A visit to the Amalfi Coast requires some planning, especially during peak summer times. This post covers 18 must know tips for the Amalfi Coast.
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1. Book Things In Advance
This is the most important must know tip for the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast sees over 5 million visitors per year! With most towns not being very large, the demand for accommodation, especially with views are crazy high! I recommend booking accommodation as soon as you decide on visiting the Amalfi Coast. Booking even a year in advance is not a bad idea. Use booking.com so that you can have some flexibility if plans change. Also keep checking regularly to see if prices have gone down.
Once accommodation is booked, it is also not a bad idea to book your tours and activities ahead of time. This is especially true if you are coming during peak times. Do not wait until the last moment as things may sell out.
Another thing to book in advance are restaurants and bars. Gone are the days that you can just show up to a place. Reservation to good restaurants in places like the Amalfi Coast are hard to come by last minute so book as soon as you can!
2. Don’t Plan on Driving
The Amalfi Coast drive is one of the most beautiful drives in the world so you maybe incline to drive, but I don’t recommend it. It’s not so much about the narrow and winding road or the people who drive like maniacs, but it’s really the parking situation. You will end up paying huge sums of money to park. Also, this area has implemented a driving restriction where they alternate days for numbers plates that are odd and even.
3. Sort Out Transportation
Figure out how you will get from place A to place B on the Amalfi Coast. You will have a few options like ferries, buses and private transfers. If you are booking private transfers, you should figure this out early and book them ahead of time. You can also book your ferries online which I recommend for peak times, especially if you are looking for ferries at certain times (i.e., last ferry out of Capri)
4. Have a Back-up Plan
Ferries don’t run if the seas are rough, some times there are land slides blocking the roads and the buses don’t stop if they are full. Have a back-up plan for these situation. If the ferries are not running, you could probably use a private transfer but have some companies in mind and get some quotes in advance.
5. Compare Prices
From tours to private transfers, always get multiple quotes and don’t book with the first company you contact. Ask if there is a discount for paying in cash.
6. Start Your Day Early
Early birds gets the worm they say and this is certainly true for the Amalfi Coast. Most towns are very peaceful early morning before the hoards of day trippers and cruise liners come pouring in.
7. Expect Lots of Crowds
Amalfi Coast used to have a very clear peak season but now it’s even crowded during shoulder season. It will be hard to avoid the crowds so mentally prepare, have back-up plans and start your day early!
8. Have a Plan for a Rainy Day
Unfortunately it’s not all sunshine and clear skies on the Amalfi Coast so prepare for a rainy day or two just in case. Cooking classes are a good way to spend a rainy day!
9. Prepare for Steps
This is another must know tip for the Amalfi Coast. Towns like Positano and Ravello have a LOT of steps. Prepare for this! When you book accommodation, you may want to see how far the place is from a road and if you need to climb up stairs to get to it. This will be especially difficult with bags which bring me to my next tip.
10. Pack Light
I cannot emphasis this enough! Those cobblestone streets and the steps I spoke about above are no joke. Pack light and make sure you can carry your luggage.
11. Hire a Porter
If you don’t heed my advice, then you can hire a porter to carry your luggage. This service is available in Positano and the company who provides it say they offer it in other towns too. Check out their site HERE.
12. Prepare for the Heat
If you are coming during the summer months, know that it will be VERY hot and humid during the day. I have never sweated as much as I did during my 5 days on the Amalfi Coast.
13. Bring Water Shoes
If you are planning on swimming or walking on the beach, you should bring water shoes, as the beaches are all rocky and not soft sand.
14. Bring Medication for Motion Sickness
You should bring motion sickness prevention medication if you are prone to motion sickness. The roads are very winding and the ferry rides can be choppy sometimes due to rough seas.
15. Get to the Ferry Port Early
Don’t wait until the last second to get to the ferry port. You should aim to be at the port at least 15-20 minutes prior to the departure time. The ferries don’t wait for anyone!
16. Enjoy the Amalfi Coast from the Sea
One of the best ways to see the Amalfi Coast is by sea! The rugged coastline is jaw dropping! While you can see this if you plan on taking ferries, I recommend a full day out on the water.
See HERE for a post where I go over this!
17. Sorrento is Well Connected
Staying on the Amalfi Coast itself is a bucket list for most but don’t dismiss Sorrento. While not technically on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is close by and so well connected to the rest of the peninsular.
18. Bring Cash
You may get discounts for paying by cash. Some examples of these discounts are for private transfers and tours.
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