How to Spend 4 Days on the Amalfi Coast – A Perfect Itinerary

Planning a trip to Italy and wondering how to spend 4 days on the Amalfi Coast? You’ve come to the right place! This 4-day Amalfi Coast itinerary will help you experience the best of this region – from the pastel-colored houses of Positano and the stunning cliffside views in Ravello, to the luxury of Capri and the ancient ruins of Pompeii.

With this guide, you’ll get a mix of famous highlights and hidden gems, plus practical tips on where to stay, how to get around, and the best times to visit.

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Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, which means it gets crowded during the summer. Mass tourism can take away from the beauty, so I highly recommend avoiding July and August, as well as busy public holidays like Easter.

The official tourist season runs from early April to late October, when most restaurants, hotels, and transport options are fully operational.

👉 Best months to visit the Amalfi Coast: late April to mid-May or mid-September to mid-October. During these shoulder seasons, you’ll enjoy mild weather, fewer crowds, and an overall better experience.

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How to Get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples Airport

The easiest gateway to the Amalfi Coast is through Naples International Airport (NAP). From there, you have several options to reach towns like Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi.

1. Bus to Sorrento

If you’re staying in Sorrento, the most convenient option is the direct bus from Naples Airport to Sorrento city center. Tickets cost around €10 one way, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.

2. Train to Sorrento

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or airport shuttle to the Napoli Centrale train station, then catch a train to Sorrento.

• Campania Express (Tourist Train): Faster and more comfortable, but more expensive (around €15–20).
• Circumvesuviana (Local Train): Slower and slightly more crowded, but only €5 one way.

Check schedules on Google Maps for up-to-date times!

3. Taxi or Private Transfer

A taxi / private transfer is the quickest, most convenient but most expensive option. Pre-book online for peace of mind – I’ve used Booking.com Taxi in many destinations around the world and always had a great experience.

4. Renting a Car

This gives you the most flexibility, but driving on the Amalfi Coast means narrow winding roads, heavy traffic, and expensive parking. Not recommended unless you’re a confident driver.

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Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Deciding where to stay on the Amalfi Coast depends on your budget, transport preferences, and travel style.

I’ve found that this is a highly debated topic online, and one that I was researching myself quite intensively before booking our accommodation. My conclusion is the following.

Positano – Best for Luxury

If money isn’t an issue, Positano is a dream. Centrally located, it’s perfect for exploring both Amalfi and Sorrento (both approx. 1 hour away from Positano). However, getting around by bus from Positano can be frustrating due to overcrowding. Buses tend to fill up quickly, and if you’re unlucky the bus might not even make a stop because it’s already full… Therefore, Positano is better for those with a private driver or rental car.

Sorrento – Best for Convenience & Budget

We chose to stay in Sorrento and I’d make this decision again! It’s more affordable than Positano, and since it’s the starting point for buses, you’re guaranteed a seat. Sorrento is also a great hub for trips to Capri and Pompeii. The city of Sorrento itself is also very pretty and we had some great food there that felt more authentic than some of the places in Positano/Amalfi.

Accommodation in Sorrento:

• Budget: Lemon Factor Sorrento – has a beautiful garden!
• Mid-range: Sorrento Comfort Rooms con piscina – very central!
• Luxury: Palazzo Marziale (we didn’t stay here but it looked phenomenal)

Smaller towns along the coast are charming but less convenient unless you have a car or private driver.

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How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast

By Bus (Cheapest, Most Budget-Friendly Option)

The SITA buses connect most Amalfi Coast towns, including Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello.

• Single tickets: €2–4 (depending on distance)
• 24-hour pass: €10
  👉 Always start early, as buses fill up quickly!

By Car / Private driver

As already mentioned before, this is the most flexible option. If you rent a car, beware that parking is very expensive and scarce!

By Ferry / Boat

Highly recommended for at least one journey! Ferries run between towns like Positano and Amalfi, offering stunning coastal views from the water. Check out the offers here.

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How to Spend 4 Days on the Amalfi Coast – A Perfect Itinerary

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Day 1 – Positano & Sorrento

9 am – Bus to Positano

Start your day as early as possible to avoid the crowds! The bus ride will take approx. 1 hour. Make sure to sit on the right side of the bus for better views.

• Take photos with the colorful cliffside backdrop.
• Shop ceramics and lemon-themed souvenirs.
• Swim and relax at Spiaggia Grande
• Have a Limoncello Spitz on the beach
• Visit Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
• Lunch at Chez Black – get the black pasta!

4 pm – Ferry back to Sorrento

This will give you the opportunity to see Positano from the water without paying for an additional overpriced boat tour!

Evening – Explore Sorrento and Dinner at Master Hosts

After our lunch splurge in Positano, we wanted to find a more affordable place for dinner. By chance we came across this gem of a restaurant called Master Hosts. This restaurant was buzzing with locals! You want to know why? €5 pizzas, and for €8 you could get a meal including a limoncello and soft drink! What a steal, truly.

Steps: 16’379

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Day 2 – Ravello & Amalfi

9 am – Bus to Amalfi, then Ravello

Today’s first stop is Ravello. Get on the bus in Sorrento as early as possible. It’ll take approx. 2 hours to reach Amalfi. In Amalfi, change onto another bus (there are signs immediately after you get off the bus indicating where you need to go). This ride will take another 30 minutes.

12 pm – Visit Ravello

Unlike Positano or Amalfi, Ravello sits high up in the mountains. The vibe is completely different, with a lot of stone structures. It’s giving medieval vibes – in a good way!

• Visit Villa Cimbrone or Villa Rufolo (choose one of the two) while you’re there!

