4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
Last updated on June 1st, 2026.
The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) is one of the most visited destinations in Italy.
A region overlooking the dazzling Tyrrhenian Sea, it’s an idyllic destination to enjoy a vacation in Italy.
In this post, I’ll be sharing our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary that we followed on our own trip. It’ll cover the Amalfi Coast towns we visited, things to do on the Amalfi Coast and where to stay.
Like with all my posts, I’ll be adding local Italy tips to help you organize the best Amalfi Coast vacation.
A destination that is Italy bucket list royalty, use this post to help plan your Italy trip.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
Before I jump into our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary, I want to highlight the different ways to get here.
Feel free to skip this part if it doesn’t apply to you.
Naples to the Amalfi Coast
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport (Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli).
If renting a car, the journey time takes around 1hr 22mins from Naples International Airport to the Amalfi Coast. Should you prefer to take public transport, the journey time is approximately double that of a car journey.
Given the location of the Amalfi Coast, reaching the destination usually entails using both regional trains and local buses.
Taking trains in Italy is a fast and (usually) affordable option. They’re also useful if you’re on a tight itinerary in Italy.
Rome to the Amalfi Coast
Another popular option is to visit the Amalfi Coast from Rome. Choose to drive, take the train or visit on a day trip. The choices are plentiful.
How many days in the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Italy.
And how many days you choose to spend on the Amalfi Coast comes down to personal preference.
Couples honeymooning in Italy may, quite rightly, want to spend 1 week traveling around the Amalfi Coast. Families, couples or retired travelers may find that 2 to 3 days is sufficient.
As the title of this post says, we settled on 4 days on the Amalfi Coast. Initially we only planned to spend 2 nights and 3 days, but an unexpected factor ruined our plans.
When is the best time to visit?
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer to ‘when is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?’ Following my own guidelines from ‘when is the best time to visit Italy’ we decided to visit in mid-May.
However, little did we know that that May (2023), much of Italy would be hit by torrential rain and thunderstorms.
The weather improved drastically towards the end of May and into June, but for us the damage had been done.
Which month/s?
If pressed for an answer on when to visit the Amalfi Coast, I’d suggest June or late September/October (see 'Italy in September' and 'October'). For all the years I've lived in Italy, we’ve always had good weather during these months.
What's more, these months tend to be less busy than if visiting during the peak summer season.
Visiting the Amalfi Coast during December, January or February would be less enjoyable (in my opinion). It's typically colder, wetter and not all services may be open. Plan to visit the Amalfi Coast Italy when there’s plenty of sun and no clouds in the sky.
4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
Day 1
Arrival from Naples
We began our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary after having spent one day in Naples. By car, the journey from Naples to the Amalfi Coast took around 1hr 24mins.
With dark clouds looming overhead and the forecast predicting an 80% percent chance of rain, it wasn’t a promising start.
Thankfully, the Amalfi Coast temperatures were more encouraging, hovering around 69.8°F (21C°) when we arrived.
Massa Lubrense
Our first stop on our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary wasn’t to Positano, Amalfi or Sorrento.
Instead, it was to a lesser-known town on the Amalfi Coast called Massa Lubrense. I won’t try to oversell it as a must-see town but it was where we stayed when we first arrived.
With so many choices on where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, we wanted a hotel that met our location and cost requirements. The Amalfi Coast isn’t exactly one of the cheapest places in Italy to visit. And given the time of year of our visit, we found a happy balance at the Gocce di Capri resort.
Gocce di Capri
The 3-star resort is in a tranquil part of the Amalfi Coast. Consisting of generous-sized apartment-style accommodation, it was much bigger than we’d expected.
Its name translates to ‘drops of Capri’, a name that it lives up to. Despite the dark clouds that hung over our visit, we could clearly see the island of Capri in the distance.
In our ‘room’, we’d a living area, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a modern bathroom and a terrace. While the furnishings were basic, it was extremely clean, and the facilities were well stocked.
Meals are served at the resort’s restaurant, but breakfast isn’t included in the booking.
Gocce di Resort is a great choice for families or groups of friends traveling together.
Gocce di Capri, Via delle Tore, 7, Massa Lubrense
Dinner in Massa Lubrense
For dinner, we chose to take the advice of the staff and dine at a local restaurant. Around 5 minutes’ walk from the resort, there was just one other couple when we entered Ristorante Salvatore & Mafalda.
But on a rainy, yet humid, Monday evening in May, we weren’t too surprised.
Prior to arriving at the restaurant, we’d passed the entrance without realizing and were greeted by a charming, town center. Home to a local church and panoramic viewing point, it added a pleasant surprise to the evening.
