Positano vs. Amalfi: Which Amalfi Coast Town Should You Visit?

The cinematically stunning Amalfi Coast is a dream Italian destination. Rugged, imposing mountains rise above picture-perfect towns while the Tyrrhenian Sea shimmers below. Located in the Campania region south of Naples and 170 miles from Rome, it ranks among the most beautiful places in the world. The coast stretches for 25 miles between Sorrento and Salerno, taking your breath away at every turn. I can confidently say that traveling through the Amalfi Coast and staying in its magnificent towns was one of the most spectacular trips of my life.

Here are my tips for choosing between Positano vs Amalfi—two of the most popular towns along the Costa Amalfitana. I’m sharing local know-how, transportation advice and beach suggestions to help you have the best Amalfi Coast experience. 

Let me start by saying that both are incredibly beautiful. Traveling to the Amalfi Coast is always a scenic experience. Everything you’ve expected from the world’s most photogenic destination is here: sea vistas from restaurant terraces, serpentine roads hanging from high cliffs, secret coves with turquoise water and colorful houses cascading up the mountainside.

But this beauty comes with a cost. During high season (June to August), moving between towns becomes a hassle, if not an ordeal. There’s only one road—narrow and twisty—and not enough buses to serve everyone. Ferry service is another, more scenic and breezy option, but be prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with other travelers in a packed vessel.

For a destination like the Amalfi Coast, planning ahead is essential. Choosing the right base for your interests will define the rest of your trip.

Positano may well be the most romantic town on Earth. Its iconic look—cascading houses and zigzagged roads against the mountainous backdrop—has been featured in millions of Instagram posts, tourist brochures and travel shows.

This town works best as a honeymoon destination. Wandering hand-in-hand through the alleyways, marveling at the sunset from lemon tree-shaded restaurant terraces, enjoying cocktails at the beach bars—can it get more dolce vita than this?

Yes, it’s that beautiful. But there are caveats. If you know what to avoid, your time here will be a highlight of your Italian journey. Coming unprepared can leave a bad taste due to many overpriced attractions, tourist traps and congested transportation. This town has only a little more than 3,000 inhabitants, after all.

Is staying in Positano a good idea? It depends. Coming here during shoulder season (March to May and September to November) is a dreamy experience. The sunshine is there, but the crowds aren’t. During winter, you’ll have this sublime town to yourself. June to August is the most intense time of the year when scorching summer heat combines with the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors daily. 

The bottom line: stay in Positano during shoulder season and avoid the summer months.

While Positano is a stunner, the town can also feel like an amusement park for tourists at times. Amalfi doesn’t have the perched glory of its counterpart, but it comes with more authenticity and an actual local lifestyle. If Positano is a more luxurious destination, Amalfi gives you a more down-to-earth experience.

If Positano is perfect for honeymooners, Amalfi is ideal as a base for exploring the coast. The town is a hub for buses (both Salerno and Sorrento-bound buses start from here.) Also, you have frequent ferries to both sides of the Amalfi Coast. Thus, basing yourself here is a strategic decision.

Not that Amalfi lacks scenery—the town has a magnificent promenade, one of Campania’s most impressive cathedrals, a wonderful Paradise Cloister with 120 columns in the courtyard and plenty of hiking trails to try. It’s just not as romance-focused and luxury-oriented, but still stunning.

An additional bonus of Amalfi is its proximity to Atrani. The idyllic whitewashed village with a striking beach is easily reached on a short walk—no need for any transportation. You may have seen Atrani in the 2024 Netflix series Ripley, where the protagonist, played by Andrew Scott, spent some inspiring days.

There’s a clear winner here, and it’s Positano.

Amalfi has a beach, but it’s not one you’d want to spend the whole day on. There’s Atrani Beach nearby, but it requires a walk on a busy road to another town, so it’s not perfect.

Both stretches are quite tiny and taken over by private lidos, leaving you scrambling for space during the crowded peak season. Also, you can get a much better beach experience for a similar price at other Amalfi Coast destinations.

Positano, on the other hand, has variety and scale. The central Marina Grande Beach has one of Italy’s most spellbinding views of the cascading houses. It’s made of tiny pebbles, so bring water shoes. Another highlight of Positano is Fornillo. Reached by a short hike from the center, it’s a sheltered cove with crystal-clear water and more dramatic, wilder vistas.

As a luxury-focused destination, Positano also has its fair share of glitzy beach bars. La Scogliera and Arienzo are jet-set-ready establishments with an upscale atmosphere, private beach access and fine drinks.

Of course, everything here comes with a price. The free sections of the beaches exist, but they are tiny. As everywhere on the Amalfi Coast, Positano’s stretches are mostly private, so expect to pay for an umbrella and a lounger.

You can also travel to other beaches for a different experience. Set between gargantuan cliffs, Marina di Praia is a marvelous cove with a low-key vibe. It’s halfway between Positano and Amalfi. Maiori has the longest pebbly stretch of the Amalfi Coast. Visit Vietri sul Mare for long sandy beaches.

Your happiness level on the Amalfi Coast will largely depend on transportation. Having visited the region both during peak season and winter, I’ve had two diametrically opposite experiences. In February, for instance, it was only me and another couple on a morning bus from Amalfi to Positano. In July, the queue to enter the vehicle stretched several meters behind the bus stop.

Unlike Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast doesn’t have a train connection. This leaves you with either taking the bus, hopping on a ferry, or seeking more private options like chartering a yacht and renting a car. Being behind the wheel pays off during shoulder season, but it’s a nightmare during the congested summer. A boat is the best way to move around, but it can be costly.

The most economical way to get from one town to another is by buying a CostieraSita ticket for the bus. It’s valid for 24 hours and costs 10 EUR, entitling you to unlimited travel within the Amalfi Coast.

The ferries link major towns along the coast. You can also take one to go to Salerno, Sorrento and even Capri. The price for a one-way ticket between Positano and Amalfi is around 10 EUR. My advice: whenever you can take a ferry to move around. It’s how the Amalfi Coast is supposed to be seen, from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Chartering a yacht is the most comfortable way to experience the fabled coast. You’ll enjoy more privacy, freedom to travel around, access to magical coves for swimming and a front-row seat for catching the sunset and sunrise. Use yacht.com to find the best charter. 

Both destinations give you an unforgettable coastal experience.

Positano is a top choice for those seeking luxury, romance and beaches. The town has a better selection of hotels, restaurants, bars and local shops. It’s also quite high-end, so expect to pay more. Still, the views you’re getting are among the most sublime on the planet.

For getting around the coast, Amalfi town is a perfect strategic base. There’s a beautiful historic center and plenty of places to eat and drink. However, it’s far from the most romantic spot on the Amalfi Coast and is usually visited as a transition point.

My advice would be not to limit yourself to only these two towns, as the Amalfi Coast is spectacular everywhere you go.

Vietri sul Mare is fantastic as an alternative base to Amalfi, with plenty of things to do and a train station with high-speed connections to Naples and Salerno. Less-crowded Minori, on the other hand, is a mini version of Positano with its own charm.