--- title: "Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast (2027 Guide)" description: "Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano or Sorrento? Our Amalfi Coast guide: where to stay, how many days, ferries, SITA buses, the Path of the Gods and Capri." url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/amalfi-coast-travel-guide" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_S9bzb.jpg" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) 3. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: Where to Stay, How Many Days, Ferries and Buses [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) # Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: Where to Stay, How Many Days, Ferries and Buses Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano or Sorrento? Our Amalfi Coast guide: where to stay, how many days, ferries, SITA buses, the Path of the Gods and Capri. By [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil), Travel Designer · Published on November 8, 2026 · 9 min read ![Pastel houses of Positano stacked down the cliff to the beach and the sea](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_D89Le.webp) For a first visit, stay three or four nights on the Amalfi Coast in one base and move by boat, bus or private driver rather than changing hotels. Positano is the base for the view and the boats, Amalfi for transport and a real town, Ravello for quiet and gardens, Praiano for sunsets and better value, and Sorrento for an easier, flatter stay just off the coast. Go between April and October, when the ferries run; from November to March most hotels in Positano close and the boats stop. We plan the Amalfi Coast for honeymooners, families and first trips to Italy every season. This guide compares the bases, explains how the ferries, SITA buses and drivers work in 2026, and covers the Path of the Gods, Capri, the beaches and the stairs nobody warns you about. ## The Amalfi Coast at a glance | | | | --- | --- | | Where it is | the south side of the Sorrento peninsula, south of Naples, in Campania | | Main towns | Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Minori, Maiori | | Nights we suggest | 3 to 4, or 5 with Capri and a hike | | Best base for a first visit | Positano or Amalfi | | Getting around | ferries (spring to late October), SITA buses, private drivers | | Season | April to October; very quiet from November to March | | From Rome | about 4 hours door to door: fast train to Naples, then a driver | ## How many days on the Amalfi Coast - **Two nights:** enough for one boat day and one town day, but you spend a large share of it arriving and leaving. We suggest it only at the end of a longer Italy trip. - **Three nights:** our standard. One day on the water (a private boat along the coast or to Capri), one day for Amalfi and Ravello, and one evening in Positano after the day visitors leave. - **Four nights:** the stay we prefer for honeymooners. Add the Path of the Gods or a full Capri day, and a slow afternoon at a beach club. - **Five nights or more:** split the stay, for example three nights in Positano and two in Ravello, or add Sorrento and Pompeii. On a two-week trip, we usually give the coast three or four nights after Rome. Our [How many days in Italy guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/how-many-days-in-italy) shows how it fits with the other regions. ## Where to stay: Positano vs Amalfi vs Ravello vs Praiano vs Sorrento | Base | Choose it for | Watch out for | | --- | --- | --- | | Positano | the classic view, boats to Capri and Amalfi, beach clubs | stairs everywhere, the highest prices, closed in winter | | Amalfi | the ferry and bus hub, a cathedral and a working town | crowded at midday, few sea views from the center | | Ravello | gardens, calm evenings, concerts in summer | more than 300 m (1,000 ft) above the sea, no beach, bus or driver to the boats | | Praiano | sunsets, space, better value | fewer restaurants, you rely on buses or taxis | | Sorrento | trains to Naples and Pompeii, flatter streets, ferries to Capri all year | not on the Amalfi Coast itself; Positano is about 16 km (10 miles) of winding road away | **Positano** is the picture on every postcard: houses stacked down a ravine to a pebble beach, with the main pier at the bottom. Staying here means boats from your doorstep and evenings on a terrace above the water. It also means steps: almost every hotel is reached by stairs or a steep lane, and the best views are from the upper hotels on Via Cristoforo Colombo and Via Pasitea. **Amalfi** is the practical center. Ferries and SITA buses leave from the waterfront, the cathedral square is flat, and the town stays lively in the off-season. It suits travelers who want to move around a lot without a car. **Ravello** sits on a ridge above Amalfi, about 7 km (4 miles) up the road. