Your Ultimate European Summer Bucket List Trip: A Full 8-Day Itinerary Exploring the Amalfi Coast from Naples to Sorrento to Positano, With Day Trips to Capri, Pompei, Amalfi, and Ravello.
What is a better way to create a full itinerary of the beautiful Amalfi Coast then to follow it myself? The following guide is an exact itinerary of my recent trip to the Amalfi Coast! And yes, it really was worth the hype. And yes, I did create this for our trip in Google Docs, print out copies for everyone, and insist we follow it regardless of how many steps we had to climb each day. "For the full experience".
As the warm embrace of summer beckons, so does the allure of the Amalfi Coast—a sun-kissed stretch of coastline in Southern Italy that captivates with its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and a rich tapestry of history. From the bustling streets of Naples to the serene cliffs of Ravello, every destination on this bucket list trip promises a unique experience. Whether you're a history buff eager to wander through the ruins of Pompeii, a sun-seeker yearning for the pristine beaches of Positano, or a dreamer enchanted by the charm of Capri, this itinerary has something for every traveler.
So, pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and let's dive into the details of your dream European summer escape along the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast. Get ready to create memories that will linger long after the sun has set on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
8-Day Itinerary: The Amalfi Coast
8 days in a new country can feel like a lot to take in all at once. Not to mention adding extra time based on how you plan to build out your travel days. For reference my trip had a "Day 0" since we caught an overnight flight from Newark to Naples and "Day 9" from Naples back to the US. I have opted not to include travel days because everyone plans differently! For your convience, the following links will take you straight to certain days & I've linked a Google Maps with all the places we went or were suggested to me!
Day 1: Arrival in Naples, Transfer to Sorrento
You made it to Italy! Time to celebrate!
How to get to the Amalfi Coast: If you're planning on visiting Italy just for the Amalfi Coast, the easiest airport to fly into internationally is Naples. You can easily book a private transfer directly from the airport to your destination on the Amalfi Coast. Rome is another option but much further away. Personally, we booked a nonstop flight from Newark to Naples via United and had a great experience. Our flight path even took us by the Swiss Alps for gorgeous views of snow covered mountains.
After landing: Private transfer to accomodation in Sorrento (this will likely take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic). We used Worldtours - our driver was waiting for us at the Naples airport and took us directly to our unit in Sorrento.
Check in, get settled, rest & change: Never underestimate the power of a hot shower after a long flight.
4:15 PM - Walk to Piazza Tasso and Via San Cesareo.
If you're hungry stop by Fauno Bar for amazing pasta, pizza, and Italian cocktails like the Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz, or Espresso Martini. We stopped here right after getting into town for a quick sit down meal post-flight and loved it so much we stopped by almost every day (at least for coffee). They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner and are located right in the middle of the square.
5:30 PM - Take a leisurely stroll down the shopping street of Via San Cesareo, lined with boutiques and shops.
Must try: Amorino for gelato! This was my favorite gelato place on the entire Amalfi Coast. Not only is the gelato amazing but they put macarons on top, which are equally incredible.
Sunset: Walk to Piazza della Vittoria to enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf of Naples.
The sunsets here are absolutely gorgeous, and you'll get a view of Naples / Mt. Vesuvius across the bay. Be warned, it does get crowded at this time of day - but you can find a more private view by walking a little ways down the stairs (on the edge of the cliff - these also take you to the beach clubs and the port).
Grab dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2: Day Trip to Capri
Experience the magic of Capri on a day trip—where azure waters, charming streets, and the allure of the Blue Grotto create memories that linger long after you've left the island.
8:00 AM: Head to Marina Piccola & Get Ferry Tickets.
Marina Piccola is the ferry port in Sorrento. It's easy enough to get tickets at the port once you get down there but some ferries let you get them online ahead of time - Ferryhopper is great for this.
8:45 AM: Catch the ferry from Sorrento to Capri (~20 minutes).
I highly recommend getting an early ferry as not too many people stay in Capri, so the town gets more crowded as the day goes on.
9:05 AM: Arrive in Capri.
9:15 - 12:30 PM: Explore Anacapri first then Capri.
The taxi stand is immediately outside Capri's ferry port. The line can get long at times so grab the first one you can and head to Anacapri. Visit the Gardens of Augustus, stroll the streets of Anacapri, and take the chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro for breathtaking panoramic views. We took the chairlift as soon as it opened and were able to get to Mt. Solaro before anyone else was there. Highly recommend this as the views are unbelievable but easily blocked by crowds. You should be able to grab a taxi fairly easily to get back to the port of Capri (or the town of Capri - if you don't plan on doing a boat tour just head to the town of Capri as it is not easily walkable from the port).
