The best of the Amalfi Coast and Capri: itinerary and what to do in 4 days.

How about an super complete itinerary at the Amalfi Coast and Capri to make the most of your trip to the most luxury region in Italy? I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful place some years ago. Read on to check all my tips and insights in this article.

The Amalfi Coast is a region in Italy, composed of communes and cities on the slopes of Mount Cerreto. Therefore, it’s not just one city but a conglomerate of places to visit. Some of these cities on the Amalfi Coast are well-known, such as Positano and Amalfi, while others are less so, like Minori and Maiori. However, you’ll have a beautiful experience in the Tyrrhenian Sea no matter where you go.

The truth is that traveling to the Amalfi Coast is not cheap. However, having these three points in mind can assist you in realizing your dream without overspending. Before we begin with the itinerary, let me clarify when to go, how to utilize these factors to your advantage, and why my itinerary was designed for two full days in the region.

When to travel to the Amalfi Coast and Capri?

The first thing you need to know before traveling to the Amalfi Coast in Italy is that the trip will be much more expensive in the high summer season than in the transitional months. Just by knowing this, you can make good decisions to turn your dream into a reality.

The peak of the European summer is August, and July and early September are periods with a lot of movement as well. So, avoid August as much as possible, especially the second half from the 15th onwards because that’s when everyone in Italy is already on vacation.

May and June, as well as September and early October, are transitional months, but there are still good temperatures to enjoy the beaches. During these times, hotel prices and airfare are more affordable, and the flow of people is much lower, making your stay more comfortable (for you and your wallet).

The only point of attention I have is that the earlier or later you go in the hot season (May and October), the fewer logistical options you’ll have. This is because the main bus, ferry, and train lines that transport tourists operate during the high season.

• Learn how to choose the best time to travel to Europe with this guide to the seasons and recommended destinations.

How long should you stay on the Amalfi Coast?

Well, what I’ve already told you so far will have an impact on when you should travel and how much you’ll need to budget for your stay. Now, let’s talk about the length of your trip and itinerary on the Amalfi Coast.

As I mentioned earlier, there are 13 cities and towns along the coast. If you want to see them all, it’s best to reserve at least 5 full days in the region. However, if you just want to see the main highlights, 2 or 3 full days should suffice – not including your arrival and departure days, of course.

For my own trip, I was living in Amsterdam at the time and wanted to celebrate my 27th birthday in style. My mom was coming to visit me and, since we both love Italy, we decided to visit Capri. I only had a few days off work, so we made the trip in 5 days, with 2 of those days dedicated entirely to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast?

The Amalfi Coast has two nearby airports: Salerno, which is smaller, and Naples, which is larger and more popular. From Naples, you can take a train or a bus to your base city (which I’ll talk more about later). You can also arrive in Naples or Salerno by train. Use the Sitabus website to check train and bus schedules in the region.

Now, if you’re traveling in a group and/or with lots of luggage, the best option is to book a transfer for more comfort during your trip and not have to worry about logistics.

Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast?

As there are several cities to visit and all are very close to each other, I recommend that you choose a base city to stay in. I chose to stay in Sorrento on my trip because it was the most strategic option for me at the time and will be used as the base for this itinerary to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Where to stay in Sorrento?

Other options for staying in Sorrento that I selected on Booking.com are:

Residence Villaggio Verde, rated 8.5 ~> This inn offers a different experience from those listed here: it has bungalows and a beautiful pool with a view of the city. Starting at €99.

MaLu’ B&B, rated 8.9 ~> Inn with simply decorated rooms, with white furniture and pops of color in the details. Starting at €110.

Hotel Nice, rated 8.9 ~> The rooms of this inn have modern decoration in white with pops of color in the details. Starting at €109.

Casa Astarita, rated 9.3 ~> Inn with personality in the rooms – the decoration is simple, but each one has a different color scheme. Starting at €158.

Caruso Sea View, rated 9.0 ~> Inn facing the sea with light-colored rooms and pops of sky blue. Starting at €178.

Unconventional Sorrento Coast, rated 9.1 ~> Rooms with modern and clean decoration. Starting at €186.

