Beaches · Amalfi Coast · Italy
The best beaches in and near Amalfi Coast
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jensens, Public domain
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Spiaggia Grande, Positano (Positano town centre). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- June–October
- Warmest sea
- 26°C (79°F)
The beaches
Positano town centre · Iconic views and people-watching
1.Spiaggia Grande, Positano
The coast's best-known beach of dark sand and pebbles below the town, with beach clubs, a free section and the ferry pier.
10 minutes' walk from Spiaggia Grande · A calmer Positano beach
2.Fornillo, Positano
A quieter pebbly beach a 10-minute cliff walk west of Spiaggia Grande, with family-run beach clubs.
Below Praiano, about 7 km east of Positano · Small-scale swimming and sunsets
3.Marina di Praia
A tiny cove of fishing boats and pebbles at the mouth of a gorge, with a couple of restaurants and a cliffside path.
5 minutes' walk from Amalfi · Quiet swims near Amalfi
4.Atrani beach
A small beach right below Atrani's piazza, calmer than Amalfi's town beach next door.
About 6 km east of Amalfi · Families
5.Maiori
The longest beach on the coast, close to a kilometre of sand backed by a flat promenade and beach clubs.
By boat from Amalfi harbour · Swimming in clear water
6.Duoglio and Santa Croce
Two coves west of Amalfi reached by long stairways or shuttle boats, with beach restaurants and clear water.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| February | 14°C (57°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| April | 15°C (59°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| October | 21°C (70°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| December | 16°C (61°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and beach
Positano
Positano is the coast's most photographed town, its houses tumbling down to Spiaggia Grande and the majolica-tiled dome of Santa Maria Assunta. Boutiques selling linen and made-to-measure sandals line the lanes, and ferries leave from the beach. Almost every street is a staircase, and hotels range from simple guesthouses to some of Italy's most celebrated luxury properties.
- Good
- Iconic views from almost every terrace; Beaches and boat departures in town; Excellent restaurants
- Watch out
- Very expensive in summer; Hundreds of steps and steep lanes; Crowded with day-trippers
- Nearby
- Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo, Nocelle, Santa Maria Assunta
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — SITA buses run along the coast road between Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, with branch lines up to Ravello and Agerola; they are inexpensive but crowded in summer, and full buses can pass stops.
- Ferry — From roughly April to October, ferries link Salerno, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi and Positano, with connections to Capri and Sorrento; in summer they are often quicker than the road.
- Boat — Private boats and small shared gozzi can be hired in every harbour for coastal tours, swims and trips to beach restaurants.
- Scooter — Scooter hire is popular, but the coast road is narrow, busy and full of buses; it suits only experienced riders.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
The main risks are physical: steep stairs, heat on exposed trails and swimming in rough sea, so check conditions and follow beach flags. The narrow coast road is dangerous for pedestrians, and pickpocketing can happen on crowded buses and ferry piers. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Amalfi Coast have beaches?
Yes: Spiaggia Grande, Positano, Fornillo, Positano, Marina di Praia, Atrani beach, Maiori and Duoglio and Santa Croce.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Amalfi Coast?
Usually June–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Amalfi Coast?
Spiaggia Grande, Positano: The coast's best-known beach of dark sand and pebbles below the town, with beach clubs, a free section and the ferry pier.