Few places in Italy stir the imagination like the Amalfi Coast—once a powerful Maritime Republic and now a UNESCO-listed ribbon of cliffside villages, lemon terraces, and sea grottos. Here, color-splashed houses plunge toward tiny pebbled coves, church bells ring over old stone stairways, and boats skim cobalt water between secret beaches.

Expect superb seafood, handmade sandals, and the scent of Amalfi’s famous sfusato lemons at every turn. Spring and early fall bring warm seas without peak-season crowds; July–August is dazzling but busy. Summers favor ferries along the coast; in winter, buses and cars rule the road. Pack light—there are lots of steps—and book popular restaurants ahead.

Getting in is simple: fly into Naples (closest) or Rome, then continue by train, ferry, bus, or private transfer. Compare European flights on Omio. Trains from Rome or Florence to Naples/Salerno are fast—search times and fares on Omio Trains. For coastal hops, spring–fall ferries are scenic and efficient—check routes on Omio Ferries; buses fill the gaps year-round via Omio Buses.

Positano

Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s pin-up: vertical lanes, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and beaches framed by sea stacks. It’s a perfect base for boat days, the Path of the Gods hike, and lazy afternoons on Spiaggia Grande or quieter Fornillo.

• Top sights: Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo beach (a 10-minute coastal path away), the artisan workshops of Via dei Mulini, and sunset views from the hilltop hamlets of Nocelle and Montepertuso.
• Eat & drink: Beloved institutions include Da Vincenzo (handmade pasta, Amalfi wines), Chez Black (beachfront, heart-shaped pizzas, grilled fish), La Tagliata (farm-to-table feast in Montepertuso), and the cocktail temple Franco’s Bar (open-air terrace above the sea; arrive early).
• Good to know: Taxis are limited and pricey; boats and ferries are often faster than buses. Reserve dinners; bring beach shoes for pebbly shores.

Where to stay (Positano): Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Positano or compare hotels on Hotels.com Positano. For fewer steps, look near Spiaggia Grande or the ferry dock; for quieter nights, consider Fornillo or Montepertuso.

Getting to Positano: From Naples Airport, a private transfer takes ~1.5–2 hours (€130–180 per car). Budget option: train from Naples to Sorrento (60–70 min), then bus or ferry to Positano (45–60 min). Find trains and buses on Omio and seasonal ferry options on Omio Ferries.

Day 1: Arrival in Positano

Morning: Travel to Naples or Rome and continue toward Positano. Price and timing vary by route; typical options include Rome–Naples high-speed train (~1h10, €25–60) on Omio Trains, then transfer to the coast.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll down Via dei Mulini to Spiaggia Grande. Pick up sandals from a local workshop and grab a lemon granita from a beachfront kiosk. Coffee break: Collina Positano Bakery for sfogliatelle and a cappuccino.

Evening: Sunset aperitivo at Franco’s Bar (standby line opens before 6 pm; views over the bay). Dinner at Da Vincenzo—try scialatielli ai frutti di mare and local Furore white. Nightcap gelato from Buca di Bacco’s counter on the beach.

Day 2: Path of the Gods + Fornillo Beach

Morning: Light breakfast at Casa e Bottega (smoothie bowls, lemon ricotta tart). Bus to Bomerano (often via Amalfi; allow ~75–90 min; €2–5—check Omio Buses). Hike the famed Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle (6–7 km, 2.5–3.5 hours, moderate; bring water, hat, and grippy shoes). Panoramas sweep from Praiano to Capri.

Afternoon: Reward yourself at Il Chiosco del Sentiero (Nocelle) with lemon granite and simple panini. Descend stairways to Positano or taxi down. Beach time at Fornillo—rent sunbeds, order a seafood salad at Da Ferdinando, and swim until late afternoon.

Evening: Dinner in the hill hamlet of Montepertuso at La Tagliata: no menu, generous garden courses, house wine, and cliff views. Prefer in-town? Il Capitano serves grilled catch of the day with terrace seating. If you’re up for nightlife, Music on the Rocks is Positano’s iconic cave club.

