Travel tips · Amalfi Coast · Italy
Amalfi Coast travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
The Amalfi Coast is part of Campania, and its people combine Neapolitan warmth with the reserve of small, close-knit villages that were reachable mainly by sea until the coast road was built in the 19th century. Religious festivals, fishing and lemon farming still shape the calendar, and many families work the same terraces and boats for generations.
Key facts
- Language
- Italian
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C, F and L sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, though restaurants serve bottled water…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, and put on a shirt or cover-up when leaving the beach.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'buongiorno' and say 'grazie, arrivederci' as you leave.
- On narrow stairways, step aside for residents carrying shopping and porters with luggage.
- On buses, offer seats to elderly passengers, for whom the bus is daily transport.
- Swimwear is for the beach, not for town streets, shops or restaurants away from the sea.
- Stay in Minori, Maiori, Agerola or Cetara, where rooms cost much less than in Positano or Ravello.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected and a coperto is often charged; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for excellent service in a smart restaurant is appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buongiorno | Good morning / hello |
| Grazie | Thank you |
| Il conto, per favore | The bill, please |
| Dov'è la fermata dell'autobus? | Where is the bus stop? |
| Un biglietto per Amalfi | A ticket to Amalfi |
| Quanto costa? | How much is it? |
What to wear
Resort-casual: linen, sandals with good grip for steep stairs, a cover-up for walking from the beach and a light layer for evening boat rides.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C, F and L sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, though restaurants serve bottled water by default and many locals prefer it.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in towns but can drop on hiking trails and in ravines; EU roaming applies to European SIM cards.
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Italy's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Amalfi Coast?
Tipping is not expected and a coperto is often charged; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for excellent service in a smart restaurant is appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Amalfi Coast?
Tap water is generally safe to drink, though restaurants serve bottled water by default and many locals prefer it.
+What plugs are used in Amalfi Coast?
Type C, F and L sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Amalfi Coast?
Italian.