Hotel Angelina, rated 9.3 ~> Rooms with modern decoration and wooden floors, using the colors red, blue, and gray in the details. Starting at €230.

Relais Villa Savarese, rated 9.4 ~> Hotel with traditional decoration, offering a pool and terrace for guests. The rooms have traditional and modern decoration. Starting at €242.

Palazzo Marziale, rated 9.5 ~> Rooms with traditional Italian decoration. Starting at €388.

Accademia 39, rated 9.5 ~> Cozy rooms with pops of color in the decoration, modern furniture, and wooden floors. Starting at €516.

Remember that if you book any hotel through any of the links (even if it’s not listed), Além de Viagem receives a small commission to cover the costs of the website. <3

How to get around the Amalfi Coast?

By bus! The bus is the cheapest option, but there are also private tours, ferries – more expensive – and car rentals. I do not recommend the latter because the road is very narrow and winding, not to mention it is very difficult to find parking in the small towns. The ferry offers the experience of seeing the entire coastline from the sea, but it is more expensive than the bus.

The bus company responsible for the Sorrento – Amalfi route is SitaSud. The 24-hour pass costs 6.80 euros according to the website and with it, you can stop in several cities along the way. You can buy the pass at Piazza Giovanni Battista de Curtis, which is in front of the Sorrento train station. Buy the ticket as soon as you arrive in the city to avoid queues.

I traveled to the city by train and the private bus company Ítalo. When I returned by plane from Naples, I opted for the popular transfer service in the region operated by Curreri Viaggi. This transfer service leaves from Sorrento train station and costs 10 euros. If you plan on using this service, make sure to arrive early at the station as the trip can take up to 1h30 and traffic can be a problem.

Important note: if you’re traveling during high season in the Amalfi Coast and Capri region, you should arrive at transportation points even earlier to avoid long lines and missing your bus. Sometimes, buses may leave people behind or take a long time to arrive, so be prepared. I highly recommend checking out the recommendations on the official Capri website as it has helpful tips for traveling during the tourism season in the region.

4-Day Itinerary in the Amalfi Coast and Capri: What to Do and See

Well, enough talking, let’s get to the itinerary! Within these 4 days, the first and last ones are for transportation, that is, arrival and departure from Sorrento. In the two full days, you will explore Capri and the main cities on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

• How about extending your summer vacation in Europe? Check out these 8 suggestions for off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Day 1: Getting to Know Sorrento and Preparing for the Next Days

Let’s assume you arrive in Sorrento in the early afternoon, go to the hotel to drop off your bags and rest a little. You will be ready to explore the city in the late afternoon.

The first place you need to go to is Piazza Giovanni Battista, also known as the square of the train station, to find out where the bus to the cities on the Amalfi Coast leaves from and to buy the ticket if they are still selling it.

First stop: buying tickets and transportation passes.

After that, let’s walk to the port of Sorrento to buy the ferry ticket to Capri. When you leave the square, turn left onto Corso Italia until you reach Piazza Tasso, where there is a kind of lookout point. Go down the stairs and walk along Via Luigi de Maio until you reach the port. There are several ticket booths there.

You don’t need to buy the ferry ticket months in advance, but it’s nice to buy it a few days in advance on the website or at the port because of the lines. The ticket price is around 18 euros each way between the mainland and the island. In this itinerary, you will explore Capri on day 3. I recommend that you already book a boat tour around the island to secure your spot, preferably choosing a time close to your arrival on the island.

Now that you have organized the ferry and bus tickets, let’s explore the city. Sorrento is small and perfect for exploring the town center.

Villa Comunale di Sorrento

This park has a beautiful landscaping design, as well as a beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy the lookout point to appreciate the sunset that ends in the sea.

Sorrento’s beaches

Well, in this regard, I think the city is going to be lacking hehe. The truth is that Sorrento doesn’t have beaches like the Brazilian ones. Of the few that exist, most are pebbled and private. The public beaches hardly have a pebble strip. For these, you can go to Marina Grande and Piccola, as there is a small strip of “sand” there. What locals do is go to parts of the slope that can be dove from the rocks. The only place I recommend you explore is Bagni Regina Giovanna: a rock formation in the shape of a pool. You can find the complete list of Sorrento beaches here.