Day 3: Capri by Boat

Morning: Join a small-group boat tour from Positano’s pier (typically 8–9 hours; €120–150 pp; private charters often €700–1,200 per boat). Cruise past Li Galli islets, stop for swims, circle Capri’s grottoes (Blue Grotto is weather-dependent and has a separate small-boat fee if you opt in).

Afternoon: Disembark at Capri. In Anacapri, ride the chairlift to Monte Solaro for island-wide views. Lunch ideas: Da Gelsomina (vineyard-side rabbit, Capri salad) or Il Riccio (sea urchin spaghetti, cliffside desserts). Wander the Piazzetta and Via Camerelle boutiques before re-boarding.

Evening: Return to Positano. Casual dinner: Chez Black for beach vibes and charcoal-grilled octopus, or Da Vincenzo’s daily specials if you didn’t go on Day 1. Toast the day with limoncello made from Amalfi lemons.

Amalfi

Capital of the medieval republic that rivaled Pisa and Genoa, Amalfi mixes history with a lively seaside promenade. The striped façade of the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea crowns the central piazza, while alleyways hide lemon gardens and old paper mills.

• Top sights: Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and its cloister, the Paper Museum (Museo della Carta), Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve, and neighboring Atrani (a postcard-perfect mini harbor 10 minutes’ walk away).
• Eat & drink: Pasticceria Andrea Pansa (since 1830; delizia al limone), Taverna Buonvicino (courtyard dining near the Duomo), Sensi (contemporary tasting menus), Donna Stella (pizzas under lemon pergolas).
• Local flavor: Sip limoncello from Amalfi sfusato lemons and look for ceramics from nearby Vietri sul Mare.

Where to stay (Amalfi): See options on VRBO Amalfi and Hotels.com Amalfi. For easy access, stay near the harbor or Piazza Duomo; for quieter nights, consider Atrani or above-town terraces.

Day 4: Transfer to Amalfi, Duomo and Paper Trail

Morning: Travel from Positano to Amalfi by ferry (20–25 minutes; ~€10–12—compare times on Omio Ferries). Check in and grab a marble-topped stand at Pasticceria Andrea Pansa for espresso and a slice of pastiera.

Afternoon: Tour the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and its Moorish-arched Chiostro del Paradiso. Lunch at Pizzeria Donna Stella—try the lemon-zest pie under the pergola. Walk uphill to the Paper Museum to see how Amalfi’s hand-laid paper is made using ancient watermills.

Evening: Aperitivo on the Lungomare with anchovy crostini. Dinner at Taverna Buonvicino (ask for the courtyard table; order local scialatielli with clams). For a fine-dining splurge, Sensi’s terrace tasting menu pairs beautifully with Costa d’Amalfi DOC wines. Gelato stroll to the harbor afterward.

Day 5: Ravello’s Gardens, Then Departure

Morning: Bus up to Ravello (25 minutes; ~€1.50–2.20; check Omio Buses). Visit Villa Rufolo’s gardens and views over the campanile-studded coastline. Continue to Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity—one of Italy’s great panoramas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Cumpà Cosimo (old-school trattoria; handmade pasta, braised meats, rustic cakes). Return to Amalfi, pick up ceramics or a bottle of limoncello for the road. Depart in the afternoon: ferry Amalfi→Salerno (35–50 min; €12–16) then high-speed train to Rome (~2h10) on Omio Trains, or local train to Naples (~40–60 min) and airport bus/taxi. Private car Amalfi→Naples Airport runs ~1.5–2 hours (€120–200 per car).

Evening: If you have extra time before departure, detour to Atrani for a quick espresso at the tiny piazza bar and a last glance at the sea. Otherwise, head onward with sand still in your shoes.

Seasonal notes and tips: Ferries run most frequently April–October; buses are year-round but can be crowded—go early. Reserve Capri/boat tours and popular restaurants (Franco’s, Sensi, La Tagliata) in advance. Carry small cash for beach clubs and kiosks; wear sturdy shoes for hikes and stairways.

Five days here blends sea, stone, and sun: Positano’s glam bays, Capri’s grottoes, Amalfi’s cathedral, and Ravello’s high gardens. You’ll leave with salt on your skin, lemon on your tongue, and the Coast’s winding silhouette etched in memory.