The Amalfi Coast is, hands down, the most romantic place on Earth. Not romantic because you should visit with a partner— quite the opposite. Whether planning a solo adventure, trip with friends, or family reunion, this real-life slice of heaven fills your soul with a ubiquitously majestic romance— and limoncello. Maybe it’s how the colorful towns cascade from the cliffs into the sparkling sea, but the Amalfi Coast is pure magic.
I spent a few sun-soaked days exploring this iconic stretch of southern Italy, using Sorrento as my home base, and it was every bit as special as I hoped. Sorrento is convenient to use as a base—it’s well-connected by ferry, bus, and train, plus it has more transportation options than, let’s say, a smaller cliffside town. Taking day trips out to different towns, while using Sorrento as a base, allows you to explore different towns without the hassle of lugging your luggage on cobblestone streets and checking in and out of accommodations throughout your trip.
From wandering the winding streets of Positano to sailing around Capri, here’s how to make the most of your Amalfi Coast getaway. What I love about a vacation like this is that there’s no running around to check monuments off a sightseeing list. On the Amalfi Coast, your one responsibility is to let its beauty slow you down.
The Amalfi Coast Playbook
Day 1: Sorrento
Day 2: Sorrento
Day 3: Capri
Day 4: Positano
Day 5: Pompeii
Getting to Sorrento
Traveling to the Amalfi Coast, I flew into Naples and took a ferry from there directly to Sorrento. Several companies operate this ferry route, and tickets are available for purchase online ahead of time. Alilauro or Caremar are two popular ferry operators.
Duration: 40 to 50 minutes
Cost: Around €15–€20
Frequency: Ferries usually run from mid-April through October several times a day
Sorrento: Days 1 & 2
Sorrento is a dreamy coastal town that feels like a postcard. Perched on cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, it has lemon groves, piazzas, and scenic views of Mount Vesuvius. If you’re looking to sip Aperol spritzes, wander cobblestone streets, and find hidden cliffside beaches, Sorrento is the place to be.
Sorrento: Day 1
After checking into your hotel or Airbnb, it’s time to wander. On day one of your trip, exploring Sorrento’s town center is best.
- Wander around Piazza Tasso heading towards Marina Grande
- Go shopping in the historic center and grab a frozen aperol spritz or lemonade
- Visit the Marina Grande and enjoy a seaside lunch (Trattoria da Emilia is amazing)
- Grab a spot near the marina and have a relaxing layout by the water
- Enjoy sunset views over the Bay of Naples at Villa Comunale, a green space in the city
- Aperitivo at a rooftop or hotel bar like Bellevue Syrene, Bellavista Cocktail Bar at Grand Hotel La Favorita, or La Colonna Sunset Bar & Cucina
Sorrento: Day 2
On your second day in paradise, it’s time to escape the town center and galavant around more of beautiful Sorrento. We packed a lunch and spent the day at a local beach, which turned into cliff diving with some people we met there— a core memory for sure.
I recommend going to Bagni Regina Giovanna. This beach is more of a natural swimming pool tucked among Roman ruins. You hike a short path to reach it, and the emerald water feels totally untouched. Bring water shoes—it’s rocky but stunning.
Pick up lunch at A’Marenna – Sorrento Bakery & Bistrot for the best sandwiches of your life (I still think about those sandwiches).
- Wake up and start your day with a strong cappuccino at your nearest cafe
- Pick up sandwiches at A’Marenna
- Spend the afternoon at Bagni Regina Giovanna, filled with swimming, tanning, your sandwich, and (if you’re insane like me) jumping from some mild cliffs
Capri: Day 3
Capri is pure magic—like stepping into an old movie set where everything is idyllically glamorous. Just a quick boat ride from the Amalfi Coast, Capri is a small island combining luxury with natural beauty. Think turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and designer boutiques. The Blue Grotto is every bit as magical as legend has it, and the flower-filled streets of Capri town or watching the sunset from the Gardens of Augustus feel surreal.
We took the Full-Day Capri Island Cruise from Sorrento and booked on Tripadvisor. This boat tour was… one of the best days of my life. Seriously— hyperboles aside— this experience was out of a dream. Sailing around the Amalfi Coast, taking dips into the crystal clear Mediterranean, and *drumroll please* unlimited canned drinks and lunch.
This tour does not stop at the Blue Grotto because of the long wait times for the grotto. Have no fear— it stops at other grottos, and I did not feel like I missed out because we saw so many beautiful views and grottos along the way.
After you sail around the coast, you’re able to get off the boat and explore Capri for a couple of hours.
- Book a Full-Day Capri Island Cruise from Sorrento boat tour to Capri out of Sorrento and spend the day sailing around the island
- In Capri, take the chairlift to Monte Solaro for amazing island views
- Walk the gorgeous Gardens of Augustus
- Explore Capri Town, shop, and eat lunch
- Eat gelato at Buonocore Gelateria Pasticceria Gastronomia e Tavola Calda
Positano: Day 4
Positano is a stunning cliffside village on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, known for its colorful buildings that seem to tumble down into the sea. It’s famous for its steep, winding streets, local boutiques selling handmade sandals and linen, and postcard-perfect views at every turn. You can relax on Spiaggia Grande (the main beach), take a boat to nearby coves, or hike the scenic Path of the Gods trail for epic coastal panoramas.
In Positano, I recommend spending the first half of your day at Arienzo Beach Club. This beach club takes up a prime stretch of the beach; it’s the one with bright orange umbrellas that you might have seen in a photo or two. The Arienzo Beach Club is one of the most popular beach clubs in Positano, so it’s best to get there early and reserve your spot. I equally recommend consuming a generous amount of Aperol Spritzes.
Try seaside spots like Chez Black or La Tagliata for amazing food and unforgettable views.
- Reserve chairs at the Arienzo Beach Club and spend your day relaxing, swimming, or tanning with an aperol spritz in hand
- Or hike the famous Path of the Gods trail for epic coastal panoramas
- Walk the winding cobblestone streets and pop into some stores in route to dinner
- Grab a sunset cocktail at Il Tridente, located inside Hotel Poseidon, for stunning views in the most romantic restaurant in town
Keep in mind that ferries back to Sorrento stop sailing in the late afternoon. We expected to take a bus back to our Airbnb, but about five buses whizzed right past us and— get this— they were all full. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. A momentary blip for visiting during peak season. Instead, the world’s most expensive taxi ride was taken that night. Catching the sunset over Positano was worth every penny.
Pompeii: Day 5
Pompeii is a popular day trip you can take from Sorrento—and yes, it’s definitely worth it. This ancient Roman city was frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and walking through its ruins feels like stepping into a real-life time capsule.
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station. Once you arrive, the main entrance to the Pompeii ruins is just a 2–3 minute walk from the station.
Duration: About 30–35 minutes
Cost: Around €3–€4 one way
Departure: Trains leave roughly every 30 minutes.
In the summer, Pompeii is hot and there is zero shade for respice from the sun. Make sure to bring lots of water, sunscreen, and patience.
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