An Amalfi 3 day itinerary for first timers works best when you choose one convenient base and avoid trying to see the entire coast at once. This plan focuses on Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, and one scenic coast experience, giving you a mix of history, views, food, beaches, and outdoor time. Amalfi is also part of the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of the Amalfi Coast.
Quick Answer
For a first visit, spend Day 1 in Amalfi, Day 2 in Ravello and Positano, and Day 3 on the water or hiking the Path of the Gods. Stay in Amalfi to reduce transfers. Use ferries and SITA buses where possible; driving adds parking pressure and, on some 2026 dates, plate-based restrictions.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- Make Amalfi your base so you can walk around town and connect easily with Ravello and Positano.
- Day 2 is the busiest day, so visit Ravello first and continue to Positano only if your transport timing works comfortably.
- Choose either a boat-focused Day 3 or the Path of the Gods rather than trying to squeeze both into one day.
- Ferries and buses are usually more practical for sightseeing than keeping a car on the coast.
Day 1: Exploring Amalfi Town
Use your first day to understand Amalfi itself before travelling farther along the coast. The historic center is compact, so you can combine the cathedral, old streets, paper-making history, cafés, shopping, and the waterfront without spending much of the day in transit.
Start at Piazza del Duomo and Amalfi Cathedral
Begin at Piazza del Duomo, the lively square dominated by the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea. The monumental complex includes the cathedral, Cloister of Paradise, Diocesan Museum in the Basilica of the Crucifix, and the crypt containing the relics of Saint Andrew.
The official Visit Amalfi listing for the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea states that from September 1 through November 2 the monumental complex is open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM for last admission. It has shorter winter hours and closes from January 7 through February 28.
Inside, allow time for the architectural changes between the cloister, basilica, crypt, and cathedral. The complex reflects several periods of Amalfi’s history rather than one single architectural style.
Walk Amalfi’s historic streets
After the cathedral, follow Via Lorenzo d’Amalfi and explore the narrow lanes branching from the center. This is a good time for espresso, pastries, ceramics, lemon products, and small local shops without committing to another transport connection.
Try a sfogliatella if you want a classic Campanian pastry. Amalfi is also closely associated with the Sfusato Amalfitano lemon, which appears in sweets, drinks, sauces, and limoncello throughout the coast.
Visit the Paper Museum
Continue inland to the Museo della Carta on Via delle Cartiere. Amalfi has a long history of handmade paper production, and the museum occupies a former paper mill where visitors can see historic machinery and traditional paper-making methods.
According to the Museo della Carta’s visitor information, the museum is open daily from March 1 through November 2 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last admission at 6:20 PM. Its published standard admission is €4.50 for adults and €3 for children under 12; guided visits are listed at €7 for adults and €6 for children.
Finish the afternoon back near the waterfront. The harbor and seafront are especially pleasant when the main day-trip traffic begins to thin. Have dinner in Amalfi rather than adding another town to your first evening.
Day 2: Visiting Ravello and Positano
Day 2 combines two very different experiences: hilltop Ravello in the morning and coastal Positano later in the day. Start early, keep your lunch flexible, and treat Positano as the second half of the day rather than trying to fit every attraction in both towns.
Morning in Ravello
Ravello sits above the coast and is reached by road rather than ferry. From Amalfi, use the SITA bus toward Ravello and get off near the center. The journey gives you increasingly wide views as the road climbs inland.
Villa Rufolo is the easiest major garden to combine with Ravello’s central piazza. As of September 29, 2026, the official Villa Rufolo visitor information lists daily opening from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last admission at 6:30 PM. Standard admission is €8, tickets are purchased on site, and advance booking is not required.
Villa Cimbrone is farther from the main square but rewards the walk with its gardens and the famous Terrace of Infinity. If you have only a short morning, choose either Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone instead of rushing through both. If views and gardens are a priority, allow a longer Ravello visit.
Continue to Positano
Return from Ravello to Amalfi before continuing west to Positano. When sea conditions and seasonal schedules allow, a ferry avoids road traffic and gives you one of the most memorable views of the coast from the water.
The Travelmar 2026 timetable lists repeated services linking Amalfi and Positano during the operating season. Ferry schedules vary by season and can change because of sea conditions, so keep the SITA bus as your backup rather than building the day around one irreplaceable sailing.
Positano is steep and vertical, so expect stairs and sloping lanes. Walk down through the center toward Spiaggia Grande, browse the small shops, and enjoy the view of the stacked buildings rising from the beach.
Spiaggia Grande is the town’s main beach and the easiest place for a short break before heading back. If you prefer walking to sitting on the beach, spend that time exploring the lanes above the waterfront instead.
Pro Tip: Decide before leaving Ravello whether you want several hours in Positano or a slower Ravello visit. Trying to see two villas, have a long lunch, shop in Positano, and spend meaningful time on the beach can turn Day 2 into a transport race.
