Welcome to Italy’s most dramatic coastline, where pastel-colored towns cling to soaring cliffs and the Mediterranean Sea sparkles below.
From Positano’s iconic cascading buildings to Ravello’s elegant gardens and Amalfi’s historic charm, each town along this UNESCO-protected stretch holds its own unique magic.
Read on to uncover the best Amalfi Coast towns along this legendary coastline, complete with local tips and essential insights for your next Italian escape.
10 Best Amalfi Coast Towns to Visit
Find below a list of the prettiest Amalfi Coast towns that you should visit during your Amalfi Coast trip.
1. Positano
A jewel among the best towns to visit in Southern Italy, Positano is a vertical paradise of pastel-colored houses cascading down dramatic cliffs.
Beyond exploring the top things to do in Positano like browsing boutiques for handmade sandals and visiting the stunning Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, visitors flock to the best beaches in Positano, particularly the stunning Spiaggia Grande.
While the town boasts numerous top hotels in Positano, if you are wondering where to stay in Positano, we stayed at the gorgeous and totally affordable Villa Mary.
You can check their Booking.com reviews here!
2. Praiano
(Photo Source – Tom Willett)
Nestled between Positano and Amalfi Town (just 10 minutes drive from each), Praiano offers tranquility and some of the most spectacular sunset views over Positano and Capri.
The best hotels in Praiano are thoughtfully scattered along the cliffside, each with stunning terraces overlooking the Mediterranean.
While smaller than its famous neighbors, the town charms visitors with its peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful Marina di Praia beach, tucked between dramatic cliffs.
Don’t miss the famous Path of the Gods hiking trail nearby, offering adventurous travelers breathtaking coastal vistas.
3. Amalfi
The historic heart of Amalfi coastal towns, this former maritime republic still exudes grandeur and importance.
The striking Sant’Andrea Cathedral, with its Arab-Norman architecture, dominates the lively main square.
While some of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast can be found nearby at Marina Grande and Santa Croce, the town’s true allure lies in its rich history and vibrant atmosphere.
The best hotels in Amalfi offer spectacular views of both the sea and the bustling harbor below.
Explore the fascinating Paper Museum housed in a medieval paper mill, then cool off with a locally-made limoncello in a charming piazza.
4. Atrani
Hidden behind a bend in the road, Atrani stands as one of the best Italian beach towns that time forgot.
This tiny fishing hamlet, the smallest in southern Italy, offers an authentic slice of local life untouched by mass tourism.
Its maze-like streets open onto intimate squares where locals gather, while its serene beach provides a quieter alternative to its famous neighbors.
The historic Church of San Salvatore de’ Birecto, where doges were once crowned, tells tales of its rich past, while the evening atmosphere in the main piazza perfectly captures the essence of traditional Italian coastal life.
5. Ravello
With only a short trip from Atrani, 3 kilometers up a hill, Ravello stands as an elegant testament to the Amalfi Coast’s best towns.
The gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone offer some of the coast’s most breathtaking views, especially during sunset.
Time your visit for the renowned Ravello Festival, where classical music fills the summer air against a backdrop of infinite sea views.
6. Minori & Maiori
These charming sister towns exemplify authentic Amalfi Coast life without the crowds.
Minori, the ‘town of taste,’ delights with its culinary heritage and ancient Roman villa, while Maiori boasts the coast’s longest beach and the dramatic Castle of San Nicola.
Their relatively flat terrain makes them uniquely walkable, with scenic seafront promenades perfect for evening strolls.
7. Cetara
This authentic fishing village represents the coast’s culinary soul.
Famous for its anchovy sauce (colatura di alici) and traditional tuna fishing, Cetara offers food enthusiasts an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
The picturesque harbor, dominated by a Saracen tower, provides perfect sunset photo opportunities.
8. Vietri sul Mare
The gateway to this magnificent coastline, Vietri sul Mare dazzles with its ceramic artistry.
Every corner showcases the town’s artistic heritage, from dome-topped churches to colorful storefronts.
Visit local pottery workshops, stroll through streets decorated with ceramic tiles, and enjoy beaches that mark the beginning of this spectacular coastal journey.
9. Capri Town
Perched high above its famous island, Capri Town embodies Mediterranean glamour at its finest.
