Amalfi Coast Itinerary: A Beautiful 3, 5, or 7 Day Trip

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Perfect Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Quick Overview

This Amalfi Coast itinerary is designed as a 7-day trip that covers the coast’s most beautiful towns, famous highlights and a few quieter spots along the way. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want a mix of sightseeing, beaches, boat trips and slower days without feeling constantly rushed.

While this itinerary is family-friendly and based partly on our most recent trip with kids, it also works well for couples, first-time visitors and anyone wanting a realistic pace for exploring the Amalfi Coast.

• Day 1: Arrive on the beautiful Amalfi Coast, more on which town to stay in later in this guide.
• Day 2: Explore the iconic Amalfi Town & the hidden gem of Atrani.
• Day 3: Visit the beach at Maiori & hike the Path of the Lemons to Minori.
• Day 4: Take a day trip to Ravello, or you can also hike here!
• Day 5: A day trip to the island of Capri.
• Day 6: Explore the breathtaking Positano.
• Day 7: Visit the ancient wonder of Pompeii before heading home.

If you only have 3, 4 or 5 days on the Amalfi Coast, I’ll also cover which stops I’d prioritise later in this guide. SO, read on for all the details!

How Many Days Do You Need on the Amalfi Coast?

The amount of time you need on the Amalfi Coast will depend on what you want to do and see. On our most recent trip, we spent 10 days on a Southern Italy road trip, with 4 and a half days based on the Amalfi Coast. As we were restricted by school holiday schedules, and we had visited before, we focused on showing our children the highlights. If you can spend longer, I would recommend it!

While you can see some of the Amalfi Coast in just 3 days, you will have to pick your priorities. Your itinerary will also likely be quite fast-paced, especially during peak season, when ferries, buses and roads can all take longer than expected. If you only have a few days, I’d focus on the highlights like Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.

I’d say 5 days is the ideal amount of time for a first trip to the Amalfi Coast. That gives you enough time to visit the main towns, take a boat trip, enjoy some beach time and experience the slower pace that makes this part of Italy so special.

With 5 days, you can comfortably add places like Capri, Maiori or Minori. This is probably the sweet spot for most visitors.

If you have 7 days on the Amalfi Coast, you’ll be able to explore at a slower pace and possibly include nearby destinations like Pompeii or Naples as part of your itinerary. This also gives you more flexibility for beach days, boat trips or adjusting plans around the weather.

Map of This Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Here, I’ve included my custom Amalfi Coast map below, which includes all the towns, beaches, viewpoints and attractions mentioned in this itinerary. This is an interactive map; simply click on the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.

Each area of the Amalfi Coast is pinned in a different colour to make planning your route a little easier. I have also written detailed guides on each Amalfi Coast town. Click here to see them all.

Where To Stay on the Amalfi Coast

One of the biggest decisions when planning an Amalfi Coast itinerary is deciding where to stay. While many people assume there is one “best” town on the Amalfi Coast, the reality is that the right base really depends on your budget, travel style and what kind of trip you want to have.

However, finding the right base will make a huge difference to how your Amalfi Coast itinerary will work.

Some towns are better for first-time visitors, while others are quieter, more family-friendly or easier on the budget. On our most recent trip, we stayed in Maiori, which worked incredibly well for travelling with young kids, but each town along the coast has a very different atmosphere.

The Amalfi Coast is known for being expensive. When browsing for accommodation, I saw more budget-friendly options away from the coastline. I’m so pleased we didn’t end up booking one of those. They would have required a car, and although we had a hire car (we visited as part of a Southern Italy road trip), we didnt use it during our stay. I would not recommend driving on the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi – Iconic and Central

Situated on the Amalfi Coast is the town of Amalfi. It makes a great all-round base thanks to its central location on the coast. It’s well connected by ferry and bus, making it easy to visit nearby towns like Ravello, Positano and Atrani without changing hotels.

The town itself is smaller than many people expect, but it has a lovely atmosphere, plenty of restaurants and one of the Amalfi Coast’s most impressive cathedrals. Staying here can also feel a little more practical than Positano, especially if you’re planning lots of day trips.

