12 best Amalfi Coast travel tips

The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) is a destination that typically tops many people’s bucket list.  

The stuff of Mediterranean travel dreams, the region’s best known for its striking landscapes, colorful cliffside towns and unforgettable views. 

In this post, I’ll be sharing 12 of the best Amalfi Coast travel tips. Essential reading for visiting the Amalfi Coast, you'll be thankful you read this post before visiting. 

One of the best places to visit in Italy, use this post to plan your trip.

Where is the Amalfi Coast? 

The Amalfi Coast is situated in the Campania region in southern Italy. We spent 4 days traveling around the Amalfi Coast and enjoyed every second.

Its coastline stretches around 50km (31mi), running along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula between Sorrento and Salerno. 

The region takes its name from one of its coastal towns, Amalfi. Once regarded as a powerful maritime republic during the Middle Ages, Amalfi played a significant role in trade and commerce. 

Why should you visit the Amalfi Coast? 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Amalfi Coast has plenty of travel potential to offer first-time visitors.  

Rugged cliffs, sheer cliffsides and fertile terraced vineyards cascade down to meet the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Sorrento are the top towns that most visitors typically come to see on the Amalfi Coast. The largest of the towns, Amalfi has a sparkling marina, a pretty town center and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  

The colorful cliffside houses and buildings of Positano beckon you to visit from afar. A town center filled with shops, limoncello tours and a beach waiting at the other end, Positano is unmissable.

Away from the coast’s edge is Ravello. A small, yet, scenic town center, at its heart is the remarkable and romantic Villa Rufolo. Last, but certainly not least, the heavenly aroma of lemons entices you to visit the remarkable Sorrento. 

Best Amalfi Coast travel tips 

1. Visit the Amalfi Coast at the right time 

The answer to ‘when is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast’ isn’t as straightforward as you might think. 

Normally, I’d recommend visitors to come in May or around late September to October (see 'Italy in September' and 'October').

Spring is probably my favorite time of the year in Italy. It’s a time when the weather begins to warm up, but the temperatures aren’t extreme like we have in summer. 

However, there are always exceptions to the rule and May 2023 was one of them.

Most of Italy, including the Amalfi Coast, experienced torrential rains and thunderstorms. In some extreme cases, there was flooding in some parts of Emilia Romagna where 15 people tragically lost their lives.  

And while grey skies and heavy rain can dampen any vacation, temperatures in the Amalfi Coast in May remain pleasant. During our visit in mid-May, maximum daytime temperatures ranged from around 62.6°F (17°C) to 71.6°F (22°C). At night, they’d drop to around 53.6°F (12°C) or 55.4°F (13°C). 

Amalfi Coast in autumn 

Another of my preferred times to travel around Italy is autumn. Late September and October is less busy, less expensive and with still beautiful weather (usually). 

Because of this, it’s still possible to swim in the sea, bathe and do water-based activities typically reserved for summer.  

What is the Amalfi Coast like in winter? 

Maximum average temperatures on the Amalfi Coast in January range from 50°F (10°C) to 59°F (15°C). 

There’s a 30% chance of rain and 50% chance of cloudy skies. These are just averages to give you an idea. As we’re seeing, the weather’s becoming more unpredictable so it’s harder to give an accurate forecast. 

Is the Amalfi Coast busy in winter? 

If you think that the Amalfi Coast is less busy if you visit in winter, you may be surprised. During our trip, we spoke to a local lady who told us that January on the Amalfi Coast was still busy. She was referring mainly to Positano but told us that it was full of tourists and that services were open. 

It was surprising for us to hear given that many hospitality services typically close during the winter season in Italy. Cities like Noto in Sicily and even Venice in winter are much quieter. This not only refers to hotels and resorts but also to restaurants. 

If you’re planning on visiting the Amalfi Coast in winter, check whether services will be open before you book. We visited in mid-May so I can’t verify if the local’s lady testament is accurate. 

