The Amalfi Coast in Italy is one of the most popular destinations in the world to visit for so many reasons! The coast has some of the most stunning ocean views in Italy, delicious food and a variety of activities to do for any age group. The Amalfi Coast is the perfect destination for a honeymoon, girls trip, family vacation or just any excuse to take in the beautiful views and eat delicious food with an Aperol Spritz. Seth lived in Italy for two years and visited the Amalfi Coast multiple times from Florence. We visited the area together when we were backpacking in 2019 and had the best long weekend! This three day Amalfi Coast itinerary will walk you through exactly how to spend a long weekend in this gorgeous area of the world.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
Where to fly to visit the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is accessible from any major city in Italy. The easiest way to get to the coast by airplane is to fly to Naples or Rome since there are direct trains to Sorrento from those destinations. The Amalfi Coast is also accessible from the Milan airport but the travel time is much longer to reach the coast.
Getting to the Amalfi Coast by train
You can easily take the train from Rome or Naples to the Amalfi Coast. If you are staying in Sorrento, taking the train will be your best option to get to the coast since it stops directly in Sorrento.
Getting to the Amalfi Coast by ferry
It is also possible to get to the Amalfi Coast by ferry from Naples. Depending on where you are staying on the Amalfi Coast, this will make the most sense since the ferry stops at both Capri and Positano. The ferry does not stop in Sorrento.
Pro-tip: Use Rome2Rio to see all of your different travel options and decide what makes the most sense based on your itinerary and budget!
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast
May – September will be the best time of year to go to the Amalfi Coast. The summer months are peak season and all establishments will be open. The weather and sea water will be the most warm in July and August but it will also be the most crowded during those summer months. We visited the Amalfi Coast in July and we spent hours comfortably swimming in the gorgeous Mediterranean water!
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Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
It can be very overwhelming deciding where to stay on the Amalfi Coast because there are so many beautiful coastal towns. Your decision on where to stay should come down to your budget and complete desired itinerary. Especially if visiting the Amalfi Coast for three days, it is likely that you will spend most of your days outside of your housing exploring the coast so it is important to choose housing that is convenient to getting around the area.
Sorrento
Sorrento is the best place to stay on the Amalfi Coast if traveling on more of a budget. It will be the cheapest option out of all the different coastal towns and is also the most convenient town to explore the rest of the Amalfi Coast. There is also much more to do in Sorrento than some of the other areas on the Amalfi Coast. You will have more bar and restaurant options to try after a long day of exploring!
Booking.comPositano
Many travelers opt to stay in the popular town of Positano. While it will be more expensive than Sorrento, it may be more convenient to stay here since it will grant you easy access to everything that Positano has to offer. It is important to note that Positano is a very steep town. It is a challenge to walk up and down the town to get to the beach and different restaurants.
Booking.comCapri
The island of Capri is one of the most famous places to visit on the Amalfi Coast because of the stunning views and cute town to explore. The Blue Grotto is considered one of the seven wonders of the world and is easily accessible from Capri. Capri is one of the most expensive places to stay on the Amalfi Coast which is why many celebrities opt to stay on the island. Capri is a great place to stay on the Amalfi Coast if you plan to mostly stay on the island itself since it is only accessible by ferry from Naples, Sorrento or Positano. If staying on Capri fits within your budget and itinerary, it is a great option for your three days on the Amalfi Coast!
Booking.comTips for planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast
Book early
As stated earlier, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular destinations in the world, therefore housing and activities do get booked up early. As soon as you know your travel dates, we recommend booking the rest of your trip as soon as possible!
Use the public transportation
The Amalfi Coast really has the transportation system worked out to get between all of the different towns. There is no need to schedule expensive taxis on land or water when the public bus and the ferry system is very simple to use.
It is possible to visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget
While many travelers opt for a full luxury experience when traveling to the Amalfi Coast, it is very possible to travel here on a budget. Housing will be more expensive compared to other parts of Italy but besides that, you do not need to be a luxury traveler to visit the Amalfi Coast.
Here are 40 tips for traveling on a budget.
It is also possible to book a full luxury vacation on the Amalfi Coast!
On the other hand, if you want to book the most luxurious vacation you have ever been on, the Amalfi Coast is a great place to do it! The Amalfi Coast is a very popular honeymoon destination and is a great destination to treat yourself to all of the luxuries you desire!
Make dinner reservations
We always recommend making dinner reservations if there is a restaurant you really want to eat at on the Amalfi Coast. If traveling during peak season, it is possible that popular restaurants will be completely booked up.
Read all of our favorite Europe travel tips here!
Three Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary
Three days on the Amalfi Coast is plenty of time to explore all of the iconic spots of this popular destination. Feel free to rearrange this itinerary based on where you are staying and preferred travel speed! This three day Amalfi Coast itinerary is meant to help guide your adventure and can absolutely be personalized for you and your adventure.
Day 1 in the Amalfi Coast: Explore Positano
Positano is one of the most famous and popular towns on the Amalfi Coast. There are absolutely gorgeous beaches and tons of restaurants to try! Spend the day exploring and relaxing in this famous beach town.
How to get to Positano
If staying in Sorrento, there is a public bus pass for €10 that takes you all around the area to explore different parts of the coast. The bus will take you directly to Positano! We recommend starting your day early to try and beat some of the beach crowds.
Here is the location of the SITA bus in Sorrento to purchase tickets and board the bus for departure.