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch in Capri.
2:00 - 4:00 PM: Boat Tour of Capri.
Enjoy a leisurely and scenic tour of the island's stunning coastline, including the iconic Faraglioni rock formations, hidden coves, and crystal-clear waters. We booked this ahead of time with Naples Together as we opted to skip the Blue Grotto (I personally didn't think it would be worth it as an extra cost, long wait time, and unpredictable weather - the day we went it wasn't open due to weather anyways). This tour was a small group experience with drinks/snacks, stop for swimming (the water was gorgeous), and views of other Grottos and the famous Faraglioni Rocks.
4:10 PM: Return to the port and explore the town of Capri.
Do note that you'll likely have to take another taxi to the town of Capri and back. I personally enjoyed Anacapri more - but Capri was also worth stopping by.
5:45 PM: Depart from Capri to Sorrento by ferry (~25 minutes).
IMPORTANT: Make a note of when the last ferry leaves so you don't get stuck on the island. We took the 2nd to last ferry just to make sure we didn't miss it.
7:00 PM: Catch the sunset and grab dinner in Sorrento.
Day 3: Pompei Half Day Trip & Sorrento Lemon Grove
Immerse yourself in the ancient wonders of Pompeii, followed by a visit to a lemon grove, where the zesty fragrance of citrus and the picturesque surroundings blend for a sensory delight.
8:30 - 12:30 PM: Guided half day group tour of Pompeii.
We selected the half day tour with Iamme IA and had a great experience. A comfortable bus picked us up in Sorrento, dropped us off in Pompeii, and returned us back to Sorrento when the tour was over. The guides really gave it their all and showed us around the ruins explaining the history as we went. This provider also offers full day options or tours from other pickup points - but we felt the half day tour was more than enough to get a feel for Pompeii.
1:30 PM: Stop by I Giardini Di Cataldo (The Famous Lemon Grove).
This is an adorable little lemon grove where you can try hand squeezed lemonade, buy a bottle of limoncello, or wander around the gardens where lemons hang above your head. No reservations required.
2:30 PM: Grab lunch in Sorrento & Explore.
Visit the Villa Comunale Park for panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. Relax at Marina Grande, the old fishing village, and soak up the coastal atmosphere. Take a refreshing swim in the clear waters at one of the beaches. Check maps for more ideas.
7:30 PM: Dinner at a restaurant in Marina Grande in Sorrento.
Marina Grande is a charming little fishing village (~20 minute walk from the "downtown" area). There's plenty of stunning restaurants on the water here where you can eat delicious pasta as you watch the sunset.
Day 4: Sorrento Full Day - Beach Clubs
Where sun-kissed afternoons seamlessly blend with the azure horizon, inviting you to luxuriate at beach clubs, savoring the sweet symphony of waves and the Mediterranean sun on your skin.
Morning: Grab breakfast at a cafe or sleep in.
9:45 AM: Hit the beach clubs.
We selected Leonelli's Beach Club and loved it! I was told to arrive by/before 10 to get seats, and although we went on a cloudier/windy day this was still true for the "good seats" so if you're going in the heart of summer I don't doubt they fill up fast. A must do: swimming in the Gulf of Naples - there are stairs into the water from the clubs, and it feels heavenly to take a dip.
1:00 PM: Lunch at the beach club (or a nearby restaurant).
We may have gone back to Fauno Bar again... it's just so good.
3:00 PM: Freshen up & free time to explore!Â
Activity Suggestions: Visit the Villa Comunale Park for panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. Stroll around Marina Grande, the old fishing village, and soak up the coastal atmosphere. Check maps for more ideas.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant in Sorrento.
Day 5: Transfer to Positano & Boat Tour
Cruise into the coastal enchantment of Positano, where vibrant villas meet the sea, and a boat tour unveils the Amalfi Coast's sheer beauty in every ripple and curve.
9:00 AM: Grab coffee and breakfast at a nearby cafe.
10:00 AM: Private transfer from Sorrento to Positano.
We found our transfer on Viator and had a great experience with it. I highly recommend getting a private transfer between accomodations on the Amalfi Coast - even though its a little costly, the mental stress it will save you is invaluable.
11:45 AM: Arrival in Positano.
There is really just one road along the Amalfi Coast so traffic is no joke. Try to avoid planning anything too close to your transfer time frame because sometimes there are road closures.
3:30 - 5:30 PM: Private Amalfi Coast Grottos Speed Boat Tour.
