The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most celebrated stretches of coastline, and it’s easy to see why. Colorful towns cling to dramatic cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the whole coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tim and I made it a point to visit, or at least see, every town on this list, whether on foot, by car, or from the water. Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi are the towns most people already know, but our personal standouts also include Tramonti for its vineyards, Atrani for its beach and views, and Nerano. Hands down, Nerano was where we had the best pasta anywhere on the coast.

Officially, there are 13 towns that make up the Amalfi Coast, but we’re covering 17 here. We’ve added Salerno and Sorrento, the two cities that bookend the coast and serve as gateways for most visitors, along with a few smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns like Erchie that are well worth knowing about even though they’re not part of the “official” list.

Cetara Amalfi Coast Italy

The Essentials

NUMBER OF TOWNS | 17 (13 official + Salerno, Sorrento, and hidden gems)

BEST TIME TO VISIT | Late April–May and late Sept–October

HOW TO GET AROUND | Car, bus, ferry, or private driver

UNESCO STATUS | World Heritage Site

ICONIC TOWNS | Positano, Amalfi, Ravello

HIDDEN GEMS | Nerano, Tramonti

Use this table to compare all 17 towns at a glance, then jump to the one that fits what you’re after.

#TownBest ForVibeCrowd Level
1SalernoPassing through / transit hubBig cityModerate
2Vietri sul MareCeramics shoppingLively, congestedHigh
3CetaraBeach, medieval towerBusyHigh
4ErchieOff-the-beaten-path beachQuiet, hidden gemLow
5TramontiWine tasting, vineyardsRural, tranquilLow
6MaioriBeach walkQuiet, small-cityLow
7MinoriPastries (Delizie al Limone)QuietLow
8RavelloViews, gardensElegant, hilltopModerate
9ScalaGlimpse of the oldest villageResidential, quietVery low
10AtraniIconic photo spot, beachCharming, smallLow–moderate
11AmalfiDuomo, limoncello shoppingBustling, iconicHigh
12Conca dei MariniScenic view from the waterQuiet, residentialLow
13FuroreFiordo swim/photoQuiet, dramaticLow–moderate
14PraianoQuiet luxury, cliff viewsRelaxed, upscaleLow–moderate
15PositanoIconic town, beach, shoppingVibrant, glamorousVery high
16NeranoSpaghetti Nerano, seafoodLaid-back, foodieLow
17SorrentoHome base, day tripsLively resort townModerate–high

Best Town for…

  • Food: Nerano, for spaghetti Nerano
  • Wine: Tramonti and the Amalfi Coast Wine Road
  • Views and romance: Ravello, Praiano
  • Photos: Atrani, Positano
  • A quiet escape: Furore, Conca dei Marini, Scala
  • An easy pastry stop: Minori
  • A home base: Sorrento, Positano, or Praiano

This list of towns on the Amalfi Coast are ordered by geographical location, starting with Salerno in the east and ending with Sorrento in the west.

1. Get a Bird’s Eye View of Salerno from Castello di Arechi

LOCATION: Eastern gateway to the Amalfi Coast
BEST FOR: Passing through / transit hub
HOW TO GET HERE: Train, bus, car, private driver, or boat
TIME NEEDED: A few hours, only if you’re already passing through

Salerno sits at one end of the Amalfi Coast and has a big-city feel that’s a world apart from the small coastal towns further along the drive. It’s a major transportation hub and port city, so depending on where you’re coming from, you may well find yourself passing through here on your way to Amalfi, Positano, or Ravello. If you do, Castello di Arechi offers a bird’s-eye view over the city, and the Salerno Cathedral, home to the remains of the Evangelist Matthew and a courtyard built from 28 columns salvaged from Paestum, is worth a quick stop.

Our Take: We wouldn’t go out of our way to visit Salerno, but if you’re already routing through it, the castle view and cathedral courtyard make for an easy hour or two well spent.

The view of Salerno Italy from Castello di Arechi

Salerno

2. See Vietri sul Mare’s Ceramics

LOCATION: Just east of Salerno, at the start of the Amalfi Coast
BEST FOR: Ceramics shopping
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: 1–2 hours

Vietri sul Mare is famous for its colorful, hand-painted ceramics, and the shops lining its short main streets make for an easy stop right as you enter the Amalfi Coast.

