Amalfi Coast

Is Amalfi town worth visiting in 2026?

Yes, but not for the beach. Amalfi town has a real cathedral, a lively piazza, and a historic paper mill. The shoreline is mostly concrete and pebbles. The real draw is the old stone alleys and the view from the hills above. If you want a sandy beach, go to Maiori or Minori instead. But for history and atmosphere, Amalfi beats Positano for raw character and lower prices.

How many days do you need?

If you only see Amalfi town, one full day is enough. To see the whole coast take 3 days. That gives you time for Amalfi, one or two smaller towns, a hike, and a boat trip. More than 5 days on the coast itself gets repetitive. Better to combine with a few days in Naples or Pompeii.

When to go

What to see

Amalfi Cathedral (Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea), The centerpiece. Climb the 62 steps to see the cloister and crypt. Ticket is 3 EUR for the cathedral, 5 EUR for the combined ticket including the museum and cloister. Allow 45 minutes. Skip the museum if short on time. Buy tickets at the door, no booking needed. The queue moves fast.

Chiostro del Paradiso, The Arab-Norman cloister attached to the cathedral. Peaceful and cool. Part of the 5 EUR ticket. 15 minutes.

Paper Museum (Museo della Carta), Old paper mill with working machinery. 4 EUR entry. 30 minutes. Interesting but not essential. Do it if you have rain or an extra hour.

Valle delle Ferriere, A nature trail starting from behind the cathedral. Free. 2 hours round trip to the waterfalls. Bring sturdy shoes. The path is shaded and cooler than town.

Ravello, A 20 minute bus ride up the hill. Villa Rufolo gardens cost 7 EUR. The view from the terrace is the best on the coast. Allow half a day. The bus costs 2.20 EUR each way. Buy tickets at the tabacchi shop before boarding.

Atrani, The quiet village next to Amalfi. 5 minutes on foot through a tunnel. No cars in the main square. Cheaper drinks and better pizza than in Amalfi piazza. Free to visit. Spend an hour wandering.

3-day itinerary

Day 1: Amalfi town

• 9:00 AM: Visit the cathedral and cloister. 1 hour.
• 10:30 AM: Walk through the historic center to the Paper Museum. 30 minutes.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at a side street osteria away from the port. Look for handwritten menus in Italian only.
• 2:00 PM: Hike Valle delle Ferriere. 2 hours.
• 5:00 PM: Walk or bus to Atrani for an aperitivo. Return for dinner in Amalfi.

Day 2: Ravello and the coast by boat

• 8:30 AM: Take bus 5110 or 5120 to Ravello. 20 minutes.
• 9:30 AM: Visit Villa Rufolfo. 1 hour.
• 11:00 AM: Walk to Villa Cimbrone (20 minutes, free gardens, 2 EUR suggested donation).
• 12:30 PM: Lunch on Ravello’s piazza with the view. Expect 15-18 EUR for a pasta dish.
• 2:30 PM: Bus back to Amalfi. Take a ferry to Positano (30 minutes, 12 EUR one way). Walk the beach and main road. Skip the shopping, prices are high.
• 6:00 PM: Ferry back to Amalfi. Last ferry at 7:00 PM in summer.

Day 3: The Path of the Gods or a beach day

• 7:30 AM: Take bus from Amalfi to Bomerano (30 minutes, 2.20 EUR). Start the Path of the Gods hike to Nocelle. 3 to 4 hours. Stunning views. Bring 1.5 liters of water per person.
• 12:00 PM: End at Nocelle. Walk down 1,500 steps to Positano or take the local bus.
• 1:30 PM: Ferry back to Amalfi from Positano.
• 3:00 PM: Beach at Duoglio (free public area, 15 minutes walk from town center). Swim and rest.
• 7:00 PM: Final dinner in Amalfi. Try the seafood at a place off the main drag.

Where to stay

Getting around

Ferries are the best option between towns. Amalfi to Positano costs 12 EUR one way and takes 30 minutes. Buy tickets at the port kiosk. Cash only at some booths. Summer ferries run from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Do not take the ferry in rough weather, it cancels.

Buses are cheap (2.20 EUR per ride) but slow and crowded. The SITA buses from Amalfi to Ravello or Positano are usually packed in summer. Taxis cost 30 to 50 EUR for a 20 minute ride. Negotiate the price before getting in.

Driving is a nightmare. The coastal road is narrow and parking costs 25 to 40 EUR per day. Skip the car unless you are staying in a hill town with private parking.

Walking between Amalfi and Atrani takes 5 minutes through a pedestrian tunnel. Walk to Duoglio beach in 15 minutes down the stairs.

Budget

Mistakes to avoid

Eating at the port. The restaurants with plastic menus and waiters outside shouting in English serve mediocre food at high prices. Walk 200 meters inland. If the menu has photos, keep walking.

Buying ferry tickets from touts. Go to the official kiosk at the port. Touts on the street sell the same ticket for 2-3 EUR more.

Not booking accommodation by February. Amalfi is small and hotels fill up for June through September. Book by February for 2026 summer. You will pay double or find nothing if you wait.

Skipping the early morning. By 10:00 AM in July, the cathedral steps are packed with day trippers. Start at 8:00 AM to have the place to yourself.

Thinking you can swim in style. The public beach at Amalfi is a narrow strip of pebbles. Private beach clubs charge 15-25 EUR for a deck chair. The water is clean but the beach is not a resort.

Trying to visit Capri and Amalfi in one day. The boat trip from Amalfi to Capri takes at least 1 hour. The queues for the Blue Grotto are over 2 hours in summer. Do Capri as a separate trip.

Relying on phone GPS for hikes. The cell signal drops in the valleys. Download your maps offline before you start walking.

Common questions (FAQ)