I Have Been to the Amalfi Coast Three Times. Here Are the Towns Worth Your Money and the Ones to Skip.

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My husband and I have been to the Amalfi Coast more than once, and we have stayed in enough towns to know that where you sleep matters just as much as what you see.

There are 13 official towns on the Amalfi Coast, and not all of them deserve a spot on your itinerary. Some are ideal home bases with great hotels, beach access, and ferry connections.

Others are better as quick stops, and while they are beautiful to look at, they are not the place you want to be hunting for dinner at 9 pm.

This guide breaks down the best towns on the Amalfi Coast based on my personal experience, including where I stayed, what each town is actually good for, and which ones you can skip if your time is limited.

I’m also including the best hotels in each town, curated Viator tours for the experiences worth booking in advance, and tips on how to get around the coast without losing your mind.

The Amalfi Coast sits in the Campania region of southern Italy, about 40 miles south of Naples.

It runs along the Tyrrhenian Sea and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

The main road connecting the towns is Amalfi Drive, a 25-mile stretch that hugs the cliffs from Positano to Vietri sul Mare.

If you are already sold on the coast and just need a full itinerary, my seven-day Amalfi Coast itinerary covers exactly how to structure your time from arrival to your last ferry ride home.”

The links in this post may be affiliate links.  That means that if you click them and make a purchase, this site makes a commission.  It will have no impact on the price you pay or the experience of your purchase.

And if you are traveling to Italy for the first time and have questions about safety, I have a full Italy safety guide that covers everything from petty crime to travel advisories so you can plan with confidence.”

How Many Towns Are on the Amalfi Coast?

There are 13 official towns on the Amalfi Coast, and I want to clear this up because a lot of travel blogs get it wrong, including some big ones.

The 13 official municipalities are Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Scala, Minori, Maiori, Tramonti, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare. That’s it. That’s the official list.

You’ll see posts that throw Capri, Ischia, and Sorrento into the mix, and I get why. They’re close, they’re stunning, and most people visit them on the same trip.

But Capri and Ischia are islands in the Bay of Naples, not coastal towns. And Sorrento sits on the Sorrentine Peninsula, which is technically a different stretch of coastline.

I cover all three later in this guide because they absolutely deserve a spot on your itinerary, just not as Amalfi Coast towns.

Here’s the other thing nobody tells you: you don’t need to visit all 13.

Some of them, like Tramonti and Scala, are inland or so quiet that they work better as a quick detour than a destination.

A few others, like Furore, are gorgeous for photos but offer almost nothing if you’re staying overnight.

I suggest you pick one town as your home base, plan day trips to three or four others, and leave room for a day on the boat.

## Quick Guide: Which Amalfi Coast Town Is Right for You? Not sure where to start? This table breaks down all 13 towns by vibe, budget, and beach access so you can find your fit before you even start searching for hotels.

How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast Without a Car

Getting around the Amalfi Coast is not as easy as Google Maps makes it look.

The roads are narrow, the buses are packed in summer, and parking is basically a full-time job. But once you figure out the rhythm of it, you will actually enjoy the way this place forces you to slow down.

The Ferry Is Your Best Friend

Hands down, the ferry is my favorite way to get between towns. You hop on, the sea breeze hits your face, and you are watching the coastline from the water instead of staring at the back of a tour bus.

Ferries run between Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare during the season, which typically runs April through October.

Always check the schedule the night before because it changes depending on the weather and the time of year. Missing the last ferry back is not a fun situation to be in.

If the ferry is not running or you are heading somewhere ferries do not reach, the regional SITA bus runs along Amalfi Drive and connects most towns, but in peak summer, it is standing room only.

Private Transfers Are Worth the Splurge

This is what I do now, and I am not going back. Booking a private driver for the day means no schedule, no crowds, and someone who actually knows which road to take when there is a traffic jam on Amalfi Drive.

If you are traveling as a couple or a small group, the cost splits down to something very reasonable.

I book mine through Viator and have never had a bad experience.

Book a Private Amalfi Coast Driver →

The Scooter Day

My husband and I spent an entire day on a scooter once, just riding from town to town and pulling over every time the view got too good to keep moving.

It was one of the best days we have ever had anywhere in the world. If you are comfortable on a scooter and your travel partner is game, do it.

Just go slow, stay in your lane, and be prepared for tour buses coming around blind corners.

Book a Vespa Tour

The Fiat 500 Convertible Moment

Okay, I have to talk about this because it is one of those Amalfi Coast experiences that looks exactly as good in real life as it does on Instagram.

Renting a little convertible, usually a Fiat 500 with the top down, and driving along Amalfi Drive is genuinely one of the most fun ways to see the coast.

The wind, the views, the feeling that you are in a movie and it delivers every single time!

That said, I want to give you the real talk before you book one.

These cars are small for a reason. Amalfi Drive is narrow, it has blind turns, and there are stretches where you will be inches from a cliff on one side and a tour bus on the other.

If you are a confident driver and you are not easily rattled by tight roads, you will have the time of your life. If parallel parking in a normal city already stresses you out, this might not be the move.

The sweet spot is renting one for half a day, driving a specific stretch of the coast rather than trying to hit every town, and stopping at every pullout that catches your eye.

Do not try to cover too much ground. The point is the drive itself, not the destination.

You can rent Fiat 500 convertibles and similar open-top cars through Discover Cars, which compares prices across local rental companies so you are not overpaying.

Book early in the summer because these cars go fast.