Old city

Now it’s time for my favorite part: exploring the town center! Corso Italia is the main shopping street, and it’s divided between the newer and older parts of the city. We’ll start our walk in the old part. Here you’ll find plenty of clothing, accessory, and souvenir shops. Don’t forget to check out the ice cream shops, too. When you get tired of walking along the main street and its adjacent areas, feel free to stop at a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.

You can find a walking tour of Sorrento’s old city here. Enjoy the night at a good Italian restaurant to start the trip on the right foot.

Day 2: What to do on the Amalfi Coast – a guide through Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

Day 2: What to do on the Amalfi Coast – a guide through Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

The big day has arrived to explore the Amalfi Coast on our itinerary! Your day needs to start EARLY to make the most of it. If you’re traveling during peak season, arrive at least 1 hour early at Piazza Giovanni Battista de Curtis to get a good spot in the line for the bus that goes to these cities. Try to catch a bus between 8:30 and 9:30 am.

First stop: Positano

Positano is a must-visit on an Amalfi Coast itinerary! It’s a super romantic village with pastel-colored houses on the hillside and a beautiful beach with standardized umbrellas and sun loungers. The importance of visiting the city early, in the morning, is to walk the streets with few tourists around.

Here, take a walk through the streets, visit the local shops, and enjoy a treat at one of the cafes and restaurants. In Positano, you’ll find the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 10th century. In front of the church is the MAR, the Roman Archeological Museum of Positano. The museum is an archeological site beneath the church where there are ruins of an ancient Roman villa from the 1st century BC.

You can have lunch (or a snack) in Positano before heading to the next stop.

Second stop: Fiordo di Furore

I only discovered this place when I came back, can you believe it? That’s why I’m putting Fiordo di Furore on the itinerary so you don’t miss out. Fiordo di Furore is a fjord on the way to Positano with a very small beach, but an incredible view. The village is so hidden on the hillside that you can pass by on the bus without realizing it.

You arrive at Fiordo on the same bus that goes to Amalfi. Ask the driver to stop at the fjord point, and other people will probably get off with you.

This is the place to “get lost” in the few streets, take photos, and experience the mini beach. For a more unique experience, take advantage of the kayak rental service if it’s available to see the village from the sea level. When you’re done visiting, return to the same bus stop to continue the journey.

Third stop: Amalfi

Symbol of Italy’s most famous coast, Amalfi is the oldest maritime republic in Italy, where many commercial relationships took place with other ancient cities of the Mediterranean. It was also here that the maritime compass was created, transforming navigation. The decline of the ancient republic began in 1137 when the army was defeated by the Republic of Pisa.

Amalfi is also a great place to get lost in the streets and enjoy the shops and restaurants. The beach has a small public area and another private one for the restaurants on the shore. Amalfi doesn’t have many attractions to visit, but what I recommend you do is:

• walk on the pier;
• admire the beach of the marina grande;
• appreciate the majestic Duomo di Amalfi;
• explore the main street Via Lorenzo d’Amalfi;
• imagine the past with the tile map of Porta della Marina;
• learn about how paper used to be made at the Paper Museum.

Head to the bus stop in Piazza Flavio Gioia when you finish visiting Amalfi, as we’re going to our last stop: Ravello!

Fourth stop: Ravello

Ravello is a village at the top of the Amalfi Coast, providing beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The bus that goes to the village is not the same as the one that makes the Sorrento-Amalfi route, but it’s from the same company, Sitabus. Try to arrive in Ravello well before sunset, as there are several attractions to visit.

Ravello has several viewpoints, beautiful streets, and ancient churches. The streets are quieter than those in Amalfi and Positano, ensuring a more peaceful walk. What you can visit in Ravello is:

• Duomo di Ravello;
• the auditorium designed by Oscar Niemeyer;
• the view from Villa Rufolo;
• the gardens and terrace of Villa Cimbrone;
• Church of San Giovanni del Toro.

