Amalfi Coast itinerary in 2 days
If you are planning a visit to Italy, you should plan a 2-day Amalfi Coast itinerary, at the minimum.
Even if you have only a couple of days at your disposal, you will not be disappointed by one of the most picturesque coastal areas in Italy and perhaps the world.
On my first visit to southern Italy, I only went on a day trip from Naples.
Since then, I have returned several times and even spent a full month with my husband and our baby. Yet, we plan to come back for more:).
Based on our experience, I’ll help you design the best 2-day Amalfi Coast itinerary.
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Table of Contents
- Your itinerary at a glance
- Where to stay?
- Day 1 – Sorrento, Positano & Ravello
- Visiting Sorrento in the morning
- Afternoon – take the bus to Positano
- Optional: Head to Ravello and see the sunset from one of the villas
- Alternative for your 1st day itinerary: Pompeii and Positano
- Alternative for your 1st day itinerary: visit some of the most important villages on the Amalfi Coast
- Day 2 – Day trip to Capri Island
- Packing List for your Amalfi Coast itinerary
- Other FAQ about the Amalfi Coast
- Other Amalfi Coast itinerary resources
Your itinerary at a glance
Since your stay will be relatively short, I have prioritized some of my favorite destinations on the Amalfi Coast.
Day 1 – Sorrento, Positano, Ravello
Day 2 – Day trip to Capri Island
Where to stay?
When you only have two days available for your trip, you’ll want to spend the night in a convenient place. For example, stay in a town where it is easy to travel around from, as you don’t want to waste time commuting from one place to the other.
Staying in Positano
Positano takes the crown; it is the colorful and vibrant poster child of the Amalfi Coast.
Positano is not only charming but is well connected to most towns and attractions. It will be easy for you to go for a day trip to Capri, travel to Sorrento, and take the bus to Ravello.
Check out my complete guide for where to stay in Positano, no matter your budget!
Booking.comStaying in Sorrento
Sorrento is another good option because accommodation is more affordable. Moreover, it has trains, ferries, and buses connecting it to other parts of Italy.
Booking.comStaying in Amalfi Town
The town of Amalfi would be my 3rd option for a base camp. It is a bit further away than Positano or Sorrento, but it has boats and buses that connect it to the most important destinations.
Booking.comIf you can’t decide if you should stay in Sorrento or Positano, please read my post here.
My favorite hotels on the Amalfi Coast
La Sirenuse – One of the most iconic places in Positano, and maybe the most photogenic as well. You can’t get more central than this; you will be only steps away from the heart of the village and minutes away from the beach. See availability and prices here!
Alcione Residence – A family-run hotel with a great location and stunning views. Make sure to book way in advance, because they have only a few rooms. Find out when they’re free here!
Il Giardino Dei Limoni – That terrace is amazing! I could imagine myself working on my laptop or simply enjoying strong Italian coffee with that view. Just a 1-minute walk from the beach and close to a bus stop, you cannot get a better location than this. See availability and prices here!
Day 1 – Sorrento, Positano & Ravello
Visiting Sorrento in the morning
Sorrento is enchanting and will keep you busy for half of the day with its aristocratic vibe, historic buildings, and beautiful marina.
While Sorrento might not be one of the cheapest seaside resorts in Italy, you don’t have to break the bank to spend a few hours exploring it or sipping a cup of strong coffee with a sea view.
Take a stroll in Marina Grande, and don’t leave without taking a few pictures of the colorful buildings and boats. Discover the hidden San Francesco Cloister, get lost on the narrow streets, taste some limoncello, or simply have a coffee in Tasso Square.
Certainly, the laid-back vibe of Sorrento will charm you and leave you wanting for more.
Have lunch at La Cantinaccia del Popolo, Trattoria dei Mori, or Ristorante Lorelei for a special occasion. Head over to your next stop.
Afternoon – take the bus to Positano
From Sorrento, take the bus or boat to Positano.
The charming village is less than 20 kilometers away, and you’ll get there in roughly 40 minutes by land because of the winding roads.
Positano is by far the most beautiful town on the Amalfi Coast, and as expected, it’s also the most popular and, thus, crowded.
Don’t miss Spiaggia Grande (the main beach in Positano), cocktails at Bar Franco for sunset, the heart-shaped pizza at Chez Black, or the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (Church of Santa Maria Assunta) with its yellow cupola.
