Amalfi Coast · Italy · Mistakes to avoid
5 mistakes families make on the Amalfi Coast
The five most common Amalfi Coast mistakes for families are driving the coast road yourself, basing in Positano, going in peak August, skipping Ravello and catching a late ferry to Capri. Fix them by using ferries, staying in Sorrento or Amalfi, travelling in May, June or September, adding a day in Ravello, and taking the first boat of the day.
The mistakes, and what to do instead
- 1
Driving the coast road yourself
The coast road is narrow, twisting and cut into the cliff, with tour buses, scooters and delivery vans squeezing past each other. In summer it moves very slowly, and parking in the towns is scarce and expensive. It is stressful for the driver and tiring for children. Use the ferries between Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, which run in the warmer months, and local buses for the rest. If you want a car, rent one only for the days away from the coast.
- 2
Basing in Positano
Positano is beautiful, but it is built on a steep hillside and almost everything is reached by stairs. That is hard with a stroller, luggage or tired children. It is also among the priciest places on the coast, and rooms there go fast. Sorrento is the easier family base: flatter, with more hotels, more restaurants and a train link to Naples and Pompeii. From there ferries and buses reach Positano and Amalfi as day trips.
- 3
Going in peak August
August brings the highest heat, the biggest crowds and the highest prices, and it is the worst combination for children. Beaches are packed, ferries fill up, and the roads clog. Aim for May, June or September instead, when the sea is warm enough for swimming, temperatures are easier and prices fall. If August is your only option, start sightseeing early, rest in the afternoon, and book ferries and rooms well in advance, since the best options go first.
- 4
Skipping Ravello
Ravello sits high above Amalfi, and most families skip it for the beach. That is a mistake, since it is cooler, quieter and calmer. Two garden estates, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, offer terraces with views over the coast. It also gives you a break from the crowds below. Reach it by bus from Amalfi in about half an hour, and plan a morning or afternoon. Summer evenings sometimes bring concerts in the gardens, so check the programme.
- 5
Missing the early Capri ferry
Capri is a short boat ride from Sorrento, and it fills up with day-trippers from Naples, the cruise ships and the coast by late morning. The first boats beat that rush, so you reach the island while the lanes are still quiet. A late ferry means queues for the funicular and for boat tours. Check the schedule the day before, buy tickets in advance in summer, and plan the return before the late-afternoon crowd leaves. Rough seas can cancel boats.
Plan it
- Best time
- May, June and September for warm days, swimmable sea and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and crowded, and most ferries and some hotels shut from late autumn to spring.
- How long
- Four to five days covers a base on the coast, Capri, Pompeii or Ravello, and a beach day at an easy pace.
- Getting around
- Ferries between the main towns run in the warmer months, and public buses run along the coast road all year. Walking is steep and involves many stairs.
Good to know
- Pack light luggage, since stairs are common and taxis are limited by the narrow roads.
- Book a hotel with a lift or ground-floor rooms if you have a stroller.
- Check the ferry timetable the evening before, since services change with the weather and season.
Frequently asked
Is the Amalfi Coast good for families? +
Yes, with planning. The beaches are small and often pebbly, and everything is steep, but ferries, gardens and short day trips work well. Choose an easy base such as Sorrento and travel outside August.
Should you drive the Amalfi Coast? +
Usually no. The road is narrow, crowded in summer and parking is hard. Ferries and buses are less stressful, and more scenic from the water. Rent a car only if you plan to explore beyond the coast.
Where should a family stay on the Amalfi Coast? +
Sorrento is the easiest base, with flatter streets, more hotels, restaurants and train access. Amalfi town is a good second choice. Positano is better visited as a day trip than used as a base.
What is the best way to get to Capri? +
By ferry from Sorrento, Naples, Positano or Amalfi, with Sorrento the shortest crossing. Take an early boat to beat the crowds, and check the weather, since rough seas cancel services.
