A week on Italy’s two most beautiful coastlines: cliffside villages, swimming coves, lemon groves and sunset viewpoints, with directions and places to eat.
Updated
Four days on the Amalfi Coast based in Positano, then three in Monterosso al Mare on the Cinque Terre. Look forward to the Li Galli boat trip, the Path of the Gods and a swim in Vernazza's harbor.
Per person for 7 days: a room shared by two, food, local transport and sights. Flights are extra.
Budget
$640–830
Mid-range
$990–1,300
Comfort
$1,450–1,700
A rough guide from typical local prices; yours depends on season and choices.
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Day 1 · Amalfi Coast, Italy
Settle in at Spiaggia Grande, then walk up to the lower viewpoint on the Path of the Gods and finish at La Gavitella.
Your base for the next 4 nights: Positano
Days 1 to 4 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓12:30 PM · 1.5 hours
Take the SITA bus from Salerno station (1 hour, €3.60 one way) or arrange a private transfer (90 minutes, €80-100 for two). Sit on the right side of the bus for sea views. Arrive by early afternoon.
Prefer a guide? · Full day
You'll swim in hidden coves, drift past sea caves, and skip the crowded beaches without needing a car.
Book this tour
1Drop your bag at your hotel and head straight down the main staircase to the beach. It's steep but manageable in 5 minutes. Swim in the clear Tyrrhenian water, rinse off salt at the lifeguard post, and relax with a drink. No currents here, very safe.
Insider tip: Bring a small towel; beach umbrellas cost €8-10 per day. Arrive now to claim a spot before 3 PM crowds.
At 4 PM, climb back up to the village and walk east along the main street, then take the signposted path uphill towards Praiano. Stop at the first major viewpoint (15 minutes, easy) overlooking the beach and Li Galli islands. Watch the light shift as sunset approaches.
Insider tip: Wear trainers; the stone steps are smooth and steep. Skip the full trail today, just do the opening viewpoint.
Book a table for 8 PM (reserve ahead by email or call +39 089 875 397). This clifftop restaurant overlooks Positano's lights and the sea. Order fresh pasta with local fish (pappardelle al ragù di pesce, €16) and house wine. The view is the meal.
Insider tip: Request a table on the terrace. Sunset finishes around 8:35 PM; you'll catch the last light while eating.
If you land early
Optional, close to your stay, before the plan above.
Popular experiences worth booking ahead.
3-4 hours
You'll understand why locals obsess over the fruit and come away with a bottle you actually made yourself.
Book now
3-4 hours
The belvedere views justify the detour from the coast, and you'll beat the queue that forms after 10am.
Book now3 hours
The clifftop path has almost no crowds at sunset, the light turns the sea golden, and you'll end at a working fishing village.
Book nowBook accommodation in central Positano, within a 5-minute walk of the main beach and the SITA bus stop. You'll be in the heart of the village with easy access to restaurants, the water, and transport to nearby towns.
Want more choice for your 4 nights? See everything in Positano, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Casual spot right on the beach. Order fresh pasta with clams and local wine.
Terraced views down the cliffs. Book a table for sunset, try the fresh catch.
Day 2 · Amalfi Coast, Italy
Take the boat from Positano Marina out to the Li Galli Islands, then spend the afternoon on the Praiano waterfront before heading back.
1A half-day or full-day boat trip (8-10 hours) departing from Positano marina around 9 AM. You'll visit the Li Galli islands, swim in emerald coves and sea caves, and explore spots inaccessible by land. Book ahead or ask your hotel the night before; several operators run daily tours in season.
Insider tip: Bring your own snorkel and mask; boat-provided gear is worn. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and leave by 2 PM to catch lunch in Praiano.
Prefer a guide? · Half day
Smaller and sandier than Positano's main beach, with excellent pasta restaurants and calmer water for swimming.
Book this tour
2A small fishing village between Positano and Amalfi, perched on cliffs with a pebble beach and boat dock below. Swim in calm water then have lunch at a harborside restaurant. A 15-minute boat ride or 40-minute walk from Positano along the Path of the Gods.