Go shopping for unique clothes or souvenirs on the main street of Positano, and eat some delicious and refreshing lemon sorbet.
Also, come prepared to take some of the most beautiful vacation photos ever.
Alternatively, you can arrange a professional photo session and let a local photographer create an album that will make your friends burst with envy.:P
Optional: Head to Ravello and see the sunset from one of the villas
Although the time is short, you might still be able to fit a visit to Ravello into your schedule.
Perched up the hill, you can get from Positano to Ravello by bus. Once there, you should choose between seeing Villa Cimbrone or Villa Rufolo – with the given time, unfortunately, you won’t have the time to see both.
Villa Cimbrone dates back to the 11th century and is a luxurious boutique hotel with Michelin-star restaurants and an impressive botanical garden that is open to visitors daily from 9 AM until sunset. Most tourists come here for the famous Terrazza dell’Infinito – the panoramic Belvedere Point.
Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo, and many other famous people have fallen in love with Villa Cimbrone throughout the years, so let yourself be seduced!
Villa Rufolo is a “younger” establishment dating from the 13th century, having been built by a wealthy family with the same name. With such a long history, the location is nowadays popular for its beautiful garden and breathtaking view over the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.
Alternative for your 1st day itinerary: Pompeii and Positano
Pompeii
No trip to the Amalfi Coast should skip Positano, and no history lover could miss Pompeii.
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii, once a bustling urban center, was tragically buried under layers of ash and pumice during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Rediscovered centuries later, Pompeii offers an unparalleled glimpse into daily life during the height of the Roman Empire.
Start your day with a guided tour of Pompeii. Especially if you are visiting on a summer day, temperatures can get pretty intense; thus, starting early is a good idea.
Also, make sure to book your ticket in advance, or you risk missing out on one of the best historical attractions in Europe.
Positano
Once you finish at Pompeii, take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. From there, hop on the bus and head to Positano, where you can spend the rest of the day exploring its narrow streets.
Have heart-shaped pizza for lunch at Chez Black, do some ceramics shopping at the local stores, and end your evening with a sunset from Franco’s Bar. Or better yet, go on a sunset cruise along the coastline from Positano.
Alternative for your 1st day itinerary: visit some of the most important villages on the Amalfi Coast
You might not have time to visit all the villages on the Amalfi Coast in one day. However, you can see some of the most beautiful of them.
This is best done when you choose to stay toward the western end of the coastline (in Sorrento, for example) or in Positano.
You can travel by local bus, rent a car, go by boat, or book an organized tour from Sorrento (in which case you won’t have to worry about a thing).
Discover Cars It is a great aggregator that helps you save up to 70% on your car rental. Moreover, they have a pretty good Cancellation policy in case your flight or travel plans change.
No matter how you choose to get around, you will most likely have time to visit only Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. These are also the most beautiful destinations.
Day 2 – Day trip to Capri Island
The second day of your 2-day Amalfi Coast itinerary should take you to one of the most charming islands of Italy.
Once you arrive at Capri Island, you’ll understand why Emperor Tiberius was reluctant to return to his palace in Rome. Actually, he ruled the empire from the island for almost 11 years.
Accordingly, many celebrities have followed suit and spent their vacations in Capri. Some even bought properties here.
Enjoy a cocktail or a coffee in Capri town’s main square, climb up Mount Solaro (or take the chairlift), indulge in a romantic dinner, admire the Faraglioni rocks from Via Tragara, and go shopping via Camerelle.
You can reach the island by ferry if you want to explore on your own. Alternatively, there are guided tours to Capri and the Blue Grotto.
If you travel from Sorrento:
- By ferry – it can be as short as a 25-minute boat trip, but you will need to book your ticket in advance because this is a very popular destination. See timetables and prices here!
- By guided tour – a full day trip with hotel pick-up. You will have the chance to explore Capri Island, swim in the Blue Grotto, and taste some limoncello on your way back to Sorrento. See more here!
Traveling from Positano or Amalfi:
- By ferry – from Positano, you will be in Capri in just 30 minutes, while from Amalfi, the time spent on the boat will double. See timetables and prices here!
