11 Best Beaches on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is the Italian sogno—a dream—where glistening Tyrrhenian waters meet the high cliffs of the Monti Lattari range. There, you’ll find a series of perched towns that seem to exist for the sole purpose of admiration. It’s the embodiment of dolce vita. You can’t resist the urge to put your towel down and dive straight into the Mediterranean blue. The beauty of this area and the remoteness of its cities make beachgoing on the Amalfi Coast quite a challenge during peak season, when thousands of tourists visit.

Three things to know about Amalfi beaches: they are small, mostly private and quite expensive. That’s just the reality. The twisty, impossibly narrow roads become congested and the space on tiny local stretches fills up quickly. I love Amalfi with my whole heart, but there are things I wish I had known before coming here for the first time. That’s why I created this guide to the best Amalfi Coast beaches, with insider tips on getting the most out of the seaside in this sublime part of Italy.

Best Amalfi Coast beach overall

Maiori is the welcoming exception to the Amalfi rule of small, congested beaches. Here, you have the longest stretch on the coast (almost a mile) with a wide free section and many private beach clubs. It’s also the best choice for families. Maiori is a relaxing town with plenty of accommodations to choose from and a delightful historic center that’s less crowded than Positano or Amalfi. The beach is made of tiny pebbles and black sand. Maiori is also flat, so you won’t have to trek up and down every time you want to hit the water. And it has the Amalfi Coast’s best-priced restaurants and cafes, making it a great pick for an affordable base in the region.

Best for the iconic views

Yes, it might be small and overpriced, but it’s impossible not to stand in awe of Positano’s beauty. Its beach doubles as a scenic vantage point for the iconic perched town, which is among the most Instagrammable places on Earth. Come here during summer and the pebbly stretch will be packed with people all looking for a glimpse of Amalfi jet-set living. Get there early to secure the best spot in the free section. There’s also a private beach with blue umbrellas and the Ocean Bar, which charges around 45 EUR per umbrella and sun deck combo. For something more exclusive, check out La Scogliera Beach Club, set on the cliffs in the southern part of the beach. It has an elevated bar and a private sandy section for guests.

Best for swimming

Located behind the cliff and sheltered from all the Positano craze, Fornillo is a surprisingly peaceful second beach in the most-visited town on the Amalfi Coast. Reach it by following the beautiful coastal path called Via Positanesi d’America starting at the town’s marina. The pebbly stretch opens to a magnificent cove guarded by ancient watchtowers perched on a limestone cliff. It’s as dramatic as it gets. A downside: there’s only a tiny free section at the northern tip of the beach. The rest is divided among private beach clubs, each with a distinct umbrella color. Expect to pay around 40 EUR for the facilities. Still, no one is stopping you from taking a quick, free dip in crystalline waters after exploring Positano. Fornillo might be a better spot for that than the main town’s stretch. 

Best beach without crowds

If any Amalfi Coast beach could be called “under-the-radar,” Marina di Praia would be it. It’s not exactly a hidden secret—calling anywhere in one of Italy’s most popular regions truly hidden would be misleading. But you’ll definitely find fewer crowds here than elsewhere. The setting is magical—two towering cliffs create a natural gateway, sheltering calm waters perfect for swimming. Just know that Marina di Praia stays shaded for most of the day thanks to those dramatic stone formations. If you’re taking the bus, look for the “Praiano” stop above the beach. Drivers can find reasonably priced parking just a 2-minute walk from the water.

Best for a quick urban dip

Located at the heart of the coast, Amalfi is a busy transportation hub for buses and boats traveling between Salerno and Sorrento. It’s also a charming town with rich history, a stunning Norman-Arab-Byzantine Cathedral and a 13th-century Paradise Cloister. The local beach isn’t the most beautiful on the Amalfi Coast, but it works perfectly as a quick refresher before catching your transport. It’s definitely not the spot to spend a whole day, so skip the expensive beach bars (save your money for more charming Positano) and claim a small spot in the free section for your things. The proximity to all of Amalfi’s bars, coffee shops and restaurants is Spiaggia Grande’s biggest advantage.

