Quick answer — 3-day Amalfi Coast itinerary
- Day 1 — Sorrento: old town walk + cooking class (from €85/person) + evening aperitivo
- Day 2 — Capri boat trip: private boat from €800/boat or group tour from €120/person
- Day 3 — Coast villages: Positano → Amalfi → Ravello by ferry + SITA bus
- Base: Sorrento (best connections) · apartments from €80/night
- Budget estimate: from €150/person/day (accommodation + transport + activities)
| Day | Main activity | Est. cost/person | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sorrento + cooking class | €85–120 (class) | On foot |
| Day 2 | Capri boat tour | €120–160/person | Boat from Marina Piccola |
| Day 3 | Positano + Amalfi + Ravello | €15–30 (bus/ferry) | Ferry Sorrento→Positano, SITA bus |
| Path of the Gods opt. | Agerola → Positano hike | Free + bus €2.60 | SITA bus to Bomerano |
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: Choosing Your Base for 3 Days
Base yourself in Sorrento. It has the best transport connections on the entire coast — direct Circumvesuviana trains to Naples Garibaldi (70 minutes, 4.40 euros) and Pompeii (30 minutes, 2.80 euros), high-speed ferries to Capri (20 minutes) and Positano (35 minutes), plus the SITA bus that runs the full length of the coast road to Amalfi. BlueKeys offers curated apartments and villas in Sorrento, from clifftop terraces with panoramic views to quiet retreats surrounded by lemon groves. Book a property with a sea view and your evenings are sorted — a glass of local Falanghina on the terrace is the best way to end every day.
Sorrento also has a lively old town with excellent restaurants, gelaterias, and shops within walking distance of most accommodation. Grocery stores (Deco, Conad) are easy to reach if you prefer to self-cater some meals, and the town centre stays animated well past midnight in summer.
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 and you will rely more heavily on taxis, ferries, and the infrequent SITA bus. A private transfer on arrival and departure day makes any base work smoothly, regardless of where you stay.
Day 1: Sorrento and a Cooking Class
8:30 — Arrive and settle in. If coming from Naples, take the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi (departs every 30 minutes, journey 70 minutes, 4.40 euros). If arriving at Naples airport, a private transfer to Sorrento takes about 75 minutes and costs from 90 euros for the car — far less stressful than navigating public transport with luggage. Drop your bags at your accommodation and put on comfortable walking shoes.
9:15 — Explore the old town. Walk along Corso Italia to Piazza Tasso, the main square flanked by grand 19th-century buildings. Head down Via San Cesareo through the old town — this is the narrow, shop-lined heart of Sorrento. Stop for a granita di limone (lemon granita) at a corner stall — the local speciality that costs around 3 euros and tastes nothing like the tourist version. Peek into the Vallone dei Mulini, the hidden gorge in the centre of town with its abandoned flour mill draped in ferns, visible from a fence on Via Fuorimura.
10:30 — Cooking class begins. Join a cooking class in Sorrento with BlueKeys. Most classes start with a visit to a local market or farm to pick ingredients — tomatoes, basil, mozzarella di bufala — then move to a kitchen in a lemon grove or farmhouse. Over the next three hours, you make fresh pasta (ravioli caprese or scialatielli), gnocchi alla sorrentina, and perhaps Neapolitan pizza from scratch. Everything is hands-on, with the chef guiding you through each step. You eat everything you cook for lunch at a communal table, paired with local wine from Gragnano. Classes typically wrap up around 14:00 and cost from 85 to 120 euros per person including all ingredients, wine, and recipes to take home.
14:30 — Marina Grande. Walk down the steep path to Marina Grande, the old fishing village below the cliffs where colourful boats line the shore. Have a coffee or a limoncello spritz at one of the waterfront cafes (around 5 euros) and watch the fishermen mending nets. The atmosphere here feels completely removed from the tourist bustle above.
15:30 — Museo Correale. Climb back up and explore the Museo Correale di Terranova (entry 10 euros), which houses a fine collection of Neapolitan paintings, decorative arts, and a citrus garden terrace with sweeping views of Vesuvius across the bay. Allow about an hour.
17:00 — Free time. Return to your accommodation to rest or explore the backstreets at your own pace. Sorrento rewards aimless wandering — you will find ceramic workshops, tiny churches, and unexpected viewpoints around every corner.
19:00 — Aperitivo and dinner. Start with an aperitivo at the Foreigners' Club terrace (Spritz around 8 euros) for sunset views over the Bay of Naples. For dinner, Il Buco (one Michelin star, extraordinary wine cellar in a former monastery, tasting menu from 95 euros) is the top choice. For something more casual, try Inn Bufalito on Via San Cesareo for mozzarella di bufala served in every possible form (mains from 12 euros).
Day 2: Capri by Boat
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 from Marina Piccola and show you the coast from a perspective no bus or ferry can match. For a premium experience, consider a luxury yacht charter.