Maiori – Best for Families & Budget

I chose Maiori as our base on our most recent Amalfi Coast trip, and I honestly think it’s one of the best places to stay for families. Unlike many Amalfi Coast towns, Maiori is relatively flat, making it much easier to get around with young children, strollers or luggage.

It is well connected by the ferries, and it also has one of the nicest beaches on the Amalfi Coast, a relaxed promenade and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Positano. Accommodation here is often more affordable too, especially during peak summer months.

While it may not have the same dramatic scenery as Positano, it worked incredibly well as a practical and family-friendly base.

Positano – Best for Beauty and Luxury

Positano is possibly the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic town. It’s known for its colourful buildings, luxury hotels and dramatic cliffside setting. If it’s your first time visiting the Amalfi Coast, this is probably the place you’ve already seen all over Instagram and Pinterest.

It’s undeniably beautiful, with lovely restaurants, beach clubs and boutique hotels, but it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive places to stay on the coast. The steep hills and endless stairs can also make it more challenging for families with young children or anyone travelling with lots of luggage.

That said, if your priority is staying somewhere romantic, scenic and lively, Positano is hard to beat.

The Ultimate 7 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Below is the perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary. I’ve planned it as a 7-day itinerary. In the next section of this guide, I will share how to shorten it to be a 3 or 5 day itinerary.

Day 1: Arriving on the Amalfi Coast

As I mentioned, we visited the Amalfi Coast as part of a Southern Italy road trip. I chose Maiori as our base for this trip, and we drove there from Matera. Read our full Matera Guide here.

If you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast as a standalone trip, you’ll most likely arrive via Naples. While it can be tempting to start sightseeing immediately, I’d recommend keeping your first day on the Amalfi Coast fairly relaxed, especially during the busy summer months when travel times can be longer than expected.

There are several ways to reach the Amalfi Coast from Naples, including:

• Ferries – compare schedules and prices on FerryHopper.
• A Private Transfer – Both Welcome Pickups and Get Transfer offer cars with children’s car seats.
• Public Transport – Buses run to most towns, and some are also connected by train. This website will help you compare both bus and train schedules and prices.

The price for each of these will vary depending on where on the coast you decide to stay. Buses will be the most affordable.

Personally, I think ferries are by far the most enjoyable option where possible, especially for families, as the views are beautiful and the journey feels far less stressful than navigating the winding coastal roads by car.

Day 2: Amalfi & Atrani

The first day of this Amalfi Coast itinerary explores the heart of the coast in Amalfi itself. As this is one of the most popular places to visit on the Amalfi Coast, I would recommend going in the morning, before the majority of tourists arrive. We took an early ferry from Maiori to Amalfi, which only takes about 10 minutes.

Amalfi is a fairly small town and can easily be explored in half a day. Read our detailed guide on visiting Amalfi here. In Amalfi, one of the main highlights is the impressive Cathedral of Saint Andrew, which sits at the top of the town’s main square and is hard to miss with its dramatic staircase and striped façade.

From there, spend some time wandering through the small, beautiful streets before stopping for lemon desserts, gelato or lunch. If you like water sports, you can rent kayaks or paddle boards from a small kiosk on the beach. Relax for a while before heading on to Antrani.

READ MORE: Things to do in Amalfi Town

Getting from Amalfi to Atrani is very easy. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk. There is a hidden tunnel; I’ve pinned the location on my Google Map. This isn’t a particularly picturesque tunnel, but it is only for pedestrians. On the other side, carefully cross the road and take the steps down to Atrani.

Atrani is also very small; there isn’t much to do there, other than the beach, but it is very pretty and much less crowded than Amalfi. This makes it the perfect place for a stroll. We booked a 4:30 pm ferry back from Amalfi to Maiori; this felt like the perfect amount of time for us as a family. If you’re visiting without kids, you may want to take a later ferry and enjoy dinner in Atrani.

Day 3: Maiori & Minori

After the busier towns of Amalfi and Positano, I think Maiori and Minori offer a much more relaxed side of the Amalfi Coast. These neighbouring towns are known for their laid-back atmosphere, long seafront promenades and slightly more local feel compared to some of the coast’s more famous destinations.

