The road along the Amalfi Coast hugs cliffs that drop straight into the Tyrrhenian Sea, threading through pastel-colored towns stacked up hillsides so steep that stairs often substitute for streets. It’s one of the most photographed coastlines in the world, and while the switchback drive can rattle even confident travelers, the views around each bend explain exactly why people keep coming back.
Related: Puglia Travel Guide: Trulli, Whitewashed Towns and the Salento Coast
Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
Wander Positano’s Vertical Streets
Positano cascades down a hillside in tiers of pink and white buildings, connected by steep staircases and narrow lanes lined with ceramic shops, lemon groves, and the occasional glimpse of the beach far below.
Visit Amalfi’s Duomo
The coastal town that gives the region its name centers on a striking striped cathedral reached by a long staircase from the main piazza, with a cloister of interlacing Moorish arches tucked just to one side.
Take in the Gardens of Ravello
Perched higher above the coast than its neighbors, Ravello offers some of the best panoramic views on the entire coastline, particularly from the terraced gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, both of which have hosted concerts and events for decades.
Swim at Marina di Praiano or Fiordo di Furore
Small coves tucked between the bigger towns offer a quieter alternative to Positano’s crowded beach, and the narrow fjord-like inlet at Furore, crossed by a dramatic stone bridge, is one of the coast’s more unusual swimming spots.
Take a Boat Trip Along the Coastline
Seeing the coast from the water reveals sea caves, hidden beaches, and cliffside villas invisible from the road, and many boat trips continue on to Capri, making for a full day on the water.
Top-Rated Amalfi Coast Tours & Experiences
Best Time to Visit
May, June, and September offer warm weather and sea temperatures without the packed beaches and inflated prices of peak August, when much of France goes on holiday. Mountain trails are best tackled from June through September once snow has cleared from the higher passes.
How to Get There
Naples International Airport is the nearest major gateway, with ferries from Naples or Sorrento offering a faster, more scenic alternative to the coastal road, which can take hours to drive even short distances during peak season. Local SITA buses connect the towns for those without a car.
Good to Know
Driving the coast road yourself is an option but not always a relaxing one, given the tight hairpin turns and heavy summer traffic, so many visitors prefer a private driver or the ferry instead. Comfortable shoes are essential given the sheer number of stairs connecting different levels of these hillside towns.
Slow travel suits the Amalfi Coast best; pick two or three towns to settle into rather than rushing the whole stretch, and let the views set the pace.
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