Compare Fiat 500 Convertible Rentals on the Amalfi Coast →

A Note on Regular Car Rentals

I still do not recommend renting a standard car on the Amalfi Coast unless you are arriving from somewhere else in Italy and already have one.

Parking is expensive and incredibly limited.

The roads are one lane in places that feel like they should be zero lanes. And if there is an accident anywhere on Amalfi Drive, which happens regularly, you could be sitting still for hours.

The Fiat 500 convertible is the exception because the experience is the whole point. A regular rental car is just stress on wheels.

1. Praiano: The Best Amalfi Coast Town for Couples Who Want to Actually Relax

If you ask me which town on the Amalfi Coast is worth staying in, Praiano is my answer every single time. I stayed here for my honeymoon and I have been back since.

It sits right between Positano and Amalfi Town, which means you get easy ferry access to both without actually dealing with either of them at full volume.

Praiano is quiet in the best possible way. No cruise ship crowds, no tour buses idling outside your window, no lines to get into restaurants.

What you get instead is a genuinely relaxed pace, sunsets that are better here than anywhere else on the coast, and hotels that feel intimate rather than transactional.

It is also one of the more affordable towns on the Amalfi Coast compared to Positano, which means you are getting the same views and the same access for significantly less money.

For couples planning a honeymoon or a milestone trip, that matters.

One thing to know before you book: Praiano has a lot of stairs. Most of the best properties require some climbing to reach. If mobility is a concern, ask your hotel about accessibility before you confirm.

Best Hotel in Praiano: Hotel Onda Verde

Hotel Onda Verde is where I stayed for my honeymoon and it remains the standard I compare every other hotel stay against.

It is a four-star boutique property on the cliffs with private balconies overlooking the sea, a quiet pool, and a breakfast situation that will completely ruin hotel breakfast for you everywhere else.

The staff arranges private boat transfers from Salerno port, which is the arrival experience I recommend to everyone visiting Praiano for the first time.

Rates run from $292 to $600 or more per night. Summer books out fast so do not wait if you are planning a June through September trip.

Check Availability at Hotel Onda Verde on Expedia →

Address: Via Terramare 3, 84010 Praiano, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4-Star Boutique Estimated Cost: $292 to $600+ per night

Best Tours From Praiano

The Path of the Gods hike is the one experience I push every visitor to Praiano toward.

It runs along the cliffs above the sea, connecting Praiano to Positano, and the views are the kind that stop you mid-step.

Book a guided tour rather than going solo because the trail markings are not always obvious and a good guide means you can focus on what you are actually looking at instead of navigating.

Book the Path of the Gods All-Inclusive Tour →

If hiking is not your thing, a private boat tour from Praiano to Capri covers the Blue Grotto, swimming coves only accessible by water, and the kind of afternoon that makes everything else on your itinerary feel ordinary by comparison.

Reserve a Private Boat Tour from Praiano →

Closest Beach to Praiano: Marina di Praia

Marina di Praia sits at the bottom of a dramatic cove with cliffs on both sides and water that is genuinely that shade of blue you think only exists in photos.

It is a pebble beach, so pack water shoes, but the restaurant right on the beach serves some of the freshest seafood on the coast, and the whole setup makes for a perfect slow afternoon.

It never feels overrun, even in summer, which is increasingly rare on this coastline.

2. Positano: The Best Amalfi Coast Town for Luxury Travelers Who Want to Be in the Middle of Everything

Positano is stunning, and I am not going to pretend otherwise.

The pastel houses stacked up the cliffside, the bougainvillea on every wall, the boats in the harbor, it is all real, and it delivers completely.

But Positano is also crowded, expensive, and exhausting in a way that catches people off guard when they arrive expecting a peaceful Italian retreat.

Here is the honest version. If you are a luxury traveler who wants to be at the center of the action and has the budget to do it properly, you are going to love every minute of Positano.

If you are looking for quiet mornings and an unhurried pace, stay in Praiano and take the ferry to Positano for the day. You get all the beauty with none of the overwhelm.

Positano has the best concentration of high-end hotels, the most acclaimed restaurants, and the easiest access to every major experience on the coast. Ferries to Capri, Amalfi, and Sorrento run constantly.

The Path of the Gods ends here. Everything is bookable with almost no advance planning once you are on the ground.

What Positano does not offer is space, reasonable prices, or anything resembling quiet in July and August. The main beach gets packed wall to wall and the narrow streets can take twice as long to navigate as they should.

Factor that in and plan accordingly.

Best Hotel in Positano: Le Sirenuse

Le Sirenuse is the most iconic hotel in Positano and one of the most celebrated in all of Italy.

It has 58 rooms, a Michelin starred restaurant, a rooftop pool with views that feel completely unreal, and a level of service that has been consistent since 1951.

The breakfast terrace alone is worth writing home about. Rates start around $800 per night and climb well above $1,500 in peak season. It books out months in advance for summer so if this is on your list, move now.

Check Availability at Le Sirenuse on Expedia →

Address: Via Cristoforo Colombo 30, 84017 Positano, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,500+ per night

Best Tours From Positano

The Pompeii and Herculaneum tour with an archaeologist is the one I tell every first-time visitor to book before anything else.

Pompeii is about an hour from Positano and going with a guide who actually knows the site makes an enormous difference.

The scale of what you see there genuinely changes your perspective on everything else you do on this trip.

If you want the full breakdown of what to expect, how long to spend there, and which tour is worth booking, read my complete guide to visiting Pompeii before you go.