On our visit, a Sunday afternoon in October, the streets were packed with cars and people. This is a small town, and it doesn’t take much to fill it up. Beyond shopping, there are two beaches at the bottom of town; skip the one closest to the center and head to the larger beach on the far western side, which was noticeably cleaner when we visited.

Our Take: Worth a quick stop for the ceramics alone, but don’t expect a relaxed stroll. This is one of the more congested towns on the list, even outside peak summer months.

Vietri Sul Mare | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Vietri Sul Mare

Vietri sul Mare Tilework

3. Relax on Cetara’s Beach

LOCATION: A few minutes west of Vietri sul Mare, on the eastern stretch of the coast
BEST FOR: Beach, medieval tower
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: 1–2 hours

Cetara’s main draw is its lovely beach, backed by a medieval watchtower that still keeps watch over the water. Like Vietri sul Mare, this is a small town that fills up fast. On our visit in late October, parking was completely full, so we ended up parking in neighboring Erchie and taking a shuttle bus in. If you’re driving yourself, it’s worth having a backup plan for where to leave the car.

Our Take: The beach and tower are genuinely nice, but the parking situation can turn a quick stop into a logistical headache. Factor in the shuttle-from-Erchie option before you commit to driving here directly.

Cetara Italy | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Cetara

4. Detour to Erchie’s Hidden Beach

LOCATION: Just west of Cetara, tucked along the eastern coast
BEST FOR: Off-the-beaten-path beach
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: 1–2 hours (worth prioritizing if you have 4+ days)

Erchie isn’t one of the “official” 13 towns on the Amalfi Coast, but it’s one of our favorites on this list, maybe because it feels genuinely off the beaten path in a way few other stops do. The small, sandy beach is noticeably cleaner than Vietri sul Mare’s, and at one end you’ll spot La Torre Cerniola, a medieval tower keeping watch over the water.

One thing to know before you drive down: the road to the parking area near the beach is a narrow, two-way street that’s really only wide enough for one car, so confident reversing skills come in handy.

Our Take: We loved Erchie, but it only earns a spot on your itinerary if you have some time to spare. With 4+ days on the coast, it’s a worthwhile detour; on a tighter trip, it’s easy to skip.

Erchie Amalfi Coast | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Erchie

5. Sip Wine in Tramonti

LOCATION: High in the mountains above the coast, along the Amalfi Coast Wine Road
BEST FOR: Wine tasting, vineyards
HOW TO GET HERE: Car or private driver
TIME NEEDED: Half day

Tramonti is one of our favorite stops on this whole list. This quiet, rural stretch is blanketed in vineyards and feels more like Tuscany than the Amalfi Coast. It’s the heart of the Amalfi Coast Wine Road, a driving route past multiple vineyards, and Tenuta San Francesco is one not to skip.

If you don’t want to spend a full day working your way down the Wine Road, pairing a visit here with Ravello makes for a great day trip, since the two aren’t far apart.

Our Take: Tramonti is a genuine change of pace from the coastal towns, and one of the best reasons to rent a car rather than rely on buses and ferries.

Grapes

Grapes on the vines at Tenuta San Francesco

Tenuta San Francesco

Wine tasting at Tenuta San Francesco

6. Stroll Through Maiori

LOCATION: West of Minori, along the central stretch of coast
BEST FOR: Beach walk
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: Quick stop, or skip

Our boat captain advised skipping Maiori, saying there’s very little here for tourists, and having visited, we have to agree. The wide, pebbly beach and the long promenade running alongside it are the main draws, and Corso Reginna, the main shopping street, turned out to be geared more toward locals than visitors, with little in the way of clothing, jewelry, or artwork. It does have more of a small-city feel than the classic Amalfi Coast vibe, and it was noticeably quieter than most other stops.

Our Take: Our captain was right. Unless you’re drawn to the quieter, more local pace, Maiori is easy to skip in favor of towns with more to actually do.

Maiori Italy | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Maiori

7. Stop for Pastries in Minori

LOCATION: Just east of Maiori, along the central stretch of coast
BEST FOR: Pastries (Delizie al Limone)
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: 30 minutes–1 hour

Minori sits right next to Maiori and shares a similarly quiet, low-key vibe.

The real reason to stop here is Sal de Riso, an award-winning pastry shop where the Delizie al Limone (a cream-filled lemon cake with a thick, delectable icing) is worth the visit on its own; if lemon isn’t your thing, their case is packed with cakes, tarts, and cookies to choose from instead.