Rather than talk about the high-quality food and fresh ingredients, I'll let the photos do the talking. An evening of excellent dining and service, Ristorante Salvatore & Mafalda lives up to its online reviews.
Ristorante Salvatore & Mafalda, Via delle Tore, 2
Amalfi Coast map
Day 2
Drive to Sorrento
Sorrento was one of many towns we included on our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
The drive from Massa Lubrense to Sorrento was 25 minutes, with little traffic and pretty scenery.
We only spent one day in Sorrento but many visitors use it as a base for the Amalfi Coast. While there are plenty of things to do in Sorrento, for us it worked well as a day trip.
A town made for slow travel, enjoy visiting the churches in Sorrento, seeing Marina Grande and browsing its town center.
By late afternoon, the Amalfi Coast weather had worsened. With the sound of thunderstorms nearing in the distance we decided to head back to our hotel.
Local eats
After what felt like hours of rainfall, the skies finally cleared to make way for some dry weather.
That evening we settled on eating local at Zaghéra Cocktail & Kitchen. A speedy 8-minute drive from our resort, we dined on fried seafood, cocktails and chocolate gelato.
Another excellent dining choice, it distracted our attention from the miserable weather.
Zaghéra Cocktail & Kitchen, Via Rotabile di Nerano, 10
Day 3
Check out and Positano
Given the dire weather, we decided to extend our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary by another 2 days (in another town). We'd seen the forecast for the following days, and it was showing sunshine and blue skies.
Our decision to stay longer was made easier given that the cost of many hotels had dropped. With the unexpected bad weather, it seemed that many visitors had cancelled their trip leaving some hotels vacant.
Using this to our advantage we booked another 2 nights at a B&B, this time in a town called Agerola.
Arrival at Agerola
Agerola hadn’t originally featured on our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary. An Amalfi Coast town with more going on than Massa Lubrense, we were keen to experience a different location.
Around 1hr 10mins by car later, we arrived at B&B Il Girasole. Meaning ‘The Sunflower’ B&B, the property really lived up to its name.
Family run, the bedrooms are individually decorated in their own colorful and unique style. As a gated hotel, B&B Il Girasole was also extremely safe to park our car.
In the morning, we helped ourselves to fresh croissants and warmed up with creamy cappuccinos.
An excellent choice when looking for Amalfi Coast hotels, it’s one I highly recommend.
Onto Positano
Despite the grey clouds and another day of dreary rain ahead we made our way to Positano.
From Agerola, the drive became longer and tedious due to the many curves on the road.
Stressful driving
As mentioned in my Amalfi Coast travel guide, driving around the Amalfi Coast comes with many challenges.
Speeding motorbikes (locals) overtaking at every chance and traffic blocks caused by buses and coaches in tight spaces are common.
After being stuck in slow-moving traffic for around 30 minutes we finally entered Positano.
The parking situation in Positano was the most difficult compared to the other Amalfi Coast towns.
Most of the on-street parking is reserved for residents and the metered spaces fill up quickly.
What you're left with, like what happened with us, are the costly parking garages.
Given the journey we’d had, we didn’t try looking for an alternative. We simply left the car and the keys and didn’t look back.
Things to do in Positano
Despite what social media tells you, there aren’t that many things to do in Positano. The town is small and is filled with dozens of hotels, souvenir shops, overpriced restaurants and poorly rated coffee bars.
Positano was one of the towns we most wanted to see on our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary. However, we were honestly left feeling underwhelmed.
The highlight of visiting Positano, for us, was walking around the town and enjoying the views. From afar, the iconic image of colorful houses built into the cliffside with the church’s dome in view is magnificent.
Visit its church
The iconic church you see in photos of Positano is Chiesa Santa Maria Assunta, or St. Mary of the Assumption. Its history dates to the 10th century but it’s undergone many renovations and reconstructions over the centuries.
Many visitors come to see the Byzantine-inspired icon of the Black Madonna above the altar. It’s said to have been brought to Positano by sailors from the East.
The church is simple and is a significant symbol of the town. While we weren’t impressed by it, it’s one of the free things to do in Positano.
Go to the beach
Steps from St. Mary of the Assumption church is Positano’s main beach, Positano Spiaggia. The dark storm clouds and cool breeze rolling in from the sea turned a potentially pretty scene into something mediocre.
To be honest, we've seen much better beaches in Italy than the one in Positano. It had nothing to do with the weather; for us it was nothing special.
An expensive pizza
We sat down for a late lunch at La Pergola. Our expectations weren't high as we were more than aware we were in a tourist hotspot.
