The Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic places in Italy and quite rightly so, known for its rugged coastline, amazing cuisine and colourful villages. It’s also one of the most expensive Italian holiday destinations. However, it is possible to visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget, and it’s well worth the trip.
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The Amalfi Coast on a Budget
The Amalfi Coast stretches from Punta Campanella to Salerno, on the southern coastline of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It is dotted with towns and villages, some up on the cliffside and others with little coves and beaches.
The beachside towns of Positano and Amalfi are the most famous destinations on the Costiera Amalfitana, along with Ravello, a spectacular hillside town with beautiful villas and views.
All are worth visiting and offer lots of accommodation and restaurant options (often at a high price), however, my preference is to stay in one of the smaller villages like Praiano, Minori or Atrani, which are quieter and have a more ‘local’ feel and you can usually find more modest accommodation and inexpensive food.
Where to Stay on The Amalfi Coast
I highly recommend staying in Praiano, it’s a small town and the accommodations are mostly locally run B&Bs and small hotels, which make it feel less touristy. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more lively, then stay in Amalfi or Positano, which are busier with more restaurants and bars. Although there are many high-end hotels in these towns you can still find a selection of budget Amalfi and Positano hotels.
If you can afford it, I recommend booking accommodation with a pool. The Amalfi Coast is very hilly and you will probably have an uphill walk back from the beach, so it’s great to be able to jump in the pool to cool off when you get there. Plus, the views from the hills are so spectacular; it’s just as nice spending a day by the pool overlooking the coast.
The cost of accommodation varies greatly depending on the season you are visiting, so if you are looking to travel on a smaller budget then visit the Amalfi Coast in the shoulder seasons. It will be cooler but often it’s still warm enough to swim and enjoy the beaches and the trip will be much more affordable.
Suggested places to stay on the Amalfi Coast:
Budget
There isn’t a huge amount of budget accommodation on the Amalfi Coast, but there are a few hostels and 3-star hotels.
Praiano
Casa Rispoli Praiano has air conditioned double rooms and one and two bed apartments with kitchens, some with sea views. It is located 800m from Gavitella Beach.
Hotel Villa Bellavista is a great family-run hotel in Praiano with air-conditioned rooms and an Italian-style breakfast.
Atrani
A Scalinatella is a family run hostel in Atrani offering dorms and private rooms in a number of buildings around the village. Breakfast is complimentary and linen and towels are included along with free WiFi.
MeFra is a good option for families, offering a quadruple room as well as doubles. It is set 50m from the beach in Atrani. A buffet of sweet Italian food is served at breakfast each morning.
Flora has double and twin rooms with private bathrooms in Atrani, near Atrani Beach and Spiaggia di Castiglione. It has a lovely terrace and a shared kitchen and lounge.
Amalfi
Il Vicoletto is an accommodation situated 300m from Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi. Double rooms have air conditioning, private bathrooms and free WiFi.
Locanda Costa D’Amalfi is located just outside of Amalfi and there is a free shuttle service into the historic centre. Some of the rooms have sea views and there is a beach a short walk from the hotel.
Minori
Filù Rooms Paradise Tower has incredible views of the sea, mountains and the town in Minori and is 200m from the beach. The triple and quadruple rooms are great for families.
Villa Marietta has double rooms with private bathrooms and free WiFi. There is a garden and sun terrace with sea views and continental breakfast is included. The accommodation is a 15 minute walk from the beach.
Maiori
Albergo Riviera is a family-run accommodation just 20m from the beach in Maiori. En suite rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, some with a balcony. Italian-style breakfast is available and can be enjoyed on the roof terrace.
Vietri
La Vecchia Locanda is a great value accommodation if you don’t mind staying inland and travelling to the coast. The bed and breakfast offers rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, free WiFi and a terrace. It’s around 10 minutes drive to the closest beach and 45 minutes drive to Amalfi.
Mid-Range
I stayed at Villa Il Frantoio, a gorgeous B&B with a pool overlooking the sea, run by the lovely Giulio and his family. Set in a 17th-century olive press, the family-run accommodation in Praiano has the most incredible views of Positano, Praiano and the water – particularly from the pool and sun terrace. All rooms have a sea-view balcony or terrace. Access is up a steep staircase and you will need to park your car nearby (pay parking), but it’s totally worth it. If you visit early/late in the season, you can find rooms here for 200 euro a night.
Albadamare Boutique Hotel is also in Praiano, with a terrace, garden and bar overlooking the sea. All rooms are air-conditioned, some with sea views. The hotel is 1.3 km from Gavitella Beach.
Luxury
Hotel Eden Roc Suites has incredible views of Positano. There is a pool, a spa and a gym, as well as a restaurant and a sun terrace.
Another accommodation to book for the views, Hotel Poseidon has a stunning sun terrace where you can enjoy dinner in the summer months. There is an outdoor pool and a wellness area with a Turkish bath excavated in the rocks. It’s a short walk to the beach and Positano’s historic centre.