Book the Pompeii and Herculaneum Tour →

The Capri Island cruise from Positano is the other non-negotiable. You sail past sea caves, hidden coves, and dramatic rock formations with the coastline unfolding behind you the whole way. Coming into Capri by water is the only arrival that does it justice.

Reserve the Capri Island Cruise from Positano →

Best Beach in Positano: Fornillo Beach

Spiaggia Grande is the main beach and it is what you see in every photo. It is beautiful but it is also packed in summer.

Fornillo Beach sits a short walk west along a coastal path through lemon groves and has a completely different energy.

It is quieter, more local, and the handful of beach clubs here are relaxed rather than sceney.

The water is crystal clear and the small restaurants on the beach serve simple, genuinely good food.

If you are staying in Positano for more than two days, do one afternoon at Spiaggia Grande and spend the rest of your beach time at Fornillo.

3. Amalfi Town: The Best Home Base for First-Time Visitors to the Amalfi Coast

If this is your first time on the Amalfi Coast and you are not sure where to start, just stay in Amalfi Town.

You will thank yourself later when you realize how easy it is to get everywhere from here.

It sits right in the center of the coastline with the best ferry connections of any town on the coast and more history, food, and energy packed into a small space than almost anywhere else in southern Italy.

The Amalfi Cathedral at the top of Piazza del Duomo stops people mid-step every time.

The architecture pulls from Romanesque, Byzantine, and Arab-Norman influences and feels genuinely unlike anything else in Italy.

Go early before the cruise ship crowds arrive, and you will have a completely different experience from the midday version of this town.

The Museo della Carta, housed in a 13th-century paper mill that is still operational, is one of the most interesting stops on the coast and takes about 45 minutes.

And the food here is exceptional. Try the scialatielli pasta, which was actually invented in Amalfi, and do not leave without a Delizia al Limone from Pasticceria Pansa on the main piazza.

The one thing to prepare for is the daytime crowds.

Get out early, explore before 10 am, take a long lunch somewhere off the main strip when the day-trippers peak, and come back out in the evening when the town belongs to the people staying overnight.

Best Hotel in Amalfi Town: Hotel Santa Caterina

Hotel Santa Caterina has been family-owned since 1880, and that history shows in how it runs. It sits on the cliffside just outside the town center with a private elevator down to the sea, a saltwater pool carved into the rocks, and a restaurant using ingredients from their own lemon and citrus gardens.

The private beach gives you a quiet alternative to the public beach in town, and having that option on a busy summer day is genuinely valuable.

Rates run from approximately €396 to €1,140 per night depending on season and room type.

Check Availability at Hotel Santa Caterina on Expedia →

Address: S.S. Amalfitana 9, 84011 Amalfi, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €396 to €1,140+ per night

Best Tours From Amalfi Town

The Amalfi Lemon Experience is run by a family that has been cultivating lemon groves for six generations and includes a grove tour, a cooking class, a full meal, and a limoncello tasting.

It completely changes how you think about the food you are eating for the rest of your trip and it is one of those experiences that feels genuinely local rather than tourist-facing.

Book the Amalfi Lemon Experience →

Getting on the water from Amalfi is the other experience worth prioritizing.

A private boat gives you the freedom to stop wherever you want, swim in coves that tour buses cannot reach, and see the coastline from the angle that actually makes sense of how dramatic it is.

Reserve a Private Boat Tour from Amalfi →

Closest Beach to Amalfi Town: Arienzo Beach

Arienzo is only accessible by boat or a long private staircase, which means it never gets the overcrowded energy of the main town beach.

The water is some of the clearest on the entire coast, the beach club is good, and the surrounding cliffs create a sheltered cove that feels private even on a busy day.

Take a water taxi from Amalfi Town, which takes about ten minutes, and plan to spend most of the afternoon here.

4. Ravello: The Best Amalfi Coast Town for Romance and Views

Ravello sits about 1,200 feet above the coastline and has no direct beach access, and I want to address that immediately because it sounds like a dealbreaker until you actually get here.

What Ravello trades in beach access it more than makes up for in something genuinely hard to find on the Amalfi Coast: real quiet.

The kind where you can sit on a terrace with a glass of local white wine and hear nothing but wind and church bells. If that sounds good to you, this is your town.

The views from up here are unlike anything you get from the towns below.

You are looking out over the entire sweep of the Tyrrhenian Sea with the coastline curving away in both directions.

Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity sits right at the edge of the cliff and it is one of those spots that makes you stop talking mid-sentence because the view genuinely overrides everything else.

Go in the morning before day visitors arrive. Villa Rufolo hosts the Ravello Festival every summer, one of Italy’s most celebrated classical music events, with performances staged facing the sea as the sun sets.

If your trip falls between July and September, get tickets. It is the kind of evening that makes everything else on your itinerary feel a little ordinary by comparison.

Getting to Ravello requires a bus or car up a winding mountain road from Amalfi Town.

The bus takes about 25 minutes and runs regularly. A private driver gives you more flexibility, especially in the evening.

Best Hotel in Ravello: Belmond Hotel Caruso

Belmond Hotel Caruso occupies an 11th century palazzo restored with the kind of care and investment that only Belmond brings to a property.

The infinity pool appears to merge directly with the sea far below and sitting in it at sunset is something you will bring up in conversation for years.

The restaurant is exceptional, the rooms are deeply comfortable, and the staff makes you feel like a guest rather than a transaction, which at this price point should be standard but often is not.

