7-Day Luxury Amalfi Coast Itinerary
A seven-night, editor-planned trip for couples: two nights above the cliffs of Positano, three nights in the hush of Ravello, and two on Capri — connected by private yacht rather than the coast road.
Route overview
Fly into Naples, private transfer to Positano for two nights at Le Sirenuse, private yacht along the coast to Ravello for three nights at Belmond Caruso, then a final two nights on Capri before returning to Naples for departure.
At a glance
Best for: Couples and honeymoons
Trip length: 7 nights
Ideal budget: A$20,000–A$45,000 (couple, all-in)
Best time: Mid-May to mid-June, or September
Style: Cliffside heritage hotels + private yacht
Day 1 — Arrive Naples, transfer to Positano (Naples → Positano)
Morning: Land at Naples Capodichino. Pre-arranged Mercedes transfer along the coast road (90 minutes on a good day, 2.5 hours in July).
Afternoon: Le Sirenuse check-in. Aperitivo on the terrace — the view down to Spiaggia Grande is the reason the hotel is famous.
Evening: Dinner at La Sponda, Le Sirenuse's Michelin-starred restaurant. 400 candles, lemon trees, and Southern Italian cooking at its most polished.
Where to stay: Le Sirenuse
Insider tip: Request a sea-view junior suite on the third or fourth floor — the terraces are meaningfully larger and the noise from the Via Colombo softer.
Day 2 — Positano beach club, boat sundowner (Positano)
Morning: Late breakfast on the terrace. Walk down to Spiaggia Grande and take a beach club for the day at Da Adolfo (a short shuttle south).
Afternoon: Return to town for a slow gelato at La Zagara and a wander through the Via dei Mulini boutiques.
Evening: Private sunset boat charter from the marina — champagne, Faraglioni views, and back to Le Sirenuse for dinner.
Where to stay: Le Sirenuse
Insider tip: Book Da Adolfo through your hotel — the reservation for the wooden shuttle boat is the only reliable way in during summer.
Day 3 — Private yacht Positano → Ravello (Positano → Amalfi → Ravello)
Morning: Private yacht along the coast — Praiano, Furore, Amalfi. Anchor at Fiordo di Furore for a swim in the emerald cove.
Afternoon: Land at Amalfi marina, private car up the switchbacks to Ravello (25 minutes). Belmond Caruso check-in.
Evening: Dinner at Belvedere restaurant. The Caruso's infinity pool is the most photographed in Italy — swim before dinner.
Where to stay: Belmond Caruso, A Belmond Hotel
Insider tip: The Belmond fleet runs boat transfers between Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea, Caruso and Splendido — chain three Belmonds and the logistics dissolve.
Day 4 — Villa Cimbrone, Villa Rufolo, garden lunch (Ravello)
Morning: Walk to Villa Cimbrone at opening (9am). The Terrace of Infinity is the reason poets and composers spent lifetimes in this town.
Afternoon: Long garden lunch back at the Caruso. This is the day to do nothing after — the pool exists for exactly this reason.
Evening: Ravello Festival concert if in season (July–August); otherwise dinner at Rossellinis in Palazzo Avino, a five-minute walk.
Where to stay: Belmond Caruso
Insider tip: The Ravello Festival programme is announced in April; buy tickets the day it drops. Sold out by June for anything worth seeing.
Day 5 — Path of the Gods hike, garden dinner (Ravello ↔ Nocelle)
Morning: Private car to the Bomerano trailhead; guided hike along the Sentiero degli Dei to Nocelle (2–3 hours, moderate). One of Europe's great coastal walks.
Afternoon: Descend to Positano for a late seafood lunch at Chez Black on the beach. Boat transfer back to Amalfi rather than a car.
Evening: Quiet garden dinner at the Caruso. Early night — Capri tomorrow.
Where to stay: Belmond Caruso
Insider tip: Do the Path of the Gods east-to-west; the descent to Nocelle is far kinder on the knees than the reverse.
Day 6 — Private yacht to Capri, Capri Palace check-in (Ravello → Anacapri)
Morning: Private yacht from Amalfi to Capri (about 70 minutes). Circumnavigate the island, into the Blue Grotto if the tide allows.
Afternoon: Land at Marina Grande, private car up to Anacapri. Capri Palace Jumeirah check-in.
Evening: Dinner at L'Olivo (2 Michelin stars, inside the hotel). Contemporary Italian at its most confident.
Where to stay: Capri Palace Jumeirah
Insider tip: Anacapri over Capri town — quieter, higher, and the Belmond and Capri Palace loyal-guest morning transfers to the Piazzetta remove any downside.