8:30 — Meet your skipper. Head to Marina Piccola where your boat and skipper are waiting. Stow your bags, apply sunscreen, and push off into the glittering Bay of Naples. The boat is typically a traditional gozzo sorrentino (7 to 9 metres) with a sun canopy, Bluetooth speaker, and a cooler stocked with water, prosecco, and fruit.
9:00 — 9:45 — Cruise and first swim. Motor along the Sorrentine Peninsula past the fishing village of Massa Lubrense. Your skipper drops anchor at a secluded cove — crystal-clear water, limestone cliffs, no crowds. Take your first swim of the day while the crew sets out snorkelling gear.
10:00 — 11:00 — Circumnavigate Capri. Round the island past the dramatic Faraglioni rocks (three towering sea stacks, the most photographed landmark in southern Italy), the Green Grotto where the water glows emerald, and the Natural Arch carved into the cliff above the waves. Your skipper navigates close to the rock face so you can feel the scale of these formations.
11:00 — 11:45 — Blue Grotto. If sea conditions permit, you transfer into a small rowing boat to enter the Grotta Azzurra — the cave where sunlight refracts through an underwater opening and turns the water an electric, unearthly blue. Entry costs 18 euros cash, paid directly to the boatmen. Even if the grotto is closed (rough seas close it about 30 percent of days), the exterior coastline on this side of Capri is spectacular.
12:00 — 14:30 — Free time on Capri. The boat drops you at Marina Grande. Take the funicular (2.20 euros) up to the centre of Capri town. Stroll through the Piazzetta, the tiny, glamorous square ringed by cafes. Visit the Gardens of Augustus (free entry) for views of the Faraglioni and Via Krupp, the serpentine path zigzagging down to Marina Piccola. Grab lunch at Lo Sfizietto (panini and arancini from 6 euros) or sit down at Da Paolino, the famous restaurant under the lemon trees (mains from 22 euros).
14:30 — 16:00 — Afternoon swimming. Reboard your boat for one or two more swimming stops on the return journey. Your skipper knows hidden coves along the Punta Campanella marine reserve where the water visibility reaches 30 metres.
16:30 — Return to Sorrento. Back at Marina Piccola, sun-drenched and salty. 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 of four, that is 225 to 325 euros per person — extraordinary value for an unforgettable day. If you prefer an evening on the water instead, a sunset cruise is a beautiful alternative starting from around 600 euros per boat.
20:00 — Dinner. You will be pleasantly exhausted. Have a simple dinner at Donna Sofia on Via San Cesareo (pizza from 9 euros, pasta from 12 euros) and fall asleep dreaming of turquoise water.
Day 3: Amalfi Coast — Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello
7:45 — Early bus to Positano. Take the SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano (departs from the Circumvesuviana station, journey about 1 hour, 2.50 euros one-way). Buy your ticket at a tabacchi shop before boarding — the driver will not sell one. The bus ride itself is an experience: the road is carved into the cliffs with hairpin bends and jaw-dropping views over the sea at every turn. Sit on the right-hand side for the best vantage point.
8:45 — Positano. Get off at the Sponda stop and walk down through the cascading village — bougainvillea-covered walls, pastel buildings stacked on top of each other, ceramic tile accents everywhere. Reach Spiaggia Grande at the bottom and take in the view back up. Spend an hour on the beach, have a coffee at a beachfront bar (espresso 1.50 euros), and explore the boutiques and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its famous majolica-tiled dome. Read more in our guide to things to do in Positano.
10:30 — Ferry to Amalfi. Take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi (25 minutes, around 10 euros). The coastline from the water is magnificent — you pass Praiano and the Emerald Grotto on the way. Arrive at Amalfi's harbour and walk into the old town through Piazza Duomo, dominated by the 9th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew with its striped Romanesque facade (entry 3 euros). Climb the 62 steps to the entrance for photos.
11:30 — Explore Amalfi. Walk up Via delle Cartiere, once lined with paper mills that made Amalfi famous in the Middle Ages. Visit the Paper Museum (entry 4.50 euros) to see how handmade paper was produced. Then have lunch at Trattoria Il Mulino in Via delle Cartiere (mains from 14 euros, try the scialatielli ai frutti di mare). For a quicker bite, Cuoppo d'Amalfi on the main square serves fried seafood cones for 6 euros.
13:30 — Bus to Ravello. Take the SITA bus from Amalfi up to Ravello (25 minutes, 1.30 euros). The road climbs steeply through chestnut forests and terraced vineyards to this hilltop town that has attracted writers, musicians, and artists for centuries — Wagner composed part of Parsifal here.
14:00 — Ravello's villas. Visit Villa Rufolo and its gardens (entry 10 euros), where the annual Ravello Festival holds open-air concerts on a stage suspended above the sea. Then walk 10 minutes along Via Santa Chiara to Villa Cimbrone (entry 10 euros) for the legendary Terrace of Infinity — a belvedere lined with marble busts overlooking the coast 350 metres below. Gore Vidal called it the most beautiful view in the world.
