More about: 4 Best Day Trips to Amalfi Coast from Rome
With a great tourist attraction, unbeatable beaches and extraordinary views, the Amalfi Coast and all its municipalities were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
Here are the best excursions to do on the Amalfi Coast from Rome and I take this opportunity to invite you to read the post what to see and do in Rome, to design the best plans for your trip.
1. Discover the Amalfi Coast from Rome by cruise ship
The city of Amalfi is located in the south of Italy, more precisely in the province of Salerno. This small and picturesque town gave its name to the famous Amalfi Coast, which I propose you to discover with this Amalfi Coast excursion from Rome.
On this double trip that combines the experience of a high-speed train journey from Rome with a cruise along the coast in a small group, you can marvel at the paradisiacal beaches of southern Italy. You'll travel from Rome in the comfort of a train and then cruise the waters of the Mediterranean as you explore Amalfi and Positano.
This is one of the best excursions from Rome, which will also give you the opportunity to taste limoncello, the liqueur made from the lemons produced in these lands, visiting an orchard in the area.
In addition, an expert guide will tell you the history of these beautiful towns on a route of about 13 hours. You will get to know not only the beautiful coastline, but also the history, culture and gastronomy of Amalfi and Positano.
Interesting details
- Price: From 180 €.
- Duration: About 13 hours
- Means of transport: Train from Rome to get there and boat to go along the Amalfi Coast. All included in the price.
2. Tour Positano and Amalfi in a comfortable minibus
Amalfi is undeniably one of the most amazing places to visit on the Italian coast. Its deep blue and crystal clear waters will not leave you indifferent, nor will its narrow and picturesque streets. Neither will Positano, another postcard village. That's why I propose this double excursion to Amalfi and Positano by minibus.
Again, this tour will depart from Rome by train and continue through Positano and Amalfi in a minivan in a group of maximum 15 people to enjoy spectacular views along the way. The driver-guide will leave you plenty of time to immortalise the moment with photos. Of course, the view you will see there will be unforgettable!
The comfort of travelling in a minivan with driver will allow you to explore the area without the hassle of looking for parking or looking for other means of transport. It's a perfectly planned trip so you can just enjoy the sights.
Interesting details
- Price: From 200 €.
- Duration: About 13 hours
- Means of transport: Train to the coast and then minibus to the two villages with a maximum of 15 people.
3. Take advantage of an excursion to the coast and visit the spectacular Pompeii
Departing from Positano you can take a tour to the city of Pompeii which is world renowned for its archaeological value.
In 79 B.C. the city was devoured by the volcano Vesuvius and was completely ruined under the volcanic ash. It used to be a city with great development and growth potential.
If you're short on time in Rome but don't want to miss the wonders of Italy's southern coast, make the most of your trip to the Amalfi Coast by taking a trip to Pompeii, along with Amalfi and Positano You'll have skip-the-line access to the extinct city of the Roman Empire.
A private bus will take you to see the highlights of all three locations while an expert guide will tell you the stories of Pompeii's archaeological remains. Of course, you will have time to enjoy the views of the coast.
A great advantage of this tour is that if you travel to Rome in winter most of the shops and restaurants in Positano are closed, so you can change for the town of Amalfi. If, on the other hand, you visit Rome in summer, so that the traffic in the town that gives its name to the southern coast is not a problem, the tour allows you to substitute Sorrento for Positano.
Interesting details
- Price: From 243 €.
- Duration: About 10 hours
- Means of transport: Bus (max. 24 passengers)
4. Recreate in Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in small groups
If you have already seen some images of the spectacular views of the villages that bathe the Mediterranean Sea and you want to include it in your excursions from Rome but a walk through each of these villages is not enough for you, I recommend another option to enjoy each of them at your leisure.
The excursion to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in small groups is undoubtedly the most complete option, as it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off and a tour with an expert guide through Pompeii, Amalfi and Positano. You won't miss any of the wonderful landscapes!
