10 Best Day Trips from Amalfi, Selected by an Italian

If you are staying in Amalfi, you are well placed for some of the coast’s best day trips. Ravello is directly above town, seasonal ferries connect Amalfi with Capri and Positano, and the quieter eastern side of the coast is easier to reach from here than from Positano.

I have traveled around this part of Campania by ferry, bus, car, and organized tour. Distance can be misleading here. A nearby place can become awkward when buses are full, while a farther destination can be simple with the right ferry.

For a first visit, I would choose Ravello and Capri. Ravello is the most natural trip from Amalfi, while Capri gives you a completely different island day. Positano is the easiest alternative, and Pompeii is worth the longer journey for ancient history.

This guide compares ten trips, from quick coastal outings to full days on Capri or at Pompeii. For each one, you will find realistic travel times, the best transport option, and advice on whether a tour adds real value.

I have also included the practical drawbacks that are easy to miss, including seasonal ferries, crowded buses, long connections, and places that look simpler to reach than they really are.

Best Day Trips from Amalfi At a Glance

• Best overall: Ravello, with an optional stop in Atrani
• Best island trip: Capri
• Best easy ferry trip: Positano
• Best for history: Pompeii, with or without Mount Vesuvius

1. Ravello, With an Optional Stop in Atrani

Ravello is my pick for the best overall day trip from Amalfi. The journey is short, yet the atmosphere feels completely different from the busy waterfront below.

Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, then have lunch or coffee around Piazza Duomo. Two villas can fill most of a relaxed day, especially if you stop often for photos. My one-day Ravello itinerary shows how to organize the villas, viewpoints, lunch, and historic center.

Atrani works well as an optional addition because it is only around a 10 to 15-minute walk from central Amalfi. You do not need to walk all the way down from Ravello to include it. Take the bus back to Amalfi, then follow the short pedestrian route to Atrani. If you enjoy walking and are comfortable with many steps, you can instead descend directly from Ravello to Atrani.

Suggested Ravello and Atrani Itinerary

1. Take a morning bus or shuttle from Amalfi to Ravello.
2. Explore Piazza Duomo and visit Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone.
3. Stop for lunch or coffee in Ravello.
4. Walk downhill to Atrani if you are prepared for many steps, or return to Amalfi by bus.
5. Explore Atrani, then walk back to Amalfi.

How to Visit Ravello and Atrani from Amalfi

By bus to Ravello: Take SITA bus 5110 from the main bus terminal in Piazza Flavio Gioia. Look for the bus toward Ravello or Scala. The journey normally takes around 25 to 35 minutes. Buy your ticket before boarding and arrive early because lines can be long in summer.

Returning from Ravello: Take SITA bus 5110 back to Amalfi. Check the timetable before leaving Ravello, since departures are not always frequent and buses can fill up.

Adding Atrani: You do not need another bus. Atrani is only around a 10 to 15-minute walk from central Amalfi using the pedestrian route between the two towns. If you prefer not to walk, SITA bus 5120 toward Maiori or Salerno stops in Atrani, but the bus ride is so short that walking is usually simpler.

Walking down from Ravello: You can also descend from Ravello through Atrani and continue to Amalfi. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours. The route is mostly downhill but includes many steps, so it can be tiring in hot weather.

2. Capri

Capri is the best island day trip from Amalfi. You can travel independently by ferry or make the journey part of the experience on a full-day boat tour.

For a first visit, choose two or three priorities instead of trying to cover the entire island. Capri town and the Gardens of Augustus pair well with Anacapri and the Monte Solaro chairlift.

The Blue Grotto is famous, but it can close because of sea conditions and long waits can consume much of your day. Treat it as a bonus. My guide to the best things to do in Capri will help you plan your time.

Suggested DIY Capri Itinerary

1. Take an early ferry from Amalfi to Capri.
2. Go directly from Marina Grande to Anacapri.
3. Ride the Monte Solaro chairlift if the weather is clear.
4. Continue to Capri town and walk to the Gardens of Augustus.
5. Return to Marina Grande with a generous time buffer.
6. Take the ferry back to Amalfi.

