The Amalfi coast is one of the most visited destinations in Italy and there is no questioning why. It is a truly beautiful coastline with colourful houses decorating the rugged hills and crystal blue waters below. This area of Southern Italy’s coastline is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 13 small towns, countless beaches and beautiful views. I know from experience that planning a trip to the Amalfi coast can be daunting – with so many cities to visit, not knowing how to get around, or what to do there. In this 4-day Amalfi coast itinerary I have outlined everything you will want to see and do during your 4 days on the Amalfi coast and all the details you will need to plan the perfect trip.

I have been lucky enough to visit the Amalfi coast twice in the last few years – two very different experiences but both as incredible as the other. The first time, we were students on a very tight budget. We stayed just outside the Amalfi coast to save money and were held back a little by our struggle on finding information about how to get around and what to do. Returning one year later made planning so much easier. This time we knew more about each town, where the best place to stay is, how to get the most out of every experience. Now I want to share all those travel tips with you.   

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Included in this guide and itinerary for 4 days in the Amalfi coast:

• How To Get to The Amalfi Coast
• The Best Place to Stay on The Amalfi Coast
• How To Travel Between the Towns on The Amalfi Coast
• 4-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Tours and Activities

How to get to the Amalfi coast

For this blog post, I will assume that you are travelling to the Amalfi coast from Rome. This is only short trip and is takes around 2 to 4.5 hours depending what option you take. The main ways to get from Rome to the Amalfi coast are by either taking the bus directly from Rome to the Amalfi coast or taking the train to Sorrento and then the bus or train to your accommodation. Below you will find more details about each option.

Taking the bus from Rome to the Amalfi coast

This is no doubt the easiest way to get from Rome to the Amalfi coast. There is a bus that goes directly from Rome’s central station to Positano. The bus runs 5 days a week, leaving Rome at 7am and arriving in Positano at 11.30am (4.5hours). This trip is very easy and the best option if you are already planning on spending the night before in Rome and have a lot of luggage. However, it does take much longer than the other options. The bus costs around 23 euro per person.

Rome to the Amalfi coast by train, bus, or ferry

Rome to Sorrento

Depending where along the coast you are staying, this could be the best way to reach your accommodation! First, you will need to take the train from Rome to Naples. You can book this ticket on the day, or in advance if you are travelling in a busier season). From Naples, you will need to take the Circumvesuviana line to Sorrento. This is more of a commuter train and runs around every 30 minutes. You can either buy the ticket in Rome or Naples. This train can get busy in the summer. When it is so hot outside, it can feel a bit claustrophobic so I recommend trying to find a seat next to the window if you can.

An additional tip for this trip is that you can add in a day trip to Pompeii, the ancient city located half-way between Rome and Sorrento. To do this, you can take the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii, spend a few hours wandering around, and then continue to Sorrento.

Sorrento to the Amalfi coast by bus

Sorrento is sort of the gateway to the Amalfi coast. From Sorrento, there are a few options to get to your accommodation. The first is the SITA bus which runs from Sorrento to Amalfi. You will get to know this bus very well over the next few days. The bus ride takes 2 hours in total and stops at all the different towns along the Amalfi coast along the way. This is a simple option, especially if you are staying somewhere like Praiano where there is no possibility to take the ferry. You will see the bus stop to the right as soon as you exit Sorrento train station. Tickets can be bought at most shops and outlets in the Amalfi area, including at the bus station in Sorrento.

You can find all the information you will need about the bus on this page.

Time by bus from Sorrento to:

• Positano: €2.00 and takes 1hour
• Praiano: €2.40 and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Amalfi: € 2.90 and takes 12 hours and 40 minutes

Sorrento to the Amalfi coast by ferry

Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Sorrento to capri, Positano and Amalfi. This is a much quicker option but also a bit more expensive. To get to the ferry terminal you will need to walk through the town of Sorrento. It is best to buy ferry tickets in advance if you can as they have a limited number of spots available. I have linked each ferry trip below along with their times and prices.