One of the most popular things to do here is walk the Path of the Lemons, a scenic route connecting Maiori and Minori through lemon groves and hillside pathways. The full walk is beautiful, with incredible coastal views along the way, and can also be extended towards Ravello if you want a longer hike (more on that later).

However, if you’re travelling with young children, visiting during the summer heat or simply don’t want to do a long hike, you can also walk between Maiori and Minori along the main coastal road. This is the option we chose on our most recent trip after hiking the Path of the Lemons all the way to Ravello earlier in the day, and while you do need to walk carefully in places, it’s much quicker and still very manageable.

Once in Minori, spend some time wandering through the small streets, stopping for pastries or lunch before heading back to Maiori for some beach time. Maiori’s wide promenade and long beach make it one of the easiest places on the Amalfi Coast to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed afternoon.

READ MORE: A Complete Guide to Maiori and Minori.

Day 4: Positano

Positano is easily the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic town; this is the place you will likely see all over Instagram. Famous for its colourful cliffside buildings, luxury hotels and beautiful sea views. While it can get incredibly busy during the summer months, I still think it’s somewhere worth adding on a first trip to the Amalfi Coast itinerary.

Spend the day wandering through the narrow streets, browsing the boutiques and stopping at cafés overlooking the water before heading down to Spiaggia Grande, Positano’s main beach. Just be prepared for lots of stairs. Positano is even hillier than many people expect, especially in the heat. (and this is something that most influencers don’t share!)

Day 5: Capri

A day trip to Capri is one of the most popular things to do from the Amalfi Coast, and ferries run regularly from towns including Amalfi, Positano and Maiori during the summer season.

Capri is known for its dramatic scenery, luxury shopping and crystal-clear water, with highlights including the famous Blue Grotto, Marina Grande and the Gardens of Augustus.

I will be honest, Capri is the one place in the Amalfi Coast that remains on my bucket list.

Day 6: Ravello

Set high above the Amalfi Coast, Ravello feels completely different from the busy seaside towns below. Known for its elegant villas, peaceful gardens and incredible panoramic views, it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit on the Amalfi Coast.

It was originally our plan to drive to Ravello, but after our initial drive along the Coast being scary and full of travel sickness, we had second thoughts. We decided to hike the Path of the Lemons from Maiori all the way to Ravello.

Google told me this would take about an hour and 20 minutes; it actually took us about 3 hours! We had two small children (ages 6 & 3 years old) and weren’t prepared for the amount of stairs involved, so we needed regular breaks. We met an adult couple who said it took them around two hours.

If you like hiking, this is a great activity. I probably wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with young children. According to our step counter, we climbed over 100 floors, which is as many as the Empire State Building has.

If you do drive or take the bus to Ravello, spend the day wandering through the pretty streets, visiting Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, and stopping for a long lunch.

As our hike took longer than planned, we just visited Villa Rufolo, and it is beautiful! I would have loved to fit in Villa Cimbrone as well, though.

Day 7: Pompeii

Before leaving the Amalfi Coast, I’d highly recommend stopping at Pompeii on your way back towards Naples. One of Italy’s most famous archaeological sites, Pompeii gives an incredible glimpse into everyday Roman life before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The site is huge, so it’s worth planning at least a few hours to explore the ancient streets, villas and amphitheatre. If you’re travelling with children, I’d recommend keeping expectations realistic and focusing on a smaller section of the ruins rather than trying to see everything in one visit. You can read our full guide and tips on visiting Pompeii with kids here.

5 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

While 7 days on the Amalfi Coast would be a dream, a 5 day Amalfi Coast itinerary would also work really well. So, if you want to shorten your Amalfi Coast itinerary to 5 days, I would plan it like this:

• Day 1: Amalfi & Atrani (or just Amalfi if you only have the afternoon)
• Day 2: Maoiri & Minori
• Day 3: Ravello
• Day 4: Capri
• Day 5: Positano

This is very similar to my full itinerary; you just lose your first day to relax and settle in. I’d also skip Pompeii as this isn’t technically part of the Amalfi Coast.

3 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

If you’re just looking to squeeze in the highlights on a 3-day Amalfi Coast itinerary, this is what I would recommend:

• Day 1 – Amalfi & Ravello
• Day 2 – Positano
• Day 3 – Either Capri or Maiori & Minori

On the final day, choose from either Capri or Maiori and hiking the path of the Lemons to Minori. These are quite contrasting activities, so decide which you / your family will enjoy more.