We took two boat tours with Positano Boats, and they were both the most amazing experiences we had on this entire trip. Their private boats aren't crazy expensive like other companies, which makes it so worth it. This particular tour allowed us to stop and swim in the gorgeous blue waters before crusing along down the coast.
7:30 PM: Dinner in Positano.
8:30 PM: After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along the beach promenade and savor a gelato while enjoying the enchanting atmosphere of Positano at night.
Day 6: Positano Beaches & Sunset Boat Cruise
Soak up Positano's beach bliss, then set sail on a sunset cruise—where golden sands meet vibrant horizons in a perfect symphony of coastal charm.
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the accommodation in Positano or a nearby cafe.
10:00 AM: Enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach.
There are a few beaches in Positano. The main beach is usually more crowded and more expensive - but probably worth it if you're staying close by. We chose to walk to Fornillo Beach for a more relaxed, scenic experience at Pupetto Beach Club. Fornillo Beach has a free section but grabbing a chair is well worth it rather than sunbathing on the pebble "sand". We also were able to order lunch and drinks from the beach club to our chairs. To save a hike back up stairs, we used the beach club bathrooms to change - the stairs are NO joke.
2:00 PM: Stroll & shop Positano's charming streets.
From Fornillo Beach there is a beautiful (and less challenging) walk into the main part of town called via Positanesi d’America. You'll get incredible views and way less stairs. There are tons of adorable shops, boutiques, and art galleries in the main part of town. My favorite was CB by Kore for the cutest dresses.
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Sunset Cruise.
If you're going to take a boat tour on the Amalfi Coast, let this be the one. Positano Boats took us on a magical cruise along Positano's coast with sights as far as Capri in the distance as we watched the sun dip below the horizon. They provided Italian champagne and aperitifs while we enjoyed the view.
8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant on the beach.
Day 7: Amalfi & Ravello Day Trip
Explore Amalfi's cobbled streets and delve into Ravello's hilltop serenity, creating memories that echo the timeless beauty of the region.
9:00 AM: Catch an early ferry from Positano to Amalfi.
We were able to grab our tickets ahead of time on FerryHopper - however we weren't able to get tickets head of time in Amalfi for the trip back, which also ended up working out as we headed back earlier than anticipated.
9:30 AM: Arrive in Amalfi. Take a taxi to Ravello.
Taxis in Amalfi are a little harder to come by (and they also charged us per person to Ravello - about 20 euros per person each way). While it ended up being the quickest way to Ravello it was definitely more expensive than anticipated, so be sure to factor this in if you plan on seeing Ravello.
10:00 AM: Explore Ravello. Visit Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo.
The views from both these villas in Ravello are absolutely breathtaking. Ravello sits much higher than the rest of the towns on the Amalfi Coast giving you incredible panoramic views. Villa Cimbrone is a bit of a hike from the rest of the town, but the gardens and sights are well worth the stop.
12:30 PM: Head back to Amalfi & grab lunch.
Grab a taxi and head back to Amalfi. There's more restaurants in Amalfi, so I'd recommend getting a bite there.
1:30 PM: Explore Amalfi, including the Duomo and the Cloister of Paradise.
Amalfi is also known for its lemon sorbet (which comes in a real lemon), so this is a must try. Note that besides these things there's really not a ton "to do" if you're just visiting for the day - you'll also need your shoulders covered to enter the church. We opted to catch an earlier ferry and spend more time back in Positano.
3:30 PM: Catch a ferry back to Positano.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant in Positano.
Day 8: Transfer to Naples, Explore Naples
Transition back to Naples for an exploration of its vibrant streets, rich history, and culinary delights.
9:00 AM: Grab a final breakfast in Positano.
10:30 AM: Private transfer from Positano to Naples.
Again we used Worldtours - however be warned that due to traffic and possible road closures your transfer could be delayed. Our transfer ended up being over an hour late due to a road closure on the coast - so try to avoid booking anything soon after your departure. This being said, absolutely would not recommend trying to get from the coast directly to the airport for this reason.
12:00 PM: Arrive in Naples, drop off luggage & grab lunch.
2:30 PM: Explore Naples, including attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum, Castel dell'Ovo, and Spaccanapoli.
Personally, I did not love the feel of Naples and would have opted to spend more time in Positano in the morning. However, if you're a history fan or a big foodie, you may want to spend the day exploring Naples. We ended up going to the Archaeological Museum and grabbing pizza.
7:30 PM: Dinner at a pizza place in Naples.
And that's a wrap! Pack your bags and head home with new memories to last a lifetime!