The Amalfi Coast had been on my bucket list for years, and I finally ticked it off with a ten-night trip in September 2023, travelling with two friends. Now that a bit of time has passed (and I’ve had the chance to properly reflect on the trip), here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning a similar getaway — where we stayed, how we got around, what we did, and what it all cost.

While people often refer to Sorrento and Capri as part of the Amalfi Coast, the actual stretch runs from Positano to Vietri sul Mare. So technically, we travelled around the Campania region — covering Sorrento, Capri, Naples and more — but for simplicity (and SEO), we’re going with “Amalfi Coast”. This post covers the full itinerary, but if you’re after a specific town or day trip, I’ve published separate blog posts which you can browse here

Jump to:

• Accommodation
• Flights
• Transport on the Amalfi Coast
• Day 1: Arriving on the Amalfi Coast
• Day 2: Maya Beach & Dinner with a Local
• Day 3: Exploring Sorrento
• Day 4: Day Trip to Positano
• Day 5: Hiking the Path of the Gods
• Day 6: Amalfi & Ravello
• Day 7: Day Trip to Capri
• Day 8: Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius
• Day 9: Travel to Naples & Pizza Pilgrimage
• Day 10: A Full Day in Naples
• Day 11: Departure from Naples
• Final Thoughts
• Expenses & Budget Breakdown

Accommodation

Sorrento (8 Nights)

For most of our trip, we stayed in a simple Airbnb cottage just outside Sorrento, about 20 minutes from the town centre. The nearest village was Sant’Agata, and handily, there was a SITA bus stop right outside the gate.

We paid £659.90 in total for 8 nights between three of us, which worked out at roughly £220 each. We paid a 50% deposit when booking in February, with the balance due in August for our September trip.

The cottage itself was basic but had air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and the most incredible panoramic view of Mount Vesuvius. It was spread across two floors and run by a lovely host named Claudia, who was incredibly helpful from start to finish.

Book Claudia’s Cottage

Naples (2 Nights)

We ended our itinerary with two nights in Naples, staying in this Airbnb in the Old Town. We paid £223.62 in total, which worked out to roughly £75 each between the three of us. We paid in full at the time of booking, with the option to cancel for free up until the day before check-in — always a bonus.

We picked this place mainly for its location — right in the heart of the Old Town, with easy access to metro lines, shops, and restaurants. But what really sold it for us was the private terrace, perfect for winding down in the evening with a drink after long days exploring.

Book Paola’s Art Terrace

Transport on the Amalfi Coast

Transfers from Naples

Since none of us were keen on driving abroad — especially along those winding coastal roads — we skipped the hire car and booked a private transfer instead. We used Blu Welcome Travel and pre-booked through Get Your Guide for £45 each, which included door-to-door service from Naples Airport to our Airbnb near Sorrento. Payment was due three days before with free cancellation, and our driver was waiting at arrivals with a name sign. The car was clean, air-conditioned, and just for us!

Getting Around: Buses, Ferries & Taxis

We mainly relied on SITA buses, which cover most of the Amalfi Coast including Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. They’re budget-friendly but often packed, especially in peak season — get to the stop early if you want a seat.

For Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, the SITA buses were the easiest option, though timetables can be a bit unreliable. We found it helpful to board at Sponda in Positano instead of Chiesa Nuova to avoid the queues.

We also used taxis for more remote spots or where timing was tight (like getting to Maya Beach or late dinners). Expect to pay around €16–20 per ride within Sorrento and €50+ for longer journeys. We often split fares between the three of us which helped.

On our day trip to Capri, we used a boat tour with included transfers from Sorrento, which was much easier than figuring out the public ferry schedules ourselves.

Travel Tips

• Use the Unico Campania app for SITA bus tickets — it’s slowly becoming more reliable and saves queueing at kiosks.
• Use Google Maps for rough bus timings, but take them with a pinch of salt.
• Carry cash — smaller towns and buses still aren’t fully card-friendly.
• Book taxis through your accommodation when possible — drivers often don’t speak English and prices can vary.

10 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving on the Amalfi Coast

After arriving in Sorrento and settling into our Airbnb just outside town, we spent a few hours soaking in the views, unpacking, and catching our breath from the travel day.

