Amalfi Coast: 10 Essential Tips for First Time Visitors
Last updated:
Stretching along the southern coast of Italy, the Amalfi Coast is known for its postcard-worthy views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, dramatic cliffs, and idyllic villages. This UNESCO designated region has long been a dream destination for many who are seeking natural beauty, rich history, and a laidback pace. Are you currently planning your visit to the Amalfi Coast? In this post, I share the essential travel tips for your first to the Amalfi Coast!
Disclosure: Booking your tour/accommodations via the links in this guide will earn me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Earnings will go back to the maintenance of the travel guides provided on The Thrill of Pursuit. Thanks for your support.
<3 Dominique
1) Understand the geography of Costiera amalfitana
Here is a map to help make this post easier to follow:
The Amalfi Coast hosts about 5 million visitors every year. Evidently, it tops many people’s list of dream destinations. Located on the southern coast of Italy, visitors can enjoy the Mediterranean climate on the coast which features warm summers and mild winters.
The Amalfi Coast consists of 13 towns (municipalities) over a 40 kms/25 mi stretch along the coast. The steep slopes along the coast position its towns in a way that leaves the SS163 (aka Amalfi Drive) as the only land route that goes through the coastline.
The Amalfi Coast is a popular day trip from from Naples and Sorrento. The narrow infrastructure of the coast was never designed for mass tourism. Understandably, many day trippers may find their experience at the coast underwhelming. Meanwhile, mass tourism creates congestion and traffic that inconvenience the locals.
To get a true appreciation of the Amalfi Coast without the crowds, you would need to spend a few days there. It shouldn’t be one stop on your itinerary. Each of the coast towns has its own vibe and unique history. To make the most of your time at the coast, you need to decide on which towns you want to visit/make your base.
2) Choose the season to visit the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast has four seasons: summer (June – August), autumn (September – November), winter (December – February), and spring (March – May). Each season offers a drastically different experience, each with its pros and cons.
Summer is high tourist season. The kids are on school holidays and everyone is at the coast to cool down from the hot and humid weather. The coast will be super busy and crowded. Traffic on the SS163 will be congested. The summer season is peak beach weather and the coast will be bustling with festivals and nightlife.
Autumn coincides with the shoulder season on the Amalfi Coast. The intense summer crowds dissipate as the kiddos go back to school. The vibe becomes less hectic and more laidback. Expect daytime highs to be around mid-20°C/70°F making hikes along the coast to be comfortable. The sea also doesn’t get too cool and is perfect for swimming. The SS163 would also be less congested making going from town-to-town less frustrating.
Winter is the low tourist season. Going to the Amalfi Coast during this time would provide visitors with a glimpse of traditional southern Italian life. The weather will be brisk and rainy with temperatures ranging between 3°C/38°F and 10°C/50°F. Since it is the low tourist season, expect reduced hours and schedules for ferry services, beach clubs, and other establishments. Some establishments even decide to close for the season.
Spring is another shoulder season though expect the coast to get busy around Easter. Temperatures are mild, ranging from 15°C/60°F to 20°C/70°F. All the jasmine and citrus groves bloom during this time. The weather would be ideal for hiking, walking between towns, and for sailing to Capri.
Travel tip: for a hassle-free experience, check out this local living small group tour that I went on with G Adventures!
3) Getting to the Amalfi Coast
The main transportation hubs for the Amalfi Coast are Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno. Wherever your journey is starting from, you will have to make it to one of these hubs to get to the coast.
From Naples
By ferry (fastest/most scenic route)
From the port of Naples (Molo Beverello), you can take a direct ferry to Positano or Amalfi town. Note that these routes only run a few times per day. Once in either Positano or Amalfi, you can take the SITA bus or a taxi to your desired Amalfi Coast town.
By train
There are two routes that you can take by train that will take you from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
- Take a direct train to Salerno. This route is ideal if you are headed to Salerno or one of the towns that are east of Amalfi.
- Take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. This route is ideal if you are headed to Sorrento or to one of the towns that are west of Amalfi.
Once you are in Salerno or Sorrento, you can take the SITA bus or a taxi to your desired Amalfi Coast town.
By private transfer
Getting to the Amalfi Coast by private transfer would be the most convenient option but also the most expensive option. Below are some highly-rated private transfer services departing from Naples:
- Private transfer to Positano (with an optional stop at Pompeii).
- Private transfer to either Amalfi, Ravello or Atrani.
- Private transfer to Sorrento.
4) Navigating the Amalfi Coast
Navigating the Amalfi Coast can get pretty challenging. You will be contending with narrow, cliff-top roads, hairpin curves, and drop-offs toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. As much as possible, I would avoid driving. Besides congestion on the SS163, the roads are narrow, winding, and stressful. Also, parking is limited and expensive. In this section, I will list the available transportation options and the pros and cons of each.
On foot
It is possible to walk between SOME towns along the Amalfi Coast. Note: you cannot walk between all of the towns along the SS163 as there are no sidewalks. To get between towns, you must use scenic mountain trails and historic staircases. Keep in mind that the Amalfi Coast is very hilly, so you will be walking up many inclines and cobbled streets.
Below are some of the best walks between Amalfi Coast towns.
- Amalfi to Atrani. There is a pedestrian tunnel and a scenic cliffside staircase that connect these two towns. This walk takes about ten minutes.
- Maoiri to Minori (aka Path of the Lemons). This walk will take you through lemon groves and coastal terraces. This walk takes about 45 minutes.
- Bomerano to Nocelle (aka Path of the Gods). This walk is iconic! While it doesn’t connect the seaside towns directly, it will take you through a breathtaking trail above them. The trail can take to Positano or towards Praiano.
