The Amalfi Coast is 50km of vertical coastline — 13 towns clinging to cliffs between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. The distances look short on a map. In reality: the road has 1,000+ hairpin turns, buses are packed in summer, and driving yourself is stressful (narrow roads, Italian drivers, zero parking). The key insight: the Amalfi Coast rewards STAYING, not touring. Pick 1-2 bases, explore slowly, and let the sunset-aperitivo-dinner rhythm take over. Day trip from Naples: possible but unsatisfying. 2 nights: the minimum. 3-5 nights: the sweet spot.
Plan my Amalfi stay →Technically possible. Emotionally unsatisfying. You'll spend 3-4h on transport (bus/ferry each way), arrive at 11am when it's already crowded, see ONE town (probably Positano or Amalfi), eat a rushed overpriced lunch, and leave before the magic hour (5-7pm when the light turns golden and the day-trippers leave). Our honest advice: If you absolutely cannot stay overnight, take the ferry from Naples to Positano (1h, €20-25), walk around for 4h, and ferry back. But you'll see the surface, not the soul. Rome day trips →
Base: Amalfi town (central, ferry connections, affordable relative to Positano) OR Praiano (quieter, cheaper, the sunset village). Day 1: Arrive by SITA bus from Sorrento or ferry from Naples. Settle in, explore your base town, sunset dinner. Day 2: Morning: Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) hike — 7km from Bomerano to Nocelle, 3h, the most spectacular coastal hike in Italy. Views of the entire coast from 500m above the sea. Afternoon: Bus or walk down to Positano (the pastel cascade, the beach, the gelato). Ferry back to your base. Day 3 (departure morning): Quick visit to Ravello (the hilltop gardens, Villa Cimbrone). Depart. 2 nights gives you: one hike, one town exploration, one Ravello visit. Rushed but rewarding.
Day 1: Arrive, explore base town, sunset aperitivo. Day 2: Boat tour (half-day, €30-60/person group or €150-250 private) — swim stops at hidden coves, see the coast from the sea, possible Capri glimpse. Day 3: Path of the Gods hike (morning) → Positano (afternoon) → dinner at your base. Day 4 (departure): Morning at Ravello (the Belvedere of Villa Cimbrone — €10, the Terrace of Infinity). Depart. 3 nights = the hike + the boat + the towns. The sweet spot for most visitors.
Day 1: Arrive, settle, explore base. Day 2: Full-day Capri excursion (ferry from Amalfi, 1.5h — Blue Grotto, Monte Solaro, Anacapri). Day 3: Path of the Gods + Positano beach afternoon. Day 4: Ravello (full morning — both Villa Cimbrone AND Villa Rufolo gardens + cathedral) + Amalfi town (the Duomo, the Paper Museum). Day 5: Boat tour + hidden coves + sunset from the water. Day 6 (departure): Morning at the beach. Depart for Naples/Rome. 5 nights = everything + rest time. The luxury of not rushing on a coastline that demands slowness. Amalfi vs Cinque Terre → · Best time →