3 days in Amalfi Coast

Day by day

1. Day 1: Positano and Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo beach

   Positano and Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo beach and Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise, then Terrace of Infinity in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Positano and Spiaggia Grande

      Positano's tiers of pastel houses descend a ravine to Spiaggia Grande, the main beach, where the majolica dome of Santa Maria Assunta glints above the sand.

   2. Late morning

      Fornillo beach

      Arrive early for a spot on the free section, or rent loungers from a beach club that also serves simple lunches.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Limoncello

      Offered after meals in many restaurants and sold in Amalfi and Positano; small producers often offer tastings.

   4. Afternoon

      Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise

      A broad flight of steps leads up to the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, whose striped facade and bronze doors cast in Constantinople in the 11th century dominate Amalfi's main square.

   5. Evening

      Terrace of Infinity

      Stand among the marble busts on Villa Cimbrone's belvedere in Ravello, high above the Gulf of Salerno.

2. Day 2: Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) and Villa Rufolo

   Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), Villa Rufolo and Boat trip along the coast, then Sunset by boat in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)

      Start early to avoid the midday heat, wear proper shoes and carry water; there is little shade and few places to refill.

   2. Late morning

      Villa Rufolo

      Built by a wealthy Ravello family in the 13th century, Villa Rufolo has a Moorish-style cloister, a tall tower and terraced gardens looking down over the coast.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Delizia al limone

      Pastry shops in Amalfi, Minori and Maiori and most restaurant dessert menus.

   4. Afternoon

      Boat trip along the coast

      A shared half-day trip on a small wooden gozzo gives swimming stops without the cost of a private charter; trips are cancelled when the sea is rough.

   5. Evening

      Sunset by boat

      Charter a small boat for the evening and watch the sun go down over Capri from the water off Positano or Praiano.

3. Day 3: Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity and Fiordo di Furore

   Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity, Fiordo di Furore and Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo), then Concert in Ravello in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity

      At the tip of Ravello's ridge, a 15-minute walk through quiet lanes from the main square, Villa Cimbrone's gardens end at the Terrace of Infinity, a belvedere lined with marble busts hanging above the Gulf of Salerno.

   2. Late morning

      Fiordo di Furore

      There is almost no parking at the bridge, so come by SITA bus or by boat.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Scialatielli ai frutti di mare

      Seafood restaurants in every town; it is a signature dish of Amalfi and Positano.

   4. Afternoon

      Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo)

      This sea cave at Conca dei Marini glows green when sunlight filters in through an underwater opening.

   5. Evening

      Concert in Ravello

      Hear a summer concert on the stage built out over the cliffs at Villa Rufolo.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Museo della Carta (Paper Museum) (Amalfi): Ask about the hands-on paper-making session, which children enjoy, and buy Amalfi paper in the shop.
• Swap in Vietri sul Mare ceramics (Vietri sul Mare): Many workshops ship purchases home; ask before you buy large or fragile pieces.
• Swap in Villa Romana di Minori (Minori and Maiori): Combine it with a pastry stop in Minori and the Path of the Lemons to Maiori.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Amalfi keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Positano ($$$$) suits couples, luxury and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 17–26 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.3 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Amalfi Coast
• 2 days in Amalfi Coast
• 5 days in Amalfi Coast

Questions travellers ask