A 5-day Amalfi Coast itinerary covers Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and a day trip to Capri or Pompeii with ferries and buses.
The Amalfi Coast packs cliffside villages and sea views into a compact slice of Campania. Five days let you settle in, ride a ferry, and still linger over meals. This guide lays out bases, transport, and a daily plan so you spend less time guessing and more time on the water.
Amalfi Coast At A Glance
Use this quick snapshot to pick bases and plan hops between towns. This 5-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary keeps hops short and views high.
| Stop / Base | Getting There | Top Sights & Vibes |
|---|---|---|
| Naples (Gateway) | Train hub; airport arrivals; transfer by train to Sorrento or by train to Salerno then ferry. | Pizza, museums, lively streets before or after the coast. |
| Sorrento | Circumvesuviana train from Naples; easy launch pad for Capri and Pompeii. | Wide hotel choice, sunset marina, mostly flat walks. |
| Positano | Ferry in season; SITA bus year-round; many steps inside town. | Vertical lanes, Spiaggia Grande, boutiques, photo stops. |
| Amalfi | Central ferry hub in season; SITA bus year-round. | Cathedral square, paper museum, handy base for Ravello. |
| Ravello | SITA bus from Amalfi up the hill. | Villa Rufolo gardens, Villa Cimbrone terrace, calm evenings. |
| Capri | Day trip by ferry from Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi in season. | Grotta Azzurra (sea and weather permitting), Anacapri, views. |
| Pompeii | Train from Sorrento (Pompei Scavi) or from Naples; guided tours available. | Ancient streets, forum, villas, frescoes, a full-day outing. |
| Salerno | Rail hub with fast links; ferries to Amalfi and Positano in season. | Less crowded base with a long promenade and good dining. |
5-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Day-By-Day Plan
Day 1: Arrive, Check In, Slow Walks
Land in Naples and connect to your base. Sorrento is the easiest choice for trains and day trips; Positano and Amalfi put you deeper in the scenery. Drop bags, grab a lemon granita, and take a shoreline stroll before dinner.
Day 2: Positano, Beach Time, Coastal Cruise
Start early while the lanes are quiet. Sip coffee on a terrace, then ride a ferry for a short hop along the coast. Bring sandals for pebbly beaches, and book sunbeds if you want a full lounge day.
Day 3: Amalfi And Ravello
Base in Amalfi or go in by boat or bus. Climb the stairs to the Duomo, then ride the bus up to Ravello for gardens and views. Return to Amalfi for dinner on the square.
Day 4: Path Of The Gods Hike
Pick a morning start to beat heat and crowds. The classic route runs from Bomerano to Nocelle with cliffside panoramas most of the way. Bring water, sun cover, and steady shoes; steps near Nocelle can feel endless.
Day 5: Capri Or Pompeii
Choose a boat day or an ancient city. Capri pairs sea caves and chairlifts; Pompeii delivers a time-capsule walk. If seas are rough, take the archaeology day.
Getting Around Without Stress
Ferries are the fastest way to skip traffic when seas are calm. When boats pause in winter or during storms, SITA buses stitch the towns together, and trains connect Naples, Pompeii, and Sorrento. For exact sailings in season, use the Travelmar timetable. For Pompeii hours and ticket details, check the Pompeii Archaeological Park timetables.
Five-Day Amalfi Coast Route & Timing Tips
This plan uses two bases to cut backtracking. Nights 1–2 in Sorrento or Positano; nights 3–4 in Amalfi; night 5 where your departure is easiest. If your flight leaves early from Naples, sleep near the rail line on the final night.
Base Choice
Sorrento: flat streets and easy train access to Pompeii. Positano: views for days but many stairs. Amalfi: central for Ravello and ferries along the coast. Salerno: a quieter base with quick trains and wide ferries in season.
Transport Playbook
Boats give the best views when the sea’s calm. Buses link the hill towns. Trains carry you between Naples, Pompeii, and Sorrento. Buy bus tickets from tabacchi shops before boarding. On busy days, line up early for buses and ferries, and keep a buffer in your schedule in case traffic builds.
When To Go
Late April to early June brings warm days. September and early October offer clear skies and swimmable water with calmer crowds. July and August pack the lanes and raise prices. Winter trips swap ferries for buses; many hotels and beach clubs close, but views stay lovely.
Spring and fall bring ferry options most days; winter leans on buses and trains. Build a light backup plan in case seas cancel boats.
5-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Detailed Daily Steps
Day 1 Details: Naples To Base
Fly into Naples, then pick your transfer. For Sorrento, frequent local trains run from Napoli Garibaldi; for Amalfi or Positano, go by train to Salerno and ferry, or book a car if you’re a group with luggage.
Day 2 Details: Positano And Beaches
Swim at Fornillo, take a short boat to Laurito or Arienzo, then leave time for shopping along the stairways.
Day 3 Details: Amalfi And Ravello
Start with the cathedral and a pastry. Ride the bus to Ravello just after breakfast, tour the villas, then drift back to Amalfi for a late lunch. If you like short walks, follow the Valle delle Ferriere path for waterfalls.
Day 4 Details: Path Of The Gods
From Amalfi, ride the bus to Bomerano. The trail contours the cliffs with steady ups and downs. At Nocelle, take the bus to Positano or descend the steps to Arienzo for a quick swim.
Day 5 Details: Capri Or Pompeii
Capri track: ferry from Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi, ride the chairlift in Anacapri, see the Augustus Gardens, then return by an evening boat. Pompeii track: train to Pompei Scavi, rent an audio guide or join a tour at the gate, and carry water and a hat.
Eating Well Without Overplanning
Lunch can be simple: beach club salads, panini, or pasta under an umbrella. For dinner, book terraces in Positano and Ravello, or walk a block off the main squares for better value in Amalfi and Sorrento. Seek sfogliatella, delizia al limone, and anchovies from Cetara.
What To Pack For This Route
- Light layers and a hat.
- Sturdy sandals or shoes with grip.
- A small daypack; refillable bottle; quick-dry towel.
- Compact power bank; tickets saved offline.
- Swim gear and a cover-up.
- Small euros for bus tickets and gelato.
Cost Guide For Five Days
Costs swing by season and view. Use this ballpark to budget and adjust. Book sea-view extras where they matter to you, and save by riding buses and picking trattorias a street off the main squares.
| Item | Range (Per Person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €90–€250 per night | Higher in July–August; lower in shoulder months. |
| Ferry Rides | €6–€25 each way | Varies by route and season; check live times. |
| Bus Tickets | €2–€12 | Singles or day passes; buy before boarding. |
| Train To/From Naples | €6–€20 | Local train to Sorrento or regional to Salerno. |
| Pompeii Entry | €18+ | Reserve online; bring ID for timed tickets. |
| Meals | €15–€40 | Lunch vs dinner; splurge nights add up. |
| Boat Tour | €40–€120 | Short coast hops to half-day cruises. |
Trip Builder Checklist
- Lock hotels near bus stops or docks to cut stair time with luggage.
- Prebook at least one dinner with a view and one boat ride.
- Carry a photo of your passport; keep the real one secure at the hotel.
- Leave buffer time before flights; Naples traffic can spike without warning.
- Print or download ferry and train tickets in case signal drops.
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