Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast: Areas and Hotels

If you're looking for where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, the short answer is that there isn't one correct base, but rather the right one for how you want to experience your holiday. For a first visit with a comfortable budget and easy access to beaches and bus routes, Sorrento is the most practical choice, as it's located at the entrance to the peninsula and has a railway connection to Naples, one of the coastal cities in Italy that suit couples. If you're after the famous image of colourful houses clinging to a cliff, Praiano and Amalfi offer a similar aesthetic at lower prices than Positano.

For couples seeking romance and stunning views, Positano remains the most photographed choice, although its prices are among the highest in Italy during the summer. Families with children usually prefer Sorrento, where there are more accommodation options with parking spaces, swimming pools and easy access to restaurants without numerous steps. Those looking for value without losing the charm of the area tend to look towards Amalfi and Praiano.

Below you'll find a detailed breakdown of what each area offers, who it best suits, and specific hotels with real prices, to help you decide based on your own criteria, not just Instagram photos. If you'd like more general travel ideas, check out the general guide to travelling in Italy.

History, Sights, and When to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast stretches along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, in the Campania region, between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Its history essentially begins in the 9th century, when Amalfi was one of Italy's four maritime republics, along with Venice, Genoa and Pisa, boasting its own naval code used throughout the Mediterranean. Its prosperity lasted until the 11th century, before it was subjugated by the Normans and later severely damaged by a sea storm. Today, the medieval Cathedral of St. Andrew in the town square serves as a reminder of this golden era.

The landscape is what makes the area unique: steep limestone cliffs plunge vertically into the sea, with villages built on natural terraces, lemon groves everywhere, and a road, the famous Strada Statale 163, winding with hundreds of bends between Sorrento and Salerno. Whatever you choose as your base, you will spend time on this road, so it's worth knowing in advance that traffic in summer can be very slow.

Must-see spots in the area include Positano itself with its steps leading down to Spiaggia Grande beach, Amalfi's historic centre with its cathedral, Ravello with Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, which boast gardens with views unrivalled in all of Italy, as well as the village of Furore with its small cove. A little further afield, Sorrento offers strolls through its historic centre, terraces with views of Vesuvius, and easy access to Pompeii by train.

The best time to visit is May, June and September, when the sea is already warm, the heat is more bearable than in July and August, and the roads aren't as clogged with tourist buses. July and August bring high temperatures, crowded beaches and the most expensive accommodation prices of the year. Winter is very quiet, with many hotels and restaurants closing from November to March, so if you're looking for vibrancy, opt for spring or autumn.

Getting around the area is mainly done by local SITA buses, which connect all villages but often experience delays in summer, by taxi, or by ferries linking Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Capri from April to October. Many visitors prefer to leave their car in Sorrento and travel by boat or bus, as parking in Positano and Amalfi is difficult and expensive.

Positano: The Most Photogenic Base

Positano is the image that has become internationally synonymous with the Amalfi Coast, with its pink and yellow houses descending like an amphitheatre to the beach. It's ideal for couples and for those who want to walk from their hotel to cafes, boutiques and restaurants without a car. The downside is the many steps almost everywhere and the high prices, especially in July and August. It's not the most practical choice for families with small children or for those who struggle with stairs.

1. Hotel Vittoria

Located in the Fornillo area, just outside the centre, with private beach access and bay views. A quiet spot, ideal for couples who want some distance from the bustling centre.

• Average cost: 220 to 320 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

2. Hotel L'Ancora

A small hotel with excellent bay views, close to Positano's marina. The sea-view terraces are its strongest point.

• Average cost: 180 to 260 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

3. Palazzo Margherita

Apartments in a historic building in the centre of Positano, with easy access to shops and restaurants. A good choice for those who want a kitchen and more space.

• Average cost: 190 to 280 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and small groups

Amalfi: Historic Centre and Better Value for Money

The town of Amalfi itself has the advantage of being relatively flat in its centre, around the square with the cathedral, which is rare for the area. It's a good base for those who want to combine history, beach and easy ferry access to Positano and Capri. Prices are generally lower than Positano, without sacrificing the views. The downside is that the centre fills up with day-trippers by midday.

4. Hotel Miramalfi

A hotel with a private beach and pool just outside Amalfi's centre, offering views across the entire bay. A good choice for those seeking comfort without venturing too far.

• Average cost: 200 to 290 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and families

5. Hotel Aurora

Located next to Amalfi's marina, with easy access to the centre and ferry services. A practical base for those without a car.

• Average cost: 170 to 240 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

6. Hotel Floridiana

A small hotel in the heart of Amalfi, nestled in the narrow streets, close to the cathedral. Good value for its location.