Most cinematic beach

In the 2024 Netflix series Ripley, the main character, played by Andrew Scott, visits an idyllic (and deserted) beach in a striking village to sunbathe and gather his thoughts. That scene was filmed in Atrani. While the beauty is absolutely there, it’s anything but deserted. A small river divides this tiny, dark sand stretch into free and private sections. It’s calmer here than Positano or Amalfi, but it still gets hectic during summer. One of Campania’s most picturesque buildings, the 13th-century Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, overlooks the bay. An arched tunnel connects the beach to lively Atrani’s center, with gelaterias and bars surrounding the postcard-perfect Piazza Umberto I. Coming here will feel like stepping into a classic Italian movie.

Best for small town charm and local desserts

Minori, with its remains of a Roman villa and the yellow-façaded Basilica of Saint Trofimena, is often overlooked in favor of other Amalfi towns. This makes it a less touristy destination, where you can experience the area’s authenticity and culture firsthand. The town’s beach (a mix of pebbles and black sand) sits alongside the marina and features small free sections tucked between the private lidos. Minori is also famous for Pasticceria Sal De Riso, a superb promenade café serving iconic Amalfitan desserts like delizia al limone (lemon custard sponge cake), sfogliatella (a traditional shell-shaped pastry) with ricotta and babà al limoncello (a lemon liqueur-infused sponge cake). Savoring these sweets beside the sea is a uniquely sensory Amalfi experience.

Best hidden beach

If you’re feeling adventurous and craving an actual hidden beach, Acquachiara is there for this very reason. This sheltered pebbly stretch is less than 300 meters wide and you will have to descend over 160 steps to reach it. But once you do, it’s an untouched piece of Thyrrenean perfection. Acquachiara isn’t free from commercialization—there’s a beach bar with an umbrella rental. But the vibe here is tranquil and it feels worlds away from the overcrowded stretches of other popular Amalfitan destinations. Just remember that it’s over a hundred steps up to return. 

Best sandy beach

There are several reasons why you should stop by Vietri Sul Mare. For starters, it’s among the most charming Amalfi Coast destinations with a stunning Old Town, rich ceramic production heritage and plenty of top-notch restaurants. It’s also the most accessible of all Amalfitan towns thanks to a train station and frequent connections to Naples and Salerno. Vietri has some of the widest sandy beaches in the area. During summer, the umbrellas of the private beach clubs take over almost all the space, leaving only tiny, free chunks, which aren’t the best spots to rest your towel on the Amalfi. For something more secluded, head to Marina di Albori, a tiny sheltered stretch on the exit of Vietri in the direction of Cetara. 

Best for dreamy panoramas

One of the dreamiest Amalfi Coast stretches is in Cetara. The town is world-famous and its anchovies and canned tuna are among Italy’s top exports. The beach here may be small, but the views are to die for. A medieval watchtower creates a romantic scenery, the elegant villas dot the promenade and the old houses of the marina set a cinematic ambiance. Like most Amalfi stretches, you find a mix of sand and pebbles in Cetara. There’s a lido with not-so-budget prices (35 EUR for a day) for umbrellas and sunbeds, but you can always just use your towel. While in Cetara, don’t miss the Church of St. Peter the Apostle with its magnificent ceramic dome and breathtaking interior. 

Best for a secluded setting

Tucked beneath the road between Vietri and Cetara, Lannio isn’t your typical Amalfi Coast beach. A towering cliff flanks this stretch and wouldn’t look out of place on the Greek Ionian islands. The beach is public, with fine pebbles and crystal-clear water. It’s something of a local hidden gem and a delightful alternative to the more developed beaches in town marinas. That said, there’s still a beach bar and a private section filled with umbrellas. The dramatic clifftop setting means the sun disappears earlier here and you can expect shade by around 3 pm.