Enjoy the sunset to admire the sea from one of Ravello’s terraces and, if you prefer, stay in the city for dinner. Just be careful with the time of the bus back to Sorrento, ok?

Wow! Day 2 was quite productive, visiting four places, wasn’t it? It might seem like a lot, but they’re all small and can be easily fit into a day trip. If you have more time on your hands, I highly recommend exploring other nearby destinations, like Atrani.

Day 3: Capri – a must-see itinerary on Italy’s most luxurious island

Ready for a day of luxury? Get ready to do a lot of walking, take many boat photos and be enchanted by nature. Capri is located in the Bay of Naples and is the most famous island compared to the other two, Ischia and Procida. The luxury island has been occupied since the Greeks and then the Romans took control. In other words, many people have passed through here! Your day in Capri will also be full of attractions and aimless wandering.

You arrive in Capri at Marina Grande, the main port, and you will be enchanted by the local architecture before even leaving the boat. From here, you can secure your boat tour if you haven’t already bought it or wait for the tour time on Marina Grande beach.

Transportation in Capri

The center of Capri city is at the top of the island and to get there, you can take a bus (2.70 euros) or funicular (2.20 euros) that goes up to the center. The bus station also has lines to Anacapri and Marina Piccola. Our itinerary starts at Piazzeta di Capri.

Piazzeta, the center of Capri

The city center already starts with a sensational view of the island in Piazza Umberto I. Walking through the streets, you will find many cafes, restaurants, and shops. I recommend that you walk along Via Roma and Via Vittorio Emanuele. Your first stop can already be for a gelato at Buonocore Gelateria, known for delicious ice cream with freshly made cones.

What to do in Capri

Well, from there you can already be free to explore the attractions by getting lost along the way. The places you can visit on your walk through Capri are:

• Santo Stefano Church
• Via Camerelle
• Giardini di Augusto (paid, €1,50)
• Via Krup
• Belvedere Tragara
• Faraglioni
• Marina Piccola Beach

When you’re done wandering, you can head to Anacapri, the neighboring city on the same island.

Anacapri Tour

You can reach Anacapri by bus from Marina Piccola or Marina Grande in Capri. However, make sure to arrive early to purchase your ticket and secure your place in line. The main bus stop is at Piazza Vittoria, where you can take the cable car to the top of Monte Solaro. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can start your tour with this attraction.

Monte Solaro

Monte Solaro is the highest point on the island of Capri, standing at 589 meters. From there, you’ll have a beautiful panoramic view of the sea and the coastline. The final stop has observation areas with chairs and classical decor, but there aren’t many shaded areas. To ride the cable car up, you’ll pay €12 for a round-trip ticket, sitting in an individual chair.

Anacapri Center

Take advantage of the remaining time on the island to wander through the streets of the historic center of Anacapri. Walk down Via Giuseppe Orlandi until you reach Via Pagliaro. Along the way, you’ll find:

• Italian restaurants;
• Museo Casa Rossa;
• Igreja di San Michele Arcangelo;
• Via Triesto & Trento and Piazza Boffe;
• Igreja di Santa Sofia;
• Piazza Edwin Cerio.

If there’s still time before taking the ferry in Capri, you can also try to visit Villa San Michele, a garden built by the physicist and author Axel Munthe, where there’s a beautiful view of the island.

Day 4: Farewell to the itinerary in Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

Closing the 4-day itinerary in the Amalfi Coast and Capri

I hope you enjoyed this itinerary. There are many points of interest to visit and discover what to do in the Amalfi Coast and Capri, and with this itinerary, you’ll have your trip organized for these special destinations. The itinerary also has affiliate links, so the blog receives a small commission for the bookings you make through the links, without you having to pay anything extra.

If you have more days to explore the Amalfi Coast, consider setting aside a whole day of your itinerary to explore Positano and enjoy the beach. It’s also a good idea to spend a night in Capri to get to know the island calmly. This way, you can turn this 4-day itinerary into 7 peaceful stays between Capri and the Amalfi Coast, passing through Sorrento, Amalfi, Atrani, and Ravello.