While towns like Positano and Amalfi usually steal the spotlight, you’ll find there are actually so many great things to do in Maiori, especially if you’re visiting Italy’s Amalfi Coast as a family.
It ended up being one of our favourite places on the Amalfi Coast. With its long beach, relaxed atmosphere and flatter seafront promenade, it felt noticeably calmer and more practical than some of the busier cliffside towns nearby.
We chose Maiori as our base during our most recent Amalfi Coast trip, travelling as a family, and honestly, I think it was the perfect choice. Not only was it easier to get around, but it also gave us a slower, more relaxed side of the Amalfi Coast that we really appreciated after the crowds of places like Positano and Capri.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Maiori, including beaches, restaurants, nearby Minori, where to stay and practical tips for planning your trip. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or using Maiori as your Amalfi Coast base, I genuinely think it’s one of the most underrated towns on the coastline.
The sun is setting over Maiori.
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Is Maiori, Italy, a good place to visit?
Yes, I genuinely think Maiori is one of the most underrated towns on the Amalfi Coast. While it may not have the dramatic cliffside views of Positano or the famous landmarks of Amalfi, it offers a much more relaxed and practical experience that many visitors will probably appreciate even more.
One of the biggest advantages of Maiori is its long beachfront and flatter layout, which is surprisingly rare on the Amalfi Coast. It feels calmer, less crowded and easier to navigate than many of the more famous towns, especially during peak summer season. This is especially useful if you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast as a family.
Maiori also works really well as a base for exploring the Amalfi Coast, with ferry connections to nearby towns and easy access to places like Minori, Amalfi and Ravello. Whether you’re visiting as a couple, travelling as a family or simply looking for a slower-paced Amalfi Coast trip, I think Maiori is absolutely worth considering.
The picturesque ferry port in Maiori.
Where To Stay in Maiori
There are plenty of hotels in Maiori, Italy. Being less famous than places such as Positano and Amalfi also make if generally a more affordable option.
When choosing accommodation in Maiori, I would look for somewhere close to the coastline, ideally close to the ferry port. This will give you easy access to the beach and restaurants, plus allow you to take day trips if you wish.
On our most recent trip, we were travelling as a family, and we stayed at Residence Hotel Panoramic. This hotel was in a great location and was well-suited to families. Most of the rooms have amazing sea views and also come with a small kitchen area.
Enjoying the views from the roof terrace at Residence Hotel Panoramic.
Residence Hotel Panoramic also has a great rooftop terrace area, with more incredible views and free sun loungers for guests.
If Residence Hotel Panoramic isn’t available, I would also consider Angelina Apartments Amalfi Coast. This is another apartment-style hotel in a great location, and the rooms here also have small kitchen areas.
If you prefer a traditional hotel to an apartment stay, I would choose Hotel Club Due Torri, which is a luxury hotel, located right on the seafront. This hotel also has a gorgeous outdoor pool.
👉 Or check the latest prices and availability in Maiori here.
Gelato and views on the balcony of Residence Hotel Panoramic.
Best Things To Do in Maiori, Italy
While Maiori is much quieter than places like Positano or Amalfi, you’ll still find many things to do here, especially if you enjoy slower travel, beautiful coastal scenery and a more relaxed atmosphere. Here, I’ll share all the best things to do in Maiori, Italy.
Relax on Maiori Beach
The best thing to do in Maiori is quite simply to enjoy the beach. Maiori is home to one of the longest beaches on the Amalfi Coast, making it one of the best places along the coastline for a slower beach day.
In my opinion, it was the nicest beach on the Coast. When we visited at the end of April, it wasn’t at all crowded.
However, expect it to be busier during summer, when much of the beach is covered with organised beach clubs that allow you to rent loungers and umbrellas for the day. Although there are still small free sections available.
Playing on Maiori Beach.
Hike the Path of the Lemons
One of the most popular things to do in Maiori is walking the famous Path of the Lemons, a scenic route connecting Maiori and its neighbouring town, Minori, through lemon groves and hillside pathways.
Views from the Path of the Lemons.
This walk takes around one to one and a half hours to complete. Along the walk, you’ll pass traditional terraces, incredible coastal views and small local shops selling lemon products made from the Amalfi Coast’s famous lemons.
We stopped to eat at a restaurant called CUONC CUONC. It was a welcome break, and the food and drinks were delicious.
Enjoying a well-earned drink and cake CUONC CUONC on the Path of the Lemons.
You can descend at Minori, but we ended up continuing the full route to Ravello. This is much more challenging, and you will have to climb 1000’s of stairs. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone (such as ourselves) with young children.
Children having a lift from Daddy on the Path of the Lemons.
Use Maiori as a Base for Day Trips
One of the best things about staying in Maiori is how easy it is to explore the rest of the Amalfi Coast from here. Ferries connect Maiori with towns like Amalfi, Positano and Capri during the main tourist season, making day trips simple and much less stressful than driving.
Maiori is also close to Ravello and Minori, both of which are well worth visiting during your stay. Personally, I found Maiori worked perfectly as a calmer base while still allowing us to experience the highlights of the Amalfi Coast.
Views from Villa Rufolo, a beautiful day trip from Maiori.
Explore Minori
Just a short walk from Maiori, Minori is a much smaller and quieter town that makes a lovely little add-on during your stay. It feels more local and laid-back than its neighbour, with a pretty seafront, small beach and a handful of cafés and restaurants. There’s also a small playground kids will enjoy.
