Five days is the ideal length for the Amalfi Coast — enough time to move at the pace the coast demands, to spend a full day at sea on a private boat, to climb to Ravello and understand why composers came here to write, and to linger over long lunches without feeling that you're racing the clock.
This itinerary begins in Sorrento, moves to Positano for the coast's finest hotel, ventures by private boat to Capri, explores Amalfi and Ravello on the fourth day, and ends with the Path of the Gods — a clifftop hike that offers the definitive perspective on everything below. It is a journey through one of Italy's most intensely beautiful landscapes, planned for travellers who want every detail arranged in advance.
Dreaming of the Amalfi Coast?
We'll handle the private boat bookings, La Sponda reservations, Pompeii transfers, and Le Sirenuse perks — so you arrive knowing every detail has been taken care of, and leave with nothing but the memory of it.
Fly into Naples and resist the urge to rush straight to Positano. The region rewards those who pace the arrival — a half-day at Pompeii is among the most extraordinary historical experiences in Europe, and Sorrento makes a civilised first night before the coast proper begins.
- MorningArrive Naples (NAP)Private transfer from the airport to Pompeii — approximately 30 minutes. Allow a minimum of three hours at the site; it is vast, deeply moving, and impossible to rush. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. An expert guide is highly recommended to bring context to what you're walking through.
- AfternoonTransfer to SorrentoFrom Pompeii, a 30-minute drive brings you to Sorrento — perched on a volcanic cliff above the Bay of Naples. Check in at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, a 19th-century clifftop palace with a terrace restaurant overlooking Vesuvius and the bay below. Dinner here is one of the finest views in southern Italy.
- EveningSorrento CentroWalk the old centre of Sorrento after dinner — the Piazza Tasso, the Via San Cesareo with its inlaid woodwork workshops still lit in the evening, and the Villa Communale belvedere for a final look at the bay at night.
The ferry from Sorrento to Positano takes approximately 30 minutes and arrives directly into the harbour below the village — one of the great arrival experiences on the Italian coast. Le Sirenuse is a short walk uphill from the waterfront; the hotel's boat service can also meet you at the dock.
- MorningSorrento to Positano by FerryTake the 9am or 10am ferry from Sorrento Marina Piccola. 30 minutes, several operators in season. Check in to Le Sirenuse and take your first proper look at the view.
- AfternoonBeach & Town ExplorationSpend the afternoon as Positano demands — Spiaggia Grande for swimming, the boutiques along Via dei Mulini, and a wander up into the village's quieter upper lanes where the tourists thin out and the sound of the sea becomes distant.
- EveningLa Sponda for DinnerLe Sirenuse's Michelin-starred restaurant. Book ahead and request a terrace table. The candlelight, the view, and the Campanian menu — local seafood, handmade pasta, extraordinary buffalo mozzarella — make this one of the most memorable dinners in Italy.
A full day at sea on a private boat is the defining experience of the Amalfi Coast. The journey from Positano to Capri takes approximately an hour by motorboat — long enough to stop at sea caves and swim in crystalline coves along the way.
- MorningDepart by Private BoatPre-arrange a private boat hire through the hotel or directly with one of the Positano boatmen — a full-day hire with skipper runs to €600–900 depending on the season and vessel size. Depart by 9am and head towards Capri, stopping at sea caves along the Li Galli islands (once owned by Rudolf Nureyev) for a morning swim.
- MiddayBlue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)Timing matters for the Blue Grotto — the light inside the cave is at its most extraordinary in the mid-morning when the sun angle is right. If the approach queue is too long (it can be), your skipper will know alternative sea caves of equal beauty. Continue to Capri's Faraglioni rocks — three dramatic limestone stacks rising from the sea — for swimming in the clear water beneath them.
- AfternoonLunch on BoardAsk the hotel to prepare a picnic lunch — fresh bread, local cheeses, Campanian salumi, and fruit. Eat anchored in a quiet cove. This is among the finest lunches you will have in Italy.