Dinner at O’Parrucchiano La Favorita

That evening, we treated ourselves to dinner at O’Parrucchiano La Favorita, the famous lemon grove restaurant that had been all over TikTok — and just about every travel recommendation I read beforehand. It had become so popular that bookings were only accepted 15 days in advance by phone, with a €30 minimum spend per person. I called at 10:30am UK time and easily made a reservation — no deposit needed, and the person I spoke to spoke English.

Since our accommodation was a little outside the town centre, our host kindly gave us a lift into Sorrento. For the return, we used a local taxi driver recommended by our host — €50 for the 20-minute drive back to Sant’Agata, which we split between the three of us.

A perfect first night: good food, a magical setting, and the kind of atmosphere that reminds you why you booked the Amalfi Coast in the first place.

Day 2: Sorrento

Maya Beach Experience

We kicked off our first full day with some luxury downtime at Maya Beach Experience, a beach club just outside Sorrento. We pre-booked VIP Pool Sunbeds which cost €50 per person, paid on arrival. That covered our sunbeds, towels, umbrellas, bottled water, and access to the main saltwater pool.

The beach club has a few different areas to choose from, but we wanted prime spots by the pool — worth it for a full day of relaxing. We arrived around 11am and spent the day lounging, swimming, and enjoying food and drinks ordered directly to our beds. Between the three of us, we spent around €55 each on lunch and drinks.

We stayed until about 4.30pm, then headed back to the Airbnb to freshen up before dinner.

Traditional 3-Course Italian Meal with a Local Family

That evening, we’d booked an Eat With experience hosted by Barbara — a local who prepared a traditional multi-course Italian meal using ingredients from her own garden.

The experience cost £34 per person, and included what was advertised as a 3-course meal, but turned out to be more like 5 — homemade pasta, vegetables, and desserts, all served al fresco on her terrace. It was one of the more authentic and intimate experiences of the trip.

You can read about my full experience here.

Day 3: Exploring Sorrento

After a relaxing day at the beach club, we were ready to stretch our legs and explore Sorrento properly. Our Airbnb was located just outside the town, but we had a walkable pedestrian route into the centre — it took us about an hour with a few photo stops along the way.

Breakfast at Bar Ercolano

We started the day with breakfast at Bar Ercolano, a casual local spot in the heart of town. We grabbed coffee and pastries and sat outside watching the town come to life.

Shopping in the Old Town

Next, we wandered through Via San Cesareo, Sorrento’s bustling old town street packed with independent shops selling leather sandals, handmade ceramics, limoncello, jewellery, and all the usual souvenirs. It’s narrow, busy, and a little chaotic — but a must-do. We also walked down Corso Italia, the town’s main thoroughfare, which is wider and lined with a mix of local boutiques and high street names.

Vallone Dei Mulin

Just a few steps from Piazza Tasso, we stopped at Vallone dei Mulini — also known as The Valley of the Mills. It’s an abandoned 13th-century flour mill surrounded by wild vegetation, hidden in a crevasse. You can’t go inside, but the view from above is hauntingly beautiful.

Lemon Grove and Limoncello Tasting

We booked a 60-minute tasting and tour at I Giardini di Cataldo, a lemon grove and limoncello producer right in the centre of Sorrento. For €32 per person, we got:

• A walk through the private lemon grove
• A family history of limoncello-making
• Tasting of sliced lemons, jams, limoncello, other liqueurs, and lemon ice cream
• A mini DIY limoncello bottling session (10cl bottle included)

It was a nice experience, though in hindsight, probably not the best value — we later found out there are free lemon gardens nearby. Still, it’s a good stop if you want to buy authentic limoncello products to take home.

Tip: Don’t forget mosquito spray.

Cooking Class with a View

To end the day, we’d booked a 4-hour evening cooking class through Viator with Penisola Experience. It cost £83 per person, and included a scenic 20-minute transfer to a villa overlooking the sea. The setting was magical — lemon trees, sea breeze, golden sunset. We cooked:

• Eggplant parmesan
• Fresh gnocchi in tomato sauce
• Tiramisù

All based on the host’s grandmother’s recipes. After cooking, we sat down with the other guests to eat and chat — easily one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

You can read about my full cooking class experience here.