Beach day in Positano
Positano Spiaggia
This is the main beach in Positano. It is free to enter and it will get crowded throughout the day. Get there early if you want to claim space before the crowds take over!
Arienzo Beach Club Positano
This is the famous beach in Positano with the orange umbrellas that you have likely seen all over the internet. There is a minimum spend needed to reserve a spot here but it will be more private than the other beaches on Positano.
Spiaggia di Tordigliano
Spiaggia di Tordigliano is another beach that is about a 10 minute walk from the main Positano beach. This beach is much less known about and while there may not be fancy umbrellas, it is typically less crowded and you can still enjoy the views while cooling down in the crystal clear water.
Where to eat in Positano
The wine shop Positano Vini e Panini
This famous sandwich shop is about a 10 minute walk from the main Positano beach and is a great spot to grab a quick lunch. The sandwiches are so good!
Lo Guarracino
A classic Italian restaurant with a terrace with a stunning view.
Ristorante Bruno
Another famous spot in Positano with a stunning view of the town and a delicious menu. We recommend making a reservation in advance especially if you want a table with a view!
Explore other coastal towns around Positano
If you still have time after spending some time relaxing and dining in Positano, we recommend taking the bus to check out some of the other towns along the coast! For example, Amalfi Town is really charming and has a great beach for swimming just a short walk from the bus stop.
If you are staying in Sorrento, we recommend that you plan to go back to your housing to shower on this day of your Amalfi Coast itinerary. This way you can get dinner in Sorrento after your day in Positano. There should be plenty of great dining options walkable to your housing!
Where to eat in Sorrento
Trattoria dei Mori
One of the most famous seafood restaurants in Sorrento.
L’Antica Trattoria
A charming local Italian restaurant that is loved by everyone who visits!
Bagni Delfino
Another favorite dining spot in Sorrento with stunning views of the bay to watch the sunset.
Day 2 in the Amalfi Coast: Ferry to Capri for the day
Capri is one of the most famous islands in the world to visit which is why there is a whole day dedicated to exploring this gorgeous island on this three day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
How to get to Capri
The ferry runs regularly from both Sorrento and Positano ports over to Capri. It is important to buy your tickets in advance especially during peak season because they will fill up. It is very easy to take the ferry back and forth in one day from either Positano or Sorrento!
What to do on the island of Capri
Take a boat tour to the Blue Grotto and around the island
We recommend taking a boat tour as the first thing you do on your Amalfi Coast itinerary after you arrive in Capri. There are tons of options for boat tours in Capri and honestly most of the companies run very similar tours to see the Blue Grotto and venture around the island. Depending on your budget, you can book a private boat with a captain for the day or book a tour with other people. Our tour had around 10 people on the boat and it was still great!
Funicular to the top of the island
There is a funicular that runs to the top of the island. The funicular is just a few Euros and will take you straight to Capri town surrounded by absolutely stunning views of the island. There’s a little stand at the top as soon as you exit the funicular area that makes the best cocktail in the world in our opinion. It’s called a granita and tastes like an orange creamsicle!
Shop in Capri Town
Shopping in Capri town is an Italian summer dream. The shops are filled with all sorts of lemon decor and trinkets that you can only find in Italy. This is an easy thing to do on your way down to lunch!
Lunch on the water at Da Gioia
After you take the funicular to the top of the island, we recommend walking down the other side of the island to Marina Piccola for a stunning meal on the water. Da Gioia is so cute and when you’re done, there’s a beach right next to swim and relax for the remainder of the afternoon.
Once you are done exploring Capri for the day, make sure to track ferry times so that you do not get stuck on the island and get back to your hotel on the Amalfi Coast.
Day 3: Take a half-day trip to Pompeii
Depending on your exact train or flight time, it may make sense to visit Pompeii on either your first or last day on the Amalfi Coast. Either way, a trip to this town is an absolute must do activity on a three day Amalfi Coast itinerary. Pompeii is a historic town along the coast situated under Mt. Vesuvius which erupted over the town in 79 AD. Modern day, you can walk through and see the ruins from that tragic eruption and learn the history of this coastal town.
Pompeii is about a 40 minute drive from Sorrento and there are tons of companies that run tours to explore this town. You can either stop here for a tour on your way back to Naples or Rome, or just take a half-day trip here and then head back to your housing on the Amalfi Coast.
Book your tour to Pompeii from Sorrento here!
If you go back to your housing in Sorrento after this half-day trip to Pompeii, feel free to venture out to the town and enjoy a beautiful last dinner on your last night of this three day Amalfi Coast itinerary!
What to pack for the Amalfi Coast
Be sure to read our summer in Italy packing guide for a complete list of outfit ideas, but here are some must-haves for a trip to the Amalfi Coast!
Teva Women’s Midform Sandal
Large Straw Beach Bag
5 Pieces Floral Hair Scarf
The Drop Slide Sandal
Amazon Summer Beach Romper
Hill House Ellie Nap Dress
Beach Sarong Swimsuit Cover-up
insta360 X3 Get-Set Kit
Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Backpack
iWalk Portable Charger
Converter
Compression Packing Cubes
Additional Europe Resources
Europe travel tips you NEED to know
The best bags for international travel
The ultimate summer in Italy packing list
Our holy grail travel items
How to plan a trip to Europe
How to survive and thrive after an overnight flight
We hope this three day Amalfi Coast itinerary helps plan your trip to this stunning coastal area! Southern Italy is truly one of the best places to visit in the world and we would love to hear in the comments what you are most excited to do on your Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
