and history of all things ceramic. And, if time allows, this town is one of the best places to get your hands deep in some clay and make your very own ceramics!

Before leaving the ceramic haven, shop for a souvenir or two and head to the viewpoint of the town where you can take in panoramic views of Vietri sul Mare before heading over to the final stop of the day.

End your day in the delightful fishing town of Cetara, which is most famous for its seafood and is known as the ‘World Tuna Capital’. Of course no trip to Cetara would be complete without a visit to a tuna shop, where you can taste the delights and learn more about the importance of the town’s maritime heritage.

Full of character and charm, there’s only one main street that runs along the town, where you’ll find an abundance of vibrant and colourful restaurants, shops and cosy cafes and here you will also see the beautiful Saint Peter’s Church.

You can also visit the 16th-century defensive tower which houses a small museum dedicated to the fishing roots of Cetara as well as Anchovy Colatura (where you can see the ancient barrels in which the amber liquid was once stored).

Find a restaurant to have dinner in by Cetara’s beautiful port area and enjoy dinner by the sea eating some of the freshest Italian cuisine!

Day 5 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Capri or boat ride & dinner in Sorrento

Opt to take a boat ride and spend the day visiting the beautiful island of Capri! Simply hop on a ferry from Sorrento to Capri. The island is famed for its fascinating rock formations, stretches of dramatic coastlines and crystal clear waters, its natural beauty alone is enough reason to visit!

Aside from its breathtaking natural beauty, the island is scattered with churches, museums, delicious cuisine and world-class shopping. Start here by watching the world go by at the main Piazzetta and grab a coffee and pastry to fuel up for a day of exploring.

Next, head to the luscious green oasis, the Garden of Augustus, which is a terraced garden sprinkled with statues, overlooking breathtaking views. Then hike up the steep trail to see (and photograph) the iconic view overlooking Via Krupp.

Another popular attraction to visit while in Capri is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave which illuminates blue when the sun shines through. Spend a long and lazy afternoon at one of the many beaches, boasting sparkling blue waters that are dreamy to take a dip in.

Once you’ve got your fill of sunshine and swimming, go back into town and find a spot to have lunch before heading to the main shopping street, Via Camerelle. This elegant street might just be for window shopping as it’s quite a high end strip, but well worth a visit!

Take the ferry back to Sorrento, you’ll want to get there a little before dinner time so that you have enough time to explore the town. Sunny Sorrento is filled with treasures and is best known for its abundance of sun-kissed citrus fruits, namely lemons.

Wander around Sorrento’s historic old town which is known as Centro Storico, and find somewhere to enjoy a refreshing pre-dinner drink, I recommend a limoncello spritz!

Then you can head down to the Marina Grande and soak up views of the pastel-hued houses at the waterfront, before going down the narrow cobbled lanes to the main square Piazza Tasso and stopping at one of the many terraced cafés for a delicious and hearty Italian dinner.

For even more Sorrento inspiration, check out our guide on how to spend one day in Sorrento.

Day 6 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Pompeii and Herculaneum

Coming to the end of your trip, spend your penultimate day stepping in time and exploring some of Italy’s most important archaeological sites. Both ancient Roman cities are easily reached via public transport and the best place to take the train from is Sorrento.

It has to be said that the sheer size of Pompeii alone can seem vast and overwhelming, so you could either spend a whole day there or prioritise the main things to see before you visit. Herculaneum is much less visited and only a fraction of the site has been excavated so far, so there is much less to see, but it’s still worth the trip if you have time.

We’ve put together a guide on how to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, including advice on the best way to get there as well as options for self-guided and guided tours to take.

Day 7 on the Amalfi Coast suggested itinerary: Naples

If you have a final day to spend in the south of Italy, then I highly recommend taking the time to visit the wonderful and vibrant city of Naples. A gritty city with a lot of character and heaps of charm, Napoli (as it’s known in Italian) is one destination that you’ll remember for years to come. 

Filled with an array of historic monuments, churches, museums and galleries, Naples is brimming with cultural delights. A trip to this charming Italian city would be remiss without sampling the famed Neapolitan pizza! Naples is indeed the birthplace and origin of one of the world’s most popular and comforting foods.

One day is sufficient time to see Naples, although it has to be said that it will be quite a packed day as there’s a lot to see and enjoy. Luckily we’ve already made a one-day in Naples itinerary you’ll want to steal, to make your travels that bit easier and get the most out of your trip.

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