Italy: The Amalfi Coast

Self-Guided Walking Tour, Italy: The Amalfi CoastSelf-Guided Walking Tour, Italy: The Amalfi Coast

Italy

The Amalfi Coast

overview

Let your own sense of adventure be your guide on this tour of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a region of soaring coastlines and picture-perfect sea towns where history comes alive and cross-cultural encounters abound. Set off on your own schedule from the formal gardens and elegant hilltop villas of Ravello toward the whitewashed spectacle of Amalfi, where narrow lanes reveal shops and eateries that tempt the senses. Then follow the Sentieri degli Dei (“Path of the Gods”), one of Europe’s most acclaimed trails, to dramatic views of rocky shores and azure waters. Stroll stylish Positano, where pastel houses surround alluring black-sand beaches, and experience the geological wonders of Montepertusi. Amble through the olive groves of Fontanelle on your way to Pompeii, and tour twin Saracen watchtowers at Fornillo Bay. Or perhaps you’ll search for hidden coves in Marina del Cantone and float through coral-lined sea grottoes. From ancient Herculaneum’s ruins to the seafood extravaganzas of Sorrento’s trattorias, it’s your choice on this Mediterranean excursion.
 

tour includes

  • Continental breakfast and 3 dinners - nights 1, 5, and 6 (lunches, 5 dinners, and beverages are not included)
  • All accommodations (with private bathrooms) while on tour
  • Local transfers as noted in the itinerary
  • Luggage transfers between the hotels
  • Detailed route notes and maps
  • Basic travel insurance coverage
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • The exclusive ease of a mobile phone rental with our Cellhire partnership. Receive preferred calling rates, free phone rental, and complimentary shipping of mobile phones
  • The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW staff

Details

Self-Guided Walking
Length
9 days, 8 nights
Activity Level
Moderate; 6-9 miles daily
Meet and Depart
Naples, Italy
Reading List
Printable Itinerary

gallery

Itinerary and Accommodations

Days
Destination
1
Amalfi
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2
Amalfi
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3
Positano
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4
Positano
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5
Marina del Cantone
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6
Marina del Cantone
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7
Sorrento
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8
Sorrento
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9
Sorrento
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Day 1

Amalfi

Arrival in Amalfi

We meet you at Naples Capodichino Airport and transfer you (90 minutes) to your comfortable hotel in Amalfi. After settling in, you might wish to stroll through town before dinner.

Hotel Luna Convento

Amalfi, Italy

Perched on the edge of town, this elegantly restored former monastery offers all modern amenities, while wedding ceremonies are still performed in the convent’s chapel. Stone arches frame an inner courtyard with an ancient well and sitting areas surrounded by lush plants and flowers. Guest rooms with splendid sea views are individually decorated in Mediterranean style. Two panoramic restaurants serve local cuisine and host cooking classes. A salt-water swimming pool as well as private access to the sea are also available.

Day 2

Amalfi

Ravello to Amalfi; 9.5km/6mi/3hr25min, 1,000-ft elevation gain, 2,000-ft elevation loss

This morning starts with a short bus ride to Ravello (20 minutes), where there is time to explore the town, graced with exotic formal gardens of Villas Rufolo and Cimbrone. The walking route descends through citrus groves to Torre dello Ziro, (the Saracen watchtower inspired Webster’s “Duchess of Malfi”), then continues along panoramic terraces, to enter the Valley of the Mills (a testament to Amalfi’s medieval paper industry). Emerging from the verdant gorge, the ceramic tiled roofs of Amalfi come into view as you enter the town.

Hotel Luna Convento

Amalfi, Italy

Perched on the edge of town, this elegantly restored former monastery offers all modern amenities, while wedding ceremonies are still performed in the convent’s chapel. Stone arches frame an inner courtyard with an ancient well and sitting areas surrounded by lush plants and flowers. Guest rooms with splendid sea views are individually decorated in Mediterranean style. Two panoramic restaurants serve local cuisine and host cooking classes. A salt-water swimming pool as well as private access to the sea are also available.

Day 3

Positano

Bomerano to Positano-the Path of Gods; 11km/7mi/4hr15min, 2050-ft elevation loss

Today’s walk takes you along the Pathway of the Gods, the region’s most famous walk, offering views over the entire peninsula, with Capri’s famous Faraglioni cliffs marking land’s end. Continuing onwards past lemon groves and brigand’s treasure troves to Nocelle, there are many tempting “trattorie” beckoning for a lunch break. Once refueled, you continue down through lush terraces to the chic pastel town of Positano and your hotel in the historic center.

Hotel Royal Prisco

Positano, Italy

Ideally situated just a few minutes from Positano’s beaches, this newly built, family-run hotel has Mediterranean-style décor with white-washed walls and ceramic-tiled floors; this style is carried into guestrooms, which also have a terrace with sea view. The hotel has a small bar and lounge, and is a short walk to many restaurants. Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s most well-known town—attracting artists and the jet set from the 1950s. Dating from the 10th century, its brightly colored houses and 13th-century church are perched vertically above its port and beaches.

Day 4

Positano

Layover day at Positano

Positano’s wide, black-sand beach is perfect for a lazy day, but if you prefer to explore farther afield there is a pleasant walk to Fornillo Bay, distinguished by its twin Saracen watchtowers. Boat trips to discover coral-lined sea grottoes are available in the harbor.

Hotel Royal Prisco

Positano, Italy

Ideally situated just a few minutes from Positano’s beaches, this newly built, family-run hotel has Mediterranean-style décor with white-washed walls and ceramic-tiled floors; this style is carried into guestrooms, which also have a terrace with sea view. The hotel has a small bar and lounge, and is a short walk to many restaurants. Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s most well-known town—attracting artists and the jet set from the 1950s. Dating from the 10th century, its brightly colored houses and 13th-century church are perched vertically above its port and beaches.