Day 7 — Capri morning, return to Naples (Capri → Naples → home)
Morning: Chairlift up Monte Solaro at opening — the best 360° view in the Bay of Naples. Coffee at Il Riccio on the way down.
Afternoon: Private hydrofoil to Naples (50 minutes), Mercedes transfer to Capodichino airport.
Evening: Evening flight. Pre-book a nap slot in the Naples lounge — the connections through Rome or Frankfurt tighten quickly.
Where to stay: In-flight
Insider tip: Book the Alilauro private hydrofoil rather than the public ferry — the schedules are more flexible and the boat is faster.
Where to stay
Le Sirenuse — The definitive Amalfi Coast hotel: Sersale family ownership since 1951, La Sponda dining, and the terraced view that defines Positano. Best for Couples wanting the classic Amalfi experience. From A$2,400 per night (superior double).
Belmond Caruso, A Belmond Hotel — The most-photographed infinity pool in Italy, extraordinary gardens, and Ravello's hush after the day-trippers leave. A Belmond flagship in every sense. Best for Couples wanting Amalfi at its most refined. From A$3,200 per night (deluxe sea view).
Capri Palace Jumeirah — The best hotel on Capri — art collection, L'Olivo restaurant, and the perfect Anacapri position above the summer crowds. Best for Couples ending the trip on a highlight. From A$2,100 per night (deluxe room).
Il San Pietro di Positano — Le Sirenuse's alternative — carved into the cliffs south of Positano, quieter, with a private beach elevator that changes what a beach day means. Best for Couples who prefer seclusion over town-centre. From A$2,600 per night (deluxe sea view).
Where to eat
La Sponda at Le Sirenuse (Positano, Southern Italian) — One Michelin star, 400 candles, and the most-photographed dining room in the country. The pasta course alone justifies the trip.
Rossellinis at Palazzo Avino (Ravello, Contemporary Italian) — Ravello's second-best restaurant after the Caruso, in the pink-tinted Palazzo Avino. Book the terrace.
L'Olivo at Capri Palace (Anacapri, Modern Italian) — Two Michelin stars. The tasting menu is the finest table on Capri and one of the top three in Southern Italy.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Mid-May to mid-June and September are the two sweet spots — sea warm enough to swim, restaurants open, but before or after the July–August crush. Avoid August entirely if you can — traffic, prices and heat all peak simultaneously.
How much does a luxury Amalfi Coast trip cost?
Realistically A$20,000–A$45,000 for two, all-in for seven nights. Le Sirenuse and Belmond Caruso run A$2,400–A$3,500 per night; private yacht days A$3,500–A$5,500; business-class flights A$8,000–A$14,000 per couple; dining A$3,000–A$5,000.
Is 7 days enough for the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, for a first visit staying at 2–3 hotels. Add 2–3 nights in Rome or Naples at the start if this is your first trip to Italy; add Puglia or the Aeolian Islands at the end if it's a return trip.
Should we stay in Positano, Ravello or Capri?
All three — that's what this itinerary is designed around. If you must choose one, Positano for buzz and view, Ravello for quiet and gardens, Capri for glamour and dining. Splitting nights removes the false trade-off.
Is a car needed on the Amalfi Coast?
No — and it's actively counterproductive. The coast road is narrow, parking is scarce, and every serious hotel arranges private transfers. Use cars only for airport transfers and use boats or private drivers between towns.
Which is better — Le Sirenuse or Il San Pietro?
Le Sirenuse for town-centre buzz, walk-out access, and the definitive Positano terrace. Il San Pietro for seclusion, the private beach elevator, and quieter mornings. Le Sirenuse wins for a first Amalfi trip; Il San Pietro for a return.
How do we get from Rome or Naples to Positano?
Fly into Naples Capodichino, not Rome — Positano is 90 minutes to 2.5 hours by private car. From Rome it's 4+ hours by car or a train to Salerno then car (3 hours total). If starting in Rome, take the high-speed train to Naples first.
Is the Amalfi Coast good for a honeymoon?
It's arguably the archetypal European honeymoon coast — long lunches, sunset dinners, boat days, and hotels built for couples. Book Le Sirenuse or Belmond Caruso 9–12 months ahead for June or September dates.
What restaurants must we book in advance?
La Sponda at Le Sirenuse, Belvedere at the Caruso, L'Olivo at Capri Palace, Da Vincenzo in Positano, Il Riccio on Capri, and Da Adolfo beach club. Reserve 4–6 weeks ahead in shoulder season; 2–3 months for June/September peak.
Can we day-trip to Pompeii or Herculaneum?
Yes — Herculaneum is 45 minutes from Ravello with a private guide and is genuinely more atmospheric than Pompeii. Half a day only; back at the hotel for lunch. Skip if the trip is under 5 nights.