16:00 — Aperitivo in Ravello. Have a drink at one of the terrace bars on Piazza Duomo (Negroni around 10 euros) before taking the bus back to Amalfi.
17:30 — Return to Sorrento. Take the seasonal ferry from Amalfi back to Sorrento (about 70 minutes, 14 euros) or the SITA bus (90 minutes, 2.50 euros). Alternatively, pre-arrange a private transfer from Ravello back to Sorrento (from 90 euros for the car, seats up to 4) for a relaxed, traffic-free end to your Amalfi Coast 3-day itinerary.
Daily Budget Table
| Category | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | 3-Day Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €50–130 | €50–130 | €50–130 | €150–390 |
| Food & drinks | €30–60 | €35–65 | €35–60 | €100–185 |
| Activities | €95–130 | €140–250 | €25–40 | €260–420 |
| Transport | €0–5 | €0 (incl.) | €15–30 | €15–35 |
| Daily total/person | €175–325 | €225–445 | €125–260 | €525–1,030 |
Budget travellers sharing an apartment and taking group tours can keep costs around 525 euros for the full three days. Couples choosing boutique accommodation, private boat charters, and fine dining should budget closer to 1,000 euros per person.
Transport Between Stops: Routes and Prices
| Route | Mode | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples → Sorrento | Circumvesuviana train | 70 min | €4.40 |
| Sorrento → Positano | SITA bus | 60 min | €2.50 |
| Sorrento → Positano | Fast ferry | 35 min | €18 |
| Positano → Amalfi | Ferry | 25 min | €10 |
| Amalfi → Ravello | SITA bus | 25 min | €1.30 |
| Amalfi → Sorrento | Ferry | 70 min | €14 |
| Sorrento → Capri | Fast ferry | 20 min | €22 |
| Sorrento → Pompeii | Circumvesuviana train | 30 min | €2.80 |
| Any route (private) | Private transfer | Varies | From €70/car |
Buy SITA bus tickets at any tabacchi shop before boarding — drivers do not sell tickets. Ferries run from April to October only, with reduced schedules in shoulder season. Check timetables at the port the evening before your trip. For stress-free travel with luggage, a private transfer between any two points on the coast is the smartest investment you can make.
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 along a cliff-edge trail with views across the entire coastline, then descend the 1,700-step 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.
5-Day Extension: Two Extra Days
If you can stretch your trip to five days, you gain two unforgettable additions without any backtracking.
Day 4 — Pompeii and Herculaneum. Take the Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi (30 minutes, 2.80 euros). Spend the morning exploring the ruins of this ancient Roman city buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD — the amphitheatre, the Forum, the House of the Faun, and the haunting plaster casts. Entry costs 18 euros (book online to skip the queue). After lunch near the site, take the train one stop to Ercolano for the smaller but equally powerful Herculaneum excavations (entry 13 euros), where wooden furniture, food, and even fabric survived under the volcanic mud. Return to Sorrento by late afternoon. Alternatively, combine Pompeii with a guided Path of the Gods hike if you did not do it on Day 3.
Day 5 — Scooter or boat along the coast. Rent a scooter in Sorrento (from 35 euros/day) and ride the coastal road at your own pace — stop at Nerano for lunch at Lo Scoglio (famous for zucchini pasta), swim at Recommone Bay, and loop through Praiano. Or take a half-day boat tour along the Amalfi Coast visiting grottoes and swimming spots you missed on the Capri day. End the trip with a farewell dinner at a top Amalfi Coast restaurant — our guide covers the best options from trattorias to fine dining.
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip: Cobblestones, steep staircases, and cliff paths are everywhere. Flat sandals will not cut it. Bring broken-in trainers or hiking sandals.
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel: You will swim almost every day. Beach clubs charge 15 to 25 euros for a sunbed, but a towel lets you use free stretches of beach.
- Light layers and a windbreaker: Evenings can be cool, especially on boats and at altitude in Ravello. A packable jacket weighs nothing and saves the night.
- Cash in small notes: Many buses, beach vendors, small trattorias, and the Blue Grotto boatmen only accept cash. Carry 50 to 100 euros in 5- and 10-euro notes daily.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat: The Mediterranean sun is fierce from May to September. Reapply every two hours, especially on boat days when the reflection doubles the exposure.
Practical Tips
- Book ahead: Boat tours, cooking classes, and top restaurants sell out in peak season. Reserve as early as possible — ideally 2 to 4 weeks before arrival.
- 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.
- Consider shoulder season: Late April to mid-June and September to mid-October offer warm weather, smaller crowds, and lower accommodation prices. August is peak season with the highest prices and largest crowds.
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, sailing excursions, and scooter rentals.