Rates run from €680 to €900 or more per night during high season.

Check Availability at Belmond Hotel Caruso on Expedia →

Address: Piazza San Giovanni del Toro 2, 84010 Ravello, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €680 to €900+ per night

Best Tours From Ravello

The vineyard and wine-tasting tour through the hills above the Amalfi Coast offers a completely different side of this region that most visitors miss.

The views from the vineyard terraces are as good as any famous lookout point on the coast and the wine is seriously underrated.

Book the Ravello Wine Tasting Tour →

Closest Beach to Ravello: Castiglione Beach

Castiglione Beach is about 15 minutes by car from Ravello, and it is the beach most people staying here head to.

It is a pebble beach between dramatic cliffs with clear water and a relaxed atmosphere that never gets as packed as the beaches in Positano or Amalfi Town.

The extra effort of getting here filters out the casual day-trippers, and the people on this beach generally want to be there, which makes for a noticeably better afternoon.

5. Sorrento: The Best Base for Day Trips to the Amalfi Coast

Before we get into why Sorrento works so well as a base, I want to be upfront about something. Sorrento is not technically on the Amalfi Coast.

It sits on the Sorrentine Peninsula overlooking the Bay of Naples rather than the Tyrrhenian Sea. A lot of people book Sorrento thinking they are booking the Amalfi Coast and arrive feeling slightly confused.

Sorrento is its own thing and it is a genuinely great thing, just not the same thing.

That said, Sorrento is the smartest place to base yourself if you want to see as much of the region as possible without committing to one stretch of coastline.

Positano, Amalfi Town, Ravello, Capri, and Pompeii are all within easy reach. The roads in and out are significantly less stressful than navigating Amalfi Drive from the middle of the coast.

The town has a lively center around Piazza Tasso that stays busy at night, good restaurants, and artisan shops selling handmade leather goods and every lemon product imaginable.

For dinner, the Michelin-starred Il Buco is worth booking in advance.

And the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii takes 35 minutes from Sorrento, which makes that day trip genuinely easy in a way that staying further along the coast simply does not.

I have a full guide to doing Capri as a day trip from Sorrento, including exactly what to do, where to eat, and how to time the ferries so you do not miss the last boat back.”

Best Hotel in Sorrento: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria has been sitting on the cliffs above the Bay of Naples since 1834.

The rooms overlook the water and Mount Vesuvius, the pool terrace is one of the best spots in Sorrento for an afternoon drink, and the staff is warm and consistent in a way that matters when you are using a hotel as a base and returning to it tired every evening.

Rates run from approximately €650 per night during high season.

Check Availability at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria on Expedia →

Address: Piazza Tasso 34, 80067 Sorrento, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €650+ per night

Best Tours From Sorrento

The Capri ferry from Sorrento takes 20 minutes and runs frequently during the season. It is the easiest version of the Capri day trip you will find anywhere in the region.

Book the Capri Blue Grotto Tour from Sorrento →

The Amalfi Coast drive excursion from Sorrento takes you along Amalfi Drive with stops in Positano and Amalfi Town and gets you back by evening without any ferry schedule stress.

Book the Amalfi Coast Drive Excursion from Sorrento →

Closest Beach to Sorrento: Seiano Beach

Sorrento sits on cliffs so the beach situation requires a little effort.

Seiano Beach in nearby Vico Equense is accessed by a staircase, which keeps it from getting overcrowded, and the clear water and local seafood restaurants make it a solid afternoon option when you need a break from sightseeing.

6. Maiori: The Best Amalfi Coast Town for Families and Budget Travelers

Maiori does not get nearly enough credit, and I think it is because it is not as photogenic as Positano or as historically interesting as Amalfi Town.

But if you are traveling with kids or watching your budget without sacrificing being on the actual coast, Maiori is the answer.

It has the longest sandy beach on the Amalfi Coast, which is a bigger deal than it sounds when you realize most other towns have pebble beaches that require water shoes and a certain level of commitment.

The town is flat compared to most of the coast, which makes getting around with a stroller, luggage, or anyone who struggles with stairs significantly easier.

Restaurants here are priced for locals rather than tourists and that difference shows up immediately on the bill.

Best Hotel in Maiori: Hotel Club Due Torri

Hotel Club Due Torri sits close to the beach with comfortable rooms, sea views, and a relaxed atmosphere that fits the overall vibe of the town perfectly.

It is a four-star property with a pool and direct beach access, which for families is worth more than any amount of cliffside glamour.

Rates run from approximately €170 to €600 per night, depending on the season.

Check Availability at Hotel Club Due Torri on Expedia →

Address: Via Diego Taiani 3, 84010 Maiori, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4-Star Estimated Cost: €170 to €600+ per night

Best Tours From Maiori

The small-group Amalfi Coast day cruise from Salerno stops in Maiori and is one of the most relaxed ways to see the coastline without the intensity of more crowded departure points.

Book the Small Group Amalfi Coast Cruise →

Closest Beach to Maiori: Maiori Beach

Maiori Beach is right in town and it is the main reason families choose to stay here. It is sandy, it is long, and it is genuinely comfortable for a full day out.

The beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, and the whole setup is unpretentious in a way that makes it easy to just show up and relax without planning anything in advance.

7. Minori: The Most Underrated Town on the Amalfi Coast

Nobody talks about Minori and that is exactly why I am talking about it.

