Amalfi Coast Towns You Must Visit + Amalfi Coast Map
Italy’s Amalfi Coast towns are some of the most beautiful places in the world, if not the most beautiful, and a place I think everyone should visit at least once. No matter how many photos you see, they will never do it justice — it’s truly a place you have to see through your own eyes. It is pure magic.
After falling head over heels in love with Positano a decade ago, I have been lucky enough to return many times since. During these visits I’ve been able to explore more of the Amalfi Coast towns outside of just Positano, and learned to love many of them too!
Below I’ve shared not just an Amalfi Coast map, but detailed information about my favorite Amalfi Coast towns, including a video tour of some of them. If you are planning an Amalfi Coast trip and wondering where to go and what to do, this is a great place to start.
Amalfi Coast Towns You Must Visit
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in southern Italy famous for its breathtaking views. It’s a part of the Campania region and overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. Since 1997 it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Amalfi Coast is located around 40 miles south of Naples and 180 miles from Rome. For detailed information on how to get to the Amalfi Coast, click here. It is certainly not the easiest place to get to but I promise you it is worth it.
Part of what makes it so difficult to get to is the fact that the Amalfi Coast towns are accessible via one route: the 25 mile long Amalfi Drive. Amalfi Drive runs from Positano (the first Amalfi Coast town) all the way down to Vietri sul Mare (the last Amalfi Coast town).
In total there are thirteen Amalfi Coast towns: Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Scala, Ravello, Minori, Tramonti, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare. See below for an Amalfi Coast map showing the location of each Amalfi Coast town.
Amalfi Coast Map
In order, the 13 Amalfi Coast towns are Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Scala, Ravello, Minori, Tramonti, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare.
Best Town to Stay in Amalfi Coast
One thing to note about the Amalfi Coast towns before you go is that which town you decide to stay in is incredibly important. As mentioned above, the Amalfi Coast is somewhat difficult to get to, due to there being just one road: Amalfi Drive. This fact also makes it somewhat difficult to get from town to town.
Between some towns there are ferries (from Positano to Amalfi, for example), and others there are buses. Most transportation, however, stops very early in the evening — around 5pm — even during peak tourist season.
This means, more or less, that wherever you pick as your home base is where you will spend the majority of your time. So what is the best town to stay in Amalfi Coast? My very strong recommendation is that you pick Positano as your home base. Click here for where I recommend staying in Positano.
How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast Road Trip
So given the above information, how will you get from Amalfi Coast town to Amalfi Coast town? By scooter, of course!
There is nothing quite like zipping around Amalfi Drive on a scooter, truly. The day I spent visiting the Amalfi Coast towns via scooter is still one of the best days of my life six years later. It was so incredibly beautiful that I spent the entire day trying to hold back tears and then once I left I cried all the way back to San Francisco. It is a once in a lifetime experience and worth every single penny.
One thing I especially love about it is that you can pull over anywhere you want in a scooter. You can even squeeze around cars to avoid traffic if you/your guide are comfortable enough. The roads are very narrow so you are not able to do so in a car or else you’d block the entire road. Scooters also offer unobstructed views, so if you are riding as a passenger you can snap photos along the way.
Click here to see the latest prices and to book your tour.
Some background on that tour: when I went on my Amalfi Coast towns scooter tour I did it with a local friend. After posting about my experience on Instagram, I received countless messages from followers dying to do the same tour but not knowing how.
From there I spent years (literally) looking for a good scooter tour option to recommend for you guys. When I came across the company that offers that one on Get Your Guide and read their unanimous amazing reviews, I reached out to them directly, asking them to add a scooter tour option that specifically starts in Positano. They were kind enough to do so, so now there’s a scooter tour that goes to all of my recommended places! It’s basically a tour by ckanani.com, just given by someone else. Don’t miss it.
If you want to give yourself an Amalfi Coast towns tour instead, no problem! We’ve got you covered there, too. Click here to book your scooter rental.
FYI — to drive your own scooter you will need an international drivers license. It’s pretty painless to get and lasts for a year so it’s worth the trouble in my opinion.
One thing I cannot stress enough is that you need to book the above mentioned experiences ASAP or they will sell out. The Amalfi Coast is incredibly popular now and you need to make reservations for every single thing you plan on doing well in advance.
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour
Another option is to go on a boat cruise tour that will show you all the Amalfi Coast towns! It’s a magical way to spend a day on the Amalfi Coast and something I highly recommend. I actually recommend you do both a scooter tour and a boat tour because they allow you to see different things and are equally amazing.
The best boat cruise is this full day private tour. It’s run by Blue Star which is a very popular family run business in Positano. They know all the best places to go and will make absolute sure you have the best day possible. The private tour is best because it will be just you and whoever you decide to bring along. You don’t have to worry about conflicting interests if you want to do something other groups do not.
Click here to check availability and reserve your spot.
If that cruise is out of your budget or you simply don’t mind sharing the boat with other people, Blue Star also offers a small group cruise! There will be a maximum of 12 people on board, including you, so it is still fairly intimate. And just like the private tour, the experts from Blue Star will take you to all the best spots along the coast and make sure you have the time of your life!
