Atrani, Italy along the Amalfi Coast at dusk

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Q: Are there any local customs I should be aware of?

Italians typically take an afternoon riposo (rest) and eat dinner late, so why not match your schedule to theirs? Tipping isn’t expected, but is appreciated. And remember to cover your shoulders when entering a church.

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Holidays in the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast holidays are about exploring historic towns colourfully stacked on steep cliffs above the glittering Mediterranean, cruising coastal roads, sipping cold drinks on a scenic terrace and lazing away the day on a sun-lounger.

If you’ve heard of one place on the Amalfi Coast, it’s probably Positano, a town of timeless colourful houses cascading down a dramatic cliffside. Watch the world go by over the rim of your morning espresso, sip a negroni with a sea view or hop on a boat to explore nearby swimming spots.

Amalfi is the largest town in the area and a veritable journey back in time. Delve into its past at the 13th-century paper mill, the oldest in Europe and still working. There’s also the architectural delight of the 9th-century Basilica del Crocifisso, part of the Amalfi Cathedral. And just next to Amalfi is the gentle fishing village of Atrani, a warren of narrow walkways, staircases and hidden treasures.

Ravello is an essential stop on any holiday to the Amalfi Coast. The town’s forested views across idyllic bays create a more tranquil vibe than its busier neighbours. People come here for the magnificent gardens – Villa Cimbrone’s garden was designed in the early 1900s while Villa Rufolo’s garden was restored in the mid-1800s.

Perched nearby, La Rondinaia (The Swallow’s Nest) is worth keeping an eye out for. This glamorous villa, ivory white as Amalfi paper, was once home to the American writer Gore Vidal and regularly hosted his flock of celebrity friends.

Over in Vietri sul Mare, a visit to the Museo della Ceramica is a must. You’ll learn the history of the ceramics (bowls, plates and tiles) that you’ll see sold in so many shops along the Amalfi Coast. It’s a fascinating craft dating back to the Middle Ages.

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Hotel Santa Lucia

4.6

Excellent

Minori, Amalfi Coast, Italy

21 July 2025
7 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Newcastle

Prices from

£938 pp

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Grand Hotel Excelsior

4.6

Excellent

Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Italy

5 June 2025
7 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Stansted

Prices from

£1,426 pp

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Botanico San Lazzaro

4.4

Excellent

Maiori, Amalfi Coast, Italy

5 June 2025
7 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Stansted

Prices from

£2,353 pp

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Raito

4.7

Excellent

Vietri Sul Mare, Amalfi Coast, Italy

24 July 2025
10 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Manchester

Prices from

£2,058 pp

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Villa Gabrisa

4.7

Excellent

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

17 August 2025
7 nights
Room only
From Stansted

Prices from

£2,429 pp

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Piccolo Sant'Andrea Luxury Suite Hotel & Spa

4.7

Excellent

Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

7 October 2025
7 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Heathrow

Prices from

£2,249 pp

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Hotel Conca d'Oro

4.4

Excellent

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

1 October 2025
7 nights
Bed & breakfast
From Heathrow

Prices from

£2,009 pp

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You might be perfectly content to stay in one spot and enjoy la dolce vita, but should you want to really explore the Amalfi Coast, consider adding these highlights to your itinerary.

Food and drink

Fresh fish should be high on the menu on your Amalfi Coast holiday. But with so much food grown locally in the rich volcanic soil, all the other flavours on your plate are delightfully fresh too.

And the pasta! Try spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), or dip into a local trattoria for tomato and mozzarella gnocchi.

For a quick snack, a paper cone of fried fish and squid hits the spot. Lemon shows up in delizie al limone (a lemon sponge cake), lemon granita and, iconically, limoncello.

Ravello’s gardens

The town of Ravello is famous for its gardens overlooking the sea. The Torre-Museo walks you through Villa Rufolo and its gardens, which were restored by Scottish botanist Sir Francis Nevile Reid in 1853.

Villa Cimbrone’s gardens – designed by another Brit, Ernest Beckett – have stunning rose beds and a Moorish-style pavilion. The gardens are in full bloom between May and October.

Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea

Amalfi’s cathedral tells the story of the town’s long history, and serves as an emblem of just how powerful Amalfi once was. Attached to the 9th-century Basilica del Crocifisso (now an art museum), the cathedral has undergone many redesigns down the centuries as fashions ebbed and flowed. It has an intriguing blend of Arab-Norman, gothic, renaissance and baroque styles.

Visit the Moorish Chiostro del Paradiso (Cloister of Paradise), built in the 13th century and the final resting place to many of Amalfi’s famous residents.

Museo della Ceramica

The gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Vietri sul Mare is best known for its bright ceramics, made using techniques and designs passed down through the generations. The Museo della Ceramica, just outside town, is the best place to learn about this long history of craftsmanship.

Afterwards, take a wander to see the ceramics decorating the colourful houses and head up to the tiled walkways overlooking the sea from Villa Comunale.