Day 4: Day Trip to Positano

We took the SITA bus from Sorrento and spent the day exploring Positano — from brunch at Casa E Bottega and boutique shopping to a relaxing afternoon at Spiaggia Grande with pre-booked sunbeds. It was a beautiful (and busy) day trip, but we were glad we stayed based in Sorrento rather than in Positano itself.

You can read about my full Positano day trip here.

Day 5: Hiking the Paths of the Gods

The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) is known as one of the most scenic hikes in the world. We followed the most popular route from Bomerano to Nocelle, which took us just over two hours, with plenty of photo stops. After reaching the end, we made our way down the 1,700+ steps to Arienzo Beach for a well-earned dip in the sea.

You can read our full hiking experience here.

Day 6: Amalfi & Ravello

We set off early to explore two of the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic towns: Amalfi and Ravello. Since Ravello sits above Amalfi, it made sense to visit them both in one day.
We caught the SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi, but when we realised the queue for the tiny bus up to Ravello was ridiculous, we opted to split a taxi instead — a bit of a splurge, but worth it to stay on schedule.

Lunch at Belmond Caruso

In Ravello, we had a long, luxurious lunch at the Belmond Hotel Caruso, which has stunning views and was definitely a trip highlight. After lunch, we visited:

• Villa Rufolo
• Villa Cimbrone (yes, the Instagram-famous Infinity Terrace)

We then made our way back to Amalfi for a quick visit to the Amalfi Cathedral and its cloisters, followed by a casual dinner and a mad dash for the bus back to Sorrento.
Tip: get to the stop early — everyone is trying to get back at the same time

Day 7: Capri

We spent the day in Capri, ticking off the classic sights and soaking in that postcard-worthy coastline. We booked a Capri boat tour that included:

• Transfers from Sorrento
• A stop at the Blue Grotto (entry fee not included)
• A few hours of free time on the island
• Scenic sailing around the coastline

The tour started early — we met at 7:30am and were back in Sorrento by 2:30pm, giving us time to shop and wander before dinner.

The Blue Grotto entry was €18 and paid separately on arrival by small boat. It’s touristy, yes, but also kind of magical if the tide and sunlight line up.

After returning to Sorrento, we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and taking it easy.

You can read about our full Capri experience here.

Day 8: Pompeii & Vesuvius

Rather than squeezing it in on the way to Naples (as some guides suggest), we dedicated a full day to visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius — and we’re glad we did.
We booked a guided tour with lunch and transport from Sorrento, which made the day much easier to manage. The tour included:

• Pick-up and drop-off from Sorrento
• A guided walk through Pompeii’s ruins
• Lunch
• A drive up to Mount Vesuvius, followed by a short but steep hike to the crater

The full day cost £114.89 each, and while it’s one of the pricier activities, it was also one of the most memorable.

You can read about our tour experience in full here.

We were back in Sorrento by 4:30pm, just in time to wind down at Spa Ulysses — a relaxing little spot in town where we booked a 2-hour spa session (€25) that included use of the jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and pool. Highly recommend it if your legs need a break.

Dinner at Bellevue Syrene

To mark our last evening in Sorrento — and on the Amalfi Coast — we treated ourselves to a luxury dinner at Bellevue Syrene, one of the most iconic hotels on the peninsula.

We’d contacted the restaurant by email requesting a reservation for one of two possible dates. They replied the next day confirming a table on La Pergola — their stunning panoramic terrace that overlooks Piazza della Vittoria and the sea beyond.

From the moment we arrived, the experience felt special. We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine that was so good we spent the rest of the trip trying (unsuccessfully) to find it again in Naples — I eventually ordered it online once I got home. If you’re curious, it’s this one.

It was the perfect send-off: peaceful views, elegant food, and that “can’t believe we’re really here” kind of feeling.

Mt. Vesuvius

Day 9: Travel to Naples & Pizza Pilgrimage

After checking out of our Airbnb in Sorrento, we caught the Campania Express to Naples — a more comfortable upgrade from the standard Circumvesuviana train. We pre-booked online for €15 per person, which included reserved seating and an e-ticket, so no need to validate it at the station. The journey took about 1 hour and 20 minutes, arriving at Napoli Garibaldi.

