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Out of all the beautiful places in Italy, the Amalfi Coast is definitely one of the top ones tourists choose to visit every year. The only problem? There’s about 5 Million people filling up the coastal towns – every year. So needless to say, your visit there will not only be busy, but also expensive.
But what if we told you there an affordable way to see the Amalfi Coast? One that doesn’t involve paying hundreds of US Dollars per night to stay in a hotel near the iconic views. Let’s get into it.
Choosing the right time to visit
Out of the 5 Million Tourists that visit the Amalfi Coast every year, 70-80% do so between the months of July and August. That means Hotel prices will skyrocket, restaurants will always be packed, and everything you can think of will generally be more expensive. So here is our very first tip for you:
Try to visit Amalfi in one of the following months: April, May, June, September or even October. In these months you will still get the vibe from the coastal towns with every tourist attraction being up and running, while avoiding the absolute chaos of peak summer. Beware of visiting between November and March, because chances are, you will find the streets generally empty, restaurants closed, and apart from the classic views, not much to see.
Where in the Amalfi Coast to stay at
The Amalfi Coast stretches across a whole region, and it includes beautiful towns such as Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, Ravello and more. Each of these places is a short ride away from the famous views of Positano. But inevitably, accommodation in each of these small towns is not only very limited, but also VERY expensive. We’re talking several hundred US Dollars per night – and yes, for Europe that’s expensive. Here goes our second tip to you, don’t stay in the most famous towns of Positano and Amalfi. You can simply visit during the day and enjoy it without paying the premium to stay in a hotel there.
The place we recommend you to consider is called Sorrento! We wrote a whole blog about why Sorrento is not only one of the most gorgeous places in this part of Italy, but also a short drive away from the iconic views of Positano and Amalfi.
But… Why should I stay in Sorrento?
Sorrento is a beautiful coastal town, but instead of being on the southern side of the Amalfi Coaat, it’s on the North. This means you can see Naples in the distance (and the almightly Mount Vesuvius), but it also means it’s more affordable. What a lot of people don’t realise, is that in Sorrento the food is just as good and the people are just as friendly as in any other in Amalfi. Below you can see a picture of the Pasta A La Sorrentia (one of the best in the whole of Italy) and some of the views you get from this town.
How much does it cost to stay in Sorrento in comparison to Amalfi or Positano?
In July and August it’s packed everywhere, so irrespective of where you stay, it will be expensive. But for the other months of the year, staying in Sorrento will always be at least 30% cheaper. We visited in April and paid just under $60 per night in an awesome apartment, which you can find and book here (pictures below). Over time prices naturally go up, but it’s safe to say Sorrento will always be more affordable.
We made a Vlog about our time exploring Sorrento, so if you’re curious to see if this town is worth exploring (and staying at), check it out:
How to see the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento
In the center of the town you can find a metro station, which connects you to Naples and Pompeii, but also a bus station. From here, you can purchase tickets that get you to every town in the Amalfi Coast. From Sorrento to Positano it takes about 45 minutes, and if you stay on the bus, it then takes another 30-40 minutes to get to Amalfi. You can find tickets here, but we recommend you to just buy them at the station, as there is a little kisok that sells them. We just recommend you to carry cash (in Euros) in case the machine doesn’t work – you never know.
The best thing about doing this is seeing the scenic views along the way as the bus rides the streets near the iconic cliffs. Oh, and did I mention these tickets cost as little as $10-$15 dollars per person?
So, how do I see the Amalfi Coast for $100 per day?
Step 1: Fly to the Naples International Airport – this is the nearest airport and where 90% of tourists fly to when they want to visit the Amalfi Coast
Step 2: Get a Metro that takes you from the Napoli Centrale Station to Sorrento. This the end of the Circumvesuviana rail line and a ticket will cost you about $5 per person.
Step 3: Rent a place to stay in Sorrento for a few days for $60-$80 per night. Explore the town, enjoy the beautiful scenary and the classic italian food restaurants.
Step 4: Get a return ticket for a Bus that allows you to hop on and off. Use it to go from Sorrento to Amalfi, then Amalfi to Positano and then from Positano back to Sorrento. The reality is that you can see both towns in a day, and trust us, we’ve done it. The tickets should cost you $10-$15 per person.
Step 5: Enjoy your time and take a lifetime of memories away with you. Oh, and congratulations, you’ve just unlocked a way to see Amalfi that will save you hundreds of US Dollars.