To round off this Amalfi Coast travel tip, my advice on the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast would be: 

• (late) May 
• beginning of June 
• September and October 

🎥 Watch: 3 things about visiting the Amalfi Coast that no-one will tell you

2. Driving can be challenging 

While the idea of driving the coastal stretch of the Amalfi Coast sounds romantic, the reality is a different story.  

A road full of curves — some which are sharp — characterizes the drive around the touristic parts of the Amalfi Coast.  

Cars compete with local and tour bus services for space on the tight stretch of road. Add motorcyclists meandering in between the traffic and it creates a scene that’s far from tranquil.  

Signs are everywhere 

Truthfully speaking, there were some moments where we felt unsafe while driving around the Amalfi Coast. And it wasn’t comforting to see some signs that confirmed we were right to feel this way.

While stuck in slow-moving traffic waiting to visit Positano, we saw several large signs (in different locations) for drivers. 

Essentially, the signs ask people to respect the Amalfi Coast and to drive safely. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take a photo as we were too far, and it wasn’t safe to stop. 

We also spotted places along the road where people had left flowers and photos of loved ones who had died. 

3. Cars park where they want 

A frustrating part of driving around the Amalfi Coast is the lack of parking restrictions on the main road.  

With an already tight stretch of road, some cars parking where they wanted didn’t help the situation.  

What made it more frustrating is that we didn’t see any sort of traffic patrol monitoring this. We saw police officers controlling the traffic in Positano but not in other areas. 

Map of the Amalfi Coast

4. Parking is expensive 

When you choose to drive around the Amalfi Coast, the next thing you have to tackle is looking for parking. 

And unless you get a spot on the main road (one that doesn’t block others) the choice is limited. 

The paid parking bays are divided between blue and yellow. Blue is for those that require a ticket from the machine while yellow is just for resident permit holders. It can cost around €3 ($3.22/£2.60) for 1 hour in a blue parking bay. 

Parking choices 

Once the blue parking bays have been taken, what you’re left with are private car parks. The pros of these car parks are the convenience. In a dense town like Positano they can be very helpful for parking. The downside is the cost. 

One hour in a private car park in Positano can range from €7 ($7.50/£6) to €8 ($8.60/£6.90) for 1 hour. And you’ll be charged a full hour even if you’re just 5 or 10 minutes over the next hour.  

The cost of parking in Amalfi was similar. We spent nearly 2 hours in the town and paid €16 ($17/£14). Out of all the popular towns on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento was the cheapest for parking.We paid €6 ($6.40/£5.20) for around 4 hours. 

5. Other ways of getting around the Amalfi Coast 

If the thought of driving sounds too stressful, there are other ways of getting around the Amalfi Coast. 

Rent a motorbike

Ditch the 4-wheeler for a 2-wheeler and rent a motorbike. Wear your helmet and err with caution when driving around local motorcyclists. We found some to be brazen, bold and not so mindful of the rules.  

Use the bus services

The main carrier is called SITA bus and, from what we saw, the service was frequent. The cost of the bus tickets is also very reasonable, ranging from €1.30 ($1.40/£1.13) to €5.20 ($5.58/£4.52) for a single ticket.

You can buy SITA bus tickets from any seller that displays the SITA SUD logo. They can include bars, cafes and newspaper stands. Check the website for the most up-to-date prices. Using the SITA bus service is one of my best Amalfi Coast travel tips. 

Go with a tour company

Book a day trip to visit Amalfi, Positano and Ravello and only worry about arriving on time for your pickup. Other alternatives include visiting Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento from Naples or visiting from Rome on a guided tour. 

Walk

Depending on where you plan to stay on the Amalfi Coast, driving may not even be an issue. If you’re a hiker and prefer to explore by foot, you may be able to avoid the subject altogether. 

6. There are few pedestrian sidewalks 

If driving around the Amalfi Coast sounds dangerous, the same can also be said for walking. We saw a few occasions of local older women walking through tunnels meant solely for vehicles. The same went for hikers walking along the sharp curves facing oncoming traffic. 

In short, there are no sidewalks for pedestrians to walk on the main road on the Amalfi Coast. 