If you have more time, Villa Romana e Antiquarium’s Roman ruins, the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, and Giardinello wine bar are all worth a look.

Our Take: If you’re driving the coast, Minori is one of the easiest, most rewarding quick stops on this whole list. The Delizie al Limone alone justifies pulling over.

Minori | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Minori

Sal de Riso Minori | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Sal de Riso, Minori

Minori Church

Basilica of Santa Trofimena

8. Take in the Views from Ravello

LOCATION: High in the hills above Amalfi Drive
BEST FOR: Views, gardens
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, private driver, or bus (no boat access — Ravello sits inland)
TIME NEEDED: Half day

Ravello is one of our favorite towns on the entire Amalfi Coast, and it’s easy to see why once you’re there. Perched high above the water, it’s home to two stunning villas, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, each with sweeping coastline views and beautiful gardens to wander.

Because Ravello sits off Amalfi Drive rather than along it, it tends to be noticeably less crowded than Amalfi or Positano, even in peak season. It’s also one of the best towns on the coast for shopping, particularly for ceramics and artwork. Beyond the villas, the Ravello Duomo and the cafes lining Piazza Centrale make for an easy, relaxed afternoon.

Our Take: Ravello is a must, not a maybe. The views from Villa Cimbrone’s Infinity Terrace alone are worth the drive up, and the lighter crowds make it one of the more peaceful stops on this whole list.

Ravello | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

The view from Villa Rufolo

Infinity Terrace Villa Cimbrone | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

The Infinity Terrace at Villa Cimbrone

Villa Cimbrone Gardens | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Villa Cimbrone Gardens

Ravello Ceramics

In our guide to Ravello, we cover how to get here and what to do ↓

Ravello, Italy

Best Things to Do in Ravello, Italy

How to plan a trip to Ravello, Italy.

9. A Quick Glimpse of Scala

LOCATION: In the hills overlooking Ravello
BEST FOR: Glimpse of the oldest village on the coast
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, private driver, or bus (no boat access)
TIME NEEDED: Quick glimpse

Scala is one of the oldest villages on the Amalfi Coast, sitting quietly in the hills across from Ravello. It’s made up mostly of homes and groves of lemon trees rather than anything geared toward tourists, so there isn’t much to actively do here. Still, it’s worth a glance. You’ll catch views of it naturally on a visit to Ravello, without needing to make a special trip.

Our Take: Not a destination in its own right, but a nice bit of scenery to take in from Ravello rather than something to seek out on its own.

Scala | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Scala

10. Atrani’s Famous View

LOCATION: Just steps from Amalfi, along the coast
BEST FOR: Iconic photo spot, beach
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: 1–2 hours

Atrani is one of the smallest towns on the Amalfi Coast, but its beach, framed by Amalfi Drive above and the Collegiate Santa Maria Maddalena church behind it, is one of the most photographed views on the entire coast. It’s an easy, walkable stop, especially if you’re already spending time in neighboring Amalfi.

During our 2022 visit, the town was actually closed off for a few hours while a movie crew filmed nearby (Equalizer 3 starring Denzel Washington), a reminder of just how photogenic this little town really is.

Our Take: Small enough to see in under an hour, but the view alone makes it one of the more memorable stops on this list.

Atrani Italy | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Atrani

Atrani Amalfi Coast | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Another view of Atrani

11. Wander Amalfi’s Duomo and Streets

LOCATION: The town the coast is named for, midway along Amalfi Drive
BEST FOR: Duomo, limoncello shopping
HOW TO GET HERE: Boat (best), or bus and car
TIME NEEDED: Half day

Amalfi is small and quick to explore, but it more than earns its spot as one of the best towns on the coast.

The Amalfi Duomo is the main attraction. A few euros gets you into the complex, which includes the Cloister of Paradise, the crypt, and the museum.

This is also said to be the birthplace of limoncello, and it shows: nearly every other shop in town sells limoncello, lemon sorbet, or some lemon-themed souvenir, from ceramics to linens.

Amalfi is also one of the most crowded towns on this list, so arriving by boat is worth prioritizing if you can. It lets you skip the traffic jams and parking headaches along Amalfi Drive entirely.

Our Take: Amalfi is a must-see, but plan around the crowds. Arrive by boat if you can, and expect this to be one of the busiest stops on your itinerary.