Click here to check availability and reserve your spot. This tour is easily one of the most affordable things you can do in Positano, while also being one of the most highly rated. It’s a total no-brainer if you are able to find availability!
Amalfi Coast Ferry
You can also take a ferry to and from certain places, like from Positano to Amalfi. It is very reasonably priced and a beautiful ride.
To check ferry routes, schedules, and buy your tickets, click here.
The Best Amalfi Coast Towns
Positano
Positano, the first Amalfi Coast town, is the jewel of the region, in my humble opinion. It is where I recommend staying while visiting and also where I spend the majority of my time each trip. Positano is without a doubt my favorite place in the world, one that I have a really hard time putting into words. I find myself always going back to this excerpt from Steinbeck:
“Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone. Its houses climb a hill so steep it would be a cliff except that stairs are cut in it. I believe that whereas most house foundations are vertical, in Positano they are horizontal. The small curving bay of unbelievably blue and green water laps gently on a beach of small pebbles. There is only one narrow street and it does not come down to the water. Everything else is stairs, some of them as steep as ladders. You do not walk to visit a friend, you either climb or slide.”
Ever since Steinbeck posted that “Positano Bites Deep” essay in Harper's Bazaar in May 1953, Positano has been an international hotspot. It is a cliffside village so tiny it only has one main road which wraps through town. Everyone knows everyone and, by the time I leave town, I find that I do too.
Population: 3,913
Population density: 1,200/sq mi
The town of Positano is covered in greater detail here on ckanani than any other place in the world! This includes everything you could ever need to know when planning your Amalfi Coast trip.
— How to get to Positano
— Where to stay in Positano
— What to do in Positano (especially do not miss this one)
— The best restaurants in Positano
— The best beaches + beach clubs in Positano
Because I cover Positano so thoroughly in those posts, I’ll leave you with one last thing — a quick video showing off why I love Positano so dang much:
Praiano
After Positano is the Amalfi Coast town of Praiano. My local friends (born and raised in Positano) believe this is the gem of the Amalfi Coast and the best town of all.
Population: 2,019
Population density: 2,600/sq mi
Praiano offers spectacular panoramic views as far as the eye can see. The name Praiano comes from the Latin word pelagium ("open sea”) and it is spot on. The sunsets here are some of the best of the best.
Praiano is home to some beautiful beaches that are well worth a visit, regardless of which town you are staying in. If you’re looking for a party vibe, check out One Fire Beach Club. If not, Marina di Praia is gorgeous and more laid back.
For food and drink, don’t miss Tramonto d’Oro, Cafe Mirante, and Kasai! For the best pizza, La Strada. Also good: La Gavitella and Trattoria da Armandino.
WHERE TO STAY IN PRAIANO
Outside of Positano, my second recommendation for the best place to stay on the Amalfi Coast is Praiano. I specifically recommend Calante Luna which is run by the same family as my favorite spot in Positano is. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot!
Furore
After Praiano, the next Amalfi Coast town is one of my personal favorites, Furore! Furore is home to Fiordo di Furore, also known as one of the most beautiful things my eyes have ever seen.
Population: 756
Population density: 1,000/sq mi
Fiordo di Furore is something I recommend visiting by whatever means possible during your trip. You can visit via boat which I have not personally done but looks stunning based on photos I have seen. Or you can visit via scooter which, of course, is my recommendation.
I recommend visiting via scooter because the view from the bridge above is unbelievable. Once you take in that view and snap a few photos, you are able to walk down the stairs to the beach, all of which feels like Pinterest in real life. Whether you plan on staying for five minutes or four hours, it is worth going out of your way to see.
Don’t believe me? Watch this:
The main towns on the Amalfi Coast are Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello.
Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini is the next Amalfi Coast town after Furore. If you have never heard of it, you are not alone! I once visited it without even knowing. As you can see from the stats below, it is incredibly tiny. The second smallest of all Amalfi Coast towns.
Population: 682
Population density: 1,600/sq mi
If you’ve ever heard of the Emerald Grotto, or Grotta dello Smeraldo, that is located in Conca dei Marini. It is a sea cave that was discovered in 1932 by a local fisherman that lights up green when the sunlight hits it through an underwater opening.
Be sure to stop at Bar Santa Rosa to try Sfogliatella Santa Rosa, a famous pastry invented in Conca dei Marini in the 1600s.
Looking for a beach club? Don’t miss highly rated Capo di Conca.
WHERE TO STAY IN CONCA DEI MARINI
Don’t let the size fool you — Conca dei Marini is home to some phenomenal Amalfi Coast hotels. My number one recommendation being the luxurious adult only Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa. Click here to check availability and book your stay.
Amalfi
Next stop on the Amalfi Coast map is Amalfi, the town in which the whole coast is named after! Amalfi has been a popular vacation destination since the 1920’s, decades before Positano started heading towards stardom. It’s full of beaches, shops, restaurants, and those stunning coastal views everyone has come to love.
