Italy is absolutely packed with tremendous destinations, which is why it recently won the prestigious title of “country we’d pick if we could only travel to one place forever” in a landslide 2-0 vote. Hiking in the Dolomites, wandering the canals in Venice, admiring the incredible historical attractions of Rome, just killing time and doing whatever it is people do in Sicily, the list goes on and on. And, it turns out, the Amalfi Coast belongs on that list, too. Which is why, after intense discussion, we’ve come up with our personal, very subjective list of the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast.
Nearby Naples was a blast, too, of course, but the gorgeously rugged southern coastline of the Sorrentine Peninsula is definitely more up our alley. Separated from Pompeii and the Bay of Naples by the modest but picturesque Lattari Mountains, the Amalfi Coast features some fantastic hiking, wildly photogenic coastal towns and a truly weird amount of lemons.
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The views out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, which is still part of the Mediterranean Sea, of course, are sublime and there is plenty of water-related fun to be had, from great beaches to scenic boat trips and iconic islands. If you have the time, we recommend checking out every town and village along the coast since they all have their own quirks and highlights. However, since that isn’t realistic for a lot of people, we will do our best to narrow it down to the few best itinerary options. But it feels like I’m getting carried away and blowing the surprise. So let’s just get to it, shall we?
The 5 Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) to Positano
Yeah, I know, of course we’re going to pick a hike as the number one thing. It’s kind of our thing and all that. But, trust me, this hike deserves the praise. And not just because they were smart enough to give it a seriously epic name. I mean, Path of the Gods? C’mon, even Amalfi jetsetters and the chronically out of breath are going to be tempted by that.
So, even though I couldn’t tell you specifically which gods used to trudge up and down these fabulous hills, I pity them for presumably doing it before phone cameras got so good. I mean, photogenic doesn’t begin to cover it. For example:
Plus, unlike so many of the most beautiful hiking trails around the world, this one isn’t particularly hard. There are a few small variations to choose from but the most common version is only about 8 km and almost entirely downhill (just a few short climbs mixed in to keep you honest and to help you appreciate the next long gradual descent).
The trail starts in the small village of Bomerano, sitting up in the hills high above the coastline and easily reached from Amalfi (the town itself) via a 45-60 min bus journey (a bargain at just €2.40). Then the trail basically follows a series of ridges west along the coast, gradually descending until you reach the tiny village of Nocelle (5 km). There you can call it good enough on the hiking and take a bus or taxi, or tackle a couple more kilometres on the very steep trail downhill to the water, or continue around the head of a valley to see a huge rock arch (Buco di Montepertuso), adding yet another extra kilometre and some additional climbing, THEN head steeply downward to the coast.
Which brings us to the final big draw of the Path of the Gods, Positano! It is the most famous town on the Amalfi Coast, and for good reason. I mean, it’s stunning. Just a colourful jumble of buildings bunched up on both sides of scenic valley all leading down to a terrific beach. You know the type.
Another variation to consider is the “high route”, a well-marked turnoff about 30 min from Bomerano. As the name implies, it takes you on a higher trail featuring a couple of slightly more expansive views, although overall the scenery is really quite similar, and the two trails join up again after another 30 min or so. On our second time on the Sentiero degli Dei, since we had already been to Positano a couple times we hiked out on the high route and returned via the low route to make it a loop that started and ended in Bomerano.
Take a Ferry Along the Coast
The wild, rugged and green Amalfi Coast is an absolute delight from every angle but is especially impressive when viewed from water. Surprisingly affordable TravelMar ferries run the length of the coast regularly throughout the day. They have a full complement of sheltered indoor spots and more scenic (and windy) rooftop seats. They stop in all the towns between Salerno and Positano, making it easy enough to design your own hop-on, hop-off adventure. Of course, there are many other options, as well, from small seasonal ferries to luxurious private rentals.
There is also another good public option if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone, or two bucket list items with one ticket, in this case. From either Amalfi or Positano, you can take a ferry all the way to Sorrento or, even better, the iconic island of Capri, known for its unparalleled beauty, luxurious villas and celebrity popularity. With dramatic cliffs, historic sites, luxury shopping, insane crowds and single-person chairlift up to the top of a mountain, Capri ticks a lot of boxes, some of which you may not have actually wanted to check. It’s an experience, that’s for sure.
Rent a Vespa
Cruising the narrow, winding coastal road along the Amalfi Coast, steep cliffs rising to one side and dropping dramatically into the ocean on the other – does it get any more classically Italian than that? Well, yeah, if you’re also cruising on a classic Italian Vespa scooter it does. Red, white and green, if possible. With a matching helmet? Hell, yeah.
Get the whole story here:
Unfortunately, the rental place nearest us was all out of Vespas the day we showed up, let alone patriotically coloured ones, so we were stuck with a practical but somewhat dull Yamaha. And our beat-up white helmets barely fit, let alone made any aesthetic statements. But the experience was still a memorable one.
