If you only have 3 days on the Amalfi Coast and think that’s not enough, no need to worry! While it is true that 3 days aren’t a lot and won’t give you enough time to see it all, there are still plenty to tick off your bucket list.
I’ve put together this itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip, understand where is the best place to stay, what not to miss, and much more. While I have visited the Amalfi Coast on 2 different occasions, I still haven’t seen it all.
The good news is that by following this well-organized itinerary, you will maximize your time there! Because I’ve learned from my mistakes and want you to make the best out of your vacation.
So, let’s dig right into it!
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Your perfect 3 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
Day 1 – explore Positano
Day 2 – day trip to Capri Island
Day 3 – Ravello and other Amalfi Coast hidden gems
How to get to the Amalfi Coast?
That might be one of the most asked questions when it comes to traveling to the Amalfi Coast.
The nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport, set some 60 kilometers away from Positano.
Read here everything you must know for how to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. I have included all the options no matter if you want to rent a car, use public transportation, or rent a private transfer.
Should you drive on the Amalfi Coast?
While many people might try to discourage you, I think that driving on the Amalfi Coast could be an option. If I could do it, so can you!
That being said, if you only have 3 days on the Amalfi Coast and you spend one on Capri Island, renting a car might not be such a great idea.
If, however, you choose to do it, Discover Cars is a great aggregator that will help you find and book the best option for renting a car during your trip, helping you save up to 70% on your car rental.
Choose a hotel with free parking, visit outside of the peak season, and you won’t have problems driving around. I’ve gathered here a few other tips and tricks for driving on the Amalfi Coast, you will surely find helpful.
However, it is worth knowing that during summer, traffic gets crazy, and finding a parking space is practically impossible. That’s why, when you visit during July or August, I strongly suggest choosing other means of transportation.
Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast?
If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’ve always dreamt about staying in Positano.
The small and colorful village, with villas perched on the hillside, a beach, and plenty of restaurants and terraces to choose from, Positano is also one of the most expensive destinations in Italy.
For those visiting the Amalfi Coast for their honeymoon, and not only, I have put together this guide for where to stay in Positano. You will find accommodation options for every budget, all offering great services and incredible views.
When you are traveling on a budget, choose to stay in one of these Amalfi budget accommodation options, set in places like Maiori, Vietri, Cetara, or Scala.
Maiori and Vietri are perfect for those looking to spend some time at the beach. Both villages have rather big beaches but don’t expect any sand.
Sorrento is another good option that will place you close to most of the top things to do and see on the Amalfi Coast. I’ve gathered here a list of apartment-style accommodation options for Sorrento that will help you make an informed choice.
How to get around when you don’t rent a car?
Sorrento is linked to Salerno by a bus line operated by SITA SUD bus.
You can buy tickets from any tabaccheria, and it’s better to ask the hotel’s reception or your host about it. The tickets cost 2 EUR one way, and you can also buy daily tickets.
My other favorite way of getting around on the Amalfi Coast is by boat.
Admiring the coastline from the water is something worth doing at least once during your 3 days on the Amalfi Coast.
Check out ferry schedules and prices here!
Check out the bus timetables here and plan accordingly.
Day 1 – explore Positano
If you choose to stay outside of Positano, hop on the bus, car, or boat, and make your way to the charming village, early in the morning.
Take your time and explore every corner and every hidden street. Climb the stairs that will lead you from the port to the top of the hill, stop for a drink and lunch at one of the restaurants offering a breathtaking view, and stay for the night to see one of the most stunning sunsets there is.
Don’t miss Spiaggia Grande (the main beach in Positano), cocktails at Bar Franco for sunset, the heart-shaped pizza at Chez Black, or the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta with its yellow cupola. Go shopping for unique clothes or souvenirs to bring back home on the main street of Positano, and eat some delicious and refreshing lemon sorbet.
Check out my list of picture-perfect locations, and come prepared to take some of the most beautiful photos to hold as a lifelong memory.
You can even plan for a professional photo session and let a professional local photographer create a memory that will last forever.
Flytographer has been featured everywhere from The New York Times to Martha Stewart Weddings and has been called “The Future of Travel Photography” by Conde Nast Traveler and “The #1 Gift for Travelers” by Forbes.
