8 Most Beautiful Amalfi Coast Towns
There are very few places on earth with as much beauty and magic as the various Amalfi Coast towns that line the small coastal region of Southern Italy. As one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in not only Italy but the world, the Amalfi Coast is a travel destination you must-see at least once in your life. The huge mountains, stunning blue waters, and colorful cities are something to be admired.
The best thing about the Amalfi Coast is that it is full of small towns and villages that are all beyond charming and full of character. With so many different towns along the coast, choosing which to visit and which to skip can be difficult. That is why I have come up with a list of the top 8 most beautiful Amalfi Coast towns to guide your Amalfi Coast adventures! These 8 cities offer something for every type of traveler; from amazing views to adventure opportunities and more!
Use this post to guide your visit to the Amalfi Coast and prepare to be amazed by the magic and beauty this area holds.
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.)
In This Post
What is the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a coastal stretch of land located in Southern Italy. The coast is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea and the nearest big city is Naples, Italy. Along the Amalfi Coast, you can expect to see huge mountains, colorful cliffside towns, and stunning blue waters. There are 13 towns in total in the Amalfi Coast and the whole area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amalfi Coast Map
Below is a map of the Amalfi Coast with markings showing the 8 most beautiful Amalfi Coast towns.
Airport near Amalfi Coast
There are two airports near the Amalfi Coast that you can fly into. The first is the airport in Salerno; Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport and the second is the airport in Naples; Naples International Airport. Following your arrival at one of these airports, you can continue your journey to the Amalfi Coast in one of the ways outlined below.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples:
- Train: If you are heading to Sorrento or any Northern cities along the coast you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples Central station to Sorrento. This train takes around an hour and costs €4.10.
- Bus: Buses run from Naples airport to Sorrento throughout the day. These busses take around 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost €10.
- Ferry: From the Moro Beverello port in Naples you can find ferries that will bring you to Sorrento, Amalfi, and Positano. These ferries cost €12 and take around 40 minutes.
- Car: You can order a private driver to bring you from the airport to your accommodation along the coast. This is the fastest way to get to the coast but also the most expensive. Cost €60.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Salerno:
- Bus: SITA bus is the slowest but cheapest way to get to the Amalfi Coast. Cost: €2.20, time: 1.5 hours.
- Ferry: There are ferries that run in the summer months from Salerno to Amalfi. Use this page to plan your journey. Cost: €8, time: 35 minutes.
- Car: Order a car to pick you up at the airport and it will bring you straight to your accommodation. This is a fast and efficient way to get to your chosen destination, but quite expensive. Cost: €50, time: 30 minutes.
Be sure to look at the routes the public transportation options offer. Some only go to specific options which means you might need to take an additional form of transport.
How to get around the Amalfi Coast
There are a few ways to get around the Amalfi Coast:
- Bus: You can get around by taking the public SITA bus to cities and towns along the coast.
- Car: A car is the most efficient way to get around because you can control where you go. However, the roads along the coast are quite scary so be sure you are a comfortable driver.
- Boat: Taking ferries is another option for getting around.
- Tours: Opting to join a tour is a great way to get around quickly and on a budget.
8 Most Beautiful Amalfi Coast Towns
Positano
Positano is one of the most famous and picturesque cities in Italy and one of the most popular Amalfi Coast towns. The pastel-colored houses, pebbly beach, and blue water sea give Positano a charm like no other and make it a top tourist destination.
The unique construction of Positano’s houses, which are built vertically into the steep mountainside, give it an edge and offer stunning views from every point o the city. However, since the city is built into the mountains that means getting around is a lot of up strenuous uphill adventures. There are plenty of things to do in Positano, making it a superb getaway.
Positano attracts a very diverse crowd of travelers. On the one hand, Positano is a very romantic destination and the perfect place for couples and lovers. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, Positano is usually a great place to start. It is also a great place for luxury travelers who are looking for a high-end getaway. The hotels and restaurants in Positano are amazing and come at a high price tag, but are completely worth it if these are your travel desires.
Best for: Romance, Luxury, Instagrammable views.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the largest town along the Amalfi Coast and a very popular place to visit. It is easy to confuse the name of the city with the entire coast, but to clarify, Amalfi is a city along the Amalfi Coast. This gem of a city is the perfect, beautiful place to head to for stunning views, rocky beaches, and aqua sea views.
There is also a lot to see and do in Amalfi. This Amalfi Coast town is full of history and culture just waiting to be discovered. From roaming the streets to visiting the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea to standing in the famous Piazza Duomo there is no shortage of things to do in Amalfi. Amalfi is also located right in the middle of the coast making it the perfect central location for day trips and seeing other cities along the coast.
