Three days on the Amalfi Coast is tight but absolutely doable — and with the right plan, you can see the major highlights without feeling rushed. This Amalfi Coast 3-day itinerary uses Sorrento as a base (the best-connected town on the coast), with day trips to Capri, the Amalfi Coast villages, and time for a cooking class or boat tour. Adjust to your pace, but this is the framework we recommend after years of helping travellers plan their trips.
Where to Stay
Base yourself in Sorrento. It has the best transport connections — direct trains to Naples and Pompeii, ferries to Capri and the Amalfi Coast, and the SITA bus to Positano and Amalfi. BlueKeys offers curated apartments and villas in Sorrento, from clifftop terraces to quiet retreats in the lemon groves. Book a property with a sea view and your evenings are sorted.
If you prefer to be closer to the action on the coast itself, consider a stay in Positano or Praiano — but be aware that transport from these towns is more limited. A private transfer on arrival and departure day makes any base work smoothly.
Day 1: Sorrento and a Cooking Class
Morning: Arrive in Sorrento and get your bearings. Walk along Corso Italia to Piazza Tasso, then down Via San Cesareo through the old town. Stop for a granita di limone (lemon granita) — the local speciality. Peek into the Vallone dei Mulini, the hidden gorge in the centre of town with its abandoned flour mill.
Late morning: Join a cooking class in Sorrento with BlueKeys. Classes typically begin around 10:30 with a visit to the market or a local farm, followed by a hands-on session making fresh pasta, gnocchi alla sorrentina, or Neapolitan pizza. You eat everything you cook for lunch, paired with local wine. Classes run until around 14:30 and cost from 85 to 120 euros per person.
Afternoon: Walk down to Marina Grande, the old fishing village below the cliffs. Have a coffee at one of the waterfront cafes and watch the boats come and go. Then climb back up and explore the Museo Correale for its collection of Neapolitan art and its citrus garden with views of Vesuvius.
Evening: Aperitivo at a clifftop bar — try the Foreigners' Club terrace for sunset views over the Bay of Naples. Dinner at Il Buco (one Michelin star, extraordinary wine cellar) or, for something more casual, Inn Bufalito for mozzarella di bufala in every possible form.
Day 2: Capri by Boat
Full day: This is the highlight of most Amalfi Coast 3-day itineraries, and we strongly recommend doing it by private boat rather than public ferry. BlueKeys offers private Capri boat tours from Sorrento that depart around 9:00 from Marina Piccola. Your skipper takes you around the Sorrentine Peninsula, past the Faraglioni rocks, and into hidden sea caves and swimming coves that ferry passengers never see. For a premium experience, consider a luxury yacht charter.
A typical itinerary includes:
- 9:00 — 10:00: Cruise from Sorrento, swimming stop at a secluded cove near Massa Lubrense
- 10:00 — 11:00: Circumnavigate Capri with stops at the Green Grotto and the Natural Arch
- 11:00 — 11:45: Visit the Blue Grotto (conditions permitting, entry 18 euros cash)
- 12:00 — 14:30: Free time on Capri island — lunch, Piazzetta, Gardens of Augustus, shopping
- 14:30 — 16:00: Afternoon swimming stops on the return to Sorrento
A full-day private boat charter for up to 8 people costs from 900 to 1,300 euros including skipper, fuel, drinks, and snorkelling gear. Split among a group, it is extraordinary value for an unforgettable day. If you prefer an evening on the water instead, a sunset cruise is a beautiful alternative.
Evening: You will be pleasantly exhausted. Have a simple dinner at Donna Sofia on Via San Cesareo and fall asleep dreaming of turquoise water.
Day 3: Amalfi Coast — Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello
Morning: Take the SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano (1 hour, around 2.50 euros). The bus ride itself is an experience — the road is carved into the cliffs with hairpin bends and jaw-dropping views. Get off at the Sponda stop and walk down through the village to Spiaggia Grande. Spend an hour on the beach or exploring the boutiques and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Late morning: Take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi (25 minutes, around 10 euros). Walk through Amalfi's old town, visit the cathedral (entry 3 euros), and have lunch at Trattoria Il Mulino in Via delle Cartiere (mains from 14 euros).
Afternoon: Take the bus from Amalfi up to Ravello (25 minutes). Visit Villa Rufolo and its gardens (10 euros), then walk to Villa Cimbrone for the legendary Terrace of Infinity (10 euros). Have an aperitivo at one of the terrace bars on Piazza Duomo before taking the bus back to Amalfi.
Evening: Ferry back to Sorrento (seasonal), or take the SITA bus. Alternatively, pre-arrange a private transfer from Ravello back to Sorrento for a relaxed, traffic-free end to your Amalfi Coast 3-day itinerary.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
- Accommodation (3 nights): 150 to 400 euros (depending on apartment vs. hotel)
- Cooking class: 85 to 120 euros
- Capri boat tour (share of private charter): 120 to 220 euros
- Transport (buses, ferries): 30 to 50 euros
- Meals and drinks: 120 to 200 euros
- Museum entries: 25 to 40 euros
Total estimate: 530 to 1,030 euros per person for 3 days, depending on your accommodation and dining choices.
Alternative: Add the Path of the Gods
If you are an early riser and reasonably fit, you can swap the morning of Day 3 for the Path of the Gods hike. Start in Bomerano (transfer from Sorrento at 7:30), hike to Nocelle in about 3.5 hours, then descend the staircase to Positano. From there, continue with the afternoon portion of the Day 3 itinerary. It makes for a longer day, but the trail views are extraordinary and it is an Amalfi Coast 3-day itinerary highlight.
Practical Tips
- Book ahead: Boat tours, cooking classes, and top restaurants sell out in peak season. Reserve as early as possible.
- Start early: The coast gets crowded by midday. Early starts mean cooler temperatures, fewer people, and better photos.
- Pack light layers: Evenings can be cool, especially if you are on a boat or at altitude in Ravello.
- Carry cash: Many small businesses, beach clubs, and buses only accept cash.
Build Your Perfect Trip
Browse stays in Sorrento, book a Capri boat tour from Sorrento or cooking class, and arrange private transfers — all through BlueKeys. See also: Amalfi Coast boat tours and sailing excursions.
