Top 10 Amalfi Coast Towns

Last updated: October 2026

The Amalfi Coast is a 50 km stretch of southern Italian coastline where pastel villages cling to cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Lemon groves, terraced vineyards and winding roads connect the towns, and the whole coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Each town has its own character, from glamorous Positano to tiny fishing villages that most tourists drive straight past. Choosing where to stay can shape your whole trip. This guide covers the top 10 Amalfi Coast towns, from west to east. The official Italia.it site has more on the Campania region.

Quick answer: Which is the best town on the Amalfi Coast? Our top 10 are Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Minori, Maiori and Cetara. Positano is the prettiest, Amalfi is the most convenient base, Ravello has the best views and gardens, and Atrani and Cetara feel the most authentic.

Top 10 Amalfi Coast Towns at a Glance

1. Positano

Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s most famous town, a cascade of pink, peach and yellow houses tumbling down a steep hillside to the beach. It’s glamorous, romantic and very photogenic.

The main beach, Spiaggia Grande, is lined with colourful umbrellas. Boutiques sell linen clothes and handmade sandals in the narrow lanes. Positano is also the end point of the Path of the Gods, a famous clifftop hike from Bomerano that ends in the hamlet of Nocelle above the town.

Best for: romance and photos.

2. Praiano

Praiano is a quieter alternative to Positano, spread along the cliffs with some of the best sunset views on the coast. Because it faces west, it gets the sun well into the evening.

There are small beaches and rocky swimming platforms below the town, plus restaurants with views of Positano and Capri. It’s a smart base for those who want views without Positano’s prices and crowds.

Best for: sunsets and a relaxed stay.

3. Furore

Furore is known as “the town that doesn’t exist” because its houses are scattered across the hillside with no real centre. Its most famous sight is the Fiordo di Furore, a narrow inlet crossed by a high road bridge.

A tiny beach sits at the bottom of the fjord, reached by steps. The village above is known for murals painted on its walls and local wines.

Best for: something unusual.

4. Conca dei Marini

Conca dei Marini is a small village of fishermen’s houses and lemon terraces, said to be where the famous sfogliatella Santa Rosa pastry was created by nuns in a local convent.

It’s also home to the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo), a sea cave where light filtering through the water turns it bright green. Visit by boat or a lift from the road.

Best for: quiet and authentic charm.

5. Amalfi

Amalfi was once a powerful maritime republic and gives the whole coast its name. Today it’s the coast’s main hub, with ferries, buses and a lively central square.

The striking Cathedral of Sant’Andrea sits at the top of a grand staircase, with a black and white striped facade and a beautiful cloister. Visit the Paper Museum to learn about Amalfi’s centuries-old papermaking tradition, and try limoncello made from local lemons.

Best for: transport links and history.

6. Atrani

Atrani is one of the smallest towns in Italy by area, a tiny village squeezed into a gorge just a short walk from Amalfi.

Its small square, archways and beach feel untouched by mass tourism. It’s a lovely place to stay if you want a peaceful base but easy access to Amalfi’s ferries and buses.

Best for: charm and peace near the action.

7. Ravello

Ravello sits high on a ridge above Amalfi, famous for its elegant gardens and views that seem to float above the sea. Composers and writers, from Wagner to Gore Vidal, have found inspiration here.

Visit Villa Rufolo, whose terraced gardens host the Ravello Festival of classical music each summer, and Villa Cimbrone, with its “Terrace of Infinity” lined with marble busts. Ravello is quieter in the evening once day visitors leave.

Best for: gardens, music and views.

8. Minori

Minori is a small, family-friendly town with a sandy beach and a strong food tradition. It’s known for handmade pasta and for pastry shops making lemon desserts.

The town also has a Roman villa from the 1st century AD, with mosaics and frescoes. Minori is connected to Ravello by the Path of the Lemons, a walk through terraced lemon groves to Maiori.

Best for: food lovers and families.

9. Maiori

Maiori has the longest beach on the Amalfi Coast, a broad stretch of sand that makes it popular with Italian families.

It’s less picturesque than some neighbours, as much of it was rebuilt after a flood in 1954, but it’s practical, with plenty of hotels, restaurants and beach clubs. It’s a good base for beach-focused holidays.

Best for: beaches and value.

10. Cetara

Cetara is a working fishing village at the eastern end of the coast, famous for anchovies and tuna. It’s the home of colatura di alici, an amber anchovy sauce with roots in the ancient Roman garum.

Eat spaghetti with colatura in one of the seafront trattorias, and watch fishing boats come and go from the small harbour. Cetara feels authentic and relaxed.

Best for: seafood and local life.

How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast

Ferries are the most relaxing way to travel between the main towns, including Positano, Amalfi and Minori, from spring to autumn.

SITA buses run along the coastal road but get very crowded in summer. Buy tickets in advance from tobacconists or bars.

Driving is challenging because of narrow roads, hairpin bends and limited parking. Many visitors hire a private driver instead.

Walking paths like the Path of the Gods and Path of the Lemons connect villages and offer amazing views.

What Should You Know Before Visiting the Amalfi Coast?

Visit in May, June or September. The weather is warm, the sea is pleasant and crowds are lighter than in July and August.

Book accommodation early. Hotels with views and good locations sell out months ahead.

Pack light and wear good shoes. Towns are steep with many steps, and luggage can be hard to carry.

Base yourself carefully. Stay in Amalfi or Atrani for transport, Positano or Praiano for views, or Ravello for peace.

Plan day trips. Capri, Pompeii and Sorrento are all within reach by ferry, bus or train.

Where Should You Stay on the Amalfi Coast?

Positano is the most romantic and photogenic base, with boutique hotels and terraces overlooking the sea, but it’s also the most expensive and has many steps.

Amalfi is the most practical base, with ferry and bus connections to the rest of the coast. Ravello is quiet and elegant, ideal for couples who want calm evenings and incredible views. Praiano and Atrani offer charm and good value close to the main towns.

If prices on the coast are too high, Sorrento is a popular alternative base. It sits just outside the Amalfi Coast but has good ferry links and easy access to Pompeii and Capri.

Discover the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast rewards slow travel: choose one or two bases, take the ferries and spend time in the smaller villages. Every town offers a different view of this stunning coastline.

Love Mediterranean coastlines? For island hopping, compare Croatia’s best islands, from Hvar to Korčula, or try the Albanian Riviera’s quieter beaches for clear water and fewer crowds. For golden cliffs on the Atlantic, see the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches.

Featured image: Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash