This Amalfi Coast itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience the region slowly, over two or three days.
Most Amalfi Coast itineraries try to fit too much into too little time. Towns are rushed, meals are squeezed in, and the coast becomes something to conquer rather than experience.
This guide takes a different approach.
Designed as a slow, local-first Amalfi itinerary, it blends well-known beauty with quieter cafés, family-run restaurants, and towns travellers often overlook — all at a pace that lets Amalfi reveal itself naturally.
Where to Base Yourself
We recommend staying in Amalfi for the full 2–3 days and exploring nearby towns as day trips — it’s the most practical option, especially for first-time visitors.
Travellers who prefer quieter evenings may choose to spend one night in Praiano or Ravello instead.
Day 1: Amalfi Town — Coffee, History, and an Unhurried Start
Begin your Amalfi Coast journey in Amalfi itself, and begin early. Before the crowds gather, the town feels calm, almost domestic.
Start with coffee at Pasticceria Andrea Pansa, a historic café just off the cathedral square. Locals stop here for espresso and a pastry, standing at the bar rather than lingering. It’s a small ritual, but it sets the tone for the day.
From the centre, walk about 15 minutes (around 1 km) to the Museo della Carta. Housed in a former paper mill, the museum traces Amalfi’s past as a major paper-making centre, long before tourism shaped the town. The visit is quiet, tactile, and unexpectedly grounding.
For lunch, return to the heart of Amalfi and keep things simple. Da Gemma is a reliable choice for traditional dishes, while Marina Grande offers relaxed seaside dining.
We recommend trying:
Scialatielli pasta — a thick, local speciality often paired with lemon or seafood.
Spend the afternoon wandering Amalfi’s lanes, browsing shops selling handmade paper, or stepping into churches without an agenda.
As evening arrives and day-trippers depart, Amalfi softens. Dinner at Il Tarì keeps the mood intimate, followed by gelato from Gelateria Pansa.
Day 2: Praiano and Minori — Views, Space, and Sweet Traditions
On day two, move gently along the coast rather than hopping between headline towns.
Travel about 7 km (30–40 minutes) to Praiano, a quieter alternative to Positano with wide sea views and a noticeably slower rhythm.
Walk up to Chiesa di San Gennaro, where a tiled square opens directly onto the sea. Unlike busier viewpoints, this one invites sitting, not rushing.
Lunch in Praiano can be leisurely. Kasai offers contemporary Italian cooking with views, while Il Pirata is known for its dramatic setting and evening light.
Continue on to Minori, just 5 km away, a town deeply connected to food and daily life.
Dessert here is essential. Sal De Riso Costa d’Amalfi is a local institution, famous for refined citrus-based pastries.
Don’t leave Minori without:
Trying the Delizia al Limone — light, fragrant, and unmistakably Amalfi.
For something savoury, La Botte serves honest, unfussy local dishes. Before heading back, stop for gelato at Gelateria Gambardella, a favourite with residents.
Day 3 : Ravello and Seeing the Coast from the Sea
If you have a third day, head uphill to Ravello, about 30 minutes by bus from Amalfi. Ravello immediately feels removed from the coastal bustle.
Around Piazza Duomo Ravello, shaded cafés, ceramic studios, and quiet lanes encourage wandering without purpose.
For lunch, Caffè Calce keeps things casual, while Villa Maria Restaurant offers garden dining and a slower pace.
In the afternoon, return to Amalfi and experience the coastline from the water. A short ferry ride between towns reveals the dramatic scale of the coast without the stress of road travel.
The final evening is best kept simple — a walk, a last gelato, perhaps from Crema & Cioccolato, and the sense of having let Amalfi unfold rather than be consumed.
Where We Recommend Staying in Amalfi
Choosing one base makes this itinerary smoother.
Hotel Marina Riviera – relaxed, welcoming, quietly personal
Hotel L’Antico Convento – central, classic views
