Amalfi in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit
Want to spend an amazing vacation near the sea? Visit Amalfi and be dazzled by its beaches, streets and museums!
The Italian town of Amalfi has a variety of historical and architectural treasures worth visiting. It also boasts beautiful beaches and nature reserves, the protagonists of very popular postcards.
In addition, beyond the village it is possible to explore the coast by visiting the different beaches with very different characteristics from each other. These are just some of the best things to do in Amalfi in four days - get ready for an unforgettable vacation!
Day 1: See the main attractions of the town
For the first day in Amalfi I recommend you focus on touring the town. This town offers a great advantage, as most of its sights are close to each other.
You can spend the day walking leisurely, enjoying the streets and the new sites that you can find in the historic center of Amalfi.
Be prepared to walk all day long, stroll through piazzas, visit cathedrals and discover labyrinths of staircases. Amalfi is a charming town and this first day will prove it.
Start the day with a visit to the Fountain of St. Andrew
For your first day in Amalfi I recommend you to organize everything very well to make the most of your time. One of the best things to do is to book a transfer from the airport to your hotel. This way you will be able to start touring the town as soon as possible.
The Fountain of St. Andrew will be the first stop. Here you will see the statue of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi, depicted next to the cross of martyrdom. Around the base there are four angels with fish through which water flows.
In the surroundings of this fountain you will find different restaurants where you can have breakfast. Some of the closest options are Il Protontino or the Sant'Andrea restaurant. Most of these restaurants have tables outside so you can eat while admiring the scenery.
Visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle
Around 10 am you will have had breakfast and visited the Fountain of St. Andrew. Just a two-minute walk away you will find the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle. You can enter free of charge any day of the week from nine in the morning until seven in the evening.
Upon entering you will notice the baroque style of the cathedral covered in marble and with ancient columns. On the ceiling you will see different works of art that tell the story of St. Andrew. Also, on the altar is a large canvas with a depiction of the crucifixion of St. Andrew the Apostle.
Visit the Diocesan Museum of Amalfi and the Paradise Cloister
Right next to the cathedral you can explore the Diocesan Museum of Amalfi. When you enter you will be able to appreciate different works of art distributed in several areas. One of them is the Cloister of Paradise which was built between 1266 and 1268.
You will also be able to appreciate the different paintings and murals dating back to the 13th and 14th century. Another exhibit you must see is the Cathedral Treasury, composed of liturgical objects and ornaments, as well as other paintings and sculptures.
To enter this area you must buy an entrance fee of about 3 €. Please note that you cannot take pictures or videos of any part of the museum.
Head to Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi and have lunch in a restaurant
Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi is the main street in town and is about five minutes from the previous stop. Take advantage of the time and walk along this street for a while. By this time it will be noon so you will most likely want to have lunch. I recommend:
- Il Tarì Amalfi Restaurant.
- La Rua Pizze e Delizie, if you are craving pizza.
- Nino and Friends, if you want something sweet.
If you want a different experience, you can book cooking classes in Amalfi. This way you can learn how to cook new dishes and taste your own creations. It is certainly an excellent way to learn about the culture and have a great time.
Walking the ancient staircases of Amalfi
After your lunch, you can continue walking along Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi and discover all the things it hides. The historic center of Amalfi offers multiple paths, curves, tunnels and, above all, a labyrinth of stairs that you must explore.
All these streets have a lot of history behind them. Some tunnels can even be a shortcut back to the Amalfi Cathedral. You can also take a detour to via Lorenzo D'Amalfi and go to Piazza Dogi.
The Fontana De Cape E Ciucci and Piazza della Spirito Santo
If you had a good walk up the stairs, it will probably be about 3:00 p.m. at this point. If you take the Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi path again, you can continue walking straight ahead until you come to the Fontana De Cape E Ciucci.
It is a small fountain made of stone and marble dating back to the 18th century. Since the 70's it has several figures of a nativity scene. It is undoubtedly a very curious site that you can see on your tour of this street. The fountain is located right in the Piazza della Spirito Santo.
Enjoy dinner and nightlife in the historic center of Amalfi
You can rest for a while and continue your tour. If you wish you can enjoy the sunset in Piazza della Spirito Santo. After watching the sunset, you can wander around the various restaurants and bars that are in the surrounding area. I recommend:
- Bar Della Valle, with a varied menu of Italian food and drinks of all kinds.
- La Dolce Vita.
- Pizzeria Il Teatro.
Day 2: Enjoy Amalfi's museums and green areas
For the second day I suggest the Valle delle Ferriere and the Paper Museum. This plan is a bit more relaxed, as during the first day you have to walk a lot.
Keep in mind that from the historic center of Amalfi it is about a 30 minute walk to reach the beginning of the Valle delle Ferriere.
Spend the morning in the Ferriere Valley
Booking an excursion to the Valle delle Ferriere first thing in the morning is the best way to start this second day. It is a nature reserve where you will find beautiful streams, plants, waterfalls and historic ruins.
Another option is to take bus 5110 from the Amalfi-Scala stop near Piazza Flavio Gioia and do it on your own. However, the ride is about 40 minutes and then you have to walk an additional 20 minutes until you reach the entrance to the valley.
Hiking in this area is not very heavy so don't worry. On average you can spend about four hours here and you will be ready to continue exploring Amalfi for the rest of the day.
