Things To Do On The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most overrated destinations in Italy: transportation's a headache, it’s overcrowded during the summer, and some towns are way too touristy.
That said, if your itinerary's already booked, there are plenty of ways to slow down and experience it with a more local and grounded approach.
I spent four days exploring the coast during shoulder season, and it made a huge difference. It was really nice to have more space for myself and not have to fight for a spot on the beach or to rush taking photos.
So if your dreaming of a relaxed Amalfi Coast trip that doesn't involve pushing and shoving your way through Positano, this guide is for you.
Here are the top 17 things to do in Amalfi (with a heavy focus on free outdoors activities and experiences that give back to the local community).
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2. Admire Sweeping Coastal Views From Ravello
5. Make Handmade Paper At The Paper Museum in Amalfi
8. Dive Deep Into The Lemon Industry
9. Go Swimming (At The Beach or In A Fjord)
11. Attend a Concert in Ravello
13. Shop for Ceramics At the Vietri Sul Mare
14. Watch The Sunset In Praiano
15. Experience Vegetarian (and Vegan) Cuisine On The Coast
1. Wander Through Positano
Is it unique? Not really.
But even though I tend to prefer excursions off the beaten path, Positano is iconic for good reason. It really is a postcard around every corner.
Start your day early to avoid the crowds (especially if you're visiting during summer).
Wander the narrow alleys and staircases, snapping photos of the pastel houses as you pass.
Take a stroll along Spiaggia Grande before all the beach clubs open.
Pause for an espresso at La Zagara.
Browse boutiques (just know many souvenirs are mass-produced, so choose thoughtfully).
And once the day-trippers arrive, hop over to a nearby village for a slower, more grounded afternoon.
2. Admire Sweeping Coastal Views From Ravello
Ravello's easily my favorite town on the Amalfi Coast.
It's situated high in the mountains and often skipped over by tourists... which is exactly why you should visit it! 😉
Take the bus directly up, walk through the luxurious villas, and then make a day trip of it by popping over to Scala.
Visit Villa Cimbrone and walk along the Terrace of Infinity for one of the best coastal views in Italy.
Take it chill and spend an afternoon reading in Villa Rufolo's historic gardens.
Enjoy people watching and a leisurely lunch at the Piazza Centrale (central square)
I mean look at these cats sunbathing on the lemon trees. Is there anything more whimsically Italian?
3. Take A Hike
Since you're already in Ravello, why not take a 30-minute trek down to Minori? (Heads up, it's endless stairs... but at least it's downhill!)
Or if you'd rather a different hike, the Amalfi Coast actually features a huge network of ancient footpaths connecting the different villages. Trails like the Path of the Gods, Valle delle Ferriere, and the Path of the Lemons offer stunning coastal views, excursions past lemon groves, shaded forests walks, and a slower pace of travel.
Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei): 7-8km mostly downhill trek from Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle (above Positano) with incredible views of the Amalfi Coast and Capri.
Path of the Lemons (Sentiero dei Limoni): 3km scenic hiking trail along lemon groves from Minori to Maiori. You can extend the hike by trekking all the way to Ravello!
Path to Santa Maria del Castello: steep 6km hike from Positano to the rustic hamlet of Santa Maria. This trek features 500-600 meters in elevation game as is not for beginners!
If you plan on hiking on the Amalfi Coast, I highly recommend starting early and packing lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat!
Luckily, most of these trails are pretty popular so the chance of you getting lost is fairly slim. Just allocate enough time to get back before sundown or the last bus!
Amalfi Trip Essentials
Book transportation and accommodations in 4-6 months in advance especially if you’ve visiting during the summer.
Start your day around 8 or 9am to avoid the crowds and get the best photos.
Use Holafly eSIM for unlimited data (or if you’re great at finding wifi, opt for Airalo).
Make sure that your travel insurance covers emergency evacuations and all medical expenses. You never know what could happen!
4. Explore Amalfi Town
I chose Amalfi town as my base during my stay because it was the easiest place to catch SITA buses from.
However, it's much more than just a transportation hub!
Amalfi is the largest town on the coast and has a noticeably local feel. Step away from the typical tourist resorts and venture to smaller mom-and-pop shops instead.
Visit the Duomo di Amalfi and climb the grand staircase to see its striped facade and historic interior.