We loved combining the two towns, either by walking part of the Path of the Lemons or simply hopping over for lunch or an afternoon wander. Minori is also known for its pastries and relaxed atmosphere, making it a nice contrast if you’ve spent the morning in busier parts of the Amalfi Coast.
It’s not somewhere you need a full day for, but it’s definitely worth including in your itinerary while staying in Maiori.
Exploring the neighbouring town of Minori.
Wander Palazzo Mezzacapo Gardens
These gardens are incredibly beautiful, and to make them even better, they’re completely free to visit.
I pinned it as a thing to do on my Amalfi Coast Google Map when I was planning our trip, and somehow completely missed going there. So, I feel pretty annoyed at myself, don’t make my mistake!
Try Lemon Gelato
The Amalfi Coast is known for its lemon products. There are multiple ice cream/gelato shops in Maiori, but trying lemon sorbet, served inside a lemon, is a really unique thing to do in Maiori that the whole family will enjoy.
This will cost you €5, which is a bargain compared to the €10 a similar product costs in Amalfi town.
Lemon gelato served in a real lemon.
Stroll along the Promenade
One of the things we really liked about Maiori is the beachfront promenade, also called Lungomare di Maiori.
It is a wide, walkable pathway that runs next to the beach. Perfect for a relaxed walk. There are also some sculptures along the path that my kids loved to look at.
Fun sculptures along the Promenade in Maiori.
Best Things To Do in Maiori, Italy with Kids
One of the reasons we loved staying in Maiori was how family-friendly it felt compared to many other Amalfi Coast towns. The long promenade makes it much easier to walk around with children, and there’s plenty of space for slower evenings by the sea.
Along the beachfront, you’ll also find a playground called Parco giochi. It had areas for both younger and older kids. This is a really fun stop for kids; however, it does get quite busy!
Playing in Parco giochi, next to Maiori Beach.
Next to the playground, there were some small fairground-style rides, which our children absolutely loved. It was only €2 each to ride, or all 3 for €5. These rides were definitely best aimed at toddlers and young children.
Fairground rides for young children in Maiori.
Best Restaurants in Maiori, Italy
Maiori has a great selection of casual, relaxed places to eat, from traditional Italian restaurants to easy spots for coffee, pastries and gelato. We found most places to be very laid back, which fits the overall feel of the town perfectly.
The places to eat are all fairly close together, along the waterfront and the main street called Corso Reginna, so you can easily wander past and choose which menu appeals to you or your family.
As Maiori was our base, we ate in quite a few places, and we also enjoyed a picnic on the beach!
- Ristorante Mario e Maria – A typical family-run restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes. The atmosphere is simple and relaxed, and it’s a good spot if you want a more authentic, home-style meal in Maiori.
- Risto bar Il Quadrifoglio – A casual, easy-going restaurant. The food here was great and also very reasonably priced.
- Tony’s – If you’re looking for something a little different from pizza and pasta, Tony’s is a good option. My family enjoyed burgers here but others were eating seafood and lobster.
Cafés, Coffee & Sweet Treats in Maiori
- Café Marcel – A lovely spot for coffee and pastries, very popular with locals. We picked up coffee and pastries here to go, most mornings.
- Geljada – One of the best places in Maiori for ice cream (gelato). A must-visit in the evenings, especially if you’re strolling along the promenade.
- Sweet Show – A great stop for desserts and afternoon drinks. We liked this place as we could get a grown-up drink while our kids enjoyed an ice cream.
- Trying a sweet treat from Pasticceria Napoli di Nicola e Aniello Napoli Snc was also recommended to me as one of the best things to do in Maiori. Unfortunately, every time we passed, they were closed!
Croissant from Café Marcel & a lemon gelato cart by the beach in Maiori.
FAQ About Visiting Maiori, Italy
Yes, I think Maiori is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a more relaxed beach day or a practical base on the Amalfi Coast. It doesn’t have the dramatic cliffside views of Positano, but it makes up for it with its long beach, flatter layout and much calmer atmosphere. It’s a great place to slow down and enjoy a different side of the Amalfi Coast.
Yes, Maiori is one of the best places to stay on the Amalfi Coast, particularly if you’re visiting as a family or simply don’t want to climb many stairs. It has a good mix of hotels and apartments, easy beach access, and ferry connections to other towns. In my opinion, it’s one of the easiest bases for a stress-free Amalfi Coast trip.
Maiori and Minori are very close to each other, but they offer slightly different experiences. Maiori is larger, with a long beachfront and more accommodation options, making it a better main base. Minori is smaller and quieter, and feels more local and laid back. If you’re staying in the area, I’d choose Maiori as your base and visit Minori as a short trip or walk along the coast.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Maiori
Maiori may not be the most famous town on the Amalfi Coast, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. While places like Positano and Amalfi often get all the attention, Maiori offers a much more relaxed and practical base without losing the beauty and charm the region is known for.
For us, it struck the perfect balance. A long beachfront, easy access to other towns by ferry and a slower pace that made travelling with children feel far more manageable. It also gave us a chance to experience a different side of the Amalfi Coast, away from the busiest crowds and steepest streets.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to stay, I genuinely think Maiori is one of the best choices on the coast, especially if you want something a little easier, more spacious and family-friendly. It’s not about ticking off endless attractions here, but about slowing down and enjoying the coastline in a more relaxed way and for us, that made all the difference.
Thank you so much for reading our guide on the best things to do in Maiori, Italy. We hope you have an amazing trip!
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Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
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