Picking your base
The right base balances postcard views against stairs, ferry access, and price. Positano sells the dream at a premium, while Amalfi town makes the coast easy.
Key Facts
What the stay delivers
Each town trades its own currency: Positano sells the iconic view, Amalfi town buys you ferry convenience, and Ravello trades sea access for calm and gardens.
Highlights
- Positano's clifftop hotels like Le Sirenuse own the coast's most photographed terraces
- Amalfi town is the car-free hub, with ferries to Positano, Capri, and Salerno
- Ravello's gardens and height give the calmest, most refined stay on the coast
Amenities
- Sea-view terraces
- Private beach access
- Swimming pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Ferry ticket assistance
Arriving and getting around
Fly into Naples Airport and take the ferry from Naples or Salerno to Amalfi or Positano, or ride the SITA bus along the coast road. Between towns, ferries beat the winding roads, and in Positano expect about 1,500 steps between the shore and the upper village.
What's close by
Where to eat nearby
Seafood in Amalfi town, lemon dishes, and terraces with sea views.
How seasons change your stay
The coast runs on the ferry season, roughly April through October, when rates and crowds climb together. Shoulder months stretch the value, while winter closes the boats and thins the streets.
Peak season (Jul–Aug)
Rates near €900, book 6+ months ahead
Shoulder (May–Jun, Sep–Oct)
Best balance, around €300 for mid-range
Winter months (Nov–Mar)
Ferries stop, rates from €150
Get the best deal
The coast rewards lead time: the most photographed towns sell out first, and free-cancellation rates let you lock a room without losing flexibility.
Free-cancellation rates cost a little more but let you lock a great price and stay flexible.
Get Travel InsuranceBook with these in mind
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Book three months or more ahead in Positano and Praiano, where value rooms vanish first
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Choose Minori or Maiori for flat streets, sandy beaches, and lower rates
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Ferries from Amalfi to Positano cost about nine to eleven euros and beat the bus
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Check seasonal ferry schedules on Travelmar before committing to one town as your base
Protect your trip
Hotel reservations often have cancellation deadlines and non-refundable rates. Travel insurance covers unexpected changes so you don't pay for a room you can't use.
Protect Your TripDress for the city
Bring sturdy walking shoes, because every town runs on stairs and you will climb hundreds a day. Pack layers for the sea breeze and strong sun, plus swimwear for the beaches and coves. For the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, keep shoulders and knees covered, and carry a light scarf just in case.
Capturing your stay
Shoot Positano from the water on a ferry crossing, or hike to Nocelle for the classic stacked view at first light. Frame the Duomo di Sant'Andrea from the top of its steps, and catch Ravello's gardens at golden hour, when the bougainvillea glows against the sea.
Getting around with ease
Positano is the hardest base: hundreds of steps, and many clifftop hotels have no lift, so check before booking. Ferries with level boarding beat the cramped SITA buses. For a flatter, easier stay, base yourself in Minori or Maiori, where the streets run level along the beach.
What to consider
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Positano means 300 to 400 steps a day, and July crowds match its famous prices
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Ravello has no ferry stop and no beach, so reaching the sea takes a twenty-minute bus ride
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Ferry routes run mostly April through October, leaving the crowded SITA buses off season