Day 5

Marina del Cantone

Las Ventanas to Marina del Cantone; 12km/8mi/4hr15min or 14.6km/9mi/5hr, 650-ft elevation gain, 2,100-ft elevation loss

We transfer you (30 minutes) to the hills near Fontanelle, where you wind through olive trees as you climb gently to Sant’Agata. Balcony views over Vesuvius and the Gulf of Salerno (and lovely picnic spots) are your reward. After a leisurely lunch you continue along a paved lane that leads past geranium-decked houses to Marina del Cantone and your hotel.

Hotel La Conca del Sogno

Marina del Contone, Italy

Tucked in a quiet corner from the bustling bay of Marina del Cantone in the private cove of Recommone, La Conca del Sogno is a perfect seaside retreat. The family-run hotel has individually decorated rooms with wrought iron furniture, bright colors, and sea views across the private shingle beach. Its renowned restaurant serves some of the best and freshest cuisine of the region, either on the terrace under the pergola, or in the panoramic dining room. A lovely seaside village for relaxing, it also offers boat excursions to Capri or bus service to Sorrento and Massa Lubrense.

Day 6

Marina del Cantone

Layover day at Marina del Cantone

In a quiet bay more accessible by foot or boat than by car, you’ll be tempted to linger at your hotel with sun terrace and direct access to the sea. But it’s a shame to miss out on Capri, arguably the Mediterranean’s most beautiful island. You may take the local bus (or taxi) to Sorrento and pick up the hydrofoil for a day-long exploration.

Hotel La Conca del Sogno

Marina del Contone, Italy

Tucked in a quiet corner from the bustling bay of Marina del Cantone in the private cove of Recommone, La Conca del Sogno is a perfect seaside retreat. The family-run hotel has individually decorated rooms with wrought iron furniture, bright colors, and sea views across the private shingle beach. Its renowned restaurant serves some of the best and freshest cuisine of the region, either on the terrace under the pergola, or in the panoramic dining room. A lovely seaside village for relaxing, it also offers boat excursions to Capri or bus service to Sorrento and Massa Lubrense.

Day 7

Sorrento

Termini to Sorrento; 9.3km/6mi/3hr or 13km/8mi/4hr, 650-ft elevation gain, 1,700-ft elevation loss

We provide a transfer to Termini (20 minutes), or those who prefer can climb on foot to the trailhead, from where you wind though olive groves with views that continue to widen over the Bay of Naples and its islands, Capri, Ischia, and Procida. It’s well worth the detour to lovely little Annunziata to visit the pretty Aragonese castle. After taking in some more wonderful views, you continue on to Punta Capo for an unforgettable panorama over both Vesuvius and the pastelcolored houses of Sorrento.

Grand Hotel La Favorita

Sorrento, Italy

Boasting amazing views over the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius, this hotel is ideally located in Sorrento’s historic old quarter. Well-appointed guestrooms feature beautiful Amalfi-style majolica tiled floors. Surrounded by lush gardens, the hotel has a rooftop panoramic pool. Part of the European “Grand Tour” since the 18th century, Sorrento is an easy and enjoyable town to discover, from its busy port, to shady gardens, museums, as well as its pedestrian streets, many shops, bars, and restaurants.

Day 8

Sorrento

Layover day in Sorrento

Based at your hotel with its unrivalled position overlooking Sorrento’s harbor, you’re ideally placed to visit Naples or one of its islands by hydrofoil. Alternatively, the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum can both be visited using the excellent local circumvesuviana railway.

Grand Hotel La Favorita

Sorrento, Italy

Boasting amazing views over the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius, this hotel is ideally located in Sorrento’s historic old quarter. Well-appointed guestrooms feature beautiful Amalfi-style majolica tiled floors. Surrounded by lush gardens, the hotel has a rooftop panoramic pool. Part of the European “Grand Tour” since the 18th century, Sorrento is an easy and enjoyable town to discover, from its busy port, to shady gardens, museums, as well as its pedestrian streets, many shops, bars, and restaurants.

Day 9

Sorrento

Departure from Sorrento

You bid farewell to Sorrento this morning and transfer back to Naples Capodichino Airport for your trip home or to continue your Italian adventure.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience. If you are currently booked on a CW adventure, an itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call CW at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact itinerary or hotels selected for any of our tours.

Guest Comments

J. Shand, Connecticut, May 2012

My daughter and I had a wonderful time. Hiking directions and information were clear, accommodations were pleasant and clean, views were terrific both on our hikes and from our rooms. All in all a well-planned trip. Self-guided was a great way to go in this part of the world where there are so many options for different things to see and do. We enjoyed going our own way while having access to support and information from CW.

N. & P. Murray, Toronto, Canada, October 2011

All the hotels were wonderful, we had some excellent meals (especially the dinners at the hotels in Ravello and Recomonne), the directions and maps were accurate and easy to follow and all the pickups and transfers were efficient and on time. As our first experience in Italy, this trip was certainly a fabulous introduction. We look forward to other possible self-guided hiking trips in our future travel plans.

C. Whitman, New Mexico, September 2011

The self-guided option was perfect for our group of women in our 60s. We could go at our own pace and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Amalfi Coast.

L. Redding, New Mexico, September 2011

Fabulous! Well organized, great accommodations, clear and precise walking instructions. Fun!

C. & D. Breitholtz, Wisconsin, September 2011

For our 1st hiking vacation, we loved it and are glad we did the self-guided approach for the flexibility and adventure. The prepared meals as part of the tour were fantastic. We are doing a travel presentation on this tour in our town!