While not on the Amalfi Coast, this sophisticated destination is just a scenic ferry ride from Sorrento or Positano.
The town centers around the buzzing Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto I), with its maze of boutique-lined streets leading to spectacular viewpoints of the iconic Faraglioni rocks.
10. Sorrento
Perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento serves as the perfect gateway to the Amalfi Coast.
While not technically on the coastline, this charming town captivates visitors with its historic center, where cobblestone streets lined with citrus groves lead to bustling piazzas.
The best hotels in Sorrento provide stunning terraces with panoramic views of the sea and islands.
Known for its limoncello production and Marina Grande’s waterfront restaurants, Sorrento combines authentic Italian charm with excellent transport connections to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Naples.
Car Rental for Road Trip to Amalfi Coast
As we landed at the Naples airport from our visit to Venice, we decided to hire a Fiat Qubo through Auto Europe car rentals for our drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
Don’t be afraid to go on an Amalfi road trip down this memorable, amazing, and oh-so-dramatic coastline. See it as an adventure and a bit of a fun challenge.
It is truly incredible driving on these Amalfi Coast roads, looking out your window, and being able to stop for a photo at whichever breathtaking view comes up around the various bends and corners.
There is something to be said about having the freedom to spend as much or as little time in each destination instead of being ruled by a tour or bus company’s schedule!
Taking a Train from Rome to Amalfi Coast
The main transportation hubs for the Amalfi Coast are Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno.
Unfortunately, there is no direct public transport between Naples and Positano which is why we personally recommend that you hire a car.
1. Rome to Amalfi Coast Train
The cheapest option for getting to Naples is via train! The train takes around 1h 32min and will only cost you around €20-40.
The trains run on very regular schedules.
From the train station you have the option of either:
- Hiring a Rental Car
- Organizing a Private Transfer
- Catching a local bus or ferry (time consuming!)
2. Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast
Hire a Rental Car
For all our car hire bookings we use and recommend Expedia.
We’ve found they offer the most comparable prices, let you search and compare multiple car hire companies and they have a great customer service team who can help if you come into any unexpected troubles.
3. Catch a Local Bus or Ferry
Alternatively, if you have lots of time on your hands and you are a patient person, could you also make use of the local transport. There is no direct local transport from Naples to Amalfi Coast.
Therefore you will need to catch the Naples to Amalfi Coast train which will only take you as far as Sorrento. The train takes around 1 hour.
From Sorrento to Amalfi you have a choice of either catching one of the local buses or catching the local Sorrento to Amalfi ferry (between April and October only).
Final Thoughts on The Prettiest Amalfi Coast Towns
Whether you’re navigating hairpin turns or pausing at panoramic overlooks, a road trip along the Amalfi Coast writes its own unforgettable story.
Each of these cliffside towns – from glamorous Positano to timeless Atrani – offers a unique chapter in your Mediterranean adventure.
Ready to start planning? Dive deeper into our Italy travel guides, and figure out what to pack with our Amalfi Coast summer outfits guide.
After more Amalfi Coast Inspiration:
Which Amalfi Coast town should you stay in?
Guide to Best Beaches in Positano, Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast for 5 Days Itinerary
Andrej,
What a beautiful trip showed along the Amalfi Coast line. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter, this is definitely a ‘must-do’ road trip! Amazing!
Borgo di Furore looks amazing! I love secluded beaches and i will definitely go there the next time i go to Italy. Thanks for blogging about it!
Definitely go and check it out!! But make sure you keep your eyes peeled for it as we completely drove past it on the way and it is impossible to turn around on those roads haha. So had to stop on the way back 🙂 Hoping we can go back one day again as we would love to do some of the hikes in the mountains too 🙂
Wow!! I just love taking this journey with you guys. As someone who previously wasn’t all that interested to travel to Italy at all … your photos and descriptions are really beginning to tempt me to add the Amalfi coast to my bucket list!
Awesome!! That is the whole idea, to inspire you to pack your bags and travel! Can’t wait to see your picks of Germany and Malta 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Grace 🙂
I loved my time at the Amalfi coast. We did rent a car, but only stayed around Sorrento with our car, which was already quite difficult to drive on those small windy roads!
We visited the villages on the Amalfi coast by boat, we were too scared to drive those roads (and they told us it was way too busy, so all we would be doing was being stuck in traffic)!