Stay for an early dinner in Positano only if you already know how you are returning to Amalfi. Otherwise, return before evening and have dinner near your accommodation.
Day 3: Enjoying the Amalfi Coast
Use your final day for one larger experience rather than another sequence of towns. A coastal boat trip is the easier option, while the Path of the Gods is better for active travelers who want a long scenic walk.
| Activity | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 8:00 AM | Hotel Restaurant |
| Boat Tour | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Amalfi Coast |
| Lunch | 1:30 PM | Seaside Restaurant |
| Relaxing on the Beach | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Amalfi Coast |
| Dinner | 7:00 PM | Local Trattoria |
Option 1: Take a coastal boat trip
A boat trip lets you see the cliffs, villages, coves, beaches, and terraced hillsides from a perspective you cannot get from the SS163 road. A half-day excursion also leaves time for lunch and a relaxed afternoon in or near Amalfi.
Choose a departure from Amalfi so you do not spend the morning travelling to another town before the activity begins. Conditions at sea can affect routes, swimming stops, and departures, so build a little flexibility into this day.
Option 2: Hike the Path of the Gods
If you would rather hike, make the Path of the Gods your main activity for the day. The Comune di Agerola’s official Sentiero degli Dei route begins from Piazza Paolo Capasso in Bomerano and continues through the mountain landscape toward Nocelle above Positano.
The official route description includes Colle la Serra and panoramic sections above the coast before reaching Nocelle. From Nocelle, one option continues toward Montepertuso, while another descends about 1,700 steps toward Arienzo and the SS163.
Warning: The Path of the Gods includes exposed sections, uneven ground, and substantial climbing or descending depending on your route. Wear proper walking shoes, carry water, avoid the trail in dangerous weather, and allow enough daylight to finish without rushing.
Do not plan a full boat excursion and the full hike on the same day. Either experience can be the highlight of the trip, and keeping Day 3 focused makes the overall itinerary much more enjoyable.
Return to Amalfi for your final evening. A waterfront walk, gelato, or a slow dinner is a better finish than adding one more distant stop.
Where to Stay in Amalfi
For this itinerary, staying in or very close to Amalfi town is the simplest choice. You can walk to Day 1 attractions and reach ferries and buses without changing accommodation during a short three-day trip.
Hotel Santa Caterina
Hotel Santa Caterina is a luxury option on the coast just outside Amalfi’s central streets. It suits travelers who want a resort-style stay, sea views, and extensive on-site facilities rather than being directly in the busiest part of the center.
Hotel Marina Riviera
Hotel Marina Riviera is much closer to Amalfi’s central sights and seafront. Its location makes it convenient if your main priority is reaching Piazza Duomo, the ferry area, restaurants, and bus connections on foot.
Valle delle Ferriere B&B
Valle delle Ferriere is a small B&B in the upper part of Amalfi near the beginning of the Ferriere Valley. It is better suited to travelers who prefer a quieter setting and do not mind walking uphill or using local transport to move between the property and the waterfront.
Whatever you choose, location matters more than changing hotels for each town. Staying in one base saves packing time and makes early departures much easier.
Where to Eat in Amalfi
Amalfi’s food is strongly shaped by the sea, Campanian produce, handmade pasta, citrus, and regional pastries. For a three-day visit, mix one longer sit-down dinner with simpler lunches so meals do not consume the hours you need for ferries, buses, and sightseeing.
Traditional Amalfi dining
Trattoria Da Gemma is a long-established restaurant close to the center and remains one of the original article’s useful dining suggestions. Seafood, pasta, and regional dishes fit naturally into an Amalfi itinerary.
For a more casual meal, pizza is an easy choice after a full sightseeing day. The original draft named Pizzeria Da Michele as an Amalfi restaurant, but that specific recommendation could not be verified as an Amalfi location, so it is better to choose a pizzeria that is actually operating in town during your visit.
Fine dining
The original article also placed Il Refettorio inside Hotel Santa Caterina. That location was incorrect. Il Refettorio is the restaurant at Monastero Santa Rosa in nearby Conca dei Marini, so plan transport if you decide to dine there rather than assuming it is in central Amalfi.
For everyday meals, you do not need a famous restaurant. Look for seasonal seafood, pasta, local vegetables, lemon-based desserts, and a location that fits your transport schedule.
Transportation in Amalfi
The easiest transport strategy for most first-time visitors is to walk within Amalfi, take the bus to Ravello, and use ferries or buses for coastal towns such as Positano. A rental car offers independence, but narrow roads, parking, congestion, and seasonal restrictions can make it less convenient than it appears.
Use SITA buses for Ravello and as a ferry backup
SITA Sud operates the main public bus routes used in this itinerary. The official SITA Campania timetable page lists Line 5110 for Scala-Ravello-Amalfi and Line 5070 for Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento.