Ferries from:

• Sorrento to Capri: Takes 25 minutes and costs around 26
• Sorrento to Positano: Takes 20 minutes to 1 hour and costs around €22
• Sorrento to Amalfi: Takes 1 hour and costs around €22

The Best Places to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

There are hundreds of different hotels and B&Bs to choose from along the Amalfi Coast depending on your budget. Below I have outlined both where we stayed and a few other options that within each price bracket. Bear in mind that the prices of accommodation along the Amalfi Coast very much increases in peak season. If you are trying to travel on a budget it can be very much worth looking at visiting in the off-season where prices go from €600 to €300 a night.

Luxury Stays Along the Amalfi Coast

• Hotel Villa Franca: This is a dream resort if you are looking for a little luxury on your travels. The rooftop pool and the breakfast balcony alone, looking out over the hills of Positano, make this place worth the money.

• Casa Giovanna Positano: Still on the more expensive side, Casa Giovanna is the perfect place for anyone who wants to stay in Positano, wake up looking over the beautiful coastline, but not pay thousands of euros a night.

• Le Sirenuse: This is a beautiful hotel located centrally in Positano – very well known for its picturesque pool and bright red building that blends into the landscape.

Mid-budget/Affordable Stays Along the Amalfi Coast

Hotel Villa Bellavista

This is the hotel we stayed in the second time we were on the Amalfi Coast, and I recommend it with all my heart. Nestled in the cliffs of Praiano, Hotel Villa Bellavista is a beautiful, well-located hotel that feels like luxury at an affordable price. Being in Praiano, a less-visited area of the coastline, the town itself is very sleepy. There are close restaurants nearby and a beautiful bar (there more details on both in the 4-day Itinerary). The cheaper rooms are quite simple – We stayed in a small room with no windows or balcony for only €120 a night (2 people). For this we still had access to the communal balcony/ terrace area where there was a beautiful view.You can find the hotel on this page.

Around the same price range:

• Santiago vacation home in Positano: This holiday home is perfect if you are a bigger group travelling together. Located in central Positano with an incredible view out over the mountain, this property is very much affordable.
• Albergo S. Andre: A very beautiful hotel located in the heart of Amalfi. It is the perfect location to take ferries to other cities and has a beautiful view of the Cathedral.

Budget Stays Along The Amalfi Coast

If you are looking to visit on a budget, the best way can be to stay either in Sorrento or slightly further down the coast. Below are a few options:

Vico Equense – An Amalfi Coast Budget Option

During our first visit to the Amalfi Coast, we stayed in the nearby town of Vico Equense. This is not on the Amalfi Coast, but a little further north, along the line. Our hotel – Giardino 21 Marzo – was a beautiful place, located right on top of the mountain with a pool overlooking the coast. In the mornings, we head to the train station and “commute” to Sorrento (15 minutes) where we took the ferry or bus to explore the different towns of the Amalfi Coast. It was perhaps not the simplest, but it was very budget friendly, and we ended up enjoying our time there a lot. Find the hotel on this page.

A few similar options closer to the Amalfi Coast are:

• Seven Hostel and Rooms: A very affordable hostel in Sorrento with shared dormitories and private rooms. It is the ideal base for budget travellers or solo travellers to explore the Amalfi Coast.
• La Casetta: A very cosy little B&B north of Amalfi. It is not too close to the coast but is very easily accessible with the bus.The location is very peaceful, with a beautiful outdoor terrace. This is the best for anyone looking for a slow, calm vacation in the south of Italy.

How to Travel Between the Towns on the Amalfi Coast

As I mentioned before, there are two ways to travel between the towns on the Amalfi Coast. These are by ferry or by bus.

Travelling the Amalfi Coast by Ferry

The ferries go between all the major towns on the coastline and cost around €22 one way. The ferries can be booked in advance which I recommend (on the day or the day before) especially if you are travelling in the summer. This is truthfully the best option for transport as it is much quicker than the bus and you get beautiful views over the coastline along the trip.

Travelling the Amalfi Coast by Bus

The SITU but which runs from Sorrento to Amalfi is the other option to travel around the Amalfi Coast. The bus is great as it is cheap – around €2 for a single ticket and €12 for a day ticket – and it takes the mountain road so passes all the smaller villages that the ferry doesn’t go to. However, in the summer the bus can get busy, and you might find there is not space on the bus at the time you want to catch it – especially if you are getting on half-way along the bus route in Positano or Praiano.