How to Visit Capri from Amalfi

By ferry: Take a direct seasonal ferry from Amalfi to Marina Grande. You can check Amalfi to Capri ferry schedules and book tickets here. Choose an early departure and reserve your return at the same time.

Getting around Capri: Use the funicular, buses, or taxis to move between Marina Grande, Capri town, and Anacapri. Lines can become long in summer, so start early and decide your priorities before arriving.

With an organized boat tour: Choose a shared trip if you want swimming and a cruise around the island without the private price. Choose a private boat if flexibility and setting your own pace matter more.

3. Positano

Positano is the easiest famous town to visit from Amalfi during ferry season. The colorful houses, steep lanes, boutiques, and beach create a very different atmosphere from Amalfi.

Start around Spiaggia Grande, then walk through the center and climb toward the quieter upper lanes. If you want more time by the water, continue to Fornillo Beach. The town has many stairs, so comfortable shoes matter even on a relaxed visit.

My guide to the best things to do in Positano covers the main sights and gives you a focused route through town.

Suggested Positano Itinerary

1. Take a morning ferry from Amalfi to Positano.
2. Start at Spiaggia Grande and visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
3. Explore the central lanes, boutiques, and viewpoints above the beach.
4. Have lunch in town, then walk to Fornillo Beach or spend more time exploring the upper streets.
5. Return to the pier early and take the ferry back to Amalfi.

How to Visit Positano from Amalfi

By ferry: This is the easiest independent option when the sea is calm. You can check Amalfi to Positano ferry schedules and book tickets here. Reserve the return as well, especially in summer.

By bus: Take SITA bus 5070 from Amalfi’s main bus terminal in Piazza Flavio Gioia toward Sorrento. Get off at Positano (Sponda), on the coastal road above town. For the return, take bus 5070 toward Amalfi from the Sponda stop and arrive early because buses can be full.

By boat tour: Choose a tour that explicitly includes time ashore if visiting Positano town matters. Some shorter cruises only show Positano from the water.

4. Pompeii, With or Without Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii is the best day trip from Amalfi for history. The preserved streets, houses, baths, temples, and frescoes make the ancient city far more absorbing than a typical archaeological site.

You can arrange transportation independently and meet a guide at the ruins. My guide to the best Pompeii guided tours compares options that start at the site. The site is enormous, and a guide makes its streets, houses, and public buildings far more meaningful.

Adding Mount Vesuvius creates a fuller but more rushed day. You need road transportation, timed crater admission, and a final uphill walk. If Pompeii is your main interest, skip the volcano and give the ruins more time. Add Vesuvius only if standing at the crater is one of your priorities.

How to Visit Pompeii and Vesuvius from Amalfi

By public transport: During ferry season, take a ferry from Amalfi to Salerno Concordia, then walk around 10 minutes to Salerno train station. Outside ferry season, take SITA bus 5120 from Amalfi to Salerno and continue to the nearby train station.

From Salerno, take a direct Trenitalia regional train to Pompei station. Do not confuse it with Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri, which is on a different railway line. Allow around two to 2.5 hours each way once waiting and connections are included.

By car: Driving gives you flexibility, but the mountain roads, traffic, and parking add complications. If you also visit Vesuvius, you still need advance crater admission and must follow the current parking and shuttle arrangements.

With an organized tour: This is the most practical option from Amalfi. Choose the shorter tour for a focused Pompeii visit. Choose the full-day combination if you want Pompeii, the Vesuvius crater, transportation, and tickets organized together.

5. Minori, Maiori, and the Path of the Lemons

Minori, Maiori, and the Path of the Lemons show you a quieter side of the coast. Maiori has the area’s longest beach, Minori has a compact center and strong food traditions, and the historic walking path connects them through lemon terraces and hillside lanes.

I walked the Path of the Lemons from Maiori toward Minori and loved seeing the working terraces, sea views, and small lemon gardens. The walk is easier than the Path of the Gods, but it still includes many stairs. My Path of the Lemons guide covers the route, entrances, difficulty, and lemon stops.

