If you are looking for a coastal getaway, a trip with seaside relaxation, spectacular views, and culinary wonders in the setting of an ancient Italian town, the Amalfi coast is the perfect place. The Amalfi coast is a beautiful stretch of dramatic cliffs, consisting of several other towns, such as Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano in southwestern Italy. I would recommend to spend at least two days in Amalfi town and additional days depending on how many of the neighboring towns you would like to explore. If you plan to base yourself at Amalfi, you should spend one of your days in Ravello, which is about a 45-minute bus ride away. In Ravello, I would take a stroll towards Hotel Villa Cimbrone, a stunning 5-star hotel with a beautiful garden and marble statues at the Terrazzo dell'Infinito (Terrace of Infinity) aligning spectacular panoramic views overlooking the Bay of Salerno. While there, you can enjoy dinner on the terrace at Il Flauto di Pan, a Michelin-rated restaurant.

Piazza del Duomo

Duomo di Sant'Andrea Apostolo

Limoncello

Gardens in Ravello

Lunch at Hotel Villa Cimbrone

Hotel Villa Cimbrone

Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone

when to go

July and August are peak season, which means more crowds and traffic. I would recommend to go the month before or after this time period for good weather and less difficulty with transportation. Since the roads are narrow and single lanes in some areas along the cliffs, even small amounts of congestion can result in a lot of time spent getting around. If you choose to go outside of this time frame, double check the ferry schedule because there will be less options for transportation in the winter due to ferry closures. Some restaurants and hotels are closed during the winter.

things to do

Amalfi is known for their lemon production. Try limoncello, a sweet lemon liqueur served as a digestivo.
Take a stroll along the Main Square to the Piazza del Duomo and into the Duomo di Sant'Andrea Apostolo (St. Andrew's Cathedral). Lounge at a cafe over a cup of cappuccino. Check out the shops, cafes, and restaurants. You will see beautiful ceramics and lemon motif souvenirs.
Ravello-Atrani Walk - Picturesque one-hour walk/hike with scenic coastal views, but can be steep and rocky. Take the local SITA bus from Amalfi to Ravello. Upon arrival to Ravello, I would recommend to check out Villa Cimbrone to enjoy the beautiful garden and spectacular views from the Terrace of Eternity. From there, you can walk and follow the path going down a long stairway and through winding alleys, tunnels, and gravel paths. Soak in the views of the lush green terraces along the mountainside. You will eventually pass through Atrani square, a charming town with whitewashed buildings. You can continue for an additional twenty minutes to head back to Amalfi.
In Ravello, spend some time at Villa Cimbrone to enjoy the beautiful garden, views of the sea, and the famous Terrace of Eternity. Have dinner at Il Flauto di Pan, a Michelin-rated restaurant.
Emerald grotto - You can take a boat tour to view caves with emerald green waters. Due to limited time, I was not able to check this out myself.
Take a day trip to Pompeii for a small-group guided tour of the ancient ruins.

where to stay

Hotel Santa Catarina (Amalfi)
Hotel Villa Cimbrone (Ravello)

transportation

I flew into Naples and took a 45-minute taxi to Amalfi. As a warning, the roads are along winding cliffs with hairpin turns, so make sure to bring some motion sickness pills if you are prone to it.
Amalfi to Positano - About a 30-minute ferry ride or 45-minute taxi/local SITA bus ride. I had a lot of luggage with me, so taxi was a more convenient option for me. If you plan to include Positano into your trip, I would recommend to stay in Positano and not just do a day trip there (read more about Positano here).
Amalfi to Ravello - About a 45-minute local SITA bus ride

luxe tips

Comfortable shoes as the roads are cobblestoned and pebbly.
Motion sickness pills for bus/taxi rides.