While everyone is fighting for a sun lounger in Positano, the people who did their research are in Minori eating the best pasta on the coast at a fraction of the price and wondering why they did not find this town sooner.

Minori is one of the 13 official Amalfi Coast towns and it sits right next to Maiori with ferry connections to the rest of the coast.

It is small, it is genuine, and it has not been swallowed by tourism the way the bigger names have. Locals actually live here.

Restaurants are priced for the people who eat in them every week, not for someone on a once in a lifetime trip who will pay anything.

And the food specifically is worth making a trip for because Minori takes its pasta seriously in a way that the more tourist-heavy towns simply do not have to.

Minori also has one of the only sandy beaches on the Amalfi Coast, which puts it in a very short list of towns where you can actually spread out a towel without it sitting on top of someone else’s.

For budget travelers, slow travelers, and anyone who has already done Positano and wants something that feels more like the real Italy, Minori is the town that delivers that.

Best Hotel in Minori: Hotel Villa Romana

Hotel Villa Romana is a small, well-run property close to the beach with clean, comfortable rooms and a rooftop terrace with sea views that punch well above the price point.

It is not a five-star luxury hotel and it does not try to be, but the location is excellent, the staff is genuinely helpful, and the rates make it one of the best value stays on the entire coast.

Rates run from approximately €100 to €250 per night, depending on the season.

Check Availability at Hotel Villa Romana on Expedia →

Address: Via Nazionale 197, 84010 Minori, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3-Star Estimated Cost: €100 to €250+ per night

Best Tours From Minori

The Amalfi Coast cooking class is one of the best things you can do in Minori because the town’s relationship with food is genuinely different from the more touristy spots.

You are learning from people who actually cook this way every day, rather than people who have packaged it up for visitors.

Book an Amalfi Coast Cooking Class →

Closest Beach to Minori: Minori Beach

Minori Beach is sandy, central, and one of the most relaxed beach situations on the entire Amalfi Coast.

It is wide enough that it never feels as packed as the beaches in the bigger towns, the water is clean and calm, and the whole setup is genuinely family-friendly without being boring for adults.

The seafood restaurants right on the waterfront are some of the best value eating on the coast. Order whatever is fresh, sit outside, and take your time.

That is the Minori way of doing things, and it is the right one.

8. Cetara: The Best Amalfi Coast Town for Food Lovers and Off the Beaten Path Travelers

If you have never heard of Cetara before planning your Amalfi Coast trip, you are not alone. Most people drive past it on the way to somewhere more famous and have no idea what they are missing.

Cetara is a working fishing village, and it has been one for centuries.

The boats still go out every morning, the anchovy haul still comes back in the afternoon, and the town has built an entire culinary identity around it that is unlike anything else on this coastline.

The big thing to know about Cetara before you go is the colatura di alici.

It is an anchovy sauce that has been produced here since the Middle Ages and it is used in everything from pasta to pizza to dishes you would not expect.

It sounds simple and it is genuinely one of those ingredients that changes the way you think about Italian cooking once you taste it done properly.

Every restaurant in Cetara uses it and every restaurant in Cetara does something interesting with it. Come hungry and plan to eat more than once.

Cetara is also just a genuinely pleasant town to walk around in. It is small enough to cover on foot in an hour but interesting enough that you will want to spend longer.

The harbor is active and photogenic without being staged for tourists. The ceramics shops are quieter and less pressured than the ones in Vietri sul Mare.

And the overall pace here is so unhurried that it has a way of making you forget you are supposed to be somewhere else.

Best Hotel in Cetara: Hotel Cetus

Hotel Cetus sits right on the water with rooms that look directly out at the Tyrrhenian Sea and a terrace that makes it very difficult to leave.

It is a four-star property that delivers consistently good service, excellent food from its own restaurant, and one of the better sunset views on the coast. For a town this size, having a hotel this good is genuinely lucky.

Rates run from approximately €150 to €350 per night depending on season.

Check Availability at Hotel Cetus on Expedia →

Address: Corso Umberto I 1, 84010 Cetara, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4-Star Estimated Cost: €150 to €350+ per night

Best Tours From Cetara

The best way to experience Cetara from the water is a boat tour along this quieter eastern stretch of the Amalfi Coast.

Most boat tours focus on Positano and Capri so getting out on the water from Cetara gives you a perspective on the coast that the majority of visitors never see.

Book an Amalfi Coast Boat Tour →

Closest Beach to Cetara: Lannio Beach

Lannio Beach is small, pebbly, and surrounded by the kind of cliffs that make every photo look like it was taken by a professional.

It gets a fraction of the foot traffic that the beaches in the bigger towns attract and that is entirely the point.

The beachside restaurants serve the freshest anchovy dishes you will find anywhere on the coast because the fish literally came off a boat that morning.

If you are the kind of traveler who would rather find the real version of a place than the famous version, Lannio Beach is exactly that.

9. Atrani: The Smallest Town on the Amalfi Coast and Why It Works Best as a Day Trip

Atrani holds the title of smallest town on the Amalfi Coast and one of the smallest municipalities in all of Italy.

It sits a five-minute walk from Amalfi Town, around a bend in the coastline, and most people pass through it without realizing it is technically its own town. That is part of its charm.

This is not a place to base yourself for a week.

There are very few accommodation options, limited restaurants, and almost nothing to do after 9 pm.

What Atrani does have is a genuinely beautiful little piazza, a small pebble beach that never gets as packed as the ones in the bigger towns, and a feeling of stepping back in time that the more developed towns on the coast have mostly lost.