Yet, the service was quick and friendly, and the food wasn’t bad. Our order of 2 margherita pizzas, a beer and a soft drink arrived not long after we placed it.
But the bill was what we’d expected for Positano, being more than double what we would’ve normally paid. One margherita pizza with bufala mozzarella cost €21 ($23/£18). Usually, we pay €6 ($6.35/£5.23) to €8 ($8.47/£6.97) for a margherita and that’s in a top pizzeria.
Upon finishing our meal, we made the walk back up the sloping road to the car park. While Positano didn’t impress us as we’d thought, we're still glad we saw it.
La Pergola, Via del Brigantino, 35/37
Is there a better alternative to Positano in 2026?
To put it simply, yes. Praiano is just as charming plus it has pretty sunset views. You should also consider Salerno, one of the best Italy destination dupes.
It's a budget-friendly base with good ferry connections, not to mention its proximity to Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport. In 2026, Aeroitalia announced they would be expanding their weekly flights connecting Salerno to Milan-Malpensa, Turin, Genoa and Trieste.
This makes it even easier to travel to the Amalfi Coast without having to deal with the chaos of Naples Airport.
First dinner in Agerola
In stark contrast to our Positano pizza, we enjoyed an evening of authentic, and incredibly cheap, dishes back in Agerola.
We came across La Cascina del Sole – Ristorante by chance and we’re glad we did. An agriturismo with a restaurant on site, it serves rustic meals and generous portions.
To give you an idea of the price difference between Positano, a margherita pizza here was just €4 ($4.24/£3.48).
The owner and staff were warm and inviting and we left feeling happily stuffed. Diners included a mix of locals and visitors, all of whom were equally satisfied. It's a place I’m glad we added to our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
As an agriturismo, La Cascina Camere also offers accommodation. It’s popular among hikers walking the Path of the Gods (Sentiero Degli Dei).
La Cascina del Sole – Ristorante, Via Casalone, 11, Agerola
Day 4
Amalfi, Ravello and more smaller towns
We were awoken on day 4 of our Amalfi Coast trip by warm rays of sunshine peering through our curtains.
Delighted by the prospect of finally being blessed with good weather, we wasted no time in starting our day.
Morning in Conca dei Marini and Amalfi
Before Amalfi, we made a quick stop in the small Amalfi Coast town of Conca dei Marini. We’d passed it numerous times in the car during our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary, and it had piqued our curiosity.
A tiny municipality, there wasn’t much open in terms of attractions. However, it was still early morning when we arrived and many places were still closed.
Instead, we visited the local church, Chiesa San Pancrazio Martire, and enjoyed the views from the panoramic viewing point.
Chiesa San Pancrazio Martire, Via Don Gaetano Amodio, 22
Onto Amalfi
The drive from Agerola to Amalfi was far quicker, and less stressful, at just 35 minutes.
Like Positano, there was a slight buildup of traffic upon arriving in Amalfi, but it was nowhere near as bad.
Despite arriving just after 9am, the street parking options had all been taken. Again, we were left with the paid parking lot (Parking Berma), which was similarly priced to Positano.
Walk the promenade
We began our day in Amalfi walking the Piazzale dei Protontini. A raised promenade situated by the parking area, it’s an ideal spot to lap up the Amalfi views.
Watching the boats come and go from the harbor is one of the best things to do in Amalfi.
Head to the town center
Amalfi probably has the prettiest town center on the Amalfi Coast.
It may have had something to do with the sunshine that day, but the town just beamed. Lined with shops, bars and cafes, Amalfi is touristy but not overly so. It's also a more breathable town to visit compared to being stuck among the crowds in Positano.
Ready for a mid-morning snack, we detoured into Pasticceria Savoia for a maritozzo. Meaning ‘fat husband’, my husband and I devoured the delicious cream-filled donut in seconds.
A traditional pastry in southern Italy be sure to add it to your 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Pasticceria Savoia, Via Matteo Camera, 2
Step inside the Duomo
As you venture further into Amalfi’s town center you eventually meet the grand staircase leading to its Duomo (cathedral).
Positano’s church has nothing on Amalfi’s St. Andrew’s Cathedral (Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea).
Dating to the 9th century, the Duomo is dedicated to St. Andrew, who is considered the patron saint of Amalfi. An example of Romanesque and Baroque architecture, the church has a distinctive striped facade with arches, columns and intricate detailing.
Tickets are required to enter the church.
Addio to Amalfi
We left Amalfi after several hours and were glad we’d added it to our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary. For us it was enough time and we’d felt like we’d seen everything.
What’s more, the sky had become overcast, and the sun was slowly fading behind the clouds. We knew there was little time to see Ravello before it rained again.