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are here, and the evenings are the quietest on the coast. We pair it with Positano for honeymooners who want both. **Praiano**, between Positano and Amalfi, is quieter and faces west, so it gets the sunsets. It is a good choice for a second stay or for travelers who want a pool hotel with space. **Sorrento** is not on the Amalfi Coast but on the north side of the peninsula. It is flatter, cheaper, open all year and connected to Naples and Pompeii by the Circumvesuviana train. We choose it for families, travelers with limited mobility and winter trips. ## Getting to the Amalfi Coast From Rome, the fast Frecciarossa and Italo trains reach Naples in about 1 hour 10 minutes; from there, a private driver takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to Positano, longer in summer traffic. Our [Rome to Amalfi Coast guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/rome-to-amalfi-coast) compares the train, the driver and the bus in detail. If you fly, note that **Naples airport (NAP) is closed for runway works from November 1 to 30, 2026**, according to its operator GESAC; some flights moved to Salerno, with extra buses from Naples to Salerno airport, and the airport is due to reopen in December. Salerno Costa d'Amalfi airport is about 30 to 40 minutes by car from the eastern end of the coast. Local operators advise leaving Positano at least five hours before a flight from Naples, because the coast road can stop for an accident or a delivery truck. ## Getting around: ferries, SITA buses and drivers **Ferries.** The boats are the pleasant way to travel: no traffic, no hairpins and the best view of the towns. Travelmar, NLG and other operators link Salerno, Amalfi, Positano and Capri from spring to late October; in 2026 a few Positano to Capri sailings ran into early November, depending on the operator. Positano has a landing pier, not a sheltered harbor, so rough seas cancel sailings, especially outside summer. We buy tickets in advance in July and August and always keep a road plan for the day you leave. **SITA buses.** SITA Sud buses run all year along the SS163 between Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, with a branch up to Ravello and another to Agerola. In 2026 the 24-hour COSTIERASITA pass cost €10 (about $12), valid 24 hours from first validation; buy tickets before boarding, in tobacco shops, newsstands and bars. Buses are crowded in summer and the drivers pass stops when full; check the last bus before you plan dinner in another town. **Private drivers.** For arrival and departure days, and for travelers with luggage or limited mobility, we book a private driver. Licensed drivers are exempt from the coast's traffic restrictions and can stop right outside many hotels. **Driving yourself.** We do not recommend it. The SS163 is narrow, parking is scarce and expensive, and on busy dates an alternate-plate rule applies between Vietri sul Mare and Positano from 10 am to 6 pm: on odd-numbered days only cars whose plate ends in an odd digit may drive, and on even days only even ones. ANAS, the road authority, sets the dates each year, mostly spring holidays and summer weekends; residents, taxis and licensed drivers are exempt. We check the current dates before any self-drive day. ## The Path of the Gods The Sentiero degli Dei runs about 7.8 km (4.8 miles) from Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola, to Nocelle above Positano, high on the cliffs with the whole coast below. Allow about three hours of walking at an easy pace. From Nocelle, about 1,500 steps lead down roughly 500 m (1,640 ft) to Arienzo and the road into Positano; many walkers take the local bus down instead. Our advice: walk it from Bomerano toward Positano so the view is in front of you; start early from April to June or in September and October; wear shoes with grip and carry at least 1.5 liters of water per person; and do not go after heavy rain. It is not exposed in the climbing sense, but it is unsuitable for anyone with vertigo. From Positano, getting to Bomerano by public bus takes about two hours with a change in Amalfi, so we usually arrange a driver to the trailhead. ## A day on Capri Capri is an easy day from the coast in season. From Positano and Amalfi, public boats run from spring to October; a private boat lets you circle the island, swim off the Faraglioni rocks and stop at the Blue Grotto when the sea allows (it closes in swell). From Sorrento, boats to Capri run all year and more often. Our practical rule: leave early, take the funicular or a taxi up to Capri town and Anacapri before the midday crowd, and keep the afternoon for the water. For a second visit, one night on Capri is worth more than a rushed day. ## Beaches and beach clubs The beaches are pebbles, not sand, and most of the good spots are rented sunbed areas. In Positano, the Spiaggia Grande faces the town and Fornillo, a short walk west, is calmer. Several beach clubs along the coast are reached only by their own small boats from the Positano pier, with lunch included in the day. In July and August we reserve sunbeds and lunch in advance; in May, June and September you can often decide on the day. Water shoes help. ## The stairs reality The Amalfi Coast is a vertical place. Expect steps to reach your hotel, the beach, the ferry pier and most restaurants, and porters who carry luggage for a fee. Positano and Ravello are the steepest; Amalfi's center and the Sorrento old town are the flattest. Pack light: one medium suitcase per person is the limit we suggest, and hotels can often arrange porters from the drop-off point. ## When to go, and what closes in winter **May, June and September** are our favorite months: warm sea, full ferry timetables and room to breathe. **July and August** are hot, crowded and at their most expensive, and you need to book hotels, boats and restaurants early. **April and October** are mild and quieter, with some sailings cancelled by the weather. From November to March, most hotels and restaurants in Positano close, the ferries stop and the alternate-plate rule does not apply. Amalfi, Ravello and Sorrento keep more open, and SITA buses run all year. It is a calm time for a short stay with a driver, but not for a beach trip. Our [best time to visit Italy guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/best-time-to-visit-italy) has the detail month by month. ## The