The Church of San Salvatore de Birecto sits right on the main square and has been here since the 10th century.

It is worth five minutes of your time even if you are not a church person.

The best way to do Atrani is to walk over from Amalfi Town in the morning, have a coffee in the piazza, spend an hour wandering the narrow streets, and head back before lunch.

It is a palette cleanser between the bigger experiences on the coast and it photographs beautifully if you are building content or just want something for your camera roll that does not look like every other Amalfi Coast photo.

If you do want to stay overnight, the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is the one property in this area worth the price.

It occupies a former 13th-century monastery on the cliffs above Atrani with an infinity pool, exceptional dining, and rooms that feel like a genuine escape from the world.

Rates run from approximately €600 to €1,500 per night.

Check Availability at Anantara Convento di Amalfi on Expedia →

Address: Via Annunziatella 46, 84011 Amalfi, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €600 to €1,500+ per night

Closest Beach to Atrani: Spiaggia di Atrani

The beach in Atrani is small, pebbly, and sits right in the center of town, framed by the colorful buildings on either side.

It is genuinely one of the most photographed spots on the eastern stretch of the coast and it earns it.

The water is clear, it never reaches the crowd levels of Positano or Amalfi Town, and the whole scene has an authenticity that is getting harder to find the more popular this coastline becomes.

Spend an hour here, take your photos, grab a coffee from one of the bars facing the water, and enjoy the fact that you found the version of the Amalfi Coast that most tourists walk right past.

10. Conca dei Marini: The Hidden Gem on the Amalfi Coast for Luxury Seekers

Conca dei Marini is the town that people who have already discovered Positano on their second or third trip to the Amalfi Coast and immediately wish they had found it sooner.

It sits between Positano and Amalfi Town on a stretch of coastline that gets a fraction of the foot traffic of either, and the people who stay here tend to be the kind of travelers who have figured out that the best version of a place is rarely the most famous version.

The town is small and intentionally quiet.

There are no big shops, no crowds pushing through narrow streets, and no tour buses stopping here for a photo break.

What there is instead is dramatic cliff scenery, a stunning emerald cave called the Grotta dello Smeraldo that sits just below the surface of the water and draws a completely different color of light than the famous Blue Grotto in Capri, and a handful of genuinely exceptional places to stay that deliver privacy and luxury in equal measure.

Conca dei Marini is also the birthplace of the sfogliatella pastry, which is worth knowing if you are a food traveler because eating one here with that context hits differently than eating one from a shop in Naples.

Best Hotel in Conca dei Marini: Borgo Santandrea

Borgo Santandrea is one of the most beautiful hotels on the entire Amalfi Coast and I say that having stayed in a lot of them.

It is built directly into the cliffside with a private elevator descending to the sea, multiple pool terraces at different levels of the cliff, and rooms designed around the view in a way that makes you feel like the coastline was arranged specifically for your stay.

The restaurant is exceptional and the level of service here is the kind that makes you reconsider every other hotel you have ever stayed in.

This is a genuine luxury property that earns every euro of its rate. Rates run from approximately €750 to €1,200 or more per night depending on season and suite type.

Check Availability at Borgo Santandrea on Expedia →

Address: Via Giovanni Augustariccio 33, 84011 Amalfi, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €750 to €1,200+ per night

Best Tours From Conca dei Marini

The Grotta dello Smeraldo is the experience most people come to this part of the coast specifically for.

It is an emerald cave accessible by boat or by descending an elevator cut into the cliff face, and the color of the water inside it is something that genuinely does not photograph accurately because your camera simply cannot capture what your eyes are seeing.

Book a guided tour that includes the cave rather than trying to arrange it independently because the timing and access logistics make it significantly easier with someone who knows the setup.

Book the Grotta dello Smeraldo Tour →

Closest Beach to Conca dei Marini: Marina di Conca

Marina di Conca is a small cove tucked at the bottom of the cliffs with clear water and a sheltered atmosphere that feels completely removed from the busier beaches further along the coast.

It is accessible by a staircase from the town above, which keeps the numbers down naturally, and the fishing boats moored in the cove give it a genuine working coastal feel rather than the manicured beach club setup you find in Positano.

It is not a sprawling sandy beach situation, but for a quiet morning swim before heading out to explore the rest of the coast, it is genuinely one of the nicest spots on this stretch of coastline.

11. Furore: Worth Seeing But Not Worth Staying

Furore is one of those places that looks absolutely incredible in photos, only to surprise you when you arrive, because there is almost nothing there.

That is not an insult.

It is just the reality of a town that is more of a geographic spectacle than an actual destination, and knowing that before you go saves you from booking accommodation here and spending your evenings wondering where everyone went.

The Fiordo di Furore is the reason people come and it is genuinely worth coming for.

It is a narrow fjord carved into the coastline where a small river meets the sea between two towering cliff walls with a stone bridge spanning the gorge above.

The color of the water inside the fjord is extraordinary and the whole scene is one of the most dramatic natural moments on the entire Amalfi Coast.

Every summer, cliff divers compete here during the Gara Internazionale di Tuffi, which draws crowds from across the region and makes for one of the most unusual spectacles you will see anywhere in Italy.

Furore is also known for its murals. Local and international artists have been painting the walls of the town’s buildings for decades and wandering through looking for them is a genuinely enjoyable way to spend an hour.

The town produces its own wine from steep terraced vineyards above the sea and if you see a bottle of Furore wine on a menu anywhere on the coast it is worth ordering.

