Wanderyn
Amalfi
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · IT

Amalfi

Recommended stay: 2 days
Getting around: Amalfi has no train station; access is by SITA bus along the famously narrow coastal road, by ferry from Salerno, Sorrento, or Positano (faster and often more pleasant than the bus in summer), or by driving, which means dealing with hairpin turns, minimal parking, and slow traffic in July and August. Within the town itself, everything is walkable, though it's built up a steep hillside so expect stairs.
Hours: The Duomo di Sant'Andrea is closed to visitors (rather than worshippers) during Sunday morning Mass and briefly at midday; ferries and buses run a reduced schedule outside April–October, so shoulder-season and winter visits need timetables checked in advance.

Amalfi gives its name to the coastline, and it earned that status honestly: this was a maritime republic that rivaled Venice, Genoa, and Pisa in the medieval Mediterranean, and the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, with its striped Arab-Norman facade and long staircase up from the piazza, is the visible remnant of that wealth and power. The town itself is small, wedged into a ravine where it meets the sea, and today it functions as the coast's central hub — the place with a real Duomo, a paper museum documenting its historic handmade-paper industry, and easy ferry connections to Positano, Capri, and Sorrento.

The coastal road connecting Amalfi to its neighbors is the whole point for many visitors: it's one of the most photographed drives in Italy, cut into cliffs above the water, and it's also genuinely difficult to drive in peak season, with tour buses, scooters, and traffic jams stacking up through summer afternoons. Most people are better off staying in Amalfi (or a quieter neighbor) and using ferries to reach Positano and Capri rather than relying on the road for everything.

Amalfi FAQs

Should I drive the Amalfi Coast road myself?

It's possible but stressful in peak season — narrow lanes, blind hairpin turns, and heavy tour-bus traffic from June to September make ferries or SITA buses a less exhausting option for getting between towns.

How do I get from Naples to Amalfi?

The common route is train to Salerno or Sorrento, then a SITA bus or, in season, a direct ferry — there's no train station in Amalfi itself.

Is Amalfi more affordable than Positano?

Generally yes — Amalfi has a wider range of mid-range hotels and restaurants, while Positano's accommodation skews toward the expensive end.

What's the best way to see multiple coastal towns in one day?

Ferries — they run between Amalfi, Positano, Salerno, and Capri in season and avoid the road traffic entirely, though schedules thin out and can stop altogether in winter.

Is the Amalfi Coast crowded in summer?

Very — July and August bring heavy crowds and traffic; late spring (May, early June) or September/early October offer similar weather with noticeably fewer people.

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