- Ravello to Amalfi or Minori. There are hundreds of historic stairs that connect Ravello to Amalfi or Minori. These walks take between 45 minutes to an hour. You can also walk to Atrani or Scala from Ravello.
Other possible walkable routes:
- Montepertuso to Positano.
- Pogerola to Amalfi.
By bus
The town of Amalfi is the main hub of transportation on the Amalfi Coast. From here, you can take the SITA bus headed towards either Sorrento or Salerno. Depending on which route you are taking, SITA buses depart quite frequently. Note that peak-season crowds can fill the buses quickly.
You can’t purchase bus tickets upon boarding; you need to buy them beforehand. You can purchase bus tickets from any SITA SUD partner. This could be a tobacco shop, newspaper stand, bars, cafes or any shop displaying the SITA SUD logo:
By ferry
Travelling by ferry is probably the most pleasant way of travelling long distances on the Amalfi Coast, especially during peak season. It skips the traffic and overcrowded busses.
Ferry tickets are more expensive than bus tickets and not every town has a ferry terminal. Only Salerno, Amalfi and Positano have ferry terminals.
By taxi
Taxis are available on the Amalfi Coast if you are too tired to walk back to your home base or if you missed the last ferry.
5) How many days to spend at the Amalfi Coast
The recommended number of days to allocate to your Amalfi Coast visit depends on a number of factors.
If you’re short on time, it is possible to go to the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Naples or Sorrento. But I would only recommend that if you were absolutely low on time. At a minimum, I recommend spending a couple nights at the Amalfi Coast. You may account for inclement weather days to avoid disappointment. Rain is rare from June to August and the rainiest months are October and November. If your itinerary allows, you can easily spend a week (or longer!) to enjoy each of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.
Travel tip: for ideas on what to do during your visit, check out 10 Wonderful Things to Experience on the Amalfi Coast
6) Decide on where you want to stay on the Amalfi Coast
Deciding on which town to stay in would have a direct effect on your experience at the Amalfi Coast. The main towns (Positano, Amalfi, Salerno) may be convenient but they are quite a contrast to the idyllic vibes many people expect from the coast.
Prior to your visit to the Amalfi Coast, I suggest that you decide on what vibe you are looking for. Do you want to be somewhere with a vibrant nightlife? Do you want to stay somewhere quieter and more idyllic? In addition, if you are short on time and have specific activities or attractions that you do not want to miss, you may want to stay somewhere close to them. Considering these factors in advance can help you decide on the best place to stay.
Related read: Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast (for the best experience!) – coming soon
7) Avoid motion sickness
If you are prone to motion sickness, come prepared for your visit to the Amalfi Coast. I tend to get motion sick quite easily and was usually asleep during drives along the SS163 and on the ferry. The SS163 is between a mountain wall and the drop-off to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It gets very narrow in some sections with a lot of blind turns. The Tyrrhenian Sea can also get pretty choppy. All this to say, getting around the Amalfi Coast can trigger motion sickness so it is best to come prepared.
The Thrill of Pursuit’s tips for mitigating motion sickness
- Consider taking anti-motion sickness medications like Meclizine (Bonine) or Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine or Gravol) at least 30 to 60 minutes before your journey begins.
- Pack acetaminophen/paracetamol in case you take the anti-motion sickness medication too late.
- Ginger candies is a great non-medicinal alternative that can help settle a queasy stomach.
- On the road, try to sit at the front seat and look ahead at the horizon (my dad who was a seaman taught me that).
- The ferries are generally smoother than a bus or car ride but I was still affected by the choppy waters, FYI. If you can, try to sit on the open deck and focus on the horizon.
- Try to keep cool. I find a steady stream of fresh air very helpful. Either crack a window open or angle the AC directly at you.
- Don’t travel on an empty stomach, but avoid heavy, greasy, or highly acidic foods before your journey. Simple carbs and water are your friends here.
8) Remember to hydrate
Time spent at the Amalfi Coast entails a lot of time spent out in the Mediterranean sun and plenty of walking. Remember to hydrate!
9) Timing is everything (when trying to avoid crowds)
The Amalfi Coast hosts 5 million visitors every year. It is very tough to avoid crowds in its narrow streets but not impossible. Day trippers crowd places and public transportation from midday to the afternoon. To get ahead of the crowds, I suggest starting your day early and be out on the road by 8 am. By midday, you can go for lunch and have a quiet afternoon until the crowds dissipate. Also, places would be less crowded if you visit during the shoulder season.
10) Pack the essentials
You never know where your day of wandering the Amalfi Coast will take you. And often times, I found myself miles away from my accommodations.
I recommend bringing the following with you for uninterrupted exploration of this Italian gem:
- Comfortable footwear.
- Bandaids/plasters. In case you brought the wrong footwear.
- Bathing suit. Hikes and walks can get pretty hot and the temptation of the Tyrrhenian Sea is just too much, trust me.
- Water shoes. From my experience, all the Amalfi Coast beaches I visited were rocky AF. If you plan on taking a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea, water shoes will make for a more comfortable experience.
- Microfibre beach towel. If you rent chairs and/or an umbrella from a beach club, you are granted access to their facilities. If no beach clubs are available, it is tougher to find change rooms. My microfibre beach towel came in handy for impromptu jumps into the Tyrrhenian after an afternoon of hiking. It’s big enough to change under, barely collects sand and it’s lightweight and barely takes up room in your bag.
- Sun protection. You are most likely going to be outside all day. Don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
- Anti-motion sickness medication or ginger candies.
- Acetaminophen/paracetamol.
Comments and questions are always welcome. If you have any corrections or questions about your visit to the Amalfi Coast, leave a comment below!