Do the fjord, see the murals, have lunch if the timing works out, and then get back on the ferry or the bus and head to wherever you are actually staying. Furore rewards a visit and punishes an overnight.

Closest Beach to Furore: Furore Fjord Beach

The beach at the bottom of the fjord is tiny, pebbly, and only accessible by boat or by descending a long staircase.

It is one of the most photographed spots on the Amalfi Coast and the water inside the fjord is calm and extraordinarily clear.

If you are on a boat tour that stops here for a swim, get in the water. It is one of those experiences that makes the whole trip worth it.

12. Vietri sul Mare: Best for Ceramics Shopping and Easy Access to the Amalfi Coast

Vietri sul Mare sits at the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast, where the coastline meets Salerno, and it is the first or last town you pass through, depending on which direction you are coming from.

Most people treat it as a drive-through, and that is a mistake because Vietri has something none of the other towns on this coast have: a genuine craft tradition that has been producing hand-painted ceramics since the 16th century.

The town is covered in its own work.

The buildings, the church domes, the staircases, the fountains, everything is decorated with the bold, colorful majolica tiles that Vietri is famous for, and walking through it feels like being inside a living gallery.

The Solimene Ceramics Factory is the one stop worth making specifically because the building itself is an architectural landmark designed with a Gaudi-inspired facade of ceramic waves and the showroom inside lets you watch artisans working while you shop.

The second room at the back has discounted pieces with minor imperfections that are genuinely hard to distinguish from the full price items, and worth checking before you spend full price anywhere else.

Vietri is also one of the most practical entry points to the Amalfi Coast. Salerno is ten minutes away by bus or car, Salerno has a major train station with connections to Naples and Rome, and arriving into Vietri and working your way west along the coast is one of the smoothest ways to start this trip logistically.

Best Hotel in Vietri sul Mare: Hotel Raito

Hotel Raito is a five-star wellness property perched above the town with panoramic sea views, a spa worth building time into your schedule for, and a restaurant that uses local ingredients in a way that feels genuinely considered rather than just Italian by default.

It is the kind of hotel that works well as a first or last night property when you want to decompress either before or after the intensity of the more crowded coast towns. Rates run from approximately €190 to €480 per night, depending on the season.

Check Availability at Hotel Raito on Expedia →

Address: Via Nuova Raito 9, 84010 Vietri sul Mare, Campania, Italy Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Luxury Estimated Cost: €190 to €480+ per night

Closest Beach to Vietri sul Mare: Marina di Vietri

Marina di Vietri is one of the only genuinely sandy beaches on the entire Amalfi Coast, which immediately puts it on a short list for anyone who has spent a few days on pebble beaches and is ready for something different.

It has a local relaxed energy, the beachside restaurants are priced reasonably, and it never reaches the crowd levels of Positano or Amalfi Town.

If your last day on the coast falls in Vietri, spend the morning here before heading to Salerno for your train. It is a good way to close out the trip.

13. Scala: The Quiet Town Most Tourists Miss on the Amalfi Coast

Scala is the oldest town on the Amalfi Coast and almost nobody visits it.

It sits directly across the valley from Ravello, about 1,150 feet above sea level, and the view it has of the coastline below is arguably better than anything you get from the more famous hilltop towns.

The people who find Scala are usually the ones who have already done the main circuit and are looking for something that has not been packaged up and sold back to them yet.

There is no beach, no luxury hotel scene, and no Michelin starred restaurant waiting for you here.

What there is is a genuinely ancient town with a cathedral that dates back to the 11th century, stone streets that have not changed much in several hundred years, and a silence that feels almost surreal after a few days on the busier parts of the coast.

The hike between Scala and Ravello takes about 45 minutes through chestnut forests and terraced lemon groves and it is one of the best walks in the entire region that almost no travel guide bothers to mention.

Scala works best as a half day trip from Ravello rather than a standalone destination.

Get up there in the morning, walk the streets, sit in the main piazza with a coffee, do the hike back down to Ravello if you are up for it, and feel quietly smug about finding the version of the Amalfi Coast that most tourists walk right past.

There is no hotel recommendation here because staying overnight in Scala is not something most travelers need to do. Base yourself in Ravello and make the trip up for the morning. That is the right way to do it.

Nearby Islands Worth Adding to Your Amalfi Coast Trip

Neither Capri nor Ischia are Amalfi Coast towns.

I want to be clear about that because a lot of guides lump them in and it sets the wrong expectation.

They are islands in the Bay of Naples and getting to both requires a boat.

That said, leaving the Amalfi Coast without visiting at least one of them is a decision you will regret on the flight home.

Capri

Capri is the one most people have on their list already, and it earns the reputation. The island is glamorous, expensive, and genuinely stunning in a way that justifies both of those things.

The Blue Grotto is the famous draw but the real experience of Capri is wandering away from the Marina Grande crowds, climbing up to Villa Jovis where Emperor Tiberius lived, and finding a spot on the island where you can see the Faraglioni rock formations rising out of the water with nothing between you and them.

The Piazzetta in Capri Town is the place to stop for an aperitivo and watch the most well-dressed crowd you have seen since the last time you were in Milan.

The ferry from Sorrento takes about 20 minutes.

From Positano, it runs in summer and takes about 40 minutes. The last boat back leaves around 7pm so watch the time because missing it means an unplanned overnight that your wallet will feel.