Amalfi Coast with reduced mobility This is one of the hardest regions in Italy for wheelchair users. For travelers with limited mobility, we base the stay in Sorrento or in a hotel in Amalfi or Positano that can be reached by car to the door, plan the days with a private driver and a private boat whose crew helps with boarding, and avoid towns that are mostly stairs. Our [wheelchair-accessible Italy guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/wheelchair-accessible-italy) covers the rest of the country. ## Trips that include the Amalfi Coast Our [Amalfi Coast and Rome Honeymoon](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/amalfi-coast-and-rome-honeymoon) combines Rome and the coast in nine days; our [Italy 14-Day Grand Tour](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/italy-14-day-grand-tour) ends on the coast after Venice, Florence, the Cinque Terre and Rome. See all our [Italy trips](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy) or the [14-day Italy itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy/14-days). Tell us your dates and who is traveling, and [one of our designers will send you a custom Amalfi Coast plan](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/plan-your-trip) with prices. More guides: [Places and regions](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/regions)[Planning](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/planning) ## Contents Written by ### [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) Travel Designer · Italy Grew up in Beaujolais in an adventurous family of six; designs our Italy and family trips and goes back to Italy every year. [More about Emilie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) ## Related destinations - [Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy) ![Emilie Dubreuil](/_astro/01M5J4124F05QCESCCTC9NXA5R.UqkpJoiq_12FC8P.webp)**Emilie Dubreuil**Travel Designer Your Italy trip, planned by Emilie - Priced itinerary within 48 hours - Free, no commitment - Trains, hotels and guides: we book it all [or call +1 607 354 8869](tel:+16073548869) ## Trips for this guide - [![The pastel houses of Positano rising above boats on the beach](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_2isWeI.webp)**Amalfi Coast & Rome Honeymoon in 9 Days**Price on request · 9 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/amalfi-coast-and-rome-honeymoon) - [![The colored houses of Manarola on a rock above the sea in the Cinque Terre](/_astro/italy-cinque-terre-manarola.zHHVDz6Y_fRLG0.webp)**Grand Tour of Italy in 14 Days: Venice to the Amalfi Coast**Price on request · 14 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/italy-14-day-grand-tour) - [![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_Z2pEG1o.webp)**Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy**Price on request · 8 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Positano or Amalfi better to stay in? Positano has the famous view, boats from the pier and the best beach clubs, but almost everything is reached by stairs and it is the most expensive town. Amalfi is the transport hub, with ferries and buses from the waterfront and a flatter center, and it stays open in the off-season. For a first visit with boat days, we choose Positano; for a lot of moving around, Amalfi. ### Do you need a car on the Amalfi Coast? No. The coast road is narrow, parking is scarce and expensive, and on busy dates an alternate-plate rule bans half the private cars between Vietri sul Mare and Positano from 10 am to 6 pm. Ferries from spring to October, SITA buses all year and a private driver for the arrival and departure cover every stay we plan. ### How many days do you need on the Amalfi Coast? Three nights is our standard: one day on the water, one for Amalfi and Ravello, and evenings in your base. Four nights let you add the Path of the Gods or a full day on Capri. Two nights work only at the end of a longer trip, since arrival and departure take much of the time. ### When does the Amalfi Coast close for the winter? Most hotels and restaurants in Positano close from November to March, and the ferries along the coast stop in late October or early November; in 2026 a few Positano to Capri boats sailed into early November. Amalfi, Ravello and Sorrento keep more open, and SITA buses run all year. ### Is the Path of the Gods hard? The trail itself is about 7.8 km from Bomerano to Nocelle and takes about three hours at an easy pace, mostly on a rocky path with some ups and downs. The hard part is the descent from Nocelle to Positano, about 1,500 steps, which many walkers skip by taking the bus. It is unsuitable for people with vertigo and should be avoided after heavy rain. ## Plan this trip Be inspired by our European itineraries, then let our local travel designers tailor your journey to your interests, preferences and pace. [All itinerary ideas](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![The pastel houses of Positano rising above boats on the beach](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_Z1qwyMP.webp) 9 days / 8 nights ### [Amalfi Coast & Rome Honeymoon in 9 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/amalfi-coast-and-rome-honeymoon) A honeymoon between Rome and the sea: private visits of the Colosseum and the Vatican, three nights in Positano with a private boat day to Capri, then two quiet nights in Ravello above the coast. 