• Average cost: 140 to 200 € per night
• Ideal for: couples on a moderate budget

Sorrento: The Most Practical Base

Sorrento is not typically part of the Amalfi Coast, being on the northern side of the peninsula, but it serves as the most logical base for a first visit. It has a railway connection to Naples and Pompeii, more hotels with pools and parking, and daily ferry services to Positano, Amalfi and Capri. It's ideal for families and for those travelling without a car. The only drawback is that you lose a little of the picturesque charm of the smaller villages.

7. Hotel Sorrento City

A central hotel on Corso Italia, close to the train station and the historic centre. A good starting point for excursions without a car.

• Average cost: 120 to 180 € per night
• Ideal for: families and couples

8. Grand Hotel Capodimonte

A hotel with a large pool and views of the Bay of Naples, just outside the centre. A good choice for families seeking space and comfort.

• Average cost: 150 to 220 € per night
• Ideal for: families

9. Hotel Michelangelo

Located near Sorrento's train station, with a pool and easy access to the centre and beaches. A practical option for those travelling by train.

• Average cost: 130 to 190 € per night
• Ideal for: families and couples

Praiano: The Most Affordable Option with a View

Praiano is located between Positano and Amalfi, on the same impressive road, but with significantly lower accommodation prices. It's quieter, with fewer shops and restaurants, making it ideal for those seeking tranquility and who don't mind taking a bus for an evening out in Positano. Many hotels here offer the same views as the expensive hotels in Positano, at much more reasonable rates.

10. Hotel Villa Bellavista

A hotel with a lemon garden and bay views, located between Positano and Amalfi. Requires travel by bus or car to reach neighbouring villages.

• Average cost: 150 to 220 € per night
• Ideal for: couples seeking tranquility

11. Hotel Le Fioriere

Located in the centre of Praiano, near the church, with fewer steps compared to other coastal villages. A good choice for older travellers.

• Average cost: 130 to 190 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

12. Hotel Il Pino

A hotel halfway between Positano and Amalfi, with a sea-view terrace and more affordable prices than neighbouring villages.

• Average cost: 120 to 180 € per night
• Ideal for: couples on a moderate budget

Which Area Suits You: At-a-Glance Comparison

Area	Ideal for	Price Range/Night	Distance from Centre
Positano	Couples, first visit with comfort	220 to 320 €	in the centre
Amalfi	History, good value for money	140 to 290 €	35 minutes by ferry from Positano
Sorrento	Families, easy access without a car	120 to 220 €	peninsula entrance
Praiano	Value with a view, couples seeking tranquility	120 to 220 €	20 minutes from Positano

Practical Information for Your Stay

The nearest airport is Naples Capodichino, from where you can reach Sorrento by bus or private transfer in about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. If you first fly from Athens to Rome, then, as you'll see in the guide to flights to Italy, from the Eternal City there's a high-speed train to Naples and then a local train or bus to the peninsula.

Within the area, the best strategy is to leave your car at your hotel and use the ferries for transfers to Positano, Amalfi and Capri from April to October, or the SITA buses during months when boat services aren't running. Driving on the coastal road is spectacular but tiring, with narrow sections and slow traffic in summer.

Accommodation prices vary significantly depending on the season. In July and August, you can expect increases of up to 40% compared to May or October. A room costing 150 euros in May might reach 250 euros in August at the same hotel. Winter, from November to March, has the lowest prices but also very limited operation of accommodations and restaurants.

If you plan to visit Capri from the same base, first find out where to stay in Capri to decide whether a day trip or an overnight stay is worthwhile. Similarly, if your trip includes Naples, the guide on where to stay in Naples as well as how to get from Naples airport to the city centre will be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I stay on the Amalfi Coast for the first time?

For a first visit, Sorrento is the most practical base, as it has a railway connection to Naples, more hotels with parking, and daily ferries to Positano, Amalfi and Capri.

Which is the most affordable area on the Amalfi Coast?

Praiano and Amalfi generally have lower accommodation prices than Positano, without losing the characteristic bay views.

Do I need a car on the Amalfi Coast?

It's not essential. Ferries from April to October and local buses cover all villages, while driving on the narrow coastal road is tiring in summer.

How many days are needed for the Amalfi Coast?

Three to four days are enough to see Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and spend a day in Capri, without feeling rushed.

Which season offers the best accommodation prices?

May, June and September offer a good balance between pleasant weather and more reasonable prices compared to July and August.

Where do families with children stay on the Amalfi Coast?

Sorrento is the most convenient option for families, as it has fewer steps, more hotels with swimming pools and easier access to beaches.

How do I get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast?

From Naples airport or train station, there are buses and trains to Sorrento, from where you can continue by bus or ferry to the other villages on the coast.