Book the Capri Blue Grotto Tour →

Book a Boat Trip Around Capri →

Ischia

Ischia gets overlooked because Capri takes up all the oxygen in the conversation and that works in your favor if you decide to go. It is larger, greener, and has a completely different energy.

The island is known for its thermal spas fed by volcanic hot springs, its beaches, which are significantly better than anything on the Amalfi Coast, and a slower pace that makes it feel less like a performance and more like an actual place people live.

If you are traveling with someone who wants a spa day while you are exploring coastlines, Ischia solves that problem completely.

The ferry from Naples takes about an hour and from Sorrento there are seasonal connections as well.

It works best as a two night add-on at the end of your Amalfi Coast trip when you want to decompress before flying home.

Book the Ischia and Procida Boat Tour from Sorrento →

If you want a deeper breakdown of every tour worth booking on the Amalfi Coast, including what to expect, how long each one takes, and which ones are worth the splurge, read my full Amalfi Coast tours guide.

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast: Hotel Booking Tips

Booking hotels on the Amalfi Coast is not like booking hotels anywhere else and a few things are worth knowing before you start searching.

Book early. This is the one piece of advice that applies to every town on this list without exception. The best properties on the Amalfi Coast sell out months in advance for June through September.

If your dates are flexible, late April through early June and September through early October give you the best combination of good weather, smaller crowds, and better availability at the hotels worth staying in.

Location matters more than star rating. A four-star hotel in Praiano with a sea view balcony will give you a better trip than a five-star hotel in a town that requires an hour of logistics every time you want to get somewhere.

Read every section of this guide before you book and choose your town first, then choose your hotel.

Check what is included. Many Amalfi Coast hotels charge separately for breakfast, parking, and beach access.

Some of the cliff properties also charge for the boat transfer if you arrive by sea. Factor those costs in when you are comparing rates because a cheaper nightly rate can add up quickly once you include everything else.

All hotel reservations in this guide are booked through Expedia. Rates on Expedia update in real time so what you see when you click is what is actually available for your dates.

Search All Amalfi Coast Hotels on Expedia →

Amalfi Coast Towns to Skip or Visit Briefly

None of these towns are bad. They are just not worth building your trip around, and knowing that in advance saves you from a booking decision you will regret.

Tramonti is inland. There is no coastline, no beach, and no ferry connection.

It is an agricultural town known for its wine production and pizza dough tradition, both of which are genuinely interesting if food tourism is your whole purpose for being here.

For everyone else it is a detour that takes time away from the actual coast. If you see Tramonti wine on a menu anywhere, order it. If someone suggests you stay there, politely decline.

Furore We already covered Furore in full earlier in this guide but the short version is this.

Go for the fjord, stay for lunch if the timing works, and leave before dinner. Furore is one of the most dramatic photo stops on the entire Amalfi Coast and one of the least practical places to spend the night.

The experience is the drive through and the view from the bridge, not the town itself.

Scala is genuinely beautiful and genuinely empty. It is the oldest town on the coast and almost nobody goes there, which is exactly its appeal and exactly its limitation.

If you are based in Ravello it makes a perfect half day trip. If you are trying to decide between Scala and anywhere else on this list as a home base, choose anywhere else on this list.

Agerola sits above the coast in the hills behind Furore and is primarily known as the starting point for the Path of the Gods hike.

It has no beach access, limited accommodation options, and very little reason to stay overnight unless you are hiking first thing in the morning and want to be right at the trailhead.

Take the hike, enjoy Agerola for exactly as long as the hike requires, and base yourself somewhere on the water.

FAQ: Planning Your Amalfi Coast Trip

DON’T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE

I can’t say this enough, but please get insurance when traveling to Italy! Even if you are only going on a short trip, it is always advisable to travel with insurance.

Have fun while visiting Rome, but take it from someone who has racked up thousands of bucks on an insurance claim before, you need it.

 Make sure to get your insurance before you head off on an adventure!  I highly recommend Travelex Insurance.

Final Thoughts: Which Amalfi Coast Town Is Right for You

After everything in this guide, here is the simplest version of the advice.

If this is your first trip, stay in Amalfi Town. If you want romance and quiet, book Ravello.

If budget matters and you still want the real coast experience, go to Maiori or Minori. If you have already done the famous towns and want something that feels like the Italy most tourists never find, try Cetara or Conca dei Marini.

And if you want luxury without the Positano price tag attached to everything, Praiano is the answer every single time.

The Amalfi Coast rewards the people who do a little research before they go.

The towns are close together but they are not interchangeable, and where you sleep shapes the entire trip in ways that are hard to fully appreciate until you are actually there.

A bad town choice does not ruin the Amalfi Coast but a good one makes it unforgettable.

Get on a boat at least once. Eat the pasta. Drink the limoncello even if you think you do not like it.

And if you find yourself sitting on a terrace somewhere above the Tyrrhenian Sea watching the sun go down with nowhere to be, that is the Amalfi Coast doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

Before you go, grab my Amalfi Coast packing list so you know exactly what to bring and what to leave at home.

Four dollars and ninety-nine cents and it saves you from the classic overpacking mistake that makes those cliff staircases significantly worse than they need to be.

👉🏾 Grab the Amalfi Coast Packing List for $4.99 →

And no matter where you travel, please get travel insurance before you leave. I have had a claim that ran into thousands of dollars and the only reason it did not derail the trip financially was because I had coverage. Travelex is what I use and what I recommend.

👉🏾 Get a Free Travel Insurance Quote with Travelex →

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