The Amalfi Coast is an area rich in towns and attractions to visit: beaches, nature trails, museums, churches, potteries, among many other wonders. In this post we will talk about: What to see in the Amalfi Coast in three days.
What are the towns to visit in the Amalfi Coast?
We begin with the most beautiful towns you can visit on the Amalfi Coast. You should dedicate a minimum of 3 days to the Amalfi Coast if you want to tour the main towns: Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Vietri sul mare, Furore, Maiori and Minori. There are other interesting towns, but I do not recommend you attempt to visit them if you are short on time.
You can either choose to start your tour from the Naples or from Salerno.
1: First day
If your tour is starting from Salerno, so from the south of the coastiera then the first day i recommend to start with Vietri sul Mare, Maiori, Minori and Cetara.
If you arrive by Car you can park you car in Salerno where there is a big parking space and then start the tour by Bus from Salerno. Also rent a scooter in Salerno and go around by scooter is a very good option if you are visiting the area in Summer. So you will skip all the traffic on the street.
Vietri sul mare
Vietri sul mare is the first city of the Amalfi Coast from Salerno, or the last one from Sorrento. It has an easy-to-walk historic centre, very characteristic. Known for its pottery, you could visit many family factories, each one with a particular style transmitted from generation to generation. It also offers large beaches and a great nightlife. Vietri sul mare is the only town of the Amalfi Coast that has train stations, so you can touch base here for your convenience.
Cetara
Cetara is a small fisher town, quiet, as frozen in time; famous for the fish of sardines and other fish. Cetara’s most known traditional product is the “Collatura di alici”, an ancient tradition of sardine preparation. Its main attraction, other than the beach is the Saracen Tower and the museum within.
Minori
Minori is a complete surprise! Besides offering one of the broadest beaches of the Amalfi Coast, you can also visit Villa Roma, from I BC, an important villa in (near) perfect conditions, model of the summer villas of the romans. It’s free of charge and you don’t need a lot of time to pay a visit. I also encourage you to taste the famous sweet “Delizia al limone” traditional of Minori, a lemon profiterole of sorts sweet and delicious!
From Minori you can take also a private boat to visit other towns of the Amalfi Coast.
2: Second day
Amalfi
Amalfi is the most important town of the Amalfi Coast; in fact, the Coast is named after it. Amalfi was one of the Four Maritime Republics of Italy (the other three being Pisa, Genoa and Venice), so you can guess Amalfi’s power and importance. Among the main attractions to visit in Amalfi are: the Amalfi Cathedral, the Cloister del Paradiso, the Crypt of St. Andrew, the Paper Museum, its seaport and beaches and also the numerous alleys that characterize it.
Amalfi is a great destination to spend the night on the Amalfi Coast, especially if you can only spend a short amount of time. During low season (from October to March) I recommend you check Amalfi’s accommodation prices since they usually offer good value. It is a town where you can easily walk, along its small piazzas and the beauty of the Amalfi Coast at its finest. I suggest you devote some time to the Amalfi Cathedral, enter the Cloister del Paradiso (just at the back of the Cathedral), going down to the Crypt of St. Andrew, and continue walking along the main street (via Lorenzo d’Amalfi) up to the Nativity Fountain. You can have lunch in one of the many restaurants you will find on this street.
Another reason to choose Amalfi as a base to visit the Amalfi Coast is its seaport, from where you could board a ship/ferry to travel to other important cities such as Positano, Maiori, Minori, Capri, Salerno and Sorrento.
You can reach Amalfi by bus from Salerno or Sorrento via the line SITA SUD. The ticket costs 8€ for 24 hours, and it can be used to travel between all the towns of the Amalfi Coast.
Atrani
Atrani is Italy’s smallest municipality, located a few kilometers from Amalfi. With its small piazza, and its houses “built” one on top of the other under a huge rocky mountain, Atrani offers beauty and quiet to its visitors. You can arrive here from Amalfi taking a bus from sita bus, or alternatively you can arrive by foot by taking the pedestrian tunnel that leads to “Luna Rosa” parking lot, going through the tunnel on SS163 highway. Walking is not particularly safe, since there are many cars and the road is narrow. Therefore, it’s best going by bus even if takes a little more time. In Atrani you can drink a good coffee or enjoy its black sand beach.