Insider tip: Eat at La Gavitella or Trattoria l'Africana for fresh catch and local wine. Arrive by 2:45 PM to secure a table with water views.
3Return to Positano by boat during golden hour, leaving Praiano around 7 PM. The sun sets behind the cliffs at 8:35 PM. You'll drift past the vertical stacked houses of Positano glowing orange as the light fades.
Insider tip: Sit on the port side of the boat for the best angle on Positano's sunset silhouette. Bring a light sweater; the sea breeze cools after sunset.
Beachfront shack in Praiano. Fresh catch, cold wine, feet in sand. Order the daily fish.
Back in Positano, terrace over cliffs. Handmade pasta, local white wine, view stretches forever.
Day 3 · Amalfi Coast, Italy
Do the full Path of the Gods walk in the morning, then relax at Praiano's harbor and beach.
1This is the crown jewel: a 7.2 km coastal hike with near-constant sea views, wildflowers in June, and zero crowds if you start early. You'll descend from Praiano through terraced lemon groves and switchbacks to Positano. Moderate to easy, about 3 hours. From Praiano town center, follow signs uphill (or ask locally) to the trailhead; it's about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.
Insider tip: Start by 8:45 AM and you'll have the path almost to yourself. Bring two liters of water; no fountains along the way.
2After lunch, spend an hour swimming or floating in the small cove beach right by the village. The water is clear, the beach is tucked away from the main road, and it's low-key. A 1-minute walk from the restaurant.
Insider tip: Bring a small towel; the beach has no facilities. Go straight from lunch into the water while it's still quiet.
Beachfront shack in Praiano with grilled fish and limoncello. Order the catch of the day.
Positano favorite with pasta and local wine. Sit on the terrace, order house special pasta.
Day 4 · Amalfi Coast, Italy
Visit Sant'Andrea cathedral and the market stalls in Amalfi, walk up through Atrani's terraces, then have dinner at a family-run trattoria.
1The Amalfi Coast's most important church, built in the 9th century with a bronze door cast in Constantinople and the relics of St. Andrew inside. The white and black marble cloister is equally striking. Head up before 9 AM to beat tour groups. From Positano, take the SITA bus toward Amalfi (1.5 hours, €2.50); it stops right at the cathedral.
Insider tip: Skip the morning crowds by arriving before 9 AM. The cloister is often less busy than the cathedral itself.
2Wander the narrow streets around Piazza Duomo and the covered market for local lemons, mozzarella, cured meats and fresh pasta. Stop at a stall for a sfogliatella (pastry) and espresso. A 5-minute walk from the cathedral down the main shopping street.
Insider tip: Go mid-morning when the market is busy but not chaotic. Buy a wedge of fresh mozzarella di bufala to snack on later.
3The smallest municipality on the coast, Atrani sits on a vertical cliff with narrow lanes and quiet piazzas. Wander the steps and find a terrace café for lunch. From Amalfi town, take the SITA bus east for 10 minutes (€1.30) or a scenic 20-minute walk along the coast road.
Insider tip: Grab a table at a terrace facing the sea; locals know the crowds hit Amalfi, not Atrani. Order fresh fish pasta.
Book ahead at a small spot serving fresh catch of the day, handmade ravioli, and local wine. Restaurants here are serious about ingredients and portion size. Back in Amalfi or stay in Atrani (10-minute bus or walk).
Insider tip: Ask the waiter what fish came in today and order that, not the menu favorites. Skip big tourist spots on the main piazza.
Family-run since 1872. Try handmade scialatielli ai frutti di mare, sit upstairs.
Historic pasticceria. Sfogliatella and espresso before exploring Amalfi's centro.
Intimate spot in Atrani village. Fresh pasta with local catch, terrace overlooks harbor.
Day 5 · Cinque Terre, Italy
Arrive in Monterosso al Mare, then spend the day on the beach, along Via Roma and on the waterfront.
