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Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Updated: October 26, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

Amalfi Coast Hotels: My Favorites

Luxury hotel with view in Positano, Amalfi Coast.

The spectacular cliffside setting of Il San Pietro di Positano, one of my favorite hotels on the Amalfi Coast.

Map of Amalfi Coast towns and nearby destinations.

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

Positano is my favorite town for a first visit to the Amalfi Coast. It has the dramatic scenery, beautiful hotels, restaurants, shops, and beaches that most people come for. It’s also one of the most expensive towns, and the steep streets and stairs can make getting around tiring.

Amalfi is the best base for exploring the coast without a car. It’s the main transportation hub, with frequent buses and seasonal ferries to other towns. The historic center is compact and relatively flat, with plenty of restaurants and hotels close to the waterfront.

Ravello is my favorite for couples and honeymoons. It sits high above the coast, with spectacular views, peaceful evenings, and some of Italy’s finest luxury hotels. The drawback is its location: there’s no ferry port or beach, so getting around requires a bus or taxi.

Praiano is a quieter alternative to Positano. It has excellent sea-view hotels, beautiful sunsets, and fewer crowds. But it’s spread out along the hillside, with lots of stairs and less convenient transportation.

Maiori and Minori are my favorite towns for families with young children. Both have relatively flat waterfronts, beaches, restaurants, and more affordable hotels. Maiori has the longer beach and more resort facilities; Minori is smaller and quieter.

Sorrento is the most convenient base for visiting Pompeii, Naples, and Capri. It’s not on the Amalfi Coast itself, but it has a walkable center, excellent restaurants, and good train and ferry connections. Salerno is another practical choice, especially if you’re arriving by train from Rome or Florence.

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage coastline in southern Italy. The towns are close together on a map, but the narrow coastal road can be very slow, especially in summer. I recommend choosing one base for your stay rather than changing hotels every couple of nights. Use ferries for day trips whenever the routes and weather allow. See my Amalfi Coast maps for town locations, beaches, and transportation routes.

A sandy beach in front of the small town of Cetara with its landmark Viceregal Tower in the background on the Amalfi Coast

Cetara’s small beach and Viceregal Tower. The town is one of the quieter seaside bases on the Amalfi Coast.

Best Places to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

  • Best for First-Timers: Positano
    Positano is the classic Amalfi Coast experience, with colorful houses climbing the hillside, excellent hotels, and a lively waterfront. Stay near the lower town or choose a road-accessible hotel if you want to minimize stairs. For sightseeing and transportation, Amalfi is the more convenient choice.
  • Best for Families: Maiori and Minori
    Maiori has a long sandy beach, a broad waterfront promenade, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants. Minori is smaller, with a pleasant beach and compact center. Both are easier with strollers than Positano or Praiano. The Path of the Lemons connecting the two towns is scenic but involves plenty of steps.
  • Best for Swimming and Beaches: Maiori and Positano
    Maiori is my choice for a traditional beach holiday, with a long stretch of sand and plenty of beach clubs. Positano is better for scenery and atmosphere, with the busy Spiaggia Grande and quieter Fornillo Beach. The beaches around Positano are mostly coarse sand and pebbles. Arienzo Beach is another good option, reached by a long staircase or boat.
  • Best for Honeymoons: Ravello
    Ravello has some of the most romantic hotels on the coast, including Villa Cimbrone, Caruso, and Palazzo Avino. Choose Positano instead if you want beaches, shopping, and more restaurants within walking distance.
  • Best for Avoiding Crowds: Praiano and Cetara
    Praiano is a good choice for sea-view hotels and sunsets near Positano. Cetara is a small fishing town on the eastern coast, known for its seafood restaurants, anchovies, and tuna. Both are less crowded than Positano and Amalfi. Cetara is easier for walking; Praiano has steeper terrain and more spread-out hotels.
  • Best for a Local Atmosphere: Vietri sul Mare
    Vietri is known for its ceramics, with workshops and shops throughout the historic center. It has fewer international tourists than Positano, lower accommodation prices, and a regional train station with connections to Salerno and Naples. The beach is downhill in Marina di Vietri, separate from the upper town.
  • Best Without a Car: Amalfi
    Amalfi has the coast’s best combination of ferry connections, bus services, restaurants, and a walkable center. For hotels close to the ferry terminal, I like Hotel Fontana and Albergo Sant’Andrea.
  • Best for Day Trips to Pompeii and Naples: Sorrento
    Sorrento has direct trains to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples, plus ferries to Capri and seasonal boats to Positano and Amalfi. It’s also a good choice for travelers who want a larger town with plenty of restaurants and year-round services.
  • Best Value: Salerno
    Salerno has cheaper hotels, excellent train connections, and seasonal ferries to the Amalfi Coast. It’s a working city rather than a beach resort, but it’s a good base if you’re visiting several places in the region or arriving by train.