Alternative for your 2nd day on the Amalfi Coast: Ischia & Procida
If this is not your first time on the Amalfi Coast, or if you prefer less explored destinations, skip visiting Capri Island and go for Ischia & Procida.
Ischia
If you have seen or read Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend,” then you have already heard about Ischia Island. That’s where Lenu spent her holidays when she was a teenager. It is less visited by foreigners, but it is the go-to place for Italians.
Nestled amid lush greenery, Ischia boasts scenic landscapes with verdant hills, vineyards, and panoramic coastal views. Renowned for its thermal springs, the island offers a rejuvenating escape with spa resorts and natural thermal baths, such as the iconic Giardini Poseidon Terme.
The historical heart of Ischia is dominated by the medieval Aragonese Castle, perched on a rocky islet. It provides both historical intrigue and breathtaking vistas.
Moreover, the island’s coastal towns, including Forio and Sant’Angelo, exude a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. They host vibrant markets, seaside promenades, and delectable seafood restaurants.
Procida
On the other hand, the smaller and more colorful Procida has been featured in “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” It is the island where Matt Damon’s character rode his scooter and spent his days under the sun.
It is also one of my favorite Italian islands, a place worth seeing if you like colorful destinations.
As the smallest and least touristy of the three Phlegrean Islands, Procida offers an authentic and tranquil escape.
It is a kaleidoscope of pastel-hued buildings, narrow alleyways, and picturesque fishing villages like Marina Corricella, where vibrant boats bob on the crystal-clear waters.
Procida’s authenticity is preserved in its time-honored traditions, evident in the local fisherman’s lifestyle, traditional festivals, and the historic Terra Murata, a fortified medieval village with panoramic views.
Last but not least, lined with fragrant lemon groves and blooming bougainvillea, Procida’s landscapes are as inviting as its warm, welcoming locals.
Packing List for your Amalfi Coast itinerary
If you don’t know what to pack for your trip to the Amalfi Coast, here are some of the things I suggest you carry with you:
- A pair of good sunglasses, no matter the season;
- A few nice floral colorful dresses;
- Sunscreen;
- A sun hat and a scarf to cover your shoulders if you enter the churches around the Amalfi Coast;
- A head scarf;
- A good camera to take pictures (I use the Sony a6000 mirrorless, and I love it! And I’ve also invested in a 50mm lens for the best photos);
- Swimwear (when you are visiting during summer);
- Comfortable shoes (I love how comfortable and light my Rockport shoes are);
- A foldable European travel adapter in case you visit from outside the EU.
Other FAQ about the Amalfi Coast
Where to fly for the Amalfi Coast / How to get to the Amalfi Coast
Let’s start with the basics necessary for those traveling directly to the Amalfi Coast.
You can always land in Rome and spend a longer vacation exploring Rome and the Amalfi Coast. That would be easy to do since getting from Rome to the Amalfi Coast would only take between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours by train and roughly 4 hours by car.
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is the Naples International Airport, only 61 kilometers (38 miles) away from Positano, the most popular town on the coastline.
What is the best time of year to visit the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is a perfectly charming destination year-round. Still, I recommend avoiding it during winter; it gets cold and windy, and most restaurants and hotels are closed.
Most places open in March, and you can plan your vacation up to November. That being said, the best time to visit might be in April, May, or September, in my opinion.
The weather is nice, prices aren’t so high, and streets aren’t packed with tourists as you might find them in July or August.
How to get around the Amalfi Coast when you don’t rent a car?
As mentioned before, if you don’t rent a car for your 2-day Amalfi Coast itinerary, it is not a deal breaker. It is easy to get around by bus, ferry, or guided tour.
Sorrento is linked to Salerno by a bus line operated by the SITA SUD bus. The ticket is affordable, and you can buy it at any tabbacheria.
During summer, expect delays in the bus timetables, and if you don’t board at the end of the line, you might not be able to hop on the first bus.
Check out the bus timetables here and plan accordingly.
The other option would be to travel by boat.
Admiring the coastline from the water is something worth doing at least once during your Amalfi Coast vacation.
Check out ferry schedules and prices here!
Other Amalfi Coast itinerary resources
- Everything you must know about driving on the Amalfi Coast;
- Your complete guide for visiting Amalfi on a budget;
- Amalfi Coast affordable hotels for your dream vacation.
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