You can purchase bus ticket at most shops and hotels along the Amalfi Coast. It is worth noting that you should buy one in advance as you cannot buy them on board and in some places, it is quite a distance to the nearest ticket outlet. We bought our tickets from a small shop in Praiano and ended up buying 2-day tickets (we caught the ferry on the other days).

4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Day 1: Beach Hopping around Praiano

After travelling for three weeks around the Dolomites, Venice, and a road trip through Tuscany, we wanted to take this part of our trip a bit more slowly. So, we decided to spend day 1 of our 4 days on the Amalfi Coast exploring the town of Praiano as it was where our hotel was located. This day is therefore quite slow but was one of my favourites of our trip. We bought two single bus tickets in the morning for use during the day.

Praiano Town

Praiano is one of the more underrated towns along the Amalfi Coast – but my personal favourite. What it lacks in the beautiful of its neighbours like Positano, it makes up for in character. Praiano is a much less busy part of the coastline with two main beaches and a very small village. Starting the day, we walked from Hotel Villa Bellavista down to the harbour down the Via Terramare Coastal Path. Make sure to stop at the Torre a mare monument on your way past. At the end of the coastal path, you will find yourself in Marina di Praia, the harbour area and one of the town’s best beaches. Spend an hour of so enjoying the beach here.

Fiordo di Furore

One of the most picturesque beaches on the Amalfi Coast is Fiordo di Furore. To get here, you will need to catch the bus from Marina di Praia. The bus takes around 15 minutes. The beach is famous for it being located at the bottom of a canyon, between two steep cliffs, with an arched bridge that runs over the top. To get to the beach, you will need to follow one of the two paths and take the stairs down to the sand.

Lunch at Che Bontà

Che Bontà was our go-to spot for lunch and dinner while we were on the Amalfi Coast (I think we ate here 4 times?). This is one of those places that looks very unassuming from the outside – a very simple restaurant just by the side of the road. We were recommended to go here by the staff in our hotel and were so thankful. We always ordered a pizza or pasta and the green side salad and it honestly amazing – probably the best meal we had during our time on the Amalfi Coast and the best price.

La Gavitella Restaurant and Beach

Spend the afternoon down at La Gavitella beach club. This little beach is the perfect spot for a slow afternoon, sat reading your book and swimming in the Mediterranean water. The beach club takes up most of the beach, with bright orange umbrellas and lounge chairs available for hire. You can book these online or just ask for one when you turn up. However, you do not need to hire a beach chair to swim here. If you walk past the beach club, you will find a small public area where you are free to set up your towel or beach chair for the afternoon.

Sunset drinks at Café Mirante

A visit to Café Mirante is a must while you are in Praiano. Kind of off the grid, on the coastal path down to La Gavitella, this cocktail bar is a hidden gem. It is the perfect place for a pre-dinner or sunset drink with an amazing view over the coastline. Even on the days we were off exploring other towns along the Amalfi Coast, we always ended up here at the end of the day. 

Dinner at Cialì Bistrot

The other restaurant we were recommended to visit by our hotel was Cialì Bistrot. This is a small restaurant with a very calming atmosphere. The dishes were all complex and thought out – classic flavours served a contemporary way. This place has racked up quite a reputation, so I recommend booking in advance if you want to eat here.

Tours and Activities in Praiano

Day 2: Ravello and Amalfi

Day 2 out of 4 on the Amalfi Coast is a day trip to the towns of Amalfi and Ravello. For today’s trip you will either need to catch the ferry to Amalfi, or the bus. From Amalfi there is a separate bus line which takes you to Ravello. Below is a list of the best things to do in Amalfi and Ravello.

Amalfi

Amalfi is the biggest town along the Coast and the one with the most history. In medieval times, a significant shipyard and port, the buildings of Amalfi very much still reflect its past. I recommend spending at least half a day here, so you have time to visit the Arsenale della Republica (medieval port), the Amalfi Duomo, take a swim and meander around the streets. Make sure to also walk around the coast to the smaller town of Atrani. This is a much quieter town and gives more of an authentic vibe.