Population: 5,102
Population density: 2,300/sq mi
I have always been a bit of an Amalfi hater because anytime I’ve visited I have found it to be incredibly overrun by tourists. However, lately I’ve been sharing a ton of Amalfi Coast information on TikTok where I’ve received many comments from different people saying Amalfi was their favorite.
Either way, I think Amalfi is definitely worth a visit, even if just quickly. Because Amalfi is the main Amalfi Coast town, it’s also the easiest to get to! If you are staying in Positano and don’t want to rent a car or scooter to see all of these towns, Amalfi is accessible by ferry from Positano.
My favorite thing to do in Amalfi is just roam around. Start at Piazza Duomo which is the heart and soul of town. Don’t miss the Duomo di Amalfi! For the best view and photo opp, walk out along the pier.
WHERE TO STAY IN AMALFI
The best place to stay in Amalfi is the spectacular Hotel Santa Caterina. Click here to check availability and reserve your spot.
Atrani
After Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast map is another of my favorite Amalfi Coast towns, Atrani! Fun fact: Atrani is the smallest city in all of Italy at just .05 sq miles. If you visit on the back of a moving scooter, as I did, you will be through the entire town in less than a minute! How is that for small?!
It is, however, extremely picturesque so I would not suggest passing through without stopping. I found the entire town to be incredibly charming.
Population: 832
Population density: 18,000/sq mi
Spiaggia di Atrani is a beautiful beach with a great view of town and Amalfi Drive. Away from the sea, the Church di San Salvatore de’ Birecto is picturesque, as are the streets around it.
As a fishing village, you’ll find seafood on most menus in Atrani. Try Ristorante Savo, A' Paranza, or Il Veliero. For a sweet treat, stop by Gelateria Artigianale da Marco.
WHERE TO STAY IN ATRANI
If you are traveling with a group, you absolutely must stay at Villa Paradiso. It has an unmatched view. Click here to check availability (and cross your fingers).
If you’re not traveling with a group, try Palazzo Ferraioli. It too has beautiful views of town. Click here to check availability.
The less touristy Amalfi Coast towns are Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Atrani, Scala, Minori, Tramonti, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare.
Scala
Next stop on the map of Amalfi Coast towns is Scala. Scala is the oldest town in the Amalfi Coast and is located above the sea on a rocky hill.
Population: 1,516
Population density: 280/sq mi
If you visit, stop by Caffetteria Mansi Lorenzo.
Ravello
After Scala, Ravello is next on the map of Amalfi Coast towns. Ravello is a popular cliffside resort town and cultural hotspot. Unlike most Amalfi Coast towns, it is landlocked, set above the sea. Because of this it is nicknamed “the Balcony of the Amalfi Coast”.
Population: 1,516
Population density: 280/sq mi
Ravello is full of things to see and do. Duomo di Ravello is a beautiful cathedral in the center of town. I especially love the piazza in front of it.
Villa Rufolo is a famous villa from the 1200s on a ledge overlooking the sea.
The Villa Cimbrone Gardens are full of rare plants, statues, and temples, as well as an infinity terrace, said to have one of the most beautiful views in the world.
Giardini Principessa di Piemonte, a community garden, has nice views too.
For a quick bite, stop by Nino’s Pizza. For a non-quick bite, I recommend Osteria Ravello.
WHERE TO STAY IN RAVELLO
Ravello is home to one of the best hotels on the entire Amalfi Coast. It is Caruso, a Belmond Hotel. If you stay in Ravello you absolutely must stay here. Click here to reserve your spot.
You can also stay at world famous Villa Cimbrone (yes, with the most beautiful view in the world). Click here to check availability.
Minori
The next coastal Amalfi Coast town is Minori. I haven’t spent much time here but my old roommate stayed here when she visited the Amalfi Coast and absolutely loved it!
Population: 2,687
Population density: 2,600/sq mi
Due to Minori’s location and the fact that you (and most others) have likely never heard of it, Minori is significantly less expensive than all of the above listed towns. Don’t overlook it though, as it still has everything you know and love about the other Amalfi Coast towns; great food, unbelievable views, a picturesque beach, and a relaxed atmosphere.
If you’re up for some exercise, try the Path of the Lemons which takes you between Minori and Maiori. It’s a fairly easy hike and takes around an hour.
For a good photo opp, visit Belvedere Mortella.
Basilica di Santa Trofimena is a pretty catholic church in the center of town, just steps from the beach.
For food, Giardiniello is the local favorite.
WHERE TO STAY IN MINORI
With a 9.7/10 rating and the best view in town, IL Nido Del Gabbiano is the place to stay in Minori. Click here to check availability.
Maiori
Maiori is a town most people have likely not heard of, and is the most eastern city on my list. It is known for having the longest stretch of beach on the Amalfi Coastline. I did not stay long but rumor has it the nightlife is good, as are the restaurants and shops!
WHERE TO STAY IN MAIORI
Montagnella Relax is a lovely place to stay in Maiori, with a beautiful bougainvillea-covered terrace overlooking town. Click here to check availability.
Capri
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