The Amalfi Coast

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Sorrento

   1. 10:00

      Naples to Sorrento

      Getting around

      The local Circumvesuviana train runs along the bay; in season, a ferry from the port is faster and calmer.

   2. 13:00

      Stay in Sorrento

      Stay

      A lively town on the cliffs, easy to reach and well connected to the rest of the coast.

   3. 13:30

      Lunch: gnocchi alla sorrentina

      Food & drink

      Potato gnocchi baked with tomato and mozzarella, the town’s own dish.

   4. 16:00

      Marina Grande

      Activity

      The old fishing harbor below the town, with boats pulled up on the shore.

   5. 18:30

      Sunset at the Villa Comunale

      Activity

      A clifftop garden looking across the bay to Vesuvius.

2. Day 2

   On to Positano

   1. 09:30

      Bus or ferry to Positano

      Getting around

      The coast road is the famous one, all hairpins and sea views; sit on the right side facing forward.

   2. 11:00

      Stay in Positano

      Stay

      Base for two nights in the most photographed town on the coast.

   3. 12:00

      Santa Maria Assunta and Spiaggia Grande

      Activity

      The tiled dome of the church sits right above the main beach.

   4. 13:30

      Lunch: seafood by the beach

      Food & drink

      Spaghetti with clams or the catch of the day, with a lemon granita after.

   5. 16:00

      Fornillo Beach

      Activity

      A quieter beach reached by a path around the headland from the main one.

3. Day 3

   The Path of the Gods

   1. 07:30

      Bus to Bomerano

      Getting around

      The trail starts in this village in the hills of Agerola; change buses in Amalfi.

   2. 09:00

      Hike the Path of the Gods

      Activity

      About three hours on a rocky trail high above the sea, mostly level or downhill toward Positano.

   3. 12:30

      Picnic lunch in Nocelle

      Food & drink

      The trail ends in this tiny village; eat with the coast spread out below you.

   4. 14:00

      Steps or local bus down to Positano

      Getting around

      A long stone staircase leads down to town; the small local bus saves your knees.

   5. 16:00

      Swim and rest

      Activity

      A late afternoon swim is the reward for the morning’s walk.

4. Day 4

   Amalfi and Ravello

   1. 09:00

      Ferry to Amalfi

      Getting around

      Seeing the cliffs from the water is half the point; it’s also quicker than the road.

   2. 10:00

      Stay in Amalfi

      Stay

      The coast’s old maritime republic, with the best transport links for the last night.

   3. 10:30

      Amalfi Cathedral

      Activity

      A striped facade at the top of a wide stairway, with a cloister of white arches inside.

   4. 12:30

      Lunch: scialatielli with seafood

      Food & drink

      A thick fresh pasta from this coast, usually served with mixed shellfish.

   5. 14:30

      Ravello: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone

      Activity

      A short bus ride up to a hilltop town of gardens; Villa Cimbrone’s terrace hangs over the sea.

5. Day 5

   Atrani and departure

   1. 08:30

      Walk to Atrani

      Activity

      The next village along, ten minutes on foot, with a tiny square and a small beach.

   2. 10:00

      Lemon pastries and coffee

      Food & drink

      Try a delizia al limone, a sponge cake soaked in lemon cream.

   3. 11:30

      Buy limoncello and ceramics

      Other

      The coast’s lemons and painted tiles make light, local gifts.

   4. 13:00

      Ferry to Salerno, then train

      Getting around

      Salerno has fast trains to Naples and Rome, so you avoid the coast road with luggage.