For one thing, while we were riding the scooter we couldn’t actually see what we looked like anyway. That would have been more for the admiring onlookers and maybe one or two strategic photo ops. Second, the Amalfi coast road is just one of those routes that really is more impressive and intense from the openness of two wheels instead of just the large windows of a public bus (although those trips offered quite a show, as well).
And, while renting a car offers a similar type of freedom, if you’re planning to spend any time in the towns along the way, having a scooter significantly increases your chances of finding parking. Because in Amalfi and Positano, in particular, that whole situation is, let’s say, a complete shitshow.
Along with simply enjoying the coastal scenery and puttering around in Positano, another thing we made sure to add into our scooter day was to head out to Punta Campanella. The furthest western point of the peninsula, this wild, natural area has some great hiking, an old lighthouse and exceptional views of Capri to one side and the Insta-famous “heart-shaped cove” photo to the other (Grotta di Minerva). Full disclosure, the cove isn’t actually heart-shaped, it just looks that way from one specific angle. Still pretty, though.
Walk Down from Ravello to Amalfi
Unlike most of the coastal towns, Ravello is located far up in the hills and many people believe it has the best views on the entire Amalfi Coast. I wouldn’t call that claim definitive, as there are so many extraordinary viewpoints to choose from, but there’s no question Ravello has a few of them. Plus a cute-as-hell little square, a couple tiny streets and some gaudily gorgeous gardens located next to even gaudier villas.
There are frequent buses up to Ravello from Amalfi (20-30 min) and then we would recommend walking back down. There is a path leading out the very end of the point near Villa Cimbrone that then continues down a series of stairways and trails all the way to Atrani, from which it is just a 10-minute walk around the point to Amalfi.
Don’t rush out, though, because it turns out that Atrani is “our favourite town on the Amalfi Coast”, full stop. Tiny but spectacular, not nearly as busy as Amalfi but still boasting some enticing little alleys, a small, charming piazza and a truly adorable little beach.
It also served as the setting for the recent Ripley TV show, which meant we expected it to be a disappointing replica of what we saw on TV. We were pleasantly surprised, though, as it was even more captivating in real life. Partially because it was in full colour, not the artsy black and white of the show, but still.
Valle delle Ferriere and Pontone
Just inland from Amalfi is the lush Valle delle Ferriere (Ironworks Valley) featuring shaded forest paths and a number of small waterfalls (depending on the time of year). You can walk up to the main reserve in about an hour, then make it a loop by taking the high route back through the lovely little village of Pontone, with incredible views down the valley to Amalfi along the way.
If you’re still feeling energetic you can continue out to Castello Aureo and Torre dello Ziro, for even more great views in both directions. Or, if you’re staying up in Agerola, like we did, you can hike all the way from San Lazzaro (2 hrs to the Valle delle Ferriere, 3 hrs total).
San Lazzaro to Amalfi via the Valle delle Ferriere
More Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
So, while we think those 5 Amalfi Coast things to do should be your priorities, there are several more things to enjoy throughout the area to keep you busy if you have a longer stay planned.
Beach Time
While the Amalfi Coast does not have the largest beaches, it still has a lot of them. And most of them are, you guessed it, small and pretty. Matching up perfectly with the overall vibe of the place.
All of them have their own personality and most are quite nice to look at. Some are just tiny slivers in protected coves, some are mainly places to park fishing boats and fix nets, some are crowded with umbrellas, loungers and sunburned tourists. Overall, it shouldn’t be hard to find the right fit for your sun-loving needs.
Maiori has the biggest beach, long and flat and backed by a line of nice beach hotels. Amalfi and Positano beaches are small and a bit sheltered and either very “busy” or “fun”, depending on your perspective. In between towns you can usually find some very private coves, often hard to reach but worth it for the seclusion. Once again, Atrani has maybe the prettiest beach. In colour, of course.
Sorrento
Larger than the towns along the south coast, historic Sorrento is located on the north side of the peninsula near the point and is even most likely responsible for the name (Sorrentine Peninsula – must be, right?). It is the most popular jumping off point for ferries to Capri and is easily reached from Naples by train or bus.
The overview: a very pleasant, pretty town located on the edge of some mighty impressive cliffs. There are a bunch of great views, a vibrant old town area and a real boat dock/lounger/bar vibe all along the coast so even though the main “beach” is pretty underwhelming, there are still a lot of options for enjoying the sun. Add in several cute, irregularly shaped piazzas and good transport options and Sorrento can be a great place to visit or an excellent Amalfi Coast base.
The Path of Lemons (Sentiero dei Limoni)
A distant second in both fame and popularity to the epic Path of the Gods, the more modestly named Path of Lemons is also correspondingly more modest in terms of scenery and terrain. Nevertheless, it is short (30-45 min), well-marked and connects the two slightly less busy towns of Minori and Maiori.
