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 European 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 Sorrento down to Salerno, on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Sorrento, is a resort town, a well-known stop on the cruise line route and has quite a few big hotels.  For me, it’s a little too touristy. Further down the coast, you can have a more authentic Italian experience.

The towns of Positano and Amalfi are also very popular with tourists, but they still retain a lot of original Italian charm, and my favourite spot is in between them – Praiano – where you can find more modest accommodation and inexpensive food.

Where to Stay on The Amalfi Coast

I really recommend staying in Praiano, it’s a very small town and the accommodations are mostly locally run B&Bs and small hotels, which make it feel less touristy.  I stayed at Villa Il Frantoio, a great little B&B with an amazing pool overlooking the sea, run by the lovely Giulio and his family.

If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more lively, then I would recommend staying 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 would recommend accommodation with a pool, as the Amalfi Coast is very hilly, 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 are so spectacular from the hills; 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.

Things to Do on The Amalfi Coast

Explore the Beautiful Towns & Villages

Praiano

Praiano is a quiet town but has some great restaurants.  Vivaro’s was absolutely my favourite dining experience on the Amalfi Coast. Run solely by Gennaro, who is the Maître Dee, Waiter, Chef and Sommelier.  It serves the most amazing food, which Gennaro caters to each guest individually. Best of all, when the bill came it was €40 for a starter, main, dessert and drinks for two.

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, Amalfi & Ravello

Positano and Amalfi, along with Ravello are great places to spend an afternoon/evening (or longer!) and have a greater selection of shops and restaurants.

Cruise The Amalfi Coast in a Boat

You can also hire a boat for the day, which was a fantastic experience.  It cost around €100 for half a days hire without a skipper, which isn’t too expensive when there are a few of you. And to be honest, 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.

Pompei and Herculaneum

You can also take a day trip to Pompei and Herculaneum from most spots on the Amalfi Coast. There are plenty of operators offering the trip, or if you have a car it’s just over an hour drive.

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, but you can fly to Rome, which is what we did and had a few days in the city.  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. Even the budget options aren’t cheap. Our stay at Villa Il Frantoio cost around £120 a night, including 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.

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 definitely worth the money.  The Amalfi Coast really is a special place, a beautiful area, oozing with culture and class.  I can’t wait to go back.

Travelling to Italy? Check out our article on Emilia Romagna.