Best Hotels on the Amalfi Coast

A pool on a seafront terrace with sunbeds and umbrellas at the base of a cliff at Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi

The heated saltwater pool beside the sea at Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi.

An infinity pool on a mountain with views down to the sea and two villages at Caruso hotel in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast

The infinity pool at Caruso in Ravello overlooks the sea and the towns of Minori (foreground) and Maiori (background).

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi town is the easiest base for exploring the coast without a car. It has the best combination of ferry connections and bus services, with a compact center close to the waterfront. Positano also has good ferry connections, but its steep streets and staircases can make getting around difficult, especially for older travelers, people with limited mobility, or anyone carrying luggage.

  • Ferries: My favorite way to travel between coastal towns. They’re scenic, avoid road traffic, and connect Positano, Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, and several other towns. Most routes operate from spring through autumn but can be canceled in rough weather. Ravello has no ferry port, and Praiano has very limited boat connections.
  • Buses: SITA buses connect the main towns year-round, but they’re crowded in summer. Starting in Amalfi or Sorrento gives you a better chance of getting a seat. Full buses sometimes pass intermediate stops in Positano and Praiano without stopping.
  • Driving: I strongly advise against renting a car from May through October. The coastal road is narrow, traffic is heavy, and parking is scarce and expensive. Ferries, buses, and occasional taxis are much easier.
  • Airport Transfers: Naples International Airport is the best choice for most visitors. A private transfer is the easiest way to reach Positano, Amalfi, or Ravello, especially with luggage. Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport is closer to the eastern coast but has fewer flight options.
  • From Rome: Direct high-speed trains reach Salerno in two hours. From the station, walk 8 minutes to Concordia pier for direct ferries to Amalfi and Positano, avoiding the crowded Naples transfers. Salerno also makes a convenient, lower-cost base.
  • Hotel Access: Many hotels in Positano and Praiano are reached by steep streets or staircases. Even a private driver may not be able to reach the entrance.
  • Winter: Stay in Sorrento, Amalfi, or Salerno. Ferry services are limited, and many hotels and restaurants in smaller coastal towns close for the season.

The 12 Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast

1. Positano

Overlooking Positano with two beaches, lush greenery, dramatic mountains, and the sea dotted with little boats.
Map of Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Positano is the most visually stunning of the coast’s main towns. Colorful houses cascade down a steep hillside to the sea, with Spiaggia Grande at the bottom. For the best views of town, try to arrive by ferry. The main sights are Santa Maria Assunta Church and the MAR Roman Archaeological Museum, where you can see remains of an ancient Roman villa beneath the church complex. But most visitors spend their time on the beach, browsing boutiques, and eating at restaurants overlooking the sea.

Hotels are expensive, especially in summer, and location matters. Staying near the beach is convenient for ferries and restaurants, but many hotels higher up the hillside require long walks and stairs. If you have heavy luggage or mobility concerns, choose a hotel with good road access and arrange porter assistance if needed.

Diners enjoying conversation while shaded under umbrellas at the bar of Palazzo Murat in Positano on the Amalfi Coast

The courtyard bar at Palazzo Murat in central Positano.

2. Amalfi

A sandy beach with a pier and red and white striped beach umbrellas in the town of Amalfi
Map of Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Amalfi is a busy waterfront town with a compact historic center and some of the coast’s best transportation connections. Piazza del Duomo is the heart of town, surrounded by restaurants and cafes and dominated by the impressive Amalfi Cathedral. Other sights include the historic paper museum and the nearby Grotta dello Smeraldo, a sea cave known for its emerald-colored light. There’s also a small beach beside the harbor.

Amalfi is especially convenient for day trips. Ferries serve Positano, Maiori, Minori, Salerno, and other coastal ports, while buses connect the town with Ravello, Sorrento, and surrounding villages. The waterfront and central streets are relatively flat, though hotels farther uphill can involve stairs. For a luxury stay, I love Santa Caterina and Borgo Santandrea, but both are outside the compact town center. Choose a central hotel if you want to walk easily to restaurants, buses, and ferries.

A pool fronted by umbrellas sits at the bottom of a cliff right above the sea at Hotel Luna Convento in Amalfi

The seafront pool at Luna Convento, a former Franciscan monastery.

3. Ravello

Piazza with a stone tower, bell tower, and planters with yellow flowers in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast
Map of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Ravello sits about 350 meters above the sea, with some of the best views on the Amalfi Coast. It’s quieter than Positano and Amalfi, particularly in the evenings, and has several outstanding luxury hotels. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are the main attractions, both known for their gardens and coastal views. Ravello also hosts a well-known summer music festival.