The only thing you can do is to keep as close to the ‘pedestrian side’ as possible. Be also mindful of passing cars and motorbikes when walking in the town centers. Many are allowed to drive through areas that appear to be pedestrian only.  

7. Positano is the most expensive town 

Speaking from our own experience, Positano was the most expensive town that we visited on the Amalfi Coast.  

It was also the most touristic, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise. A social media darling, Positano has enough of a reputation to charge higher prices than lesser-known towns. 

To give you an idea, 1 margherita pizza with bufala mozzarella cost €21 ($23/£18). While this may sound ‘normal’ to visitors, for us that live in Italy it’s very overpriced. The pizza was fine but nothing to write home about.  

The high prices in Positano — and the hordes of people — were the main reason we decided to stay elsewhere. 

8. Explore the smaller towns 

The Amalfi Coast is dotted with plenty of other pretty towns worth visiting. Like our 3 days in Lake Como, exploring some of them is one of my best Amalfi Coast travel tips. 

Some of the towns we saw include: 

• Praiano 
• Conca dei Marini 
• Atrani 
• Minori 
• Maiori 
• Agerola 

And it was in the last town of Agerola where we spent 2 delightful nights at B&B Il Girasole. Friendly, inviting and accommodating, we had a very comfortable stay and for a reasonable price for the area. 

B&B Il Girasole, Via ponte bassa, 21 

9. Eat well out of town 

While Agerola technically isn’t on the Amalfi Coast, it’s still close enough to travel to and from. What’s more, we ate extremely well on both nights, much more than in Positano.  

On our first night we dined at La Cascina del Sole. A down-to-earth restaurant, this family-run eatery is friendly and serves generous portions for low prices. 

La Cascina del Sole, Via Casalone, 11, Agerola 

On our last night in Agerola, we had the most divine, and unexpected, dining experience at La Corte degli Dei. 

Our jaws dropped as we stepped away from the main road into a seemingly hidden courtyard. Beautiful décor on the outside and in, the 5-star dining experience we had could match any Michelin-star establishment. 

La Corte degli Dei, Via Armando Diaz, 26 

10. Outdoor tours can be cancelled 

When it rains on the Amalfi Coast, it really pours. And if the weather is deemed to be unsafe for water-based tours there’s a likelihood they’ll be canceled. 

I’m not speaking from personal experience, but our host at our hotel told us this is typically what happens. 

The only thing I can say is to check any stipulations related to bad weather with the company before booking a tour. This way you’ll be better informed in case of any weather eventuality. 

11. More hotels may be available and cheaper 

The upside to when it rains on the Amalfi Coast is that hotel prices may be cheaper. Based on our experience, many of the original places that we wanted to book weren't previously available. 

But with the heavy downpours came plenty of hotel cancellations. Because of this, popular hotels had rooms available and at a lower rate too. 

For us, it was a blessing because we’d been flexible with our dates for traveling around the Amalfi Coast. At the last minute we were able to secure a nice hotel and at a lower price. 

12. Try something local to the region 

Though many visitors won’t be familiar with the food of the Campania region, it’s good to try some local specialties.  

Two of the local foods that we tried (not together) were friarielli and a maritozzo.  Friarielli is a leafy green vegetable popular in the region. Simply sauteed in olive oil and garlic, friarielli makes a delicious side dish. Another famous dish is friarielli with sausage. 

A ‘fat husband’ 

Maritozzo on the other hand makes for an indulgent Italian breakfast or merenda in the afternoon. Translated to ‘fat husband’ this sinfully good donut is filled with a ‘fat’ portion of chantilly cream.

And once you get your hands on a good maritozzo, you’ll easily want another. 

We tried one in Amalfi from Pasticceria Savoia. The bakery also has a café where you can sit with a coffee and maritozzo and watch the world go by. 

Pasticceria Savoia, Via Matteo Camera, 2 

What do you think of these best Amalfi Coast travel tips? Has it provided you with good information to help plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast? Let me know in the comments below.  

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