A quick stop in Atrani, Minori and Maiori
Any hopes of trying to see Ravello before it rained were dashed when we unknowingly missed our road turning.
Instead, we continued driving along the Amalfi Coast where we instead made brief pit stops at Atrani, Minori and Maiori.
From our brief visit to all 3 Amalfi Coast towns, Atrani was my favorite. It bore a similar look to Positano, but it was nowhere near as crowded.
Up to Ravello
The road towards Ravello took us up more winding roads and into more woodland territory. It was far different from the other towns we’d already visited.
Parking in Ravello was like what we found in Sorrento; easy to find and reasonably priced.
The main attraction
A town center brimming with shops, eateries and a cathedral, there was one attraction that stole the limelight.
Exploring Villa Rufolo
Villa Rufolo’s history dates to the 13th century when it was built by the wealthy Rufolo family.
The villa’s most famous for 2 notable features.
One is its terraced gardens, which provide incredible views of the Amalfi Coast. Spend a good amount of time exploring them, you’ll be glad you did.
The second is for its association with the composer Richard Wagner. Wagner was so inspired by the beauty of the villa and its surroundings that he used it in his work.
Villa Rufolo’s gardens served as the setting for the second act of his opera Parsifal. Since then, a music festival dedicated to Wagner has been held every year in Ravello.
One of my favorite attractions on the Amalfi Coast, you won’t regret adding it to your 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
Villa Rufolo, Piazza Duomo, 1, Ravello
Last dinner in Agerola
For the last night of our Amalfi Coast trip, we booked dinner at the exquisite La Corte degli Dei. A top-tier restaurant that could easily be placed in high-end Positano, we stumbled across a real hidden gem.
With Michelin-style dining, top presentation and flawless service, we ended our 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary on a high.
La Corte degli Dei, Via Armando Diaz, 26
Our 4 days on the Amalfi Coast were a heady mixture of highs and lows. The lows of the bad weather didn’t stop us from exploring the region, but it slightly altered our plans.
Ultimately, it was still a dream come true to see the Amalfi Coast. It was a place I’d always wanted to visit, and I encourage you to follow suit one day.
What do you think of this 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary? Is there a town on the Amalfi Coast that appealed to you? Let me know in the comments below.
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This place is definitely worth the visit. There is so much to see and do. Not to mention the food looks delicious. Anyway, we're actually planning to visit Sorrento but we'll see if we can extend and explore Amalfi coast too.
I hope you enjoy Sorrento!
This is such a great guide and so sorry you had to deal with thunderstorms and rain during your trip - I went to Italy last year around the Cinque Terre around the mid-end of October and it was so sunny and warm (more than usual) so you never know with the weather. I'd love to go back and spend a few days exploring the Amalfi coast and all that food looks so delicious, love Italian food
Thanks Laura, we still had a good time 🙂 October here is a great time to visit and still warm. Hope you come back again to the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi coast looks really beautiful to visit. I liked the information you shared which is very helpful. Will love to visit here someday.
Thank you I'm glad you found it useful
Oh no. We went to Sorrento, then Pompeii, then headed to Rome. We definitely missed Positano and especially Amalfi with its great Duomo! We should have extended by 2 days!
You always have a good reason to come back!
Up until I read your post, the Ligurian coast to me was the epitome of beauty and of Italian dolce vita. Looks like Liguria has to share the pole position with another wonderful Italian coast. I've actually been in the area before but didn't by far have enough time to explore the Amalfi coast. Well, let's see what next year has in store - could be Positano & Co. 😉
You should definitely give it a visit, it's a beautiful area 🙂
Oh wow, this looks like such a wonderful place to go to! The food looks amazing here
We eat very well here
It's such a shame when you plan a big trip and there are massive weather warnings! I always try to find the best time - but it's nice to hear the grounding advise that there is no best time.
If I had to pick a month/s I would say June or late September/October. It's been good weather for as long as I've lived here
We visited the amalfi coast briefly on a cruise last year, but I want to explore more. It's such a beautiful part of the world x
It really is, I hope you come again one day
Thanks for this perfect introduction to the Amalfi coast. I have been toying with the idea of a trip to the Amalfi coast for years. However I would not go by car, but I have read there is good public transport too. And this "Fat husband Maritozzo" looks mean - I want to eat it NOW!
It is soooo good! And driving can be stressful, the public transport is a good idea
Wow , did this post bring back memories! It was years ago but I distinctly remember the most was the crazy driving along the coast. I am pleased to read about your road trip style where you could flexibly decide on accomodation to suit your plans. We had the same experiences in Positano with parking and exorbitant prices. I liked Ravello for its views and wish I had stopped longer at Amalfi town. Great way to end a nice holiday is with great food.