- Location: Valle delle Ferriere, Via Valle delle Ferriere, 84010, Scala, Italy.
- Price: the tour costs 41 euros.
- Time: you can go at any time of the day, but I recommend going in the morning.
Visit the Paper Museum
When it is noon, I recommend you to start your way back. You can take some snacks to eat on the way and refuel or go to the Ristorante Amalfi Cantina Miseria E Nobilta. This is very close to the Paper Museum, so it will be a good choice.
Here you will learn all the secrets of paper making with detailed illustrations. You will also learn about the history of paper in Italy and the variety of materials that were used in this country to create it.
- Location: Museo della Carta, Via delle Cartiere, 23, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
- Price: about 15 €.
- Hours: from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Visit the Museum of the Maritime History of the City
When you leave the Paper Museum, it will be about 5:00 pm. You can head to the City Maritime History Museum.
The museum is dedicated to the golden age of the ancient Maritime Republic. Among the exhibited collections you will see are a variety of items from Roman and medieval times, ancient coins, nautical instruments, among others.
- Location: Largo Cesareo Console, 4, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
- Price: free admission.
- Hours: from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Duration: about one hour is enough.
Have dinner and enjoy your favorite drinks in a restaurant or bar
To end your day, I recommend you to go to the coast and enjoy the view at sunset. At this point of the tour it will be approximately seven o'clock at night and you will be in an area where there is a great variety of restaurants that you can visit.
I recommend you to go to Marina Grande. From there you will be able to try delicious seafood and enjoy the view of the sea. Feel free to enjoy your favorite drink and get ready for the next day of your vacation.
Day 3: Visit the Amalfi Beaches
For the third day it is a good idea to leave the town and concentrate on the sea. The Amalfi coast has a lot to offer and the first thing you should do is spend some quality time on the beach. Get ready for a day filled with lots of sea, sand and sun.
In addition to swimming in the sea, you can take tours to other locations near Amalfi. Choose the destination that suits you best and make every minute of this vacation worthwhile.
Enjoy a day at the beach in Lido delle Sirene
Amalfi has beautiful beaches along its coastline that you can visit. You can take a tour of all of them or just pick one and spend the afternoon there. Among the beaches you can visit are:
- Lido delle Sirene Beach, ideal for its proximity to the town and for its shower facilities, changing rooms and nearby restaurants such as La Preferita.
- Il Duoglio Spiaggia.
- Marina di Vietri.
Boat trip along the Amalfi coast
After lunch you can book a boat tour in Amalfi. This is an ideal experience that on average lasts about 4 hours.
My recommendation is that you start this boat tour around one o'clock in the afternoon. The idea is to spend the whole time at sea enjoying the scenery and drinking wine or other beverage of your choice and eating.
Some of these experiences include fun activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. This way you can enjoy the sea much more. At the end of the day you can have dinner at the ship's restaurant to end the third day of your stay in Amalfi.
Day 4: Set aside the last day for an excursion from Amalfi
From Amalfi you can make the best excursions of your vacation. Near Amalfi are located several towns that you can visit on your last day on the Amalfi Coast. Among them are Salerno, Sorrento and the Isle of Capri.
My recommendation is that you choose a private excursion that includes a boat transfer. This way you can stroll on the sea again for a few hours and enjoy the aperitif or lunch that these tours usually include.
Start the day on a boat to the Isle of Capri
As an excursion for the last day I recommend a visit to the island of Capri. According to legends, this island is where the mermaids hide. It is a place full of interesting myths and a culture worth exploring.
To get to the island you must take a ferry. My recommendation is to go on an all-inclusive private excursion. These are usually priced at around 100 € or more. Ask your guide if they include breakfast on the trip so you can take your precautions.
Explore the island of Capri
When you arrive on the island by boat after booking an excursion to Capri, your guide will take you to explore the famous sites you must visit in Capri such as:
- The Arco Naturale.
- The Grotto of Matermania, Pizzolungo and Tragara.
But you will also have free time to explore the island at your own pace. Among other things, I recommend you to go to one of the restaurants with the best views of the sea. One of them is Le Grottelle where you can eat marine specialties and enjoy the sea breeze.
See Villa Jovis and Monte Tiberio
After lunch you will still have time to explore the island at your own pace. One of the most interesting sites is Villa Jovis and Mount Tiberius. You will be able to explore this ancient Roman palace and discover all its history.
At the end of the tour it will be time to return to Amalfi while watching a beautiful sunset from the ship.
What to pack when you go to Amalfi?
Amalfi is a town that you should walk around most of the time. Therefore, the first thing you should pack in your suitcase is comfortable clothes and a pair of ergonomic shoes. This will allow you to walk calmly through the streets and even along the beaches of the coast.
You should also bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. This way you will be able to enjoy the sea with more tranquility. Also, towels and moisturizers are indispensable to keep you comfortable and keep your skin healthy.
How can you get around Amalfi?
Within the town of Amalfi most of the attractions are accessible on foot. However, if you want to shorten the journey and explore further afield, you can use the Sita Sud buses. On average the cost of a trip is 4 €.
This means of transport can be used to reach distant beaches. However, if you want to visit other towns along the coast, it would be better to travel by boat. To do so, I recommend you to hire private tours like the one above.