Your base for the next 3 nights: Monterosso al Mare
Days 5 to 7 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓Getting here: Positano to Monterosso al Mare by SITA bus to Salerno, then Trenitalia regional train (4 hours).
8:00 AM · 4 hours
SITA bus to Salerno (1.5 hours, €2.50), then Trenitalia regional train to Monterosso (2.5 hours, €8–15). Scenic coastal drive, then a slower climb into the mountains and down to the Cinque Terre coast. Arrive around 3:30 PM.
1Long sandy beach backed by pastel buildings. Drop your bag, change, and jump in for a 20-minute swim to shake off the journey. A 2-minute walk from the train station downhill.
Insider tip: The far left side (towards the breakwater) is quieter. Water is coolest in the morning; still pleasant at 4 PM.
2The old town's main pedestrian street, lined with restaurants, delis and wine bars. Wander, pick up fresh focaccia and local lemons for your room, and get the feel of the village. A 3-minute walk uphill from the beach.
Insider tip: Stop at Bottega Basso for burrata and anchovies; Vernazza Bakery for focaccia. Quieter in June than July, but still expect tourists.
3Head to the small harbour or the rocky breakwater on the eastern edge of the beach as the sun drops. Golden light on the old buildings, fishing boats, and the water. Walk back down towards the beach, 5 minutes from Via Roma.
Insider tip: Stand on the stone pier at the harbour's east side for the clearest view of the sunset. Have a spritz at one of the waterfront tables and watch the light change.
Popular experiences worth booking ahead.
Full day or half day (3-4 hour
You'll swim in coves you can't reach by land, see all five villages from the water, and catch the sunset from the boat.
Book now3-4 hours
A local guide takes you to family-run restaurants and teaches you about local specialities like fresh pasta and pesto, with wine and tastings included.
Book nowFull day
Walk the scenic coastal paths connecting the villages and stop to swim at small platforms and beaches between Vernazza and Manarola.
Book nowFlexible, valid 1-2 days
Ferry between villages without waiting in queues, plus access to all hiking trails and a wine tasting in one of the villages.
Book nowBook accommodation near the train station or along Via Roma in the old town: you'll walk to restaurants, the beach, and the station easily. The beachfront has fewer tourists than the harbour side.
Want more choice for your 3 nights? See everything in Monterosso al Mare, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Grab cornetto and espresso before your bus. Locals only, tiny counter, arrive by 7:30am.
In Salerno near the station. Fresh pasta with clams, 15 mins from platform. Casual, quick.
Waterfront in Monterosso. Pesto pasta, grilled fish. Arrive by 8pm before the light fades.
Day 6 · Cinque Terre, Italy
Start with a beach morning in Monterosso, walk Via dell'Amore to Vernazza for a harbor swim, then hike on toward Corniglia.
1Start with a swim in your home beach to warm up. Clear water, sandy shore, good facilities. Walk straight down from Piazza Garibaldi.
Insider tip: Go early to beat families. The water's calmest at dawn and coldest (refreshing, not shocking).
The easiest and most dramatic path: a flat 30-minute clifftop walk with sea views the whole way. Carved into the rock above turquoise water. You'll arrive at Vernazzo's tiny harbour from above.
Insider tip: Start by 8:45 AM before tour groups. The path is exposed and the light's harshest by 10 AM.
Jump off the dock or wade in from the small beach. Water's deep, clean and stunning. Grab coffee at a harborside bar after. A 5-minute scramble from the trail end.
Insider tip: Bring a small bag to leave on a cafe chair. The water's deepest and safest near the dock's right side.
Prefer a guide? · 3 hours
Walk from Corniglia to Vernazzo during golden hour, then end with a drink on the waterfront as the sun sets behind the cliffs.
Book this tourA steep 45-minute climb through terraced vineyards with your only break: Corniglia, the village without a beach, perched highest of all. The views back down the coast justify the legs. The trail starts behind the church.