Take a stroll through the Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso) and enjoy its Moorish-style architecture.
Stop by the Ancient Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi to learn more about the region's maritime history
credit: amalfi paper museum
5. Make Handmade Paper At The Paper Museum in Amalfi
Wander up Via delle Cartiere (paper mill street) and you'll find the Museo della Carta (Paper Museum).
Paper-making was one of Amalfi's most prolific industries back in the 13th century. Set inside a restored paper mill, this museum walks you through the traditional cotton-based paper production process, complete with preserved wooden presses and machinery.
It’s a small but fascinating stop that adds cultural depth beyond churches and coastal views.
If you want something more immersive, the museum also offers a private guided tour with a handmade paper experience!
You'll learn to make paper the old way and even get to take home a sheet for yourself. It's hands-on, intimate, and one of the most meaningful souvenirs you can leave with.
6. Take A Boat Tour
The Amalfi Coast is best seen from the ocean, so take a day trip out on the water with a local skipper.
Most boats depart from Amalfi and stop by the most popular sports like the Conca dei Marini, Fiordo di Furore, Praiano, and Positano.
I highly recommend booking a small-group sunset tour with fruits, drinks, and snorkeling in a traditional gozzo to get the most intimate and connected experience.
Just note that these tours mostly operate during the summer, so if you're visiting during shoulder or off season, these might not be available. (But it's fine because it'll be too cold to swim anyway 🥲)
7. Eat Lemon EveRYtHinGGGGG
The Amalfi Coast is basically synonymous with lemons and that's because the region is famous for cultivating sfusato amalfitano lemons!
These lemons are exceptional in size and aroma, surprisingly sweet, and have a low acid profile which makes then delicious to eat on their own and even better when prepared.
So take advantage and eat lemon eVeRYtHinGGGGG!
Delizia al Limone: this signature Amalfi dessert is a soft sponge cake filled with lemon cream and covered in a light lemon glaze. It was first created by pasty chef Salvatore De Riso in the town of Minori.
Scialatielli al Limone: fresh pasta tossed with lemon zest, olive oil, and sometimes seafood. Light, refreshing, and unique!
Granita al Limone: simple but refreshing and icy lemon dessert. Perfect for a hot afternoon on the beach.
Insalata di Limoni: lemon salad for the bold! Thin slices of lemon tossed with olive oil, salt, mint, and sometimes anchovies or chili. Fragrant, refreshing, and surprisingly not that sour...
credit: limoncello factory tour
8. Dive Deep Into The Lemon Industry
Take it a step past the dinner table and get hands-on with the lemon industry! Visit a lemon farm or a limoncello factory to get the inside scoop on how things are done on the coast.
Visit a lemon farm with the Amalfi Lemon Experience: this sixth-generation family-run farm provides guided farm tours of their terraced lemon groves where you'll learn about traditional cultivation methods and enjoy tastings of fresh lemonade and lemon cake.
Visit a limoncello factory: learn all about how the iconic lemon liqueur is traditionally made and finish the experience with tastings of handmade limoncello and lemon cream!
9. Go Swimming (At The Beach or In A Fjord)
A trip to the Amalfi Coast would be incomplete without some swimming! So head to the beach (or a fjord) to get some time in the water.
Spiaggia Fornillo: skip the main beach and opt for the second-largest beach in Positano instead. There's also a free section but it's definitely worth it to get a sunbed if you're visiting during high season.
Fiordo di Furore: I didn't get to swim here because it was grey and cold but a family that was visiting at the same time dove right in and they seemed to have a blast! It tends to be quiet during the day because there's no real parking nearby.
Atrani Beach: 10-minute walk from Amalfi's smallest town! Definitely more family-friendly and local.
Il Duoglio Spiaggia: incredibly clear pebble beach close to Amalfi. Perfect for swimming and snorkeling but you've gotta walk down 400+ steps first (so not the most accessible...)
credit: amalfi kayak tours
10. Kayak Along the Coast
Looking for another way to see the coast from the sea? Go kayaking!
A guided sea-kayak tour lets you explore the Amalfi Coast at water-level. You'll safely paddle past sea caves, natural rock arches, and even get to swim at some hidden beaches.
It's a more active and intimate experience as you get some quiet away from the large ferry and beach crowds.
