What would it be like to truly experience a few days of uninterrupted bliss on the Amalfi Coast?
The winding road crests through mountain towns as you pass the glistening Mediterranean sea and whitewashed Italian cobblestone streets. The smells of lemon blossoms mix with the salty breeze, lulling you into what might be the closest thing to paradise on earth. The Amalfi Coast has long been applauded as a breathtaking destination for lovers and friends alike.
Located just southeast of Naples, Italy, this collection of towns on the steep mountainside will draw you in and ask you to stay forever. But, alas, most of us can’t just up and move and make a living here. So, instead, we’ve put together a flexible Amalfi Coast Itinerary for you to customize. Add a day trip or two in, or pick your favorite Amalfi Coast town to stay an extra day if you have more time. With four spectacular days planned out, take advantage of this trip practically planning itself. Let us know at the end how you made the most of the time you got to spend in this glorious part of the world.
The Best Time to Plan your Amalfi Coast Itinerary
The Amalfi Coast is truly a gem when the sun is shining and the warmth is flowing. This being said, the towns mostly shut down in the winter season. The best hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants will often be closed from November through Easter. So, while it will be less expensive to travel at this time, plan ahead to make sure you can still do and stay everywhere you would like to. We wouldn’t want something as simple as the time of year to ruin your Amalfi Coast itinerary.
In addition, the months of July and August are the peak season for travelers, honeymooners, and trekkers to visit. This means your picturesque vistas, small winding roads, and hikes will have a few more friends on it than one would usually consider romantic. So, we would suggest avoiding these peak times in order to avoid the crowds, lines, and waits around town. With this, the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, are truly the best time to plan your Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
Day One: Sorrento
The westernmost large city on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is a great first landing spot if you’re coming from Naples. In this city, you can begin to orient yourself to the coast as you acclimate to the time change and climate. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the city and the sea. From here, you can decide if you’re willing to brave the windy, winding roads of the coast or if you’d like to take a bus or private car through the towns.
Centered where it is, Sorrento offers brilliant views of Mount Vesuvius to the East and the island of Capri to the west. Sorrento is a great city to add day trips on if you have a few extra days to add to your Amalfi Coast itinerary. One of our favorites is taking a bus up to the Pompei ruins to explore an astounding bit of history. On top of that, you can also enjoy a day trip to the island of Capri. Here you can stroll the Marina Grande, the Gardens of Augustus, or take a chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro. From the top, you can take in the stunning sights of the Sorrento Penninsula at 1,500 feet above sea level. Make sure to not fill your day up too much that you don’t have time to simply stroll the streets and soak in the sun.
The Best Eats in Sorrento
After a long day or travel or day tripping, though, you will need some food to replenish you! So, head on over to the Ristorante Museo Caruso. The perfect mix of Neapolitan and Mediterranean flavors will leave you in a marvelous state of bliss after dining here. If you have a few more dollars to spend, head just south of Sorrento to visit one or both of the Michelin starred restaurants here. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy a day here as you ramp up for the rest of your Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Day Two: Positano
You will have had quite the adventure tackling the winding route SS163 to make it to Positano. But, this may just be your favorite stop on our Amalfi Coast itinerary. It is the most central town to the rest of the Amalfi Coast, so it may be a bit busier than some of the others. That being said, it is a marvelous place to wander and shop. Known for its brilliant linens, handmade leather sandals, and pottery shops and stalls, enjoy a morning stroll of the markets. Take in the houses, painted in their soft pastel beauty as the luscious greenery leads you along.
The Best Eats in Positano
While here, we would strongly urge you to enjoy a meal at Casa Mele. Beloved by locals, this modern kitchen with old-time hospitality will draw you in and make you never want to leave. Lucky for you, they also offer cooking classes if you want to take a bit of the Amalfi Coast magic home with you. If you’re hoping for another activity to fill your day as well, perhaps rent a sea kayak. With a guide or by yourself, you can explore the cliffs as a thrilling excursion on your Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Day Three: Amalfi
The namesake of your Amalfi Coast Itinerary, you can easily spend a day here. Propped at the mouth of the Valle dei Mulini, Amalfi began as a port town. You may recognize a few of the buildings here from pictures. From the Cathedral of St. Andrew to the Belltower, and the beloved Cloister of Paradise, each has its own unique statement to make. If you’re looking to get married or enjoy a romantic moment while you’re here, take a drive up to Ravello. One of the most famous wedding spot in Italy, Ravello’s stunning sights, gardens, and scenery can make you fall in love all over again.
In addition, we would also highly recommend spending a few hours at the Amalfi Paper Museum. Who knows paper could be so enthralling? Opened in 1969 by Nicola Milan, the museum will walk you through ancient paper making. You can even try a crack at making the paper yourself!
The Best Eats in Amalfi
If you've enjoyed your day in Amalfi, take a short drive to the restaurant Da Ciccio cielo mare e terra. Tucked away just outside of Amalfi, it has been family owned and operated since 1911. Four brothers run this marvelous operation, while their mother, Marinella, bakes pastries every day. Their father, Ciccio, cares for their eight thousand square meter garden that surrounds the restaurant. This home-grown, fresh produce from just outside their door is part of what makes their dishes exceptional. The menu will change seasonally as produce ripens and is at its prime. Sitting and being served while staring at the water and overlooking the very garden your food came from just hours earlier is an experience we urge you to have. If you don’t do anything else we suggest on this Amalfi Coast Itinerary, at least go here.
Day Four: Hike of the Gods & Furore
For those of us who need a little movement to fully relax, embark on the Hike of the Gods. A four mile out and back trail, you will wander through the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. If you set out early, you will have the vineyards, terraces, blooming flowers, and old structures all to yourself. You can embark from the small towns of Nocelle or Bomerano, or from the larger towns of Praiano or Positano. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes. There will be a few steep parts of the trail, not for the faint of heart. If you are coming from Positano or Praiano, there will be ample stairs to get you to the trailhead, so be prepared.
After a warm morning in the sun, head over to the town Furore next door. Seemingly more like a few scattered villages, the town is centered over a fjord. Take a chance to dip in the water here and simply enjoy the hard earned rest. When you need to stretch your legs, seek out the unique murals that have been created upon the whitewashed houses. If you did plan your Amalfi Coast Itinerary for July, take note that the High Dive World Championships will take place here on the first Sunday of the month. So, if that sounds enticing, perhaps July is a good time to visit!
Each of these towns on our Amalfi Coast itinerary is simply stunning. If you have extra time, add an extra day or two at the end of your trip to revisit whichever town has become your favorite.
With each town being part of the designed UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can have confidence in the history, beauty, and culture will draw you in. Perusing the small boutique shops, local eateries, and hidden gems around every corner is one of the best ways to relax. With the charms of the Amalfi Coast, you can truly make this vacation as long as you want it to be. From the romantic accommodations to stunning sea views and the sun-kissed beauty, the Amalfi Coast is a destination to fall in love. So, if you’ve been searching for the perfect wedding destination or the most desirable honeymoon, this is it.
For those of us who need to move to relax, you can get some activity in on the water or on a hike here. But, for those of us who simply want to sit in the sun sipping wine, that is the pace of life here as well. So, let us know which one town is becomes your favorite on your as you build your Amalfi Coast itinerary!
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