Suggested Minori, Maiori, and Path of the Lemons Itinerary

1. Take a morning ferry from Amalfi to Maiori.
2. Walk along Maiori’s seafront and visit the Collegiata di Santa Maria a Mare.
3. Follow the signs for the Path of the Lemons and walk from Maiori to Minori. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours with photo stops.
4. Have lunch or stop for a pastry in Minori. Visit the Roman Villa if you still have time and energy.
5. Take the ferry from Minori back to Amalfi.

How to Visit Minori and Maiori from Amalfi

By ferry: Take a morning ferry from Amalfi to Maiori, walk to Minori, then return from Minori to Amalfi. Check both directions before leaving.

By bus: Take SITA bus 5120 from Amalfi’s main bus terminal in Piazza Flavio Gioia toward Salerno. The bus stops in Minori first and then at Maiori Centro. For the return, take bus 5120 toward Amalfi from Minori. The service runs year-round, but buses can be crowded in summer.

For the walk: I prefer starting in Maiori and finishing in Minori. Allow around 1.5 hours with stops, plus time in both towns.

6. Farm and Cooking Experience Above Amalfi

This is not a general sightseeing trip to Agerola. It is a half-day trip built around a hands-on farm and cooking experience in the hills above Amalfi.

How to Reach the Farm Experience from Amalfi

By bus: Take SITA bus 5080 from Amalfi’s main bus terminal in Piazza Flavio Gioia toward Agerola. Get off at Agerola-San Lazzaro. The journey takes around one hour, followed by an uphill walk of approximately seven minutes to the farm. Check the meeting instructions in your booking confirmation and leave enough time for delays.

By taxi: A prearranged taxi is faster and avoids worrying about the bus schedule. Arrange the return journey in advance because taxis may not be waiting near the farm when the experience ends.

If you like the idea but would prefer something closer to town, my guide to Amalfi Coast cooking classes compares several easier-to-reach options.

7. Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods is the best day trip from Amalfi for active travelers. The classic route starts in Bomerano and follows the mountainside toward Nocelle, with long coastal views along the way.

The main trail is around 6.5 kilometers and normally takes two to three hours. The route has uneven ground, exposed sections, and little shade. Wear proper shoes and avoid the hottest part of a summer day.

My guide to the best hikes on the Amalfi Coast covers the distance, difficulty, and alternatives.

How to Hike the Path of the Gods from Amalfi

Independently: Take SITA bus 5080 from Amalfi to Agerola and get off in Bomerano. Start early, especially in warm weather.

Walk from Bomerano to Nocelle, then take the Mobility Amalfi Coast Verde bus, marked Nocelle–Positano, down to Positano. This is a local bus, not a SITA service, and it requires a separate ticket. From Positano, walk down to the port and take a seasonal ferry back to Amalfi. Outside ferry season, go to the Sponda stop and take SITA bus 5070 toward Amalfi.

With a guide: A guide is useful if you are uncomfortable with exposed trails or want local context. Transportation to Bomerano is not included in the option below.

8. Vietri sul Mare and Cetara

Vietri sul Mare and Cetara are the best day trip for ceramics, seafood, and fewer crowds. The first town is known for colorful ceramics, while Cetara is a small fishing village associated with tuna and colatura di alici.

Vietri was one of my personal highlights on the eastern side of the coast. I especially enjoyed browsing the ceramic shops because the town feels actually connected to the craft rather than simply selling standard souvenirs.

Visit Vietri first for the shops and historic center, then stop in Cetara for lunch and a waterfront walk. This trip is easier from Amalfi than from towns farther west.

Suggested Vietri and Cetara Itinerary

1. Take a morning ferry from Amalfi to Vietri sul Mare.
2. Browse the ceramic shops and explore the historic center.
3. Walk down to Marina di Vietri.
4. Take the short ferry from Marina di Vietri to Cetara.
5. Have lunch and walk around Cetara’s waterfront.
6. Return to Amalfi from Cetara.

How to Visit Vietri and Cetara from Amalfi

By ferry: Travel east from Amalfi to Vietri, then take the short ferry from Vietri to Cetara. For the return, check Cetara to Amalfi sailings before leaving.

By bus: Take SITA bus 5120 from Amalfi toward Salerno. The bus stops in Cetara before continuing to Vietri sul Mare. If you want to visit Vietri first, stay on the bus to Vietri, then take line 5120 back toward Amalfi and get off in Cetara. From Cetara, use the same line toward Amalfi for the final return.