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele a Forcella

First stop? Pizza, obviously. We headed straight to L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele a Forcella, the iconic spot made even more famous by Eat, Pray, Love. Despite the hype, it absolutely delivered.

The menu still sticks to the classics — Marinara, Margherita, or Cosacca, all for around €5.50. We went for the Marita (half Margherita, half Marinara), but honestly, the Margherita alone was the standout. Hands down the best pizza of the trip.

They now have locations in London, Manchester, and Amsterdam too. 

Street Food Tour

Later, we joined a Naples street food tour we’d pre-booked for £32.67 each. It lasted about 2.5 hours and included around six tastings, but in truth, we found it a bit underwhelming. The guide was friendly, but the stops felt fairly generic — not quite the hidden-gem experience we’d hoped for. If we did it again, we’d probably just follow our own list and explore the food scene at our own pace.

Day 10: Exploring Naples

With just one full day left, we wanted to make the most of our time in Naples. We loosely followed an itinerary from Full Suitcase, starting with some culture and ending with carbs — as it should be.

Naples National Archaeological Museum

We started our day at the National Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in the world for Roman history and artefacts. It’s well worth a visit — even if you’ve already seen Pompeii, this gives it more context. We booked tickets online in advance for around €22.50 per person.

Galleria Umberto I, Castel Sant’Elmo & More

From there, we visited a few of Naples’ big-name spots:

• Galleria Umberto I — the kind of place that makes you look up constantly
• Castel Sant’Elmo — incredible views over Naples
• Piazza del Plebiscito — a great photo spot
• Via Toledo — for a bit of shopping
• Cafe Gambrinus — one of the oldest cafes in Naples, ideal for a late morning espresso and people-watching

Da Brandi a Chiaia

For lunch, we made our way to Da Brandi, the birthplace of the Margherita pizza. It’s a more formal setting than Da Michele, but still laid-back and historic. Definitely a good one to tick off if you’re doing a pizza pilgrimage through Naples.

Wandering the Spanish Quarter

In the afternoon, we wandered through the Spanish Quarter — colourful, chaotic, and full of character. It’s a great area for soaking up the local vibe, snapping street art, and picking up last-minute souvenirs.

Day 11: Departure

Our time on the Amalfi Coast and in Naples had flown by, and just like that, it was time to head home. We got to Naples Airport with plenty of time to spare — and it’s just as well. It was hands down the most chaotic airport we’ve ever flown from. Poor signage, delayed screens, and general confusion everywhere. If you’re flying from here, check everything on your airline app, not the monitors, and arrive early just in case.

Our flight home was with Wizz Air to London Stansted, and we were back on UK soil by the early evening — tired, sun-kissed, and very well fed.

Final Thoughts on the Amalfi Coast

This trip was genuinely one for the books — a perfect mix of sightseeing, sunshine, indulgence and downtime, with a few travel hiccups to keep things interesting. We managed to see a lot in 10 nights without feeling too rushed, and while some parts were definitely a splurge, it could easily be adapted to suit a smaller budget.

Would I do it all again? Absolutely!

Expenses & Budget Breakdown for the Amalfi Coast

Here’s everything I spent during my 10 nights on the Amalfi Coast, some of the figures in GBP are approximate as they were converted from euros. Being a trip of a lifetime and following some hardships, we decided to splash out at some of the more expensive restaurants with lobster and wine, and activities so it could definitely have been done more on a budget. We pre-booked a few of the activities and transport to help spread the cost.

Flight & Accommodation

• Flight from Birmingham to Naples – £37
• Flight from Naples to London Stansted – £90
• Sorrento AirB&B – £220
• Naples Air B&B – £75
• Birmingham Airport hotel – £46.30
• Tourist Tax – £14 (16€)
• Total: £468.30