Things to do in Amalfi

• Visit Arsenale della Republica: Amalfi’s medieval port and shipyard
• The Amalfi Duomo (Duomo di Sant’Andrea): The intricate cathedral in the centre of Amalfi town with a baroque style interior.
• The Paper Museum (Museo Della Carta): Discover Amalfi’s historical past as a centre for the papermaking industry.
• Take a trip at Spiaggia Grande Beach: Amalfi’s main beach close to the city centre.
• Hike around Valle delle Ferriere: This beautiful 6km hike shows the hidden side of Amalfi as you wander through dense forest passing waterfalls and lemon groves.
• Walk to Atrani (15 minutes) for a quieter town

Tours and Activities in Amalfi

Ravello

In the afternoon head to Ravello. Ravello is known to be the most romantic place on the Amalfi coast, often overlooked as it is not so much on the tourist track. I recommend leaving yourself around 2 to 3 hours to visit Ravello. That is all you need for visiting the beautiful villas and wandering around the town.

Things to do in Ravello

• Wander around the town centre making sure to visit Duomo di Ravello and Piazza Duomo
• Stroll around Villa Rufolo: The 13^th Century villa with beautiful gardens and a view over the coastline
• Visit Villa Cimbrone: The 11th century villa with the famous Infinity Terrace which is one of the best viewpoints on the Amalfi Coast

Tours and Activities in Ravello

Day 3: Day Trip to Capri

If you have 4 days on the Amalfi Coast something you cannot miss is a day trip to Capri. While technically not on the Amalfi Coast, the island of Capri is a summer paradise, filled with beautiful beaches, viewpoints, and coastal villages. It is the perfect place to take a boat trip out to see the famous rock formation Faraglioni or take a trip to the infamous Blue Grotto.

How to get to Capri

There are several ways to get to Capri. The first being taking the ferry from Positano, Sorrento or Amalfi. The ferries leave once or twice an hour and are quite quick. This is a good option for a day trip if you want transport to Capri but to spend the day doing your own thing.

Ferry times:

Positano to Capri: 30 minutes and €30

Amalfi to Capri: 30 to 50 minutes and €30

Sorrento to Capri: 25 minutes and €26

Capri Boat Tour

On our second trip we took a boat tour to Capri. If you are tossing up between the guided tour or ferry, I would recommend the boat trip. We were staying in Praiano so firstly it was very convenient to be picked up by the tour company at Marina di Praia rather than needing to first catch the bus to Positano for the ferry. This turned out to be the best part of our trip as we were the only guests staying in Praiano. It was like we had a private boat tour around the coast, docking in Positano to pick up other guests before heading to Capri.

The other thing I enjoyed about the tour was it made the day trip to Capri a little more special. Instead of heading straight to the island, we stopped for a swim on the way, circled around Faraglioni, explored some caves, and still got a few hours of our own time to explore Capri. We met some other nice people and had the best day.

You can find the tour we took on this page.

Things To Do On Capri

Visit Anacapri

Anacapri sits on the higher side of the island and is the much more relaxed, slow-paced municipality of Capri. This is my personal favourite area of the island – much more creative with artisan workshops and picturesque streets opposed to the most high-end fashion boutiques you’ll find in Capri town. In Anacapri, wander around the historic neighbourhood of Quartiere Boffe, visit the 16^th century Church of Santa Sofia, and head to the ruins of Villa Damecuta.

How to get to Anacapri

To get to Ana Capri from Marina Grande you can either catch the bus to Piazza Vittoria (15 minutes) or catch a taxi. While this is the cheaper option, from my experience the bus can be very busy, and you can end up waiting for 2 or 3 different buses before there is space for you to get on. The other option is to take a taxi. This is an experience itself – travelling to the peaks of the island in open topped car with the wind blowing through your hair. Taxi’s cost around €25 from Marine Grande port to Anacapri. 4 people can fit in a taxi so we shared one with some others in our tour group to save on cost.