They are a female-founded company, with an all-female team, that has over 3 million photos captured and over 10.000 5-star reviews!
Day 2 – day trip to Capri Island
The luxurious Capri Island is perfect as a day trip from Sorrento, Naples, or even Positano or Amalfi.
Spend less than one hour on the sea, and let yourself be seduced right from the moment you are approaching the stunning Marina Grande. There’s no wonder why many of the world-renown celebrities anchor their yachts here and choose to spend their vacations on the streets of Anacapri.
How to get to Capri?
The only way you can get to the island is by boat.
And there are 3 options to choose from:
Private tour – you will have the boat all to yourself and the group you are traveling with. The tour is split into 2: 4 hours by sea, exploring caves and admiring the stunning natural landscape, and 4 hours on the island. Book your small group private tour (up to 8 persons) here!
Organized tour – a much more affordable option, that will take you from Naples, Sorrento, or Positano to Capri Island in a bigger group. See more here!
By ferry – the cheapest option, with boats leaving from Naples, Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi. Check out ferry schedules and prices here!
What to do in Capri
Read my complete guide to a day trip to Capri and plan your day!
Don’t miss Anacapri with its narrow chic streets, taking the chairlift to Solaro Mount, stopping for a drink at a bar or restaurant in the Piazzetta, or heading to Villa San Michele for a drink with a view.
Day 3 – Ravello and other Amalfi Coast hidden gems
Wake up, have a delicious breakfast with a strong coffee, and get ready for another unforgettable day on the Amalfi Coast.
Take the bus and head to Ravello, where you will spend a day between some of the most beautiful villas on the Riviera: Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.
Villa Cimbrone dates back to the 11th century, is a luxurious boutique hotel, Michelin star restaurants, and an impressive botanical garden that is open to visitors daily from 9 AM until sunset. Most tourists come here for the famous Terrazza dell’Infinito – the panoramic belvedere point.
Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo, and many more famous people have fallen in love throughout the years with Villa Cimbrone, so let yourself be seduced!
Address: Via Santa Chiara, 26, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Villa Rufolo is a “younger” establishment dating from the 13th century, having been built by a wealthy family with the same name. With such a long history, the location is nowadays popular for its beautiful garden and breathtaking view over the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.
Address: Piazza Duomo, 1, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Once you’re done with Ravello, head back to the main road and explore Amalfi, with its magical Duomo, and Atrani – the authentic village with a small piazza and a handful of restaurants.
Other things worth doing on the Amalfi Coast
With so many things to do and see on the Amalfi Coast, you can always replace one of the suggested itineraries with something else.
If you have already been to some of the places I’ve included on my option of the itinerary, here are some other things worth considering:
Climb the Path of Gods or the Sentiero dei limoni – both are easy hikes that will reward you with plenty of breathtaking views.
Visit the Fiordo del Furore, a UNESCO World Heritage site that will charm you with its natural beauty.
Spend some time at the beach – Maiori and Vietri have some of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast, but there are plenty of hidden spots you can discover as well: Spiaggia di Cauco in Erchie, Spiaggia dei Limoni, Spiaggia Cavallo Morto, only to name a few.
Go on a day trip to Pompei, another UNESCO World Heritage site that you shouldn’t miss out on! Book your tour with an archeologist here!
Be part of a cooking class in Sorrento and learn how to make a traditional Italian meal. See more here!
Explore the vineyards and cellars of Amalfi, with lunch at a local farmhouse perched on top of a cliff. See more here!
When to go on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is a destination worth seeing during any season. However, during winter many restaurants and hotels are closed, and the ferries and buses have a less frequent schedule.
I would also advise against visiting the Amalfi Coast during the peak season: July and August tend to get incredibly crowded. Moreover, prices soar and traffic is a nightmare.
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is by far during the shoulder season, no matter if you are heading there in spring or fall. April and May, followed by September and October will offer you the best temperatures, prices, and less crowded sights.
Other Amalfi Coast travel resources
The perfect 7 days on the Amalfi Coast itinerary
An easy to follow 5 days in Amalfi itinerary
An ultimate Rome and Amalfi Coast 10 days itinerary
How to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast – a complete guide!
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