- Late PMReturn to PositanoBack by 5pm for the sunset aperitivo on the hotel terrace. The Champagne Bar at Le Sirenuse serves the best Negroni on the coast.
- MorningFerry to AmalfiTake the morning ferry from Positano to Amalfi (30 minutes). Walk from the harbour up to the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea — the striped Romanesque facade, bronze doors, and Arab-Norman cloister are among the most striking in Campania. Spend an hour in the Cathedral and the small Piazza del Duomo below.
- Mid AMMuseo della CartaThe Amalfi Paper Museum, housed in a 13th-century paper mill, traces the city's role as one of Europe's earliest producers of handmade paper. A brief, fascinating visit for those interested in craft and history.
- MiddayAscend to RavelloTaxi from Amalfi harbour to Ravello — 7km, 25 minutes up through terraced lemon groves. Villa Rufolo gardens offer the most dramatic clifftop panorama on the coast; the belvedere where Wagner stood, looking out over the Tyrrhenian and the terraced hillsides below, remains one of the most affecting viewpoints in Italy.
- LunchRossellinis at Palazzo AvinoRavello's Michelin-starred restaurant, set in a 12th-century villa with a terrace that looks down the valley to the sea. The tasting menu uses Campanian produce with exceptional skill — one of the coast's finest lunches.
- AfternoonVilla Cimbrone GardensA 10-minute walk from the centre of Ravello brings you to the Villa Cimbrone — an English-designed garden perched on the cliff edge, with the Terrace of Infinity looking south over the sea. Gore Vidal lived nearby for 30 years and considered this the most beautiful view in the world.
- EveningReturn to PositanoTaxi back to Amalfi, then ferry to Positano. Final evening at leisure — dinner at Next2 on the waterfront or Il Ritrovo in Montepertuso for an alternative perspective on the village from above.
The Sentiero degli Dei — the Path of the Gods — is a clifftop trail that runs along the mountains above the coast between Bomerano and Nocelle, high above Positano. On a clear day the views down to the sea and across to Capri are so extraordinary that the name seems entirely justified. It is a moderate hike of approximately 7.8km, taking 3–4 hours, and entirely non-technical.
- Early AMHotel Breakfast & Final MorningA final breakfast on the Le Sirenuse terrace — perhaps the finest way to begin a departure day in Italy. Pack your bags and arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
- MorningPath of the Gods HikeTake a taxi from Positano up to Bomerano (the trailhead for the traditional west–east route). The path hugs the cliffs at approximately 600 metres elevation, with views down through lemon terraces to the turquoise water below, and Capri visible in the clear air to the south. End the hike at Nocelle, above Positano, and descend by stairs or taxi back to the village.
- AfternoonDepart for NaplesPrivate transfer from Positano to Naples (1.5 hours by road) or ferry to Sorrento and train onward. Allow extra time in summer — the coastal road can be significantly slower than expected.
Practical Information
Ferries vs driving: Between April and October, ferries connect Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno with reliable frequency. They are faster, cheaper, and dramatically more pleasant than the SS163 in high season. In shoulder season or for specific inland excursions, a hired car or taxi is necessary — always agree the price in advance.
Booking La Sponda: La Sponda at Le Sirenuse is one of the most sought-after tables on the Amalfi Coast — reserve 4–6 weeks ahead in summer, or as soon as your hotel is confirmed. Request a terrace table. Guests of the hotel receive priority.
Private boats: Pre-arrange boat hire through Le Sirenuse's concierge team or directly with Positano boat operators. For a private charter, expect €600–900 per day for a motorboat with skipper. Group tours to Capri and the coast are available from €80–120 per person and cover the same sights.
Timing the Blue Grotto: The light inside the Blue Grotto is at its most spectacular between 10am and noon when the sun is at the right angle. In summer there can be a queue of rowing boats at the entrance — your skipper will advise whether conditions justify the wait or suggest alternatives.
Dress and weather: The coast is warm from May through October — light linen clothing is appropriate for almost every occasion, including smarter restaurants. Evenings can be cool in May and October; bring a light layer for the terrace. Flat shoes are non-negotiable in Positano.