By car: Driving gives you flexibility but creates parking problems in both towns. The ferry is better when schedules work.

9. Sorrento

Sorrento is a worthwhile seasonal ferry trip from Amalfi. It has a larger, flatter center, lemon shops, historic lanes, broad viewpoints, and the fishing village of Marina Grande.

Start around Piazza Tasso and the historic center, then walk to the Villa Comunale for the view. Continue to Marina Grande for lunch or a waterfront walk. Sorrento is enjoyable, but it is a longer journey than Ravello or Positano.

My one-day Sorrento itinerary gives you an efficient walking route and several choices for the afternoon.

How to Visit Sorrento from Amalfi

By ferry: Direct sailings are seasonal and arrive at Marina Piccola below central Sorrento. Check the Amalfi to Sorrento timetable and final return before leaving.

By bus: Take SITA bus 5070 from Amalfi’s main bus terminal in Piazza Flavio Gioia toward Sorrento. The bus follows the coastal road through Praiano and Positano before arriving near Sorrento train station.

By car: A car is unnecessary for this trip. Parking adds cost, while the ferry leaves you below the center.

10. Fiordo di Furore

Fiordo di Furore is the best shorter excursion from Amalfi. The tiny beach sits beneath a dramatic stone bridge, between steep rock walls and old fishing buildings.

I visited the fjord by bus. Arriving was easy, but leaving was frustrating because full buses passed without stopping. The beach is beautiful, but the transport needs more planning than the short distance suggests.

Go early because the narrow inlet receives limited direct sun. My Fiordo di Furore guide covers the bus stop, stairs, beach conditions, and boat options.

How to Visit Fiordo di Furore from Amalfi

By bus: Take SITA bus 5070 from Amalfi toward Positano or Sorrento and ask the driver to let you off at Fiordo di Furore, beside the bridge. T For the return, wait at the stop on the opposite side of the road and take bus 5070 toward Amalfi. Signal clearly when the bus approaches and be prepared for full buses, especially in summer.

By car: I do not recommend driving. There is almost no legal parking around the bridge.

By boat: A boat tour gives you the best view and avoids the bus problem, but it may not leave you on the beach. Choose the bus if stepping onto the beach matters.

FAQ About Day Trips from Amalfi

What is the best day trip from Amalfi?

Ravello is the best overall day trip from Amalfi because it is close, worthwhile, and possible year-round. Capri is my first choice for an island day, while Pompeii is the strongest history trip.

What is the easiest day trip from Amalfi?

Ravello is one of the easiest day trips because direct buses leave from Amalfi. During ferry season, Positano is also very easy and normally takes around 10 to 30 minutes by boat.

Can you visit Capri from Amalfi in one day?

Yes. Direct seasonal ferries and boat tours from Amalfi make Capri a practical full-day trip. Start early and choose two or three priorities if you travel independently.

Is Pompeii an easy day trip from Amalfi?

Pompeii is possible independently, but the journey requires connections and careful timing. An organized Pompeii tour from Amalfi is the easiest choice because it combines transportation, admission, and a guided visit.

Can you visit Positano from Amalfi in one day?

Yes. A ferry is the simplest option when the sea is calm and gives you plenty of time in Positano. A boat tour is better if you also want swimming, caves, and coastal views.

Can you visit Ravello and Atrani on the same day?

Yes. Visit Ravello first, then walk downhill to Atrani if you are comfortable with many steps. The easier option is to return to Amalfi by bus and walk to Atrani separately.

Should I combine Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius?

Combine them if reaching the Vesuvius crater is important to you and you only have one day for both. Visit Pompeii alone if you prefer a slower archaeological visit with more time inside the ruins.

Do you need a car for day trips from Amalfi?

No. Ferries, buses, taxis, boat tours, and organized excursions cover every trip in this guide. A rental car often creates more problems because roads are narrow and parking is limited.

Do ferries from Amalfi run all year?

The useful coastal ferry network is mainly seasonal and runs most frequently from around April through October. Routes can change and sailings may be suspended when the sea is rough, so check the live timetable for your date.