5-star hotels. **Price on request** ![The colored houses of Manarola on a rock above the sea in the Cinque Terre](/_astro/italy-cinque-terre-manarola.zHHVDz6Y_Z1lW9qa.webp) 14 days / 13 nights ### [Grand Tour of Italy in 14 Days: Venice to the Amalfi Coast](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/italy-14-day-grand-tour) Italy from north to south by train and private car: Venice, Florence and Tuscany, the Cinque Terre villages, Rome and the Vatican, then three nights on the Amalfi Coast with a boat day to Capri. 4-star hotels throughout. **Price on request** ![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_OVmSj.webp) 8 days / 7 nights ### [Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) Rome and Florence planned step by step for wheelchair users and travelers with reduced mobility: an adapted vehicle with a ramp, accessible routes at the Colosseum and the Vatican, train assistance and checked hotel rooms. **Price on request** ## More to read [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Brussels, Belgium, Alsace & Switzerland by Train in 10 Days: Brussels to Zermatt](/_astro/01M5J4124F6C61DWR7ZVEYZMCK.BCdKG92D_ZbhPSj.webp) Cross Border ### [Why Multi-Country Itineraries Are the New Way to Experience Europe](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/why-multi-country-itineraries-are-the-new-way-to-experience-europe) Europe is not a single destination. It is a mosaic of languages, flavors, landscapes, and histories, and the best way to experience it is to move through several of them in one journey. ![Milan, Italy & Switzerland in 7 Days: Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano & Zurich](/_astro/01M5J4124PT4FRTHKN8TJWH58D.B0E5vkso_1HYlOc.webp) Italy ### [Lake Como vs Lake Maggiore: Which Italian Lake to Choose?](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-como-vs-lake-maggiore) Lake Como vs Lake Maggiore: villas and drama or islands and grand hotels? Our Italy designers compare scenery, crowds, families, value and how to see both. ![The pastel houses of Positano stacked up the cliff above the main beach on the Amalfi Coast](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_Z1qwyMP.webp) Italy ### [Rome to the Amalfi Coast: Train, Ferry, Bus or Private Driver](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/rome-to-amalfi-coast) Rome to the Amalfi Coast: train to Salerno or Naples, then ferry, SITA bus or driver. 2026 times and fares, luggage, best base, winter and accessibility. Tailor-made by local experts ## Let us help you plan a trip that feels right Tell us what you’re dreaming about: dates, pace, who you’re traveling with, and what would make it special. A real person will get back to you with thoughtful ideas, not a generic pitch. 1. 1Share your dates and wishes 2. 2Get a priced itinerary within 48 hours 3. 3Refine it together, then travel 8 travel designers, local experts across Europe, reply to every request themselves. ★★★★★ > “A wonderful travel partner” Carol W., Seattle, WA · 4.8/5 on 273 reviews - [US+1 607 354 8869](tel:+16073548869) - [Europe+33 4 26 30 36 82](tel:+33426303682) - [contact@mobeeinternational.com](mailto:contact@mobeeinternational.com) Two minutes, three steps. Free and without obligation. ## Contact Plan a tailor-made trip in Europe with Mobee International: https://tally.so/r/nWplRv — e-mail contact@mobeeinternational.com — phone +33 4 26 30 36 82 (Europe) or +1 607 354 8869 (US). ## Données structurées ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "TravelAgency", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization", "name": "Mobee International", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "logo": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/images/brand/mobee-international.png", "description": "Mobee International is a Destination Management Company (DMC) founded in France: tailor-made trips across Europe, with France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany as specialties, designed by local travel experts living in the destinations for travelers, travel agencies and tour operators.", "telephone": "+33426303682", "email": "contact@mobeeinternational.com", "areaServed": [ "Europe", "US", "CA", "MX", "FR", "CH", "IT", "DE", "BE" ], "knowsLanguage": "en", "legalName": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.kimkim.com/o/mobee-international", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobee-international", "https://www.instagram.com/mobeeinternational/", "https://www.youtube.com/@MobeeInternational", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/mobeeinternational.com" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+16073548869", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+33426303682", "areaServed": "FR", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "French", "Spanish" ] } ], "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" } } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#website", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "name": "Mobee International", "inLanguage": "en", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: Where to Stay, How Many Days, Ferries and Buses", "description": "Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano or Sorrento? Our Amalfi Coast guide: where to stay, how many days, ferries, SITA buses, the Path of the Gods and Capri.", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/amalfi-coast-travel-guide", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emilie Dubreuil", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil#person", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" }, "datePublished": "2026-11-08T00:00:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2026-11-08T00:00:00.000Z", "image": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_S9bzb.jpg", "inLanguage": "en" } ] } ```