At first glance, it’s not obvious where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. While planning our trip to this part of southern Italy, I spent a long time looking for the best village to stay in. And I can already tell you that there is no clear-cut answer, it will depend on how many days you have and what you plan to do. But thanks to our experience, I’m going to help you find the best solution for your trip.
So which village is the best base for exploring the Amalfi Coast ? Which accommodation should you choose when traveling without a car ? I answer all your questions in this travel guide. And to discover all the things to do, don’t forget to check out my article on the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast.
How to choose where to stay on the Amalfi Coast ?
Before you start looking for accommodation, you should have your itinerary and sightseeing plans in mind. Depending on what you want to do and how many days you have, some villages are more convenient than others for staying. Likewise, whether you’re traveling by car or using local transport (bus and boat), you won’t be searching for accommodation in the same areas.
To plan your itinerary and visits, I recommend using my guide on things to do on the Amalfi Coast. We visited all the villages from Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare, and thanks to this I can give you advice that has been 100% tested on the ground.
In any case, book several months in advance, especially if you want to visit in summer. It’s a very popular destination and the best accommodations fill up quickly. The prices in this guide are for a stay outside July and August. As for us, we went in early April and there weren’t many people.
For exploring the entire Bay of Naples
If you want to use your stay to explore the entire Bay of Naples, meaning the islands of Capri and Procida, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, and even Naples, the best town to stay in is Sorrento. It offers the best location for exploring and it’s easy to get around by bus, train, and ferry. I particularly recommend this last mode of transport (especially in summer when the roads are congested). There are direct ferries to Naples, Capri, and the villages of the Amalfi Coast such as Positano and Amalfi. You can view ferry routes on this website.
For visiting only the coastal villages
Don’t have many days and want to visit only the villages of the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and possibly a few others) ? In that case, I don’t recommend staying in Sorrento because it requires round trips that can be long (especially by bus). It’s better to choose a more central village between Praiano and Amalfi. Here you’ll be in the heart of the Amalfi Coast and you’ll never need to spend much time in transport.
However, I don’t recommend staying in Ravello. The village is located high up at the end of a road, much of which is one-way with traffic lights controlling alternating traffic. It’s not uncommon to wait a long time to pass, and there can be heavy traffic, especially in summer. You could stay there if you plan to spend a few days on site without moving around. However, the village itself is not to be missed for its superb villas.
Beyond Minori and Maiori, you’ll be too far from the main must-see sites, which means traveling a lot by car or bus each time (it’s possible to take the boat, but this will increase your budget). For our part, we rented an apartment in Furore, Il Limoneto, with a superb sea view and private parking.
When traveling by car
If you’re traveling by car, you must look for accommodation with private parking. Parking on the Amalfi Coast is very difficult, not to say impossible. Don’t count on finding spaces on the street. Many accommodations offer private parking for an additional fee, but by heading higher up you can find agriturismi, bed and breakfasts, or apartments with parking included at no extra cost. Just make sure the accommodation isn’t too far from the coastal road where all the villages are located.
Where to stay without a car ?
In this case, it’s essential to stay along the coast where buses and boats operate. Check that there is a bus stop nearby. Ideally, you should stay in the center of a village with a ferry dock, which makes it easy and quick to travel between villages. If you have the budget, Positano is a good choice for its setting. Praiano is well located, but be careful to stay in the lower part of the village to access the bus, and there is no boat service. For me, Amalfi remains the best option for staying on the Amalfi Coast without a car. It’s central and has everything. For smaller budgets, you can choose the seaside resort of Minori a little further away.
Sorrento : the seaside resort of the Bay of Naples
The town of Sorrento is a seaside resort located about 50 km south of Naples. As I mentioned at the beginning of this guide, it offers a prime location for visiting the entire region. It is easily accessible from Naples Airport (direct bus), you can reach Naples and Pompeii by train, and the islands and coastal villages by boat. It’s an excellent compromise for exploring the whole region.
The town is pleasant to stroll around, with its pedestrian historic center and numerous cafés and restaurants. There are also a few lovely beaches nearby. It’s also a good choice for longer stays and for those who want access to many services.
- 109 € : YourHome – Santa Lucia Rooms, one of the cheapest accommodations for staying in Sorrento while still receiving excellent reviews. The double rooms of this bed and breakfast are located away from the city center.
- 137 € : Il Rivolo, this apartment located on the heights of the town has excellent guest reviews. Allow about a 15-minute walk to reach the old town and the ferry port from where you can easily get around.
- 148 € : Agriturismo Primaluce, ideal for those traveling by car who want to explore the entire region. This agriturismo is located 3.5 km from the center and offers rooms with terraces (superb views) and breakfast included. Private parking included.
- 157 € : Hotel Desiree, this hotel is located by a beach, a 15-minute walk from the historic center. It offers breakfast included and free private parking, very convenient if you want to explore the region by car during a road trip.
Positano : where to stay on the Amalfi Coast for a chic experience
In my opinion, Positano is the most beautiful village on the Amalfi Coast with its postcard-perfect scenery. Here, colorful houses seem to float above the sea and the large sandy beach offers a great place to relax. But Positano is also the village on the Amalfi Coast where accommodation is the most expensive. It’s best to have a good budget to stay here, but if you make this choice you won’t regret it. You’ll find places to stay with incredible views.