11. Attend a Concert in Ravello
Whoops, I forgot to mention this earlier but if you're in Ravello during summer season, you can join in on an open-air concert!
Ravello Festival is one of Italy’s most celebrated cultural events. It features world-class concerts and performances staged in breathtaking venues like the gardens of Villa Rufolo overlooking the sea.
Performances are usually held on the weekends through July and August and you can purchase tickets directly from their website or at the venue (I'd recommend pre-booking though).
credit: vespa tour provider
12. Take A Vespa Tour
Vroom vroom! Escape the traffic and experience the Amalfi Coast the Italian way with a full-day Vespa tour!
You'll ride pillion behind an experienced driver so you get to enjoy all the scenery without the stress. This tour stops in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello and it's a great way to connect with locals while also getting to experience the best of Amalfi.
13. Shop for Ceramics At the Vietri Sul Mare
Vietri sul Mare is the easternmost town of the Amalfi Coast. It's famous for ceramics with traditions that date back to the 15th century.
Take a stroll through town and browse handmade, patterned ceramics and decorative tiles.
I particularly love Ceramiche d'Arte Carmela for their intricate plates and platters and Ceramica Artistica Pinto for their beautiful tiles.
14. Watch The Sunset In Praiano
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to watch the sunset on my last day before leaving a destination.
And there's no better sunset spot in Amalfi than Praiano.
Of course, everyone knows this so can definitely expect crowds... but it's still worth it in my opinion.
Here are some of the best bars to watch the sunset in Praiano:
Cafe Mirante: intimate cocktail bar located just steps away from Gavitella beach.
Voce 'e Notte Sunset Bar: located in the Hotel Le Fioriere with 360-degree views of the coast!
Un Piano Nel Cielo: splurge with this Michelin-listed restaurant! Located in Casa Angelina with impeccable service and stunning sunset views.
15. Experience Vegetarian (and Vegan) Cuisine On The Coast
Italian cuisine is famous, so you’d be remiss not to try some while you’re here.
Although Amalfi cuisine tends to lean heavy on the seafood, I'd like to take a moment to highlight some of my favorite restaurants (with plenty of vegetarian and vegan menu items) on the coast. You can still experience all that this region has to offer through its handmade pasta and locally-grown produce.
Trattoria La Tagliata (Positano): this family-run, farm-to-table restaurant serves up whatever is fresh from the garden! Expect grilled vegetables, sun-ripened tomatoes, and handmade pasta.
Babel Wine Bar Deli & Art: adorable casual wine and art bar with local dishes and plenty of vegetarian or vegan small dishes.
Ristorante Adamo ed Eva Positano: this fine-dining restaurant located inside Hotel Eden Roc actively offers vegan and vegetarian versions of their signature dishes which is a refreshing and intentional approach to dietary restrictions!
credit: amalfi heaven gardens
16. Take A Cooking Class At A Local Farm
Get interactive with it by taking a cooking class!
Head to a traditional farmhouse in the hills above Amalfi and learn all about local ingredients and traditional cultivation. Then head into the kitchen and create a full three-course meal under the guidance of a local chef.
Taking a cooking class perfectly captures the spirit of dolce far niente, the Italian art of slowing down and savoring the moment. Is there anything more beautiful than enjoying a communal hand-made meal with fellow travelers and locals while soaking in the incredible coastal views?
17. Take A Day Trip
If you're in Amalfi for a while (7+ days) then a day trip might just be the perfect thing to do. Luckily, you're right around the corner from some incredible cities in Campania.
Naples: step back into city-life with the birthplace of pizza! Explore its historic streets and lively markets or even spend half-a-day at Pompeii.
Capri: this beautiful resort island is just a quick boat ride away! Take a tour to explore the iconic blue grotto and its dramatic cliffs before heading into town for a quick shopping spree.
Sorrento / Salerno: these two cities flank the sides of the Amalfi coast and they're a really convenient option to experience relaxed local living.
Planning an Italy trip can be overstimulating but hopefully this article gave you some clear examples of things to do that go beyond taking pretty pictures and lounging on beach clubs.
If you're ready to get the nitty-gritty, head on over to my full Amalfi Travel Guide where I break down transportation, logistics, and everything you need to know before visiting or if you're trying to decide where to base yourself, I highly recommend staying in Amalfi town (here's why).
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