Being able to go in small groups of a maximum of 8 people will allow you to enjoy an unforgettable experience with all the details. You will be able to relax and enjoy the stunning coastline and you will have enough time to get to know the remains of the buried Pompeii in depth.
The tour includes a visit to the most important sites of Pompeii such as the thermal baths, the Forum, the Basilica, the residential houses of the period and many other sites of great interest. However, for more information about the historic city, be sure to read this post about the best excursions to Pompeii from Rome
Interesting details
- Price: From 242 €.
- Duration: About 14 hours
- Means of transport: Car
Which towns belong to the Amalfi Coast?
- Amalfi
- Positano
- Ravello
- Conca dei Marini
- Praiano
- Scala
- Tramonti
- Vietri sul Mare
There are even more towns that belong to the Amalfi Coast, but Amalfi, Positano and Ravello are the ones that get all the attention and tourist attractions.
Sorrento, although a town just off the coast, is a must-see as it has plenty of hotels (often at very reasonable prices), is full of bars and restaurants, and has public transport that will get you where you want to go in minutes.
A bit of history
The history of the Amalfi Coast seems to date back to the 1st century AD, although the earliest written records date back to the 6th century. The region prospered thanks to its maritime power, particularly through trade in grain, salt and slaves where much trade took place with the East, especially with the Byzantine Empire.
The famous doors of the cathedral of Amalfi were cast in Constantinople, and oriental architecture is visible in the town from the cathedral, through the cloister and many other buildings that are reminiscent of that origin.
Despite its modest size, it was one of Europe' s major ports between the 9th and 12th centuries. From Roman times the coast was taken as an ideal place for holidaying and bathing in the Tyrrhenian sun.
Today the entire Amalfi Coast is a meeting point for locals wishing to spend a few days away from the chaos of the city enjoying the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as thousands of international tourists who come from all over the world to be captivated by the beauty of the area.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome via Salerno
If you decide to go on your own or your booked excursions don't include a trip to the coast, read on to find out how to manage your travel to and from the region, read on for the best ways to get there.
Departing by train from Rome Termini train station, you can catch a train to Salerno. The company providing this service isTrenitalia and the journey takes two hours.
Prices can change and range from 30 euros to 70 euros, depending on the time of booking.
Once in Salerno, getting to the Amalfi Coast is very easy. From Piazza Concordia in Salerno, you can find boats that will take you to Amalfi in 35 minutes for approximately 8 euros. There is usually an hourly departure, but the schedule can change,
. You can also opt to go from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast by bus.
From Rome To The Amalfi Coast By Car
Another option is to rent a car from Rome and drive directly to the Amalfi Coast.
Car prices vary greatly depending on the model of car, size, etc. Generally, the further in advance you rent a car, the cheaper it will be.
The drive is direct, well signposted and takes just over three hours to reach the coast.
Traveller Tip
As the roads along the Amalfi Coast are quite small and narrow, parking can be a hassle. Choose in advance where you will be able to park without wasting time driving around.
Best time to visit the Amalfi Coast
Although you'll find many different opinions on the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast, it's impossible to find the right answer.
As I've told you, every village on the Amalfi Coast is a treasure waiting to be discovered, with beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, delicious food and picture-postcard facades. In other words, you won't regret visiting the coast any time of the year you can.
In the Italian summer, which runs from June to August, you can enjoy the beach, sunshine and great sunsets at your favourite cocktail bar.
There are also events in the different towns, street performers and a lively and fun atmosphere.
The only thing you should bear in mind is that these months are also the busiest and most crowded with both local and international tourists, so it's advisable to book early and get used to the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
In the two Italian mid-seasons ( April to May and September to October). Spring and autumn respectively the weather is still very warm and pleasant with a calmer vibe and less crowds of tourists.
The Amalfi Coast always has something to delight its visitors, with the possible exception of winter (around November to March) when it is often cold, wet and lacking its usual atmosphere but still worth a fleeting visit to see the great sights.
September and October are ideal months to see the coast as the heat is still optimal but not extreme (making it more suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking), and the towns are still lively but with much lower prices.