Amalfi | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi

Amalfi Duomo | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Duomo

Amalfi Town | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Beach | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi beach

Limoncello Shop Amalfi

Limoncello shop in Amalfi

12. Spot Conca dei Marini’s Cliffside Hotel

LOCATION: Along the coast between Amalfi and Furore
BEST FOR: Scenic view from the water
HOW TO GET HERE: Ferry or boat tour (best), or bus, car, private driver
TIME NEEDED: Quick glimpse by boat

Conca dei Marini is a small coastal town without much reason for a dedicated stop, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for if you’re cruising the coast. Borgo Santandrea, a luxury hotel built into a former fortress, sits along the water here and is best appreciated from a boat. Above it, a massive limestone cave makes for a striking sight as you pass by.

Our Take: Not a town to plan around, but a scenic moment worth catching if you’re already on the water between Amalfi and Furore.

Conca dei Marini | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Conca dei Marini

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Italy Travel Guide

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13. Cool Off at Fiordo di Furore

LOCATION: In the mountains above the coast, between Conca dei Marini and Praiano
BEST FOR: Fiordo swim/photo
HOW TO GET HERE: Boat tour (best), or bus, private driver, car
TIME NEEDED: 1–2 hours

Furore itself doesn’t have much to see. It’s more of a residential mountain town than a tourist stop. The real draw is Fiordo di Furore, a narrow cove with a small beach that’s a popular swimming spot in summer, backed by a small fishing village and a few old paper mills.

We visited on a boat tour and were able to enter the cove itself, which is the best way to experience it. By bus, you can get off and descend a steep staircase down to the beach; by car, parking is reportedly difficult enough that you may be limited to a glimpse from the bridge as you drive over.

Our Take: Worth building into a boat tour if one’s on your itinerary. Trying to reach it by car is more trouble than it’s usually worth.

Fiordo di Furore Bridge
Fiordo di Furore Photo

Fiordo di Furore

Fiordi di Furore

14. Escape the Crowds in Praiano

LOCATION: On the cliffs between Amalfi and Positano
BEST FOR: Quiet luxury, cliff views
HOW TO GET HERE: Bus, car, or private driver (boat access exists, but involves a long, steep staircase up to town)
TIME NEEDED: Half day, or overnight

Praiano sits perched on cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it’s noticeably quieter and less touristy than its neighbors Amalfi and Positano, which is exactly why it’s long been a favorite of the rich and famous looking to stay nearby without the crowds.

Below town, several exclusive beach resorts line the coast: Grand Hotel Tritone is a 4-star cliffside property with stairs down to its own beach, while Marina di Praia is a public beach with street-level parking.

Our Take: If Positano’s crowds sound exhausting, Praiano gets you the same dramatic cliffside setting with a fraction of the tourists. It’s worth considering as a home base, not just a stop.

Praiano | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Praiano

Praiano Beach | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Marina di Praiano Beach

15. Get to Know Positano

LOCATION: On the cliffs between Praiano and Nerano
BEST FOR: Iconic town, beach, shopping
HOW TO GET HERE: Car, bus, ferry, or private boat
TIME NEEDED: Full day, or overnight

Positano is the town most people picture when they think of the Amalfi Coast, with its colorful buildings tumbling down the cliffs above a wide, black sand beach. It’s also home to some of the coast’s best hotels and restaurants, which makes it one of the top choices for where to stay, not just visit.

Beyond the beach, there’s plenty of shopping, rooftop bars, and kayak rentals. Paddling out and looking back at the town from the water is one of the best views you’ll get anywhere on the coast.

A lot of what you’ll read about Positano centers on the crowds, and it’s true that the town can feel overwhelming midday. On our most recent trip, we stayed here for over a week, and it completely changed how we experienced the town. Early mornings and evenings, once the day-trippers clear out, Positano is a different place entirely, with quiet streets, soft light on the cliffs, and none of the elbow-to-elbow crowds that define the middle of the day. If you can, staying a while rather than just passing through is the single best way to actually fall for this town.

Our Take: Positano earns the hype. It’s one of our personal standouts on this whole list, and worth building extra time into your itinerary for. If you can manage more than a night or two, you’ll get to experience the early-morning and evening version of Positano that most visitors never see.