Ravello is wonderful for a romantic stay, but less convenient for sightseeing around the coast. There are no beaches or ferry connections in town. Buses run down to Amalfi, where you can catch ferries, or you can take a taxi.

A pool in a garden setting with pink striped umbrellas and chairs overlooking the sea at Palazzo Avino in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast

The garden terrace and sea-view pool at Palazzo Avino.

4. Praiano

A small beach tucked at the base of a cliff with a beach club and restaurants in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast
Map of Praiano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Praiano is a spread-out village between Positano and Amalfi, with excellent sea views and some of the coast’s best sunsets. It’s quieter than Positano and has several excellent hotels, including Casa Angelina and Grand Hotel Tritone. The main swimming spots are Marina di Praia, a small beach between steep cliffs, and Gavitella, which has beautiful west-facing views but requires a long walk down steps.

Praiano is good for hiking. A steep trail climbs from town to the Path of the Gods, the famous route between Bomerano and Nocelle. The main drawback is getting around. Hotels, restaurants, and beaches are scattered along the hillside, and walking involves steep roads and stairs. Buses connect Praiano with Positano and Amalfi, but I would choose a hotel close to restaurants if you don’t plan to drive or use taxis.

A wooden terrace lined with sunbeds and umbrellas with a pool and lemon pergola in the background at Casa Angelina in Praiano

The poolside terrace and lemon-shaded pergola at Casa Angelina.

5. Maiori

View of Maiori from the sea with the church dome, beach, and a row of multi-story buildings.
Map of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Maiori has the longest sandy beach on the Amalfi Coast, a broad waterfront promenade, and plenty of restaurants and hotels. It’s one of the easiest towns for families with young children and travelers who want to spend most of their time at the beach.

Much of Maiori was rebuilt after a major flood in 1954, so it has more modern apartment buildings and less historic charm than Positano or Amalfi. But it’s also flatter, more affordable, and easier to get around. The Path of the Lemons connects Maiori with Minori, with good views along the way. It’s a scenic walk but involves substantial climbing and stairs.

A pool and wooden deck overlooking the sea shaded by a cactus at Botanico San Lazzaro in Maiori on the Amalfi Coast

The sea-view pool in the gardens of Botanico San Lazzaro.

6. Minori

Red tile roofs, a basilica, and a bell tower in the small but dense Minori town on the sea on the Amalfi Coast
Map of Minori on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Minori is a smaller, quieter alternative to Maiori, with a sandy beach, a compact center, and several good restaurants and pastry shops. It’s especially appealing to families and travelers who prefer a smaller town. The main historical attraction is the Roman Villa, an ancient seaside residence dating to the first century AD. Minori is easy to explore on foot, and seasonal ferries connect it with Amalfi, Maiori, and other coastal towns.

Basilica with a yellow and white facade and restaurants on either side of the street in Minori on the Amalfi Coast.

The Basilica of Santa Trofimena in central Minori houses the relics of the town’s patron saint.

Narrow street lined with hotels and restaurants in Minori on the Amalfi Coast

Outside the boutique Minori Palace hotel.

7. Cetara

The seaside town of Cetara on the Amalfi Coast as seen from the sea with its beach, domed church, and pastel houses with mountains rising from behind.
Map of Cetara on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Cetara is a small fishing town on the quieter eastern part of the Amalfi Coast. It has a beach, a pretty harbor, narrow streets, and a distinctive watchtower overlooking the waterfront. The main reason to visit is the seafood. Cetara is famous for tuna, anchovies, and colatura di alici, a traditional anchovy sauce. Try spaghetti alla colatura at one of the local restaurants.

Cetara is less expensive and less crowded than Positano or Amalfi, and it’s a good choice if you want a small seaside town without the luxury-hotel scene. Seasonal ferries connect it with Salerno, Amalfi, and other coastal ports.

Hotel Cetus perched on a cliff with mountains rising behind and the sea in front with a sailboat in Cetara on the Amalfi Coast

Cetus is Cetara’s standout upscale hotel, with a private beach area, wellness center, and restaurant.

8. Vietri sul Mare

View from above a wide sandy beach with two piers and a village at Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast
Map of Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Vietri sul Mare is the easternmost town on the Amalfi Coast, just west of Salerno. It’s famous for its ceramics, with colorful tiles, pottery shops, and workshops throughout the historic center. The main sights are the Church of San Giovanni Battista, with its colorful ceramic dome, and the ceramics museum at Villa Guariglia.

