Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast covers 50 kilometres of cliffside road from Sorrento through Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, and on towards Salerno. Every town has a different character and a different accommodation price point. Positano is the most expensive and the most photographed. Praiano is a quieter middle ground with better beach access. Amalfi town has the cathedral and the historic paper museum. Ravello sits above everything at 350 metres with the best views and the quietest nights.

Direct booking on the Amalfi Coast is complicated because licensing is strict: every accommodation must display a CIN number from the Campania region, and many small family pensioni still operate informally. Our guide explains which licence types are legitimate, which are risk-prone, and which properties are family-run direct-booking shops versus commission-takers wearing a direct-booking badge. Always check the property's own website first, not the aggregator listing.

Our Amalfi writing also covers the two big access decisions: driving versus the SITA bus versus the ferry. Driving the coast road is stressful in peak season and parking is expensive. The SITA bus is cheap but crowded. The ferry from Sorrento or Salerno is the most enjoyable way to move between towns and the only way to avoid traffic in July and August. A ferry pass costs around 25 euros per day and is the single best money-saving choice for a 4 to 7 day trip.

Seasonal pricing on the Amalfi Coast is brutal. A room that costs 350 euros in August can cost 85 euros in late October. If you can travel in May, early June, or late September, the weather is comparable and the savings are 60 percent or more. Our month-by-month Amalfi guide explains what is open, what is closed, and which festivals are worth planning around.