2 pm – Lunch at Trattoria Pizzeria Cumpa’ Cosimo

To my surprise, there were not too many restaurants to choose from in Ravello. We found Trattoria Pizzeria Cumpa’ Cosimo where we had some amazing baked macaroni with meatballs!

3 pm – Walk down to Amalfi

This step in the itinerary might not be for everyone. We preferred not to wait around for a bus, so we decided to walk back down to Amalfi. This turned out to be one of the best things during our trip! The walk is approx. 1 hour long, and you just get to enjoy the views of the Amalfi coast without any of the tourists!

Along the way, we also passed by Atrani, another pretty coastal town!

4 pm – Explore Amalfi

After visiting Positano, Amalfi didn’t blow me off my feet. Nevertheless, here are some things you shouldn’t miss:

• Admire the Duomo di Amalfi
• Get lemon sorbet inside a real lemon (expensive, but part of the experience right?)
• The quirky Nativity Fountain (De Cape ‘e Ciucci)

Once you’re done exploring, take the bus back to Sorrento. Don’t wait for the last bus, you WILL regret it!

Steps: 18’793

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Day 3 – Day Trip to Capri

10 am – Ferry to Capri

Today you’ll be leaving mainland Italy to explore the nearby island of Capri, another popular escape for the rich and famous!

Take an early ferry to beat at least some of the crowds! The tickets cost about €40 return, but I recommend buying a one-way ticket for flexibility.

The ferry will take you to the Marina Grande. From there, take the funicular (€2) up to Capri town.

11 am – Explore Capri

Once you are up, forget about everything for a while and just wander the streets. Once you’re done with that, here are some more specific things that you might want to check out:

• Arco Naturale
• Giardini di Augusto (for stunning views of the Via Krupp and the famous Faraglioni)
• The Capri Rooftop bar for overpriced cocktails but STUNNING views

I would recommend to hold off with lunch until you reach Anacapri, which is your next stop!

1:30 pm – Take the bus to Anacapri

The bus to Anacapri departs near the funicular station. A one-way bus ticket is under €2, and the drive takes approx. 15 minutes.

Anacapri is often considered the “little sister” of Capri. I preferred the vibe in Anacapri because there are slightly less people, and the whole city is a little less pretentious and flashy.

Have lunch at Casa Orlandi Ristorante (colourful tables, huge limoncello spritzes in real lemons and incredible pizza!) or try La Zagara (a little more fancy!).

3 pm – Take the chairlift up to Monte Solaro

Take the one-seater chairlift up to Monte Solaro (the highest point of Capri island). This is such a unique and cool experience!

The ride will give you insane views over the ocean and the city of Anacapri, and in the distance you’ll even get another glimpse of the Faraglioni.

There’s also a café at the top, in case you want to get a drink!

4 pm – Head back to Marina Grande

Once you’re back down in Anacapri, you can either take the bus or walk back to the Marina Grande in Capri. The walk is all downhill and not crowded at all.

Once in Marina Grande, take the ferry back to Sorrento.

Evening – Sunset in Sorrento

On your last evening in Sorrento, you have to see the sunset! Our favourite place to watch the sunset was at Villa Comunale di Sorrento, which has a very large viewing platform and a little park facing the ocean.

If you feel like getting a drink, there is also a casual café right there on the terrace, we loved it here!

Steps: 24’582

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Day 4 – Pompeii Ruins

If your flight is departing later in the day, you still have a whole day at your disposal! I suggest to visit Pompeii during this time, since you will be heading towards Naples anyway.

9 am – Train to Pompeii

From Sorrento, take the Campania Express (approx. €20) or the Circumvesuviana (local train, approx. €5). The ride takes 30 minutes, and the museum entrance is right by the train station.

• The museum entry ticket is approx. €20.
• Luggage storage is available.
• You can “see everything” in Pompeii in about 2 hours, but it will be rushed.
• Take a guided tour, there is so much history here and it is a shame if you don’t hear about it from an expert.

Warning: The local trains tend to fill up quickly and are often delayed. If you need to catch a plane, make sure to leave plenty of time for getting to the airport!!!

Steps: 15’931

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Final Thoughts on 4 Days in the Amalfi Coast

This Amalfi Coast 4-day itinerary gives you the perfect mix of must-see towns (Positano, Amalfi, Capri), hidden gems (Atrani, Ravello), and history (Pompeii). In just 4 days, you can taste authentic Italian food, wander charming cliffside streets, enjoy world-famous views, and soak up the Mediterranean sun.

👉 Have you been to the Amalfi Coast? What was your favorite town or hidden spot? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear your tips and stories!

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❓ Amalfi Coast 4-Day Itinerary – Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4 days enough for the Amalfi Coast?
Yes! You won’t see everything, but 4 days on the Amalfi Coast is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights – Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri, and even Pompeii.

What is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The best months to visit the Amalfi Coast are late April to mid-May or mid-September to mid-October. These shoulder seasons offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices compared to the summer peak season. Make sure to avoid public holidays as well (e.g. Easter)!

How do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples?
The closest airport is Naples International Airport (NAP). From there, you can:

• Take a direct bus or train to Sorrento (check out Google Maps for the train schedule)
• Book a private transfer (I recommend Booking.com Taxi – reliable and easy to pre-arrange).
• Rent a car if you’re confident driving on narrow coastal roads

Is it better to stay in Positano or Sorrento?

• Positano is best for luxury travelers who want stunning views and don’t mind higher prices.
• Sorrento is best for budget-conscious travelers and those relying on public transport. It’s also a great hub for visiting Capri and Pompeii.

Do you need a car on the Amalfi Coast?
No, you don’t need a car to visit the Amalfi Coast. Buses and ferries connect the main towns, and in many cases, they’re faster and less stressful than driving. Parking along the coast is limited and expensive.