Amalfi Lemon Experience

The Aceto family has grown the Amalfi’s famous, sunshine-loving lemons for generations. Visit the family farm for a good idea of the hard work and skill they put into harvesting the rich coastal slopes. Take the two-hour tour, with a break for a slice of lemon cake and fresh lemonade, and stay for the honey production tour. You can also join a cooking or ceramic painting class.

Heading to the Amalfi Coast for a beach holiday? There’s no shortage of scenic spots for swimming or sunbathing, whether you’re seeking sand, pebble beaches or romantic hideaway coves.

Spiaggia del Fornillo

Positano’s main beach can be busy, so for a relaxed beach day wander west from the harbour to the sun-loungers and vibey beach bars on pebbled Spiaggia del Fornillo.

Marina di Praia

Set between two steep rock faces east of Praiano, Marina di Praia is a picturesque pebbled cove. Rent a boat, enjoy lunch at a beachside restaurant or watch fishing boats pull in their squid haul as the sun sets.

Grotta dello Smeraldo

The green waters of the Emerald Grotto are a special experience. Join a boat trip through the cave to see its sunken nativity scene, and if you’re there when the boats have stopped, you can even take a swim.

Vietri sul Mare Beach

Many of the beaches on the Amalfi Coast are pebbly, but Vietri sul Mare’s beaches are among the longest and sandiest stretches in the region.

Li Galli

Mythical sirens attempted to lure Odysseus to his death in Li Galli, so said Homer’s epic. Today, you can take a boat from Positano to swim or snorkel in the clear waters around this rocky archipelago.

For a luxury holiday

The Amalfi Coast does luxury very well, with fancy hotels and their private beaches perched right on the shoreline. If you’re planning to spend most of your time in a resort, look for hotels with lift access down to a private beach or those with particularly stunning views.

If you want to explore, Positano is one of the more glamorous towns on the coast, with a suitably chic crowd. Ravello is more refined, with fewer crowds, and Amalfi is best if you want historic sightseeing without driving.

For family holidays

The Amalfi Coast has a lot of steps and steep paths, so having a base well suited to your appetite for stairs is key. Amalfi, for example, has a seaside boardwalk and relatively large beaches, with far fewer stairs than Positano, and there’s plenty to do around the town without having to spend hours in summer traffic.

If you’re up for some ruins and castles, staying near the fort at Castello di Arechi is a win. Maiori has a lovely sandy beach that makes it a family favourite.

To take some of the stress out of planning, a package holiday to the Amalfi Coast may be the best option, especially if you’re keen on kids’ clubs.

For cheap holidays

Cheap Amalfi Coast holidays are not the easiest to come by, but you can make your trip more affordable by avoiding the most touristy areas. Maiori and Minori have good value accommodation and beach activities that cost little to nothing. Spend the day on Maiori’s sandy beach or take a stroll along the scenic Il Sentiero dei Limoni (Path of Lemons) connecting Maiori and Minori.

Of course, you can always save money by booking a package holiday to the Amalfi Coast.

For romantic breaks

Is there anything more romantic than Positano’s backdrop of terracotta roofs and forested slopes dipping into the sparkling Mediterranean? Here you can spend your couple’s holiday dining al fresco with sea views, taking cooking classes together and hiking the Path of the Gods on the lookout for secluded coves.

If you’d rather something more tranquil, Ravello has some truly remarkable views, with gorgeous hotels that make the most of their position.

Summer is busy and expensive on the Amalfi Coast and, over winter, many establishments close. It means the best times to visit the Amalfi Coast are from April to May and September to October.

When is the cheapest time to visit the Amalfi Coast?

Peak season runs from June to mid-September and is the priciest time to stay, so it's best to travel outside those dates to get a cheap holiday on the Amalfi Coast. However, be aware that many hotels and businesses close for winter, so aim for April to May and mid-September to October (outside school holidays if possible).

When should I go for the best weather?

The Amalfi Coast is at its hottest, busiest and most expensive in summer months (June, July and August). The shoulder seasons of April to May and mid-September to October are generally warm and dry, with average highs between 18C and 26C.

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FAQS

Are there any local customs I should be aware of?

Italians typically take an afternoon riposo (rest) and eat dinner late, so why not match your schedule to theirs? Tipping isn’t expected, but is appreciated. And remember to cover your shoulders when entering a church.

What’s the best way to travel around the Amalfi Coast?

For a classic road trip, hire a car. Just keep in mind that you’re likely to encounter heavy traffic in peak season. For some spots, it’s often quicker to walk or take the ferry.

What travel adapter should I take?

Italy uses plugs with two or three round pins, type C, F or L. Universal plug adapters work just fine.

How many days is enough to visit Amalfi?

You can experience the Amalfi Coast in a couple of days if you just want to relax by the sea and eat great food. But to explore the region at a more leisurely pace, aim for between five days and a week.