The beach is down in Marina di Vietri, below the historic center. It’s a broad stretch of sand and pebbles with beach clubs and waterfront restaurants. Vietri is one of the coast’s more affordable towns and has the advantage of a regional train station, with connections to Salerno and Naples. However, the station, upper town, and beach are at different elevations, so choose your hotel location carefully if you’re traveling without a car.

Colorful church with a pink and yellow bell tower and facade decorated with maiolica pottery in Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast

The Church of San Giovanni Battista in Vietri sul Mare, decorated with the town’s distinctive maiolica ceramics.

A circular bed and circular indoor jacuzzi in a suite with floor to ceiling windows at Relais Paradiso in Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast

The Paradiso Suite at Relais Paradiso, with a circular bed and private spa facilities.

9. Sorrento

View over a small marina, beach, red tile roofs, and green mountains with the ferry port in the background in Sorrento, Italy
Map of Sorrento near the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Sorrento isn’t on the Amalfi Coast, but it’s an excellent base for exploring the wider region. The historic center is attractive and walkable, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and hotels. Piazza Tasso is the main square, and the town has beautiful views across the Bay of Naples toward Mount Vesuvius. Sorrento’s coastline is rocky, with small beaches and bathing platforms rather than long stretches of sand.

The biggest advantage is transportation. Circumvesuviana trains connect Sorrento with Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples. Ferries run to Capri, with seasonal services to Positano and Amalfi. For a central luxury stay, I love the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Bellevue Syrene and Maison La Minervetta are also excellent. Grand Hotel Cocumella is in nearby Sant’Agnello, outside the center, while hotels around Marina Grande involve a climb to reach the main town.

A Swiss-style chalet with intricate wood designs set in a green garden at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy

A Swiss-style chalet in the gardens of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in central Sorrento.

10. Salerno

Stone facade and bell tower with an ornate, wraparound arcade in the courtyard of the Duomo of Salerno.
Map of Salerno near the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Salerno is a working port city at the eastern end of the Amalfi Coast. It’s less expensive than the coastal resort towns and has excellent train connections, including high-speed services to Rome and other major Italian cities. The historic center has narrow streets, restaurants, bars, and shops. Sights include Salerno Cathedral, Minerva’s Garden, one of Europe’s earliest medicinal botanical gardens, and Arechi Castle, high above the city.

Salerno is especially convenient if you’re arriving by train. Seasonal ferries depart from the waterfront near the train station for Vietri, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi, and Positano. For a short stay, I recommend choosing a hotel near the train station or in the historic center. The station area is more convenient for early departures; the historic center is better for restaurants and evening walks.

Walls richly frescoed in a floral style in a suite with a terracotta floor and antique furniture at Casa Santangelo in Salerno, Italy

Original frescoes in a suite at Casa Santangelo in Salerno’s historic center.

11. Capri

Overlooking the sea and ferry port from the mountain above behind a green railing with red and pink flowers
Map of Capri island near the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Capri is a beautiful island off the Sorrentine Peninsula, famous for its dramatic coastline, luxury hotels, shopping, and the Blue Grotto. It’s an easy day trip from Sorrento, with fast ferries taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes, but I recommend staying overnight if your schedule allows. The island is much quieter after the day-trippers leave.

Capri Town is the main center for shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, with the busy Piazzetta at its heart. Anacapri is quieter and more affordable, though it also has excellent luxury hotels. Beaches are small and pebbly, with many swimming areas reached by steps or boat. For a luxury stay, I love Caesar Augustus in Anacapri and J.K. Place Capri near Marina Grande. Both have beautiful sea views, but very different locations and atmospheres.

Two-tiered swimming pool set in a garden and facing the sea at Hotel Caesar Augustus in Anacapri on Capri Island

The split-level infinity pool at Caesar Augustus in Anacapri.

12. Naples

Statue of Dante Alighieri in a piazza with a historic, semi-circular building behind in the Montecalvario neighborhood of Naples, Italy
Map of Naples, Italy.

Naples is a large, busy city with excellent museums, historic churches, outstanding food, and some of Italy’s most interesting neighborhoods. It’s also a useful base for visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius, and the islands of Capri and Ischia. The UNESCO-listed historic center is packed with churches, restaurants, and narrow streets. I would make time for traditional Neapolitan pizza and a walk through the historic center rather than treating Naples simply as a transportation stop.

For Amalfi Coast sightseeing, Naples is less convenient than Sorrento or Salerno. But if you’re planning to visit Pompeii, Naples itself, and nearby islands, it’s an excellent base.

Contemporary furnishings and floor lamps in the colorful Britannique hotel in Naples.

Contemporary interiors in a historic building at The Britannique, overlooking Naples’ Chiaia neighborhood.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.