I know, the roads here at Amalfi Coast are a bit extraordinary and they definitely make a huge impact on even most experienced drivers. Absolutely gorgeous though. Great to hear that you visited the villages anyway! What a beautiful place!
Loved reading! I never though to make it into a road trip. It’s a great suggestion, that I might take you up on.
It was the best way to explore!! Plus it gives you all the freedom to stay for as long as you want at each town 🙂 Enjoy your trip!
OK! Renting the car thing… Sounds like so much fun (and crazy)! I traveled solo just being a number of years ago and rented a car and drove the coast. Not quite as crazy as Italy, but it was enough to make my heart race. Great memories 🙂 and great post
Exactly!! The crazy adds to the memory, so many of my memories of the Amalfi was from driving the windy roads! Squeezing past buses, pulling in side mirrors in order to fit past haha!! A must-do in my opinion! 🙂
Ok, you have totally convinced me to take on this road trip along the coastline! Every photo is simply stunning and it made me feel like I’m missing out on so much! Growing up in Japan, I think I can tackle the narrow and windy roads 🙂
You won’t regret it!! Honestly, it was one of our favourite parts of our Italy trip!!
Wow, the road going to your destination may sound really fun and challenging because of the not so wide space of the road, but you guys were still able to manage it. The Car that you have used was really small, but looks so cool to drive and I think its perfect for the dramatic road while you guys are having fun on your trip. Anyway, the Amalfi Coast Town is indeed a perfect haven for those who want to enjoy the innate beauty of nature. I like the limestone cliff and the beach as well. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes! Tiny cars or even a vespa is the way to go for sure!! It was super fun driving ourselves and we highly recommend it 🙂
Wow — this sounds and looks like an amazing journey. I’d love to see Borgo di Furore in person — it looks like the perfect little-hidden gem! I must add a costal road trip to my list 🙂
Hi Natasha! Yes Borgo di Furore was truly special! So many stairs back to the top though haha! Was such a fabulous trip and I’m sure you will love it if/when you go!
So pretty! It’s about time that I went back to Italy and the Almalfi coast is definitely on the list!
Ah yes, I want to go back to Italy too!! And I want to return to the Amalfi Coast, just such a stunning region!
I visited Amalfi 15 years ago on a very short bus trip. I was a student by then and interent was just at the beginning. It’s amazing to see how many things there are around and how much it changed. or maybe I don’t remember it very well
That is very interesting Luliana! Some of my favourite travel memories are from my childhood 🙂
Wow, what an amazing drive! I think the road itself would take some getting used to, especially when I know the car we’re driving belongs to someone else. Your itinerary sounds perfect, but then again, the entire coast is beckoning .
Hi Tara! Yes, well I’m lucky that I have a husband who can tackle any road as I didn’t drive myself … I just closed my eyes on occasions 🙂 And yes, we made sure to take out insurance on the rental car as we knew that cars got scratched easily there!
This looks like a beautiful trip! I love the cute little cars. I don’t know how to drive so I couldn’t make the drive myself. But I hope to visit the Amalfi Coast someday and see the adorable little houses and the crystal-clear water!
Well, lucky there are plenty of local buses to take or tours to go on! 🙂
I really HAVE to get back to Italy. Other than Venice I haven’t seen the ocean in Italy and I’ve been twice. I always get a serious case of wanderlust when I look at and read about gorgeous towns like these. I’d love the rent a car and do this drive for sure!
Hi Paige, Italy always calls me too!! Can’t wait to go back and explore more of the beautiful country! We have done a fair bit of road tripping through Italy and really feel like it gave us a different perspective compared to just flying from one point to the other! Hope you get to return one day soon!
Loved the absolutely gorgeous landscape of the Amalfi coast! Not only does the drive seems fun, but the activities and the places make me wanna go there! I would want to try fishing. Good to know that public transport is available!
Yes, the public transport is great! We did use it a bit as well – the buses can get super crowded though! Amazing how many people they can squeeze in their small buses!
Amalfi Coast is absolutely gorgeous! It took you through so many interesting sites and cute little towns like Positano! Great tips on hiring a small car as the roads are quite narrow!
Hi Cat! Yes, I think every curve and bend in the road at Amalfi Coast has some sort of stunning gift for a traveler! Love it 🙂