This dreamy 7-day Amalfi Coast itinerary takes in all the must-see highlights while still allowing down-time to relax and recharge. Whether you’re after stunning aqua beaches, traditional Italian towns, or Roman ruins, this travel plan has it covered.
In this article – we share a flexible week-long itinerary for visiting the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
Amalfi Coast 7-Day Itinerary Overview
Having visited the top destinations along the Amalfi Coast, we know exactly which ones are worth your time (and which you can skip altogether!). Let’s start with an overview of the itinerary…
- Day 1 – Naples
- Day 2 – Sorrento
- Day 3 – Capri
- Day 4 – Pompeii or Herculaneum
- Day 5 – Amalfi & Positano
- Day 6 – Ravello, Procida or Beach Day
- Day 7 – Return to Naples via local villages
As you can see, it starts and ends in Naples where the regional airport is located. Let’s look at each of the destinations in more detail…
Day 1 – Naples
Most people fly into Naples airport and it’s worth spending a day here to see the sights. Wander around the old town (centro storico), stroll along the seaside promenade, and explore the tiny side streets of the Quartieri Spagnoli.
It’s easy to see Naples in one day, you really don’t need any longer to cover all the best sights. Don’t forget to top it off with a classic neapolitan pizza before bedding in for the night.
Day 2 – Sorrento
Get an early train or bus to Sorrento. Spend the morning wandering around the town and taking in the sights. Then relax at one of the unique seaside lidos for the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy some fresh seafood, salad, or pasta.
Sorrento is an enchanting Italian town with beautiful buildings and lots of greenery. It’s exactly the type of place you imagine when thinking of the Amalfi region. Despite its popularity, the town feels less cramped or crowded than other places on the coast (like Positano or Amalfi).
We’d highly recommend basing yourself here if you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast. It’s centrally located between all the key sites and has easy transport links to Capri, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Amalfi and Positano.
It’s also sufficiently big enough to have a good choice of restaurants, so you won’t run out of options while based there for a week. It’s a much more idyllic place to spend your evenings than Naples (but that is reflected in the hotel prices).
Travel tip – the queue for train tickets at Naples station can be very long so buy them in advance to save time.
Day 3 – Capri
Hop on a ferry to Capri and spend a day exploring this dreamy island. Although the boats, port, and main town square are busy, it’s easy to escape the crowds. Wander up a couple of side streets and you’ll quickly find yourself away from the hustle and bustle.
From Capri Town, it’s a gorgeous walk to the natural rock arch formations on the east coast. You’ll meander past traditional cottages, vibrant gardens, and lush vegetation. There are also some beautiful aquamarine beaches around the island (including free options if you’re doing Capri on a budget).
Day 4 – Pompeii or Herculaneum
Roman ruins are a must-see attraction when visiting the region and only a few train stops from Sorrento. You’re spoilt for choice with Pompeii and Herculaneum at your disposal. Unless you’re a history buff, you don’t need to visit both so we’d recommend spending a day at one or the other.
Although Pompeii is more famous, we loved Herculaneum as it’s better preserved and spread over a compact area (which makes it easier to see it all). You can also visit Ercolano and Mount Vesuvius at the same time to combine history and nature in one day-trip.
Day 5 – Amalfi & Positano
Amalfi and Positano are both coastal towns renowned for their colourful buildings. Their small size means it’s perfectly feasible to do both in one day without it feeling rushed. There are ferry tickets available that combine both towns, allowing you to hop on and off along the coast.
Amalfi is a charming little place with lots of independent shops, cafes, and side streets to explore. You can also hike up the hill to enjoy impressive views down over the town and coast.
Positano is less charming and extremely busy, but continues to attract lots of visitors clamouring for Insta-worthy photos. With boats coming in and out all day, the beaches aren’t particularly peaceful. If you’re looking for that, you’re better off in Capri or one of Sorrento’s chilled lidos. Positano isn’t somewhere we’d recommend but since many people will prefer to see it and decide for themselves, we’ve (grudgingly) included it on this itinerary.
Day 6 – Ravello, Procida or Beach Day
This day is flexible. If you’re anything like us, then you might like a cheeky beach or pool day. Travelling everyday can be tiring, so it’s great to allocate one full day to chilling out and enjoying the fine Italian weather.
But if you’re not a beach person, are travelling out of season, or just want to visit as much as possible, we’ve got you covered. Ravello is another stunning town on the coast with a historic villa overlooking the area and 5* beach club on the water. Or you can head to Procida, an island close to Capri but much smaller and less busy. You can get to either of these places by ferry.
Day 7 – Return to Naples
Depending on your flight time, you might be able to squeeze in some additional sightseeing on the way. If you’re staying in Sorrento, then it’s easy to stop off at one of the smaller villages on the train line to Naples, like Vico Equense or Castellammare di Stabia. This will give you a taste of the more authentic Italy (and a final bowl of gelato!) while still allowing plenty of time to get to the airport.
So, there you have our recommendation for a 7-day itinerary on the Amalfi Coast. It includes all the must-see locations along with a bit of relaxation time too. Use it to plan your own dream adventure to Italy and make the most of your week in Campania.
Can you base yourself in Naples instead?
If you don’t want to stay in Sorrento, then it’s totally feasible to see the whole Amalfi Coast as a series of day trips from Naples. This is how we explored the region and it worked out brilliantly. We stayed near the ferry port so it was easy to hop on a hydrofoil or catch the train along the coast.
Hotels and B&Bs are also much cheaper in Naples than Amalfi, Sorrento, or Capri. Even with the cost of travel, it was still significantly better value doing it this way.
Should you stay in Amalfi town?
Amalfi is a lovely small town but we wouldn’t recommend basing yourself here if you want to visit other places. It’s much further away from Capri, Herculaneum, Pompeii and Procida than Sorrento is, so you’ll spend longer travelling to places. It also doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll have to rely on long buses or hire your own car if you want to visit the Roman ruins.
What if you’ve only got 5 days?
If you only have five days to visit the Amalfi Coast, then we’d suggest heading straight to Sorrento and spending your first day there. Then visit Capri on day two, your choice of Roman ruins on day three, and Amalfi on day four. Depending on your flight time, you might be able to explore Naples on day five before heading to the airport.
What if you’ve got 10 days?
If you’ve got 10 whole days to spend on the Amalfi Coast, then we’re jealous! You have plenty of choices – Ravello and Procida each deserve a day for a start. You’ll have time to visit both Roman ruins, do some cookery classes (learn how to make genuine Italian pizza?) or an extended period of lido lounging.
Or, consider taking a side-trip to Capri for three days instead of one. This was our absolute favourite destination on the Amalfi Coast so we would definitely have stayed longer if we’d had more time.