If you don’t have a full first day, I would do Ravello in the afternoon and then Amalfi on day 3.

How To Get Around the Amalfi Coast

One of the trickiest parts of planning an Amalfi Coast itinerary is deciding how to get around. Distances between towns may look short on a map, but the winding coastal roads, traffic and crowds can make travelling along the coast much slower than expected, especially during the peak summer.

I’ll share details on the options below:

Ferries

For most visitors, ferries are by far the nicest way to get around the Amalfi Coast. This is why I strongly recommend booking accommodation within walking distance of a ferry port.

The views from the water are incredible, and it’s a much more relaxing experience than sitting in traffic on crowded roads. We also found ferries much easier when travelling with kids, as everyone had a bit more space, and the journey itself became part of the experience.

Most major towns, including Positano, Amalfi, Maiori and Capri, are connected by ferry during the main tourist season. The main downside is the cost, as ferry tickets can add up quickly, especially for families.

Many ferry providers operate on the Amalfi Coast. I found comparing times and prices on a website called FerryHopper was the easiest way to plan our ferry journeys.

Buses

Buses are the cheapest way to travel around the Amalfi Coast and are a good option for travellers on a tighter budget. The local SITA buses connect most towns along the coast, including Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.

However, buses can get extremely crowded during peak season, and it’s not unusual to have to wait for the next bus if one arrives already full. The winding roads can also make bus journeys feel quite slow and uncomfortable at times.

Driving

Although driving the Amalfi Coast sounds romantic in theory, I personally wouldn’t recommend it for most visitors. The roads are incredibly narrow and winding, with sharp bends, steep drops and constant traffic during the summer months.

We had a hire car, as we visited Amalfi as part of a 10 day Southern Italy road trip. After driving from Matera to Maiori, we decided that was enough driving and left our car in the hotel’s parking until we departed!

Parking can also be difficult and very expensive, especially in places like Positano and Amalfi. Unless you’re very confident driving on challenging coastal roads, I think ferries and public transport make the trip far more enjoyable.

Tips for Visiting the Amalfi Coast with Kids

While the Amalfi Coast is not full of stereotypical children’s activities, it can absolutely be enjoyed with kids. I do think it helps to slow the pace down slightly and avoid trying to cram too much into each day. Distances may look short on a map, but travelling between towns can take longer than expected, especially during summer.

Some additional tips include:

• Don’t overfill your itinerary. Leave time for beach stops and slower afternoons rather than constantly moving between towns.
• Maiori is one of the best bases for families thanks to its flatter streets, long beach and more relaxed atmosphere compared to places like Positano. We really enjoyed our stay at Residence Panoramic.
• Ferries are much easier than buses with kids whenever possible. They’re less crowded, more scenic and usually far less stressful.
• Be prepared for lots of stairs, especially in towns like Positano and Ravello. Comfortable shoes are definitely essential.
• Consider skipping one of the busier towns if needed. On our most recent trip, we actually skipped Positano altogether and opted for a slower beach day instead, which worked much better for our children.
• Avoid changing hotels too often if you’re travelling with younger kids. Staying in one base made the trip feel far more relaxed for us. We chose Residence Panoramic in Maiori and were able to get everywhere quite easily from there.

If you’re planning an Amalfi Coast family holiday, I’ll also have written a dedicated guide covering the best towns, beaches and practical tips for visiting with children. Read our Amalfi Coast family guide here.

FAQ’s About Visiting the Amalfi Coast

Final Thoughts on Your Amalfi Coast Itinerary

The Amalfi Coast is one of those places that really does live up to the hype, with its colourful towns, dramatic coastal views and relaxed Italian lifestyle. Whether you have 3, 5 or 7 days, I think the key to enjoying the Amalfi Coast is slowing down a little and not trying to see absolutely everything in one trip.

I hope this Amalfi Coast itinerary helps you plan a trip that feels realistic, enjoyable and a little less overwhelming!

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Thank you so much for reading our Amalfi Coast Itinerary. We hope you have a wonderful trip to Italy!

Happy Exploring,