Take the chair lift to Mount Solero

From Anacapri, take the chair lift to Mount Solero. This chairlift is a very special experience, as you sit on a single chair heading up the mountain for 13 minutes. From Mount Solero, there is a beautiful view over Faraglioni and lovely gardens to wander around. Heading back down you can either take the cliff path of catch the chairlift back.

Visit the Blue Grotto

The blue grotto, or Grotta Azzurra in Italian, is probably the most iconic place on Capri – a natural sea cave known for its beautiful bright blue waters. The only way into the blue grotto is by wooden rowboat, where by a skipper guides you through the 60m long cave. Entry to the blue grotto costs €18 and a trip through the cave takes 5 to 10 minutes. The queue, however, can be much longer.

The Blue Grotto is closed to the public when the weather conditions are not optimal. Unfortunately, this has been the case for us on both visits to Capri and I have heard it is quite common on the island. So be prepared that you may not be able to visit the Blue Grotto on your day trip.

Tours and Activities in Capri

Day 4: Positano

If you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast there is no doubt you have already heard of Positano – the most picturesque and vibrant town in the area. Spending at least one full day in Positano is a must during your 4-day Amalfi Coast Itinerary. To get to Positano, you will either need to catch the bus or the ferry, as with all other day trips (unless you are already staying there). As this is the last day of your short trip to the Amalfi Coast, it can be good to also consider fitting in any things you didn’t have time for on the few days before.

Things to do in Positano

Take a swim at Spiaggia Grande

The main beach of Positano, this is the best place to swim for that iconic view of the colourful mountaintop houses. However, in peak season it can be a bit of a nightmare here, with only a small area for the public on the very pebbly beach. You can, instead, book a beach chair on the beach for around €20.

Hike the Path of the Gods

An absolute must if you enjoy hiking and aren’t visiting in peak summer when temperatures are soaring, is to walk the Path of the Gods. This beautiful hiking path runs from Positano, past the nearby town of Nocelle and onwards to Agerola, with amazing views the entire time. The trail is a total of 7km (plus the walk up to Nocelle) and takes 2 – 3 hours. If you are hiking in the warmer months, it can be best to do it in the early morning.

If you are worried about the heat or haven’t done much hiking before it can be good to take a guided tour.

Wander around the town

The real charm of Positano is in the backstreets and small boutiques, lined with flowers, bring colours, lemons, and artisan crafts. Make sure to spend a bit of time wandering around, exploring the town, and just taking in the summery atmosphere.

Tours and Activities in Positano

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need to visit Amalfi?

You need at least 3 days to properly visit the Amalfi Coast without rushing your time in each town. This will allow you to visit Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Praiano, and Capri.

Is 4 nights in Positano too long?

4 nights in Positano is not too long. Positano is the perfect place to base yourself for day trips around the Amalfi Coast. With 4 nights in Positano, you will be able to spend time in the town, but also visit Amalfi, Capri, and the other towns along the coastline.

Is it better to stay in Positano or Sorrento?

Whether it is better so stay in Positano or Sorrento depends on what sort of trip you are looking for. Both are easily accessible with ferries or the bus to take you to the nearby towns, however, Positano is much more expensive than Sorrento.

What is better Cinque Terre or Amalfi coast?

Both the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are very special places that cannot be compared to one another. If you want a relaxes beachside vacation with a little luxury then I would recommend the Amalfi Coast, but if you enjoy hiking and something a bit more casual then the Cinque Terre would be the best option.

What are the cheapest months to visit Amalfi Coast?

The cheapest time to visit the Amalfi Coast is in the off season – from October to April. At these times, accommodation can be up to 50% cheaper with more and the weather is often still very pleasant.

Tours and Activities

The Best 4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary – Tips and Travel Guide

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful areas of Italy, with colourful hilltop houses, dramatic coastlines, wonderful beaches, and scenic restaurants. This 4 day Itinerary for visiting the Amalfi Coast will take you to the best towns – Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri, and Praiano – as well as some of the best swimming spots.

Exploring more of Italy? Check out these posts:

• 8 Days in the Dolomites
• The Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• 3 week Italy Itinerary
• 2 Days in Venice – The Best Things to See and Do
• Venice to Rome – The Ultimate Tuscan Road Trip
• All Italy Guides