Those buses are particularly useful for Ravello because the town has no ferry port. They also give you a land-based backup on days when boats are not operating.
Use ferries when they fit your route
Ferries are especially useful between Amalfi and Positano during the operating season. They avoid much of the coast-road traffic and turn the transfer itself into part of the sightseeing.
They are not a year-round guarantee, however. Service levels vary by season, and rough sea conditions can disrupt departures, so keep bus options in mind.
Driving rules on the SS163 in 2026
Driving deserves extra planning. The Costa d’Amalfi Tourism District’s 2026 traffic guidance confirms an alternate-license-plate system on the SS163 on specified dates from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
On restricted odd-numbered dates, cars whose numeric plate section ends in an odd number cannot use the affected road during the restriction period. On restricted even-numbered dates, the rule applies to cars ending in an even number.
For 2026, the system applied every day from August 1 through September 30. In October 2026, the listed restriction dates are October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, and October 31.
Hotel and other accommodation guests have an exemption for necessary arrival on check-in day and departure on check-out day when they have a valid reservation, but that exemption does not cover ordinary sightseeing drives during the stay. Motorcycles and scooters are outside the alternate-plate rule.
For a three-day first visit, these rules reinforce the main practical advice: leave the rental car parked when you can and build the itinerary around walking, ferries, buses, and occasional taxis.
Tips for First-Timers
A few practical choices make a short Amalfi trip much easier. The biggest mistake is assuming that places that look close on a map can always be combined quickly.
- Stay in one base: changing accommodation during a three-day itinerary wastes valuable sightseeing time.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Amalfi, Ravello, and especially Positano include steep lanes, stairs, and uneven surfaces.
- Start early: early mornings give you more flexibility before day-trippers and transport queues build.
- Keep one backup route: if you plan to use a ferry, know which bus can replace it if sea conditions change.
- Travel lighter: dragging large suitcases through stairs and steep lanes is tiring and slows transfers.
- Choose your season carefully: late spring and early fall usually offer a more comfortable balance of weather and visitor numbers than the height of summer, while winter has fewer tourist services and reduced sea transport.
Do not rush every meal or viewpoint simply to add another town to the list. Three well-planned days in Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano give a first-time visitor a much clearer sense of the coast than a schedule filled with five or six rushed stops.
The original version of this guide also included an unrelated entertainment link about the legendary rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. It does not affect the Amalfi itinerary or any of the travel advice above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is a celebrated stretch of coastline in Campania in southern Italy, recognized by UNESCO for its cultural landscape. It includes historic towns such as Amalfi, Ravello and Positano, with steep cliffs, terraced slopes, beaches, gardens and centuries of maritime and agricultural history.
Is three days enough for the Amalfi Coast?
Three days is enough for a first introduction if you limit the number of stops. Base yourself in Amalfi, spend one day in town, combine Ravello with Positano on another day, and reserve the final day for either a boat trip or the Path of the Gods.
What are the must-see attractions in Amalfi for first-timers?
First-time visitors should prioritize Amalfi Cathedral, the historic center, the Paper Museum, Ravello’s villa gardens and Positano’s hillside streets and waterfront. With only three days, these sights provide a better-balanced trip than adding distant day trips to Capri, Pompeii or several smaller coast towns.
What activities can I do during a three-day Amalfi itinerary?
During three days you can visit historic churches and museums, explore Amalfi and Positano on foot, see Ravello’s gardens, take a coastal boat trip, spend time at the beach or hike the Path of the Gods. Choose one major outdoor activity instead of trying to fit everything into one day.
What is the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?
For most first-time visitors, the best combination is walking, seasonal ferries and SITA buses. Use the bus for Ravello because it has no ferry port, and use ferries for coastal transfers when they are operating. Driving can be slower because of traffic, parking limitations and seasonal road restrictions.
When is the best time to visit Amalfi?
Late spring and early fall are good choices for travelers who want pleasant sightseeing conditions without the strongest summer pressure. July and August bring heavier demand, while winter is much quieter but has reduced ferry service and some seasonal attractions, hotels and restaurants may operate on limited schedules.
Sources
- Visit Amalfi — Cathedral of Sant’Andrea: Cathedral complex, history and seasonal opening hours.
- Museo della Carta: Museum opening periods, hours and visitor information.
- Villa Rufolo: 2026 opening hours, admission prices and ticket arrangements.
- SITA Sud Trasporti — Campania: Amalfi, Ravello, Positano and Sorrento bus routes and schedules.
- Travelmar 2026 timetable: Seasonal ferry connections including Amalfi and Positano.
- Comune di Agerola — Sentiero degli Dei: Official Path of the Gods route description and access details.
- Distretto Turistico Costa d’Amalfi: 2026 SS163 alternate-license-plate dates, times and exemptions.
- Monastero Santa Rosa — Dining: Correct location of Il Refettorio in Conca dei Marini.