Most of the path is either paved or on stone steps and, yes, you will see a lot of lemon groves (although early in the year most of them will be covered by protective – and less photogenic – black netting). There are also plenty of places along the way to stop for a drink (lemonade, anyone?) or to buy local produce or a wide variety of lemon-themed merchandise.
And once you’ve made it as far as Maiori, we would suggest continuing by bus or ferry over to the quiet and underrated village of Cetara.
San Lazzaro Viewpoints
High above the main coastal towns you’ll find Agerola (ah-JAYR-oh-la), a quiet and sort-of-rural collection of villages – Bomerano, San Lazzaro, Pianillo, Santa Maria, Ponte and Campora. It can be a bit difficult to tell where one ends and the next begins but that part is less important than the relaxed pace, amazing views and excellent hiking trails.
Agerola is connected to the coast by regular buses and most people will make it up there at least once to hike the Path of the Gods from Bomerano. However, we actually chose to base ourselves in a wonderful San Lazzaro apartment with great views and never regretted not being part of the madness along the coast. This quiet place has a friendly small-town atmosphere, easy access to the best hiking in the area (Monte Tre Calli is a standout) and a few truly exceptional viewpoints.
The aptly named Via Miramare (Sea View Road) is only a few blocks from the main square and offers incredible views in both directions along the coast. And just outside town an easy 15-minute walk east, you’ll find Castello Lauritano, boasting even more spectacular coastal views. Mount Murillo is overgrown and overrated but there are some terrific valley views from right in town at the high point of Via Radicosa. Also, most Agerola buses start and end here, making it easy to plan your schedule.
Rent Your Own Boat
While the ferries are a great experience, providing tremendous views and a fun time for a shockingly low price (in Amalfi terms, anyway), if you really want a memorable day on the Amalfi Coast there are several companies that rent private boats.
You can choose to be the captain of your own ship or hire a boat that comes with its own skipper, but either way you will get to truly enjoy the coastal beauty at your own pace, much closer and a lot slower than on the public ferries.
Check out SamBoat or Jackboats for an idea on prices or to reserve your oceanic ride.
Pompeii
Pompeii is possibly the most famous Roman site in the world, and certainly the most famous uncannily preserved town instantaneously destroyed by the eruption of a nearby volcano (Vesuvius, in this case). Of course, Pompeii isn’t particularly handy to get to from the Amalfi Coast, so if you’re also visiting Naples it makes more sense to include it in that leg.
But I thought it was worth mentioning, just in case. Overall, we found the ruins a bit underwhelming – a bit quantity over quality, in our opinion. I mean, the site is HUGE, and the streets and most of the buildings are all still partially there, making it much easier to envision it in its heyday than most sites. But it kind of lacks the really amazing one or two attractions that really stick with you. Unless plaster casts of dead bodies are your thing, then you’re really in luck (and in line).
Map of Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
Click the star to save this map to your Google Maps – then find it under Saved/Maps (mobile) or Your Places/Maps (desktop)
Trip Planning Resources
Here is a list of the most important resources we use when planning our travels, all in one convenient spot. Full disclosure, when you use any of these links to reserve or sign up for something, we receive a small commission which is greatly appreciated. However, your price does not change and we have only included products and websites that we can honestly recommend.
- DuckDuckGo is now far and away the best search engine for travel planning. While Google still provides quick answers to a specific questions, the rest of the results are completely overrun by ads and big company sites with only vaguely related info. DuckDuckGo, on the other hand, still offers useful lists of firsthand articles and posts about potential destinations, perfect for planning your next trip.
- We book the majority of our hotels on Booking.com. With frequent stay discounts, thousands of reviews and free cancellation, it is very rare for us to have a bad hotel experience these days.
- Wise is by far the best international multicurrency bank account we’ve found. We can now send and receive money in half a dozen different currencies, convert to dozens more with no exchange premium and pay or withdraw local currencies. Highly recommended.
- When travelling we always get SIM cards with data for our phones. Local SIM cards are sometimes a bit cheaper but if you have a relatively new smartphone (iPhone XR or newer, Samsung S20 or newer) you can just buy an eSIM online, get a QR code by email and you’re good to go. After extensive research we have found that JetPac sim cards usually have the best coverage and prices.
- If you’re interested in local guided tours, including everything from city tours to cooking lessons to adventure activities, check out the huge range of options at Get Your Guide.
Summary
The Amalfi Coast is straight up stunning. Phenomenal terrain and scenery, unforgettable little towns and a surprising number of hiking trails all make it obvious why it has been so popular for so long. If you happen to have time for a longer stay, you can easily try all 5 of our best things to do on the Amalfi Coast and still have plenty of time to simply soak up the beauty of this amazing area.
But whether your stay is short or long, you’ll still want to prioritize your activities to make sure you hit all the best stuff at the best times and in the best weather. Hopefully this list can help you plan your visit to this iconic Italian region.
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