Positano | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Positano

Positano in October | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast
Positano Ceramics

Ceramics shop in Positano

Positano Italy | Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

Positano from the water

Check out our guide Things to do in Positano, which also lists the top restaurants and best places to stay ↓

16. Nerano’s Legendary Pasta

LOCATION: Just past Positano, on the way to Sorrento
BEST FOR: Spaghetti Nerano, seafood
HOW TO GET HERE: Boat (best), or car
TIME NEEDED: Half day (lunch stop)

Nerano is technically just outside the official Amalfi Coast, sitting between Positano and Sorrento, but it’s on this list for good reason. This is where you’ll find some of the best food on the entire coast. Small restaurants line the beach here, serving fresh seafood and, above all, spaghetti Nerano: pasta tossed with fried zucchini in a light cream sauce, and easily one of the best meals we had on either of our trips.

Our Take: If there’s one meal to plan your day around on the Amalfi Coast, it’s lunch in Nerano. This is a personal standout for us, and worth the detour even if it’s a stretch to call it “official.”

Nerano Italy

Nerano

Nerano Pasta

Spaghetti Nerano and Linguine alle Vongole

Nerano

One more view of Nerano

17. Base Yourself in Sorrento

LOCATION: The western gateway to the Amalfi Coast
BEST FOR: Home base, day trips
HOW TO GET HERE: Train, car, private driver, taxi, bus, or ferry
TIME NEEDED: Full day, or multiple nights

Sorrento, like Salerno, is a gateway into the Amalfi Coast, but it’s a much better home base than a quick pass-through. It’s a genuine transportation hub, so from here you can easily day trip to the rest of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii without repacking every night.

The town itself doesn’t have traditional sandy beaches. Instead, long concrete and wooden docks with lounge chairs form coves that make for surprisingly good swimming spots. Beyond that, Marina Grande is a great spot for lunch or dinner, the shops are strong for limoncello, sandals, and leather goods, and several viewpoints around town offer views out toward Vesuvius.

Our Take: If you’d rather unpack once and day trip from a reliable home base than move hotels every night or two, Sorrento is one of the easiest, most convenient choices on this whole list.

Sorrento Italy

Sorrento

Marina Grande Sorrento

Marina Grande, Sorrento

Sorrento Shopping

Shopping in Sorrento

Our Guides on Sorrento

In these posts, we cover exactly what to do in Sorrento and how to plan 3 days in Sorrento, which also gives you time for a Capri day trip and a day on the Amalfi Coast.

Best Things to Do in Sorrento, Italy (Plus Top Day Trips)

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard The best things to do in Sorrento include clifftop viewpoints over the Bay of Naples, beach clubs built out over the water, and easy day trips to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii, making Sorrento one of the best home bases in this part of Italy. We’ve been to Sorrento on two […]

Three Days in Sorrento, Italy | Capri, the Amalfi Coast & Pompeii

Spending three days in Sorrento is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to experience the best of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii, and you don’t need a car or a big budget to do it. Sorrento makes an ideal home base for this part of Italy, since it’s well connected by train, […]

How much time do you need on the Amalfi Coast?

For the best experience, plan on spending at least three days on the Amalfi Coast. This gives you one day to day trip to Capri, one day to visit a few of the Amalfi Coast towns, and one day to visit nearby Pompeii. With more time, you can hike the Path of the Gods, visit the smaller, off the beaten path places like the vineyards around Tramonti, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

What is the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?

During the summer months, the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by boat (ferry, small boat tour, or private boat). The views are beautiful and you can avoid the traffic jams on Amalfi Drive. If you are traveling on a budget, the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by ferry or by bus. From June through September, avoid driving the Amalfi Coast if possible, since traffic jams are frequent, parking is a nightmare, and rental car traffic is limited by the new alternating license plate system.

When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is late April through May and late September through October. During this time, crowds are below peak levels and the weather is warm and sunny. July and August are the busiest months on the Amalfi Coast and during this time, traffic jams on Amalfi Drive are a common occurrence, prices are expensive, and you will have longer waits to get on the ferries and buses. If you want to visit with nice weather and low crowds, go in November. Just be aware that many restaurants and hotels will be closed at this time and the ferries will not be running.


If you have any questions about the best towns to visit on the Amalfi Coast, let us know in the comment section below.

We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Sicily, and Puglia.

Best towns to visit on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. Includes Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani, Tramonti, Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Nerano, Sorrento, Salerno and more.
Best Amalfi Coast Towns Italy

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Julie

About Julie

Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, wine aficionado, photographer, and triathlete, she loves discovering new places and turning those experiences into practical travel advice. Her work has been featured by National Geographic, Outside, and Matador Network. Julie’s mission is simple: to make travel planning easier and inspire you to visit new destinations with confidence.

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