Amalfi Coast

Is it worth taking a boat tour?

Yes, it is the best way to see the coastline. A shared boat tour from Amalfi to Positano costs €40 per person (3 hours, departs 10 AM and 2 PM). You get 20 minutes to swim near the Li Galli islands. Private tours start at €250 (2 hours) for up to 6 people. I recommend the shared tour. It is cheaper and you meet people. Warning: skip the 'party boat' options. They are loud, drunk, and stop at no interesting sights.

Which hike do locals recommend?

The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). It runs from Bomerano to Nocelle. It is free. It takes 3 to 4 hours at a steady walk. The trail is 6 km long with 300 meters of descent. No shade. Bring 1.5 liters of water per person. Start before 8 AM to avoid the 30°C July heat. The view over Praiano is better than any postcard. Avoid the Valle delle Ferriere hike in summer. It is humid and full of mosquitoes. Do that one in spring instead.

How many days do you need for the Amalfi Coast?

Three days is the minimum. Day 1: Amalfi town and a boat tour. Day 2: Ravello and Villa Rufolo (€7-45 minutes to tour the gardens) followed by the Path of the Gods. Day 3: Positano beach (Spiaggia Grande is sandy but packed, €15 for two loungers). If you have four days, add a ferry to Capri (€70 round trip, 50 minutes each way). Anything less than 3 days is a rushed blur. You will regret it.

Is Ravello worth the trip up the mountain?

Yes, but only for Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. Villa Rufolo costs €7 entry (open 9 AM to 8 PM in summer). The gardens take 45 minutes to walk. The view from the terrace is the one you see on every postcard. Villa Cimbrone costs €10 and has the Infinity Terrace. That terrace is real and free of crowds if you go at 9 AM. Skip the town itself. It is expensive and has no character beyond the villas. Lunch at Villa Rufolo's cafe costs €15 for a panino. Painful but do not carry food up the 1,000 steps.

Boat tour comparison

Practical warning: In July 2026, the water is warm but jellyfish are common near Positano. Buy a €5 sting relief packet at any pharmacy in Amalfi. It is a small price for peace of mind.

Can you visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget?

Yes, but you have to eat cheap and sleep outside the main towns. Stay in Atrani (10 minutes walk from Amalfi center). Rooms cost €120 per night in August versus €250 in Amalfi. Buy groceries at the Conad supermarket in Amalfi. A panino made in your room costs €4. A restaurant lunch costs €25. Avoid the tourist menus. They are €20 but the pasta is reheated. The public beach in Minori is free. No loungers, just pebbles, but the water is clean. The ferry between towns is cheap. Amalfi to Positano is €8 one way. Buy tickets at the port without online fees.

Are the Duomo and paper museum worth the time?

Duomo di Amalfi is free to enter. Go inside for 15 minutes. The cloister (Chiostro del Paradiso) costs €3. It is worth it for the Moorish arches and silence. The Paper Museum (Museo della Carta) costs €5 and takes 30 minutes. It shows 13th century paper mills. It is interesting but not essential. If you love history, do it. If you prefer views, skip it. The Duomo's staircase is the spot for sunset photos. Go at 7:30 PM when the light hits the facade.

What is the worst tourist trap to avoid?

The 'limoncello tasting' shops in central Amalfi. They charge €12 for three tiny glasses. Real limoncello from a local farm costs €8 for a 500ml bottle. The tasting is a 5-minute sales pitch. Walk away. Instead, buy a bottle at the roadside stand on Via Nuova Chiunzi near Ravello. That family has been making it since 1965.