- 159 € : Le Ghiande, the cheapest accommodation in Positano, located high up after climbing many steps (better not to have bad knees). Breakfast included and a magnificent view of the coast.
- 221 € : Sweet Home Positano, this 55 m² apartment can accommodate up to 3 people, ideal for a couple with a child. Its main advantage is the included indoor private parking, which is very rare in Positano.
- 285 € : La Borragine Rooms, the superb sea view from this double room will delight couples looking for where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. Breakfast included is served on the beautiful terrace with sun loungers.
- 400 € : Casa Maresca Residence, a favorite address for celebrating a special occasion or if you have a good budget. The terrace of this studio offers a magnificent view of the village. For smaller budgets, double rooms are also available.
Praiano : for peace and quiet, families, and the view
Praiano enjoys a fairly central location along the coastal road. The village, situated on the hillside, stretches across the entire slope. If you’re traveling by public transport, choose accommodation in the lower part where the bus stops are located (there is no port or ferry). Praiano is a very quiet village, ideal for families looking for tranquility. There are few places to go out and no beach.
- 120 € : Hotel Villa Bellavista, this 3-star hotel is one of the cheapest accommodations for staying on the Amalfi Coast in Praiano while still receiving excellent reviews. Rooms for 2 to 4 people include breakfast.
- 130 € : Casa Stella Marina, this guesthouse offers rooms, with the more expensive ones featuring sea views. The nearby bus stop makes it easy to get around, or private parking is also available (for an additional fee).
- 190 € : Il Corallo, the double rooms with terrace at this accommodation offer a lovely sea view. Private parking is available for an additional fee if you’re traveling by car; otherwise, the bus stop is not far away.
Amalfi : the best location to stay on the Amalfi Coast
This is the village that gave its name to the entire region. It is mainly known for its superb cathedral, the most beautiful on the entire coast. Amalfi is an excellent choice for staying on the Amalfi Coast. The village is centrally located, 19 km from Positano and 15 km from Cetara. It’s also the only one that offers a direct bus to Ravello in the hills (one of the must-see highlights). The village is lively, with many shops and restaurants, and there is a beach to enjoy the sea. And the icing on the cake, you can also find fairly affordable accommodation. In short, you have the best location here for discovering all the villages.
- 116 € : Il Vicoletto, no need to break the bank to stay on the Amalfi Coast in Amalfi. This accommodation located in the upper part of the old town proves it, and it has very good reviews. It can accommodate up to 4 people and has private parking available for an additional fee.
- 136 : Domus Gaia, this accommodation is only suitable for travelers with their own vehicle (impossible to reach on foot). The rooms, with breakfast included, offer sea views. Private parking available for an additional fee.
- 143 € : Il Gelsomino Amalfi, located at the end of Amalfi’s main street and set back from the center for more peace and quiet, this accommodation offers lovely rooms with an excellent breakfast included.
- 172 € : Amalfi Centro, this modern-style apartment is just 50 meters from Amalfi’s main beach. It is ideal for a couple who wants to stay on the Amalfi Coast and be close to everything.
Minori : the seaside resort for smaller budgets
We really like Minori, it’s a charming seaside resort that is much less crowded than its neighbors and home to the best pastry shop on the entire coast (Sal de Riso). The historic center is not very large but features a lovely basilica and a pleasant seaside promenade. The advantage of Minori is that you’ll find cheaper accommodation than in the more famous villages.
- 92 € : Casa San Michele, the cheapest place to stay on the Amalfi Coast in Minori. It is located 750 meters from the beach, about a 15-minute walk. Private parking and breakfast are available for an additional fee.
- 94 € : Dolls House, this 65 m² apartment for rent on the heights of Minori can accommodate 2 to 4 people, ideal for large families. A 10-minute walk from the beach and public parking nearby.
- 139 € : Casetta Carmela a Minori-Amalfi coast, a fully equipped 35 m² apartment perfect for two people. It is located in the center of Minori, 400 meters from the beach. Private parking available for an additional fee.
Where to stay on a budget on the Amalfi Coast ?
You may have noticed that the Amalfi Coast is quite an expensive destination, and it’s not easy to find budget-friendly places. There’s no secret, you need to move away from the most famous villages and look higher up in the hills. This means having a car and driving a bit further to reach the coastal road. Here are some places I recommend for staying on a budget on the Amalfi Coast.
- 57 € : Nel blu dipinto di blu, located in Pianillo, this modern room has a balcony with a sea view. Allow about 40 minutes to reach Amalfi.
- 63 € : Il Rifugio del Cuore, a double room in Agerola offering excellent value for money. 30 minutes from Amalfi.
- 63 € : Joshua Home, this house is located in the hills above Maiori. Expect a bit more driving if you stay here.
- 75 € : Residence l’Incanto, this accommodation between Sorrento and Positano offers rooms with sea views. Free private parking.
I hope that after reading this guide you now know where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. If you have any questions or accommodation recommendations, feel free to leave a message in the blog’s comments section.
My other articles on accommodation in Italy