Travel

• Transfer from Naples Airport to Sorrento – £45 pre-booked
• Taxi to Accommodation  – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Taxi to Maya Beach – £17.39 (20€ pp / 60€ total)
• Taxi from Maya Beach – £17.39 (20€ pp / 60€ total)
• Taxi to Accommodation – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Bus to Sorrento – £1.13 (€1.30)
• Bus to Positano – £2.78 (€3.20)
• Bus from Positano to Sorrento – £2.78 (€3.20)
• Bus Day Ticket – £8.70 (€10)
• Bus Day Ticket – £8.70 (€10)
• Taxi to Ravello – £17.39 (20€)
• Bus to Capri – £1.13 (€1.30)
• Taxi to Sorrento Harbour – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Bus to Accommodation – £1.13 (€1.30)
• Taxi to Sorrento – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Taxi to Accommodation – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Taxi to Train Station – £14.43 (16.6€ pp / 50€ total)
• Train from Sorrento to Naples – £13 (15 €) pre-booked
• Funicular Tickets Return – £2.26 (€2.60)
• Metro Ticket  – £1.13 (€1.30)
• Metro Ticket  – £1.13 (€1.30)
• Airport Bus – £4.20 (5€)
• Total: £231.82

Activities

• Maya Beach Experience – £43 (50€) reserved and paid on arrival
• Sorrento Cooking Class – £82.88  pre-booked
• I Giardini di Cataldo – £27 (32€) reserved and paid on arrival
• Capri Boat Tour – £128.10 pre-booked
• Sorrento and Capri tax – £8.70 (€10)
• Blue Grotto Entrance Fee – £15.65 (€18)
• Garden of Augustus (Giardini di Augosto), Capri -£1.30 (€1.5)
• Positano Spiaggia Grande – £37 pre-booked
• Villa Cimbrone – £9 (€10)
• Villa Rufolo – £6.91 (€8)
• Naples Cloisters – £3.48 (€4)
• Pompeii & Vesuvius £114.89 pre-booked
• Spa Ulysses – £21.74 (€25)
• Naples Street Food Tour – £32.6 pre-booked
• Castle – £3.04 (€3.50)
• Naples Archaeological Museum £19.56 (22.54€)
• Total: £553.46

Food and Drink:

• Airport Snack – £6.09 (€7 )
• Supermarket Groceries – £20.09 (€23.3pp – €70 total)
• O’Parrucchiano La Favorita, Sorrento – £40 (46€)
• Maya Beach Experience, Massa Lubrese  – £47.62 (€55)
• Eat With, Sorrento – £37
• Breakfast, Sorrento – £4.78  (€5.50)
• A’Marenna Sandwich, Sorrento – £7.40 (€8.49)
• Casa E Bottega, Positano – £17.39 (€20)
• Beach Pizza, Positano – £4.61 (€5.3  – 16€ total)
• Lemon Spritz, Positano – £12.17 (€14)
• Lemon Sorbet, Positano – £8.70 (€10)
• Coffee and Fanta, Bomerano – £4.35 (€5)
• Da Franco Pizza – £10.87 (€12.50)
• Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello – £52.17 (€60)
• Lemon Sorbet, Amalfi £8.70 (€10)
• Amalfi Dinner – £18.26 (21€)
• Cappucino, Capri – £6.09 (€7)
• Capri Pasta – £13.04 (€15)
• Restaurant Z’Intonio – £46.08 (€53)
• Cappucino, Sorrento – £2.61 (€3)
• Bellevue Syrene, Sorrento – £59.18 (€68)
• L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele a Forcella, Naples – £6.96 (€8)
• Cappucino, Naples – £2.75 (€3.16)
• Libreria Berisio, Naples –  £6.96 (€8)
• Gran Caffè Gambrinus, Naples – £12.17 (14€)
• Da Brandi a Chiaia, Naples – £20 (€23)
• Total: £478.48

Shopping and Souvenirs:

• Limoncello x 3 mini, Lemon Soap & Sweets – €19
• Wine – €30
• Perfume – €70
• Scarf – €10
• Leather Bag – €29.90
• Ceramic Vase – €90
• Ceramic Lemon – €28
• Ceramic Olive Oil Cannister – €40
• Underwear Set – €24.18
• Espresso Cup – €7
• Pistachio Biscuits – €13.50
• Air Balloon Ceramic Diffuser – €30
• Dress – €19.99
• Socks – €3.99
• Total: £361.33 (€415.56)

See more Amalfi Coast adventures:

• A Day Trip Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
• A Day Trip to Capri and the Blue Grotto
• Path of the Gods
• The Viral Cooking Class in Sorrento
• Eat With The Bimonte Family in Sorrento