Quick Answer
- Best time: late May to June and September.
- Where to stay: Sorrento for transport links; Positano for the splurge; Amalfi for ferries; Ravello for calm.
- Getting in: Curreri bus from Naples airport to Sorrento, 13 euros.
- Getting around: ferries in season, SITA Sud buses as backup; tickets before boarding.
- Driving: alternate number-plate rule on the Amalfitana road, 10:00 to 18:00, summer 2026.
At a glance
- Best time
- Late May–June, September
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian
- From the airport
- Curreri bus to Sorrento, €13
- Getting around
- Ferries in season; SITA Sud buses
The Amalfi Coast punishes one mistake above all: trying to drive it, or relying on the bus in August. Pick a well-connected base, move by ferry, and the coast becomes easy. Prices and rules below were checked on 3 October 2026.
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The shoulder months win, and winter barely exists as a tourist season here.
| Season | Weather | Crowds and prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–early Jun) | Warming, green | Light, building | Hiking, calm ferries |
| Summer (Jul–Aug) | Hot | Heaviest, peak prices | Swimming, long evenings, packed boats |
| Autumn (Sep–Oct) | Warm, sea still swimmable | Easing | The best balance of sea and crowds |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Cool, wet | Very low | Quiet towns, but many hotels, ferries and restaurants close |
Ferry timetables thin out from mid-October, and many routes are seasonal, so a November trip can leave you on the bus. August peaks around Ferragosto (15 August), when Italy itself goes on holiday. For warm water at better value, September is the pick.
What to pack for Amalfi Coast
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
61 x 122 cm, listed at 120 g in navy, snap loop and a ventilated carry bag. Rainleaf says it absorbs five times its own weight, and it comes in six sizes. The one most travelers should buy first.
Check price on Amazon Live price on Amazon710 ml, 450 g, press-style purifier. Grayl publishes 99.99% virus, 99.9999% bacteria and 99.9% protozoan cyst removal and a 250 L (350-press) cartridge. OutdoorGearLab’s best water-quality score of its 2026 test.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonWhere should you stay on the Amalfi Coast?
The towns look close on a map, but the cliff road makes every hop slow, so your base shapes the trip.
| Base | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sorrento | Lively town, best transport links | First-timers, day-tripping |
| Positano | Vertical, glamorous, steep | The postcard splurge, short stays |
| Amalfi | Central, walkable, ferry hub | Boat access to everywhere |
| Ravello | Quiet, high, garden views | Calm, romance |
Sorrento isn’t technically on the Amalfi Coast (it sits on the other side of the peninsula), which is exactly why it works: a direct bus from Naples airport, trains to Naples and Pompeii, ferries along the coast and the widest choice of rooms.
Price check: for two nights in mid-October 2026, a Booking.com search for Sorrento hotels returned 3 and 4-star rooms at roughly 155 to 430 euros a night. Positano generally costs more; Ravello and Amalfi sit in between.
How do you get around the Amalfi Coast?
The boats are the secret. The road is the backup.
What should you not miss on the Amalfi Coast?
- Positano. Walk down the stairs to the beach and look back up. Go early, before the day boats arrive.
- The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). About 7.8 km high above the sea from Bomerano to Nocelle, mostly downhill in that direction; allow three to four hours. The best free thing on the coast.
- Ravello’s gardens. Villa Rufolo (8 euros, open 9:00 to 19:00) and Villa Cimbrone’s belvedere hang high above the sea.
- Amalfi’s cathedral. The striped Duomo di Sant’Andrea at the top of its grand staircase, the heart of the town the coast is named for.
- A Capri day trip. Fast ferries from Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi take under an hour. Go early and ride the chairlift up Monte Solaro.
Eat local: a sfogliatella (the crisp, shell-shaped pastry), a lemon granita on a hot afternoon, and fresh seafood at a harbour-side table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Late May to June and September are the sweet spot: warm sun, a swimmable sea, and ferries running full schedules before and after the August crush. July is busy and pricey, August is hot and packed, and from November the coast largely shuts down. The shoulder months give you the postcard without the queue.
Where should I stay on the Amalfi Coast?
Sorrento is the best-connected base for most first-timers: buses from Naples airport, trains to Naples, ferries along the coast and the widest choice of hotels. Positano is the dramatic, expensive showpiece, Amalfi sits central on the ferry routes, and Ravello is the quiet, garden-filled hilltop. Choose one base and day-trip the rest by boat.
How do I get to the Amalfi Coast?
Fly into Naples. The Curreri Viaggi bus runs from the airport straight to Sorrento for 13 euros, or you can take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento from Napoli Garibaldi station, or a train to Salerno for the eastern end. From there, switch to SITA Sud buses or, better in season, the ferries between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno.
Do I need a car on the Amalfi Coast?
No, and most visitors are happier without one. The coast road is narrow, winding and clogged in summer, parking is scarce, and in 2026 an alternate number-plate rule applies on the Amalfitana road from 10:00 to 18:00 on summer weekends and every day in August and September. Ferries and SITA Sud buses link every town.
Is the Path of the Gods hike worth it?
Yes. The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) runs about 7.8 km high above the sea from Bomerano to Nocelle, with sweeping views down to Positano and across to Capri. Starting from Bomerano keeps it mostly downhill; allow three to four hours. It’s the single best free thing on the coast. Wear proper shoes and bring water.
Can you do Capri as a day trip from the Amalfi Coast?
Easily. Fast ferries run to Capri from Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi in season, all under an hour. Go early to beat the day-tripper wave, ride the chairlift up Monte Solaro for the view, and you can be back at your base by evening.
Start planning your Amalfi Coast trip
If you’ve already booked a Positano cliff suite for August, you don’t need our advice on value. Everyone else: compare a few dates in late May, June and September before you commit.
Find cheap flights to Naples | Compare Sorrento hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our Italy itinerary, Italy by train, the best time to visit Italy and the hotels hub.