Best for: Central location which is good for day trips, culture, history.
Sorrento
Sorrento is without a doubt one of the most interesting and beautiful places along the Amalfi Coast. The city sits high in the cliffs along the water with the buildings perched precariously on the edge. This along with the Renaissance/Baroque architecture give Sorrento a unique and intriguing look that is stunning and makes it one of the more unique Amalfi Coast towns.
Up in the cliffs where the city sits is a maze of alleyways and quaint streets all for your enjoyment. On these streets, you will see rows of vibrant buildings, charming cafes, and authentic local shops. Be sure to walk along the waterfront – Marina Grande – to get some fresh seafood, enjoy the fresh gelato, pay a visit to the lemon grove, and eat at one of the cliffside restaurants.
In the summer months, Sorrento gets quite busy with tourists embarking on day trips from nearby Naples, but the crowds are not a huge issue. One of the best aspects of Sorrento is that the accommodation prices here are much lower than in some other cities. This makes it a great place to set up a base for your adventure to other Amalfi Coast towns.
Best for: Ease of accessibility, good for day trips, historic, lower-priced accommodation.
Atrani
Atrani is a stunning Amalfi Coast town located just a short distance from Amalfi. This tiny town is a must-see if you are already in Amalfi and deserves its own recognition. Unlike the other Amalfi Coast cities like Positano, Sorrento, and Amalfi, Atrani is not as popular which means fewer tourists swarm the streets. This makes exploring the stunning old streets and hiking through the city much more enjoyable and authentic.
Atrani is great for any travelers looking to mix art and culture with a sunny beach vacation. The beaches in Atrani are wonderful and when the sun is too hot you can escape to a museum or art gallery. Making it one of the best Amalfi Coast towns.
Best For: Beach days, quiet Amalfi Coast experience, central location for day trips.
Ravello
Ravello is not a seaside village like most Amalfi Coast towns but this doesn’t take away from its stunning offerings. This town sits high in the Amalfi Coast mountains and offers some of the most beautiful views of the sea and coast below. Although you can’t just walk to the beach Ravello offers so much to its visitors.
Mainly being that Ravello is one of the quieter Amalfi Coast towns. There are far fewer tourists here which make walking the streets and enjoying the atmosphere much more authentic and enjoyable. More so, its location up in the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast gives Ravello a romantic air that is unmatched.
Best For: Romance, stunning views, more intimate travel experience.
Cetara
Cetara is one of the least touristy places along the Amalfi Coast but still full of beauty and magic. A visit here is very unlike what you will experience in Positano or Amalfi, but this off the beaten track destination is the ideal getaway for some. The village itself is a fishing village which means it has some of the best seafood along the coast. It is the perfect place to escape for a quiet Italian vacation, where you can also go on some day trips to explore the other Amalfi Coast towns.
Best For: Travellers looking for something quiet and relatively untouched by tourism, the best seafood.
Maiori
Maiori is the best town along the Amalfi Coast for those looking for a beach focused vacation. This town is home to the largest beach in the Amalfi Coast, and unlike most beaches along the Amalfi Coast, this is a sandy beach! Here you will find rows of vibrant umbrellas filling the beach making it the perfect place to grab a bed and spend a day in the Italian sun.
Beyond the beach, Maiori has a beautiful town full of ancient Roman ruins like Villa Marittima Romana. Plus, it is a town famous for its pasta and you can’t deny that eating Italian food is one of the best things to do in the Amalfi Coast. If you are looking for the ultimate Italian getaway full of pasta, sun, and wine, this is your place. Plus, it is much less busy than other Amalfi Coast towns and less pricey.
Best For: Families, budget travellers, Italian food lovers.
Capri
Now, Capri is not technically part of the Amalfi Coast but this island gem is still one of the best places in the Amalfi Coast. It is located just a short boat ride from the coast and when visiting the Amalfi coast a visit here is also needed. This stunning island is a playground for the rich and famous. On the island, there are missions from people like Madonna, Versace, and more! And on the water surrounding it, there are yachts from princes and other celebrities.
The rugged landscape of the island only adds to its beauty. The streets are built into the mountains and offer something new around each corner. There is also so much to see beyond the luxurious shops and high-end restaurants. From the aqua blue water beaches to high mountain views, it offers the perfect getaway to somewhere stunning in addition to the other Amalfi Coast towns.
Best for: Luxury travellers, adventure travellers, beach seekers.
Where to stay in the Amalfi Coast
Here are some accommodation options for the Amalfi Coast.
The Amalfi Coast is packed with beauty and magic. Regardless of which Amalfi Coast towns you choose to visit you will be amazed by the stunning views, amazing food, and vibrant atmopshere.
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Love,
SSW
