Your First Time on the Amalfi Coast: A Complete 7-Day Itinerary
If this is your first time on the Amalfi Coast, you are about to discover one of the most visually stunning and culturally rich stretches of coastline in the world. But with so many villages, beaches, viewpoints, and experiences packed into just 50 kilometers of winding road, planning your week can feel overwhelming. This 7-day itinerary is designed to help first-time visitors make the most of their trip, balancing iconic landmarks with hidden corners, active adventures with leisurely meals, and guided experiences with free-form exploration.
We recommend basing yourself in Positano for the week, as it offers the widest range of accommodation, dining, and transport connections. From there, every destination on this itinerary is within easy reach.
Day 1: Arrive and Settle Into Positano
Your first day should be about arriving, getting oriented, and easing into the pace of coastal life. If you are flying into Naples, arrange a private transfer with Positano Style Limo to take you directly to your hotel. The drive along the coast is your first taste of the scenery that will define your week, and arriving relaxed rather than stressed by public transport connections sets the right tone.
Once settled, walk down through the village to Marina Grande, Positano’s main beach. Take a swim, find a beachside restaurant for a late lunch of fresh seafood, and spend the afternoon exploring the lanes and stairways that wind through the village. End the day with an aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the sea as the sunset paints the sky.
Day 2: The Path of the Gods and Nocelle
Dedicate your second day to the Le chemin des dieux (Sentiero degli Dei), widely considered the most spectacular hike on the Amalfi Coast. This trail runs along the ridgeline high above the sea, connecting the village of Bomerano in Agerola to Nocelle, the tiny mountain hamlet perched above Positano. The walk takes about three hours at a comfortable pace and offers jaw-dropping views at virtually every turn.
Start early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds. From Nocelle, you can descend roughly 1,500 steps to Positano or take the local bus back down. Reward yourself with a hearty lunch in the village and a lazy afternoon recovering on the beach.
Practical Tips
- Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, not sandals or flip-flops.
- Carry at least a liter of water per person and sun protection.
- The trail is not suitable for those with a fear of heights in certain exposed sections.
Day 3: Amalfi Town and Ravello
On day three, head east to explore Amalfi and Ravello, two of the coast’s most historically significant towns. You can reach Amalfi by ferry from Positano in about 25 minutes, enjoying the coastal scenery from the water along the way.
In Amalfi, visit the magnificent Cathedral of Sant’Andrea with its striking Arab-Norman facade, and explore the medieval Musée du papier in the Valle dei Mulini to learn about the town’s centuries-old paper-making tradition. Allow time to wander through the atmospheric streets and enjoy a coffee in the piazza.
In the afternoon, take a bus or taxi up the winding road to Ravello, the hilltop town that Richard Wagner and Gore Vidal both fell in love with. Visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, the latter offering what many consider the most beautiful panoramic terrace in all of Italy. If you time your visit right, you might catch a concert at the Ravello Festival during summer months.
Day 4: Capri Day Trip
No first visit to the Amalfi Coast is complete without a day trip to Capri. High-speed ferries depart from Positano’s Marina Grande and reach the island in about 40 minutes. Once there, ride the funicular up to Capri town, stroll through the elegant Piazzetta, and visit the Gardens of Augustus for sweeping views of the Faraglioni rocks.
If conditions permit, take a boat tour around the island to see the Blue Grotto and the dramatic sea stacks up close. For lunch, find a restaurant away from the main square where prices are more reasonable and the food is often better. The last ferry back to Positano departs in the late afternoon, giving you a full day on the island.
Day 5: Praiano and the Emerald Grotto
Day five takes you to two of the coast’s quieter gems. Start with Praiano, the peaceful village between Positano and Amalfi that offers superb views without the intensity of its more famous neighbors. Visit the Church of San Gennaro and walk down to the small cove beach below.
Continue along the coast to Conca dei Marini and the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo), a sea cave where sunlight filtering through an underwater opening creates an otherworldly green glow. Visits are by small rowboat and last about 15 minutes, but the visual impact is remarkable.
This is a relaxed day by design, giving you a chance to recharge after four active days. Enjoy a long lunch in Praiano, where the restaurants tend to be less crowded and more modestly priced than in Positano or Amalfi.
Day 6: Cetara, Vietri sul Mare, and Coastal Flavors
Spend your sixth day exploring the eastern stretch of the coast, starting with the fishing village of Cetara, famous for its colatura di alici (anchovy sauce) and some of the freshest seafood restaurants on the entire coast. This is the place to eat like a local, away from the tourist trail.
After lunch, continue to Vietri sul Mare, the gateway town at the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast, renowned for its hand-painted ceramic tradition. Browse the workshops and showrooms along the main street, where artisans still produce the vibrant majolica tiles and pottery that have decorated homes across the region for centuries.
A private car is the most efficient way to cover this stretch of the coast in a single day, and Positano Style Limo can create a custom route that matches your interests and pace.
Day 7: Relaxation and Farewell
Your final day is for savoring rather than sightseeing. Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and spend the morning at Plage de Fornillo, the quieter alternative to Marina Grande that locals tend to prefer. The walk between the two beaches takes about ten minutes along a scenic cliffside path.
In the afternoon, pick up last-minute souvenirs from Positano’s boutiques, perhaps a pair of handmade leather sandals or a bottle of local limoncello. Treat yourself to one final seafood dinner on the waterfront as the sun sets over the Tyrrhenian Sea, and reflect on a week that will leave you already planning your return.
Making It All Work
The key to a successful first week on the Amalfi Coast is balancing ambition with flexibility. Transportation connections can be unpredictable, ferries are weather-dependent, and some of the best moments come from unplanned detours. Build buffer time into each day, and do not try to cram too much into a single outing.
- Transport: A mix of ferries, buses, and private transfers works best. For days with multiple stops, a private driver eliminates the stress of schedules and parking.
- Meals: Book dinner reservations at popular restaurants a day or two ahead during peak season.
- Timing: Start activities early in the morning when temperatures are cooler and attractions less crowded.
- Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The coast is hilly, and you will encounter countless steps.
Seven days is enough to fall in love with the Amalfi Coast, but it is rarely enough to feel you have seen it all. That is part of the magic: every visit reveals something new, and every departure carries the promise of a return.