Insider tip: Take it slow in the heat. Corniglia's tiny and quiet. The descent on the far side is steeper than the climb.
Sit in the small piazza near the church with a cold drink. You're 100m above the sea with a view of all five villages strung along the coast. Quiet and luminous in the midday light.
Insider tip: Order a spritz and focaccia at one of the two bars. This is your only real break before lunch.
A steep 20-minute descent through more vineyards, ending at Manarola's colourful houses tumbling to the water. Arrive hungry. The trail ends by the train station.
Insider tip: Your knees will feel it. Trekking poles help. The village's famous at golden hour but it's packed by 5 PM.
Book a waterfront table for lunch. Trofie al pesto, fresh fish, cold wine. The kitchen's small but consistent. You're sitting inches from the sea.
Insider tip: Ring ahead to book a table. The pesto uses local basil. Skip dessert, eat gelato on the walk instead.
8The water here's deep and surprisingly warm by afternoon. Jump in from the rocks near the restaurant or wade from a small patch of sand. Post-lunch dip to rinse off sweat.
Insider tip: The rocks on the north side have natural steps. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone.
9You can walk the scenic Via dell'Amore's eastern half (20 minutes, flat, stunning) or take the train if legs are done (5 minutes, 2 euros). Either way, you'll arrive at the southernmost village as light softens.
Insider tip: If hiking, go slowly. The light's best between 5 and 6 PM. The train runs every 10-15 minutes.
10Wander the caruggi (narrow alleys), swim in the small harbour if you've got energy left, or just sit on the waterfront with a drink. Less touristy than Vernazzo. Quieter air.
Insider tip: The gelato at Franco Basso is excellent. The left side of the harbour's got a natural shelf to jump from.
6:45 PM · 20 minutes
A 12-minute journey north along the coast as the light turns gold. You'll arrive back at your base ready for a shower and dinner. Trains run every 10-15 minutes.
Vernazza harborside. Pesto pasta and fresh catch. Grab a table on the terrace.
Manarola village center. Trofie al pesto, anchovies, local wine. Book ahead.
Monterosso. Cornetto and espresso before 7am start. Gets crowded fast.
Day 7 · Cinque Terre, Italy
Spend a slow day around Vernazza's harbor, then climb to Doria Castle for the sunset on your last evening.
9:15 AM · 30 minutes
Train from Monterosso to Vernazzo (5 minutes, €2.40). The rail hugs the coast and drops you steps from the harbor. Arrive by 9:30 AM to claim a good spot on the rocks before swimmers fill it.
1Swim in the Ligurian Sea from the jumble of rocks and small beach at the harbor's edge. Water's clear, warm in June, and locals dive off the rocks. Rinse in the public shower tucked behind the waterfront bar. A 2-minute walk from the train station, left down to the water.
Insider tip: Bring a quick-dry towel. The rocks are slippery; wear water shoes or go barefoot and step carefully.
Stay at the castle ruins through golden hour and sunset (8:23–9:07 PM). Watch the light paint the five villages gold, then apricot, then grey. The sea turns mirror-bright. Sit on the rocks, say nothing, and soak it in. You're already here from the hike.
Insider tip: Bring a sweater; it cools fast at height. The descent is tricky in the dark, so start back by 9:20 PM with a phone torch.
9:30 PM · 20 minutes
Train from Vernazzo back to Monterosso (5 minutes, €2.40). Last train is around 11:15 PM, so you've got time. A final harbor-to-harbor evening ride to cap the trip.
Harborside tables in Vernazzo. Order the trofie al pesto and grilled branzino.
Back in Monterosso, uphill from the beach. Local wine, fresh pasta, no rush.
What travellers ask about each place on this trip, answered.
What travellers ask about Amalfi Coast, answered.
Book a half-day tour from Positano to Emerald Grotto and Li Galli islands (€40-50 per person, 4 hours) rather than all-day trips. June water is clear, you'll swim twice, and you're back by early afternoon.