Driving can get very stressful here! We knew Positano would be touristy and expensive but it was a real let down
Amalfi I have heard of but I didnt know it was much touristy. I hope to visit it next year if I get visa.
Hope you visit!
I would love to do this as a road trip (or train trip) - went to Italy last year mainly to Levanto and Tuscany but want to go back and explore more. Thanks for sharing this, so much inspiration
You're welcome, I hope you come again soon
What a stunning place to visit. I have yet to see a place in Italy I wouldn't want to visit but the coast is just so serene and breathtaking. I always feel that the off seasons are the best time to travel especially to beat the heat!
It really is dreamy but of course when the weather is good! You definitely must visit one day
When I visited the Amalfi Coast I stayed in Massa Lubrense as well. Our hotels must have been very close to each other as I had a very similar view of Capri from my room. I was there only for two days, so I focused my trip around Sorrento and the surrounding areas rather than try to squeeze in Positano as well. I knew it would be very touristy (not that Sorrento wasn't) and I left it for another time, in off shoulder, as I was visiting in summer on this time
You made the right choice. Sorrento was busy too but not to the levels of Positano, it was like being sardines!
Wow, the Amalfi Coast is truly a dream destination! Thanks for sharing your 4-day itinerary – can't wait to explore these picturesque towns and soak up the Tyrrhenian Sea views.
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it
It's good that the town of Amalfi isn't as populated. It seems like the popularity of the Amalfi Coast has surged so much that I've been afraid to go, so your post relieved my mind a bit. And YES, I totally agree about finding food as locally as you can. The pastas look (and sound!) amazing. It's a shame about the rain, so your idea of going in late June or September/October is a smart idea. And I'm with you on not going in winter - brrr!
Amalfi is touristy but it wasn't to the level of Positano. I'm hoping that June or late autumn is better, the weather keeps changing so you never know!
I would have to agree that the Amalfi Coast is in the list of our top 10 places to visit in Italy. We have stayed in the Amalfi Coast into early November. The weather is great but we did find places starting to close down as we went out of season. We loved checking out the smaller towns where the tourist crowds were smaller. We will have to check out Conca del Marini next time. Your post makes me wish we had a return visit planned.
I'm not surprised that services started closing around that time, it's quite normal. Conca is small but very pretty!
Oh wow, it sounds liek you packed in a fair amount to see in the 4 days that you were there. OMG, that pizza price was insane!!! I can't believe that they charged you so much. Sounds like a wonderful trip x
It was so overpriced! We are not used to paying that for pizza in Italy. But it was a good trip overall 🙂
Wow! So many beautiful places to visit on the Amalfi Coast. I will add this to my bucket list.
You won't regret visiting 🙂
Your explanations about the various ways to reach the Amalfi Coast were particularly helpful, especially the details about transportation from Naples and Rome. Knowing the options available makes it easier to plan our journey.
Thank you! I'm so glad you found it helpful
The Amalfi coast looks like an amazing area if Italy. Thank you for sharing your 4 day itinary, I would love to visit.
You definitely must one day
I wish I could go for a holiday to Amalfi Coast. It looks scenic. I like watching boats by the harbour, the waves turning swiftly and the rays shining over them. I think the pasta at La Cascina del Sole in Agerola looked like what we make at home, I mean the style and look. I would love to try the maritozzo. I guess the traffic and parking has become a problem everywhere. In the hillstations of India, it is a major issue.
I hope you consider visiting one day, it's a region I think people should see once in their life 🙂
This looks stunning! I hope I get the opportunity to visit one day!
I really hope so too!
Wow this is so very practical hearing it first-hand experience.
I would love to visit Amalfi coast and taste this delicious food..
You definitely must visit one day, it's worth seeing!
Just looking at these photos had me itching to visit the Amalfi coast, but then I read about the spots. I have to go there!
You definitely must visit one day!
We did a boat tour along the coast, but I would love to spend more time in some of the amazing villages.
You must return, the towns are villages are a big highlight 🙂
I've been to Italy a few times but never made it to Amalfi Coast, the region is stunning without any doubt! I can't wait to explore it soon.
I hope you visit one day it's very beautiful 🙂
Looks amazing and definitely somewhere we would like to visit, this post is really helpful and full of good information
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing with us this historic and cultural treasure of Italy. As I can tell, gastronomy is also at a high level 🙂
It always is 😀
Another really great and informative post! I love the Amalfi coast and I really like how you make aware of those hidden gems!
Thank you Claudia! I'm glad you liked it 😀
Great information fir travelling in this beautiful area. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!