Considered one of the best hotels in the world, the luxurious 5-star San Pietro di Positano has a private beach and a Michelin-starred restaurant. There are two bars, a tennis court, a pool and a spa. Parking is free, along with a free shuttle bus to Positano. It’s very expensive to stay here, but if you can afford it, this is the place to stay in Positano.
Read our recommended Italy itineraries.
Things to Do on The Amalfi Coast
Explore the Beautiful Towns & Villages
Praiano
Praiano is a quiet town but has some great restaurants. There are two small beaches at either end of the town: Gavitella and Marina di Praia. Gavitella offers stunning views of Positano and Capri and has all-day sun. It’s accessed by a long staircase, but it’s well worth the climb down and back up! Marina di Praia is a beautiful natural fjord at the southern end of Praiano. There is a diving centre here as well as a great restaurant. It’s a bit of a walk from the town centre, but there is a bus that travels from Positano, through Praiano and onto Amalfi.
Positano
Positano is a charming coastal town renowned for its dramatic cliffside setting and pastel-coloured buildings. The narrow streets and pathways are full of quaint cafés, boutique stores and high-end restaurants and hotels. There is a black sandy beach, lined with sun loungers.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the historic town from which the coastline takes its name. You’ll find beautiful cathedrals, piazzas and plenty of places to eat and drink, as well as a port and beaches.
Ravello
Ravello is a picturesque town up in the hills, known for its stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, charming architecture, and cultural heritage. It is and has been a well-loved spot for artists and writers, and has a beautiful central piazza, duomo and villas.
Other Amalfi Coast Towns and Villages
There are smaller towns and villages lining the coastline, which are well worth a visit and are other nice options to stay if you want something a little quieter. If you have time, explore the towns of Maiori and Minori and the traditional fishing villages of Atrani and Cetara.
Cruise The Amalfi Coast in a Boat
You can hire a boat for the day, which is a fantastic experience. Whilst it’s not cheap, if there is something to splash out on, it would be this! They gave us a demonstration on how to steer the boat, a bit of safety info and then we were free to explore the coastline from the water. We took a packed lunch and moored up for a swim and some food, it was amazing. You can also hire boats with a skipper for a larger fee, which sounded great too.
If that doesn’t fall within your budget, then take the local ferry from Amalfi to Salerno for a fraction of the price and you’ll still get to admire the coastline from the water.
Pompeii and Herculaneum
The ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum are not far from the Amalfi Coast and there are operators offering tours, both with and without transport. The public bus takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Positano, or if you have a car, it’s just over an hour’s drive.
Take a Day Trip to Capri
You can take a ferry to Capri from Positano and Amalfi during the summer months and there are also lots of tours that visit the island and the famous Blue Grotto.
Hike the Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods is a beautiful walk located in the hills above Positano and Praiano, with incredible views of the coastline and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The full trail is about 6km (3.5 miles) and takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. If you don’t fancy tackling it alone, you can join a guided hike. The walk isn’t advised during the hot summer months.
Food and Drink on the Amalfi Coast
Our stay at Villa Il Frantoio included an amazing (and large) breakfast, which meant we spent less on lunch. Each room has its own private terrace overlooking the sea, which is a lovely place to sit and have a drink in the evening (the local shop sells some very nice local wine).
Of course, when you are in Italy, you want to eat local food, but this doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of little cafes that serve pizza by the slice and great salads, which is perfect for a cheap lunch. Or go for an apericena – a combination of an aperitivo and cena (dinner) – which usually costs around 15-20 euros and is likely to include a buffet of lots of delicious food (cured meats, cheese, bread, pizza, local specialities) along with a drink.
Getting Around The Amalfi Coast
It’s easy and cheap to get around by the local SITA bus and you can also take a ferry to and from the main towns. I would advise against hiring a car – unless you’re experienced at driving in Italy and don’t mind narrow roads with sheer drops and some fairly speedy drivers, then it’s not the most enjoyable experience. There is also very limited parking.
Getting to The Amalfi Coast
The closest airport is Naples, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Positano. Or you can take a ferry from the port of Naples to Amalfi and Positano. You can also fly to Rome. From Rome, it’s either a coach all the way down or you can take the train to Salerno and ferry from there. (We did both – the coach was simpler, but I enjoyed taking the ferry).
Amalfi Coast Budget
Your biggest expenditure on the Amalfi Coast will be accommodation. Once you’ve factored that in and the cost of travel, you can find affordable food and enjoy all the free things that the region has to offer – beautiful scenery, beaches (if you don’t pay for a lounger and umbrella), and soaking up the atmosphere of this special coastline.
So while it probably won’t be the cheapest trip you take, you don’t have to spend a fortune and for me, it is worth the money.
3 comments
Dear friend Superb guide you covered almost everything a traveler should look into. I’ve been thinking lately that I would love to visit
I am glad to read your blog about your travel experience very interesting thanks.
Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions truly bring the city to life, making me feel like I’m right there with you on this incredible journey. Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for fellow adventurers looking to explore the magic of.
Keep sharing your stories and insights – they’re a delight to read!
Best regards from
Santhosh Raghavan Cab in Kerala
Looks like great advice, Rome, train to Sorrento, small village experiences are my desire.
Have a great trip!