Ravello
After the 1st day of the Itinerary in the Amalfi Coast, my recommendation is going up to Ravello, one of the few famous towns in the Amalfi Coast that doesn’t have beaches or is it close to the sea. At the top, Ravello offers striking scenic views, great food and an abundance of fresh air.
Ravello is known for the renowned International Music Festival that takes place every year in the months of July and August. Last 2018, it was held from June 30 to August 25, with some events occurring since May.
Ravello is also famous for its beautiful villas: Villa Rufolo and Villa Ciambrone. You can pay a fee to visit the former, the latter is a hotel with a private restaurant, but you can access its panoramic gardens and indulge in their views. If you can, enjoy a coffee, a traditional sweet or limoncello.
If you have some spare time and love limoncello, don’t forget to taste it in Ravello! Here you can find several companies that produce artisan limoncello, 100% with lemons of the Amalfi Coast.
You can go up to Ravello by bus from Amalfi or Atrani. Or you can go by car, since it has a private parking lot just at the entrance to the town, though most of the historic center is pedestrian. Don’t forget to also visit the Cathedral!
3: Third day
The third and last day of our trip can be reserved for the most beautiful part of the Coastiera Amalfitana: Positano, one of the most beautiful towns in the whole Coast, and without a doubt one of the most famous. Then took a stroll on Praiano and enjoy a relaxing time on the beaches of the area.
Positano
Positano is a completely “vertical” town, so Positano does not lack stairs, infinite and sometimes exhausting. In summer I suggest to move around by bus, at least for going up and down, although the most touristic area is pedestrian. If you touch base in Positano, check in advance the hotel location since some hotels are not accessible by car.
Among the main attractions to visit in Positano are: the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the historic centre with its characteristic linen clothes stores and artisanal leather sandals. Don’t forget the Saracen Towers “protecting” the coast.
Positano is famous for its beaches: Spiaggia Grande, the largest and most comfortable to visit; Fornillo Beach, which you could reach by foot descending many stairs, or by boat. The beaches La Porta, Arienzo and San Pietro Laurito, only accessible by boat, are truly nature and man-made masterpieces!
Positano gives an ambiance so pleasant that you can devote it a whole day, or the afternoon, if you wish to eat at sunset.
Praiano
Praiano is a town close to Positano, ideal to follow nature trails. Praiano is excellently organized, with plenty of signage to help you enjoy the most important spots. It’s a great city to touch base if you want quiet and beauty. I suggest you visit the Church of St. Gennaro and admire its astounding majolica floor. Simply Unforgettable!
If you crave beaches, my suggestion is to visit Marina di Praiano, one of the most private and beautiful in all the Amalfi Coast. You can reach it by bus (you’ll have to walk a little), by car or boat. From Positano you can arrive via a Sita Sud bus or by private speedboat. Marina di Praiano is included in the routes of many private tours.
Furore
Furore is a small town known as “the ton that doesn’t’ exist”, because it’s so difficult to find that many pass by without noticing it. “Fiordo de Furore” with its small beach is a typical visit. You can go down (for a good number of stairs) directly from SS163 highway; there’s a bus stop just at the entrance. You will love this highly evocative place. If you wish, you can also go up to the “true” town, located in the mountain.
Other recommendations for your visit to the Amalfi Coast in three days
The Amalfi Coast offers many attractions and towns to visit. Due to its geography, traveling between its towns usually is a slow and somewhat complicated enterprise. I personally recommend approaching it very calmly, and if you do not manage to do all the activities planned, it is better to focus on fewer cities and exploring them leisurely. Positano, for instance, is difficult to visit during the summer because of the hot temperatures, tourists and stairs, so if you decide to go, consider spending a whole day there.
In the summer, many establishments are always full, so reserve your restaurants ahead during the day or the day after. You can always ask for help in the hotel where you’re staying.
In winter, many venues are closed due to vacations, so it’s good to be informed in advance. Even some nature trails and museums are usually closed or close early. Ask for indications in tourist offices or in your hotel. On the bright side, hotels and apartment prices are very good, so you can look for accommodations within the Amalfi Coast.
If you can’t find affordable hotels, you can touch base in Sorrento or Salerno. Sorrento is more touristy and traditional, while Salerno offers better prices. From both cities you can travel by bus or boat (in the summer).
I hope that this 3-day itinerary on the Amalfi Coast is useful for you, please leave a comment with your experiences!