Ravello's Piazza Duomo at 8:45pm in June, or the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) at the Praiano end around 8:30pm. Both are free, crowded but worth it, and you can eat nearby after.
Yes, 22-24°C (72-75°F) is comfortable for most; bring a light wetsuit if you're sensitive to cold. Marina Grande in Amalfi and Spiaggia Grande in Positano are the safest spots with good access and no currents.
Pasta alla Nerano (zucchini and cheese), fresh anchovies, seafood pasta, and sfusato lemons in desserts. Eat lunch at family trattorias, not fancy waterfront spots; ask your hotel to recommend one in the village.
Expect 24-26°C (75-79°F) with occasional rain. Pack light clothes, sunscreen, a thin layer for evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for the steep village paths.
Spoken here: Italian. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, but rural villages and local shops may use Italian only.
Useful phrases
• Buongiorno (bwoh-noh-JOR-noh): hello (morning)
• Un caffè, per favore (oon kah-FEH, pair fah-VOR-eh): one coffee, please
• Quanto costa? (KWAN-toh KOHS-tah): how much does it cost?
• L'acqua del rubinetto (LAH-kwah dehl roo-bee-NET-toh): tap water
• Spiaggia (SPEE-ah-jah): beach
The coastal roads are narrow and winding, but you're using public transport so that's not your worry. Watch your belongings on crowded boats and buses.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Tipping isn't expected but appreciated. Leave 5-10% at restaurants if service is good, or round up the bill. Tip taxi drivers and boat captains a euro or two.
• Buy groceries from village shops or the market in Salerno, not tourist restaurants, to eat well without spending a fortune.
• The SITA bus system runs the coast but gets packed mid-morning; travel early or late afternoon for a seat and actual breathing room.
• Lemon liqueur (limoncello) is produced everywhere; grab a bottle from a family producer rather than gift shops.
• The water's clearest and warmest on the southern-facing beaches, particularly near Praiano and Furore.
What travellers ask about Cinque Terre, answered.
Water hits 19-20°C (66-68°F) in June, so it's cool but doable. Vernazza has the best natural cove with no beach, jump from rocks. Monterosso has a proper sandy beach with rentals. Manarola's harbourside rocks are good for braver swimmers.
Vernazza's waterfront, standing on the rocks at the harbourside café around 8.45pm in June. Book a table, order wine, stay for the light. Manarola's train station platform is free but packed.
Do both. Ferry once to rest your legs and see the coast from water. Hike at least two sections, Monterosso to Vernazzo to Corniglia are the highlights. Trails take 45 mins to 2 hours depending on pace and stops.
Expect 22-26°C (72-79°F), mostly dry and sunny. Pack light clothes, a swimming costume, and sunscreen. Bring a light jacket for evenings.
Spoken here: Italian. English is spoken in restaurants and hotels, but rarely in shops or on the street. A translation app helps.
Useful phrases
• Buongiorno (bwon-JOR-no): Good morning
• Un caffè, per favore (oon cah-FEH pair fah-VOR-eh): A coffee, please
• Quanto costa? (KWAN-to COS-ta): How much does it cost?
• Dov'è la spiaggia? (doh-VEH lah spee-AH-jah): Where's the beach?
• Grazie (GRAHT-see-eh): Thank you
The hiking trails are steep and rocky, so wear proper shoes and start early to avoid midday heat and crowds. Pickpocketing happens on busy trains and platforms.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Tipping isn't expected. Round up the bill or leave 5-10% at restaurants if service was good. Boat captains and hiking guides appreciate €2-5.
• Book restaurant tables ahead, especially on weekends. Walk up to quieter terraces instead of sitting on the main piazza.
• Buy a Cinque Terre Card (€14 for two days) to access the hiking trails and local trains between villages.
• The best swimming is in Vernazza and Manarola, where there are small beaches and natural platforms to jump from.
• Arrive at viewpoints by 7.30pm for sunset without crowds. Manarola's piazza or the path between Corniglia and Vernazza are your best bets.
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