Amalfi or Positano: Which Is Better?

Amalfi Town and Positano are two of the most popular villages to stay in when visiting the Amalfi Coast. But how do you know which is the better choice for you?

I opted for the mountains of Amalfi during my first solo trip to Italy because I prefer slow, immersive, travel and wanted a cheaper, quieter, and more local experience.

Looking back on it now, I would’ve made a different choice regarding location (for accessibility reasons) but we’ll dive into that a little later.

So, in this article, we’ll look at Amalfi vs Positano from the perspective of transportation, price, vibes, things to do and give you some pros and cons of each town, as well as practical tips for deciding where to stay. Let’s dive in!

Why Amalfi or Positano (vs other towns)?

Positano vs Amalfi
Planning Your Amalfi Trip

Why Amalfi or Positano (vs other towns)?

Planning Your Amalfi Trip

Why Amalfi or Positano (vs other towns)?

You already know the Amalfi Coast is stunning. This dreamy 40-kilometer (25-mile) stretch of UNESCO-protected coastline is famous for its dramatic cliffs, picturesque pastel houses, and laid-back Mediterranean vibe.

But that beautiful geography is what makes it such a pain to get around.

Because the mountain roads are narrow and wind precariously around the coastline, the government has mandated vehicle restrictions during peak travel times (summer and holidays, essentially).

This means that as a tourist, you’re limited to SITA buses, ferries, and private transfers to get around. While I’m all for public transportation because of sustainability reasons, the Amalfi Coast just does it poorly.

Bus schedules are inconsistent; tickets are hard to find; and during the summer months when there are lots of other tourists, you’re not even guaranteed a spot. There have been times when I’ve waited 2-3 hours just to squeeze on the bus to get to the next town a few stops down.

So that’s why I recommend staying in Amalfi or Positano (the two most popular towns with the most prolific transportation options).

Where you stay will impact how much you actually get to enjoy. If you’re stuck commuting 4+ hours each day, that’s valuable time you could be spending swimming, hiking, or eating your third gelato of the day.

So which is better, Amalfi or Positano?

Short answer: Amalfi Town is better for slow exploration and getting to know the villages more intimately. Positano is better if you’re short on time and want a traditional relaxing vacation.

Here’s a quick comparison chart but I’ll expand on details below.

	Transportation	Budget	Attractions	Vibes
Amalfi Town	Very accessible	Moderate	Few attractions	B+
Positano	Moderately accessible	Expensive	Lots to do	A (minus crowding)

Transportation

Amalfi Town and Positano are the two most easily accessible villages on the Amalfi Coast with frequent buses and ferries compared to the smaller towns like Ravello, Atrani, or Maiori.

Amalfi Town is a transportation hub with SITA buses that run directly to bigger cities like Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno and smaller local buses that run along the coast. It’s a huge transfer station with easy access to the main port and compared to the rest of the coast, extremely convenient to get to and around.

On the other hand, Positano is a little less accessible. There’s one route that runs from from Amalfi through Positano to Sorrento but other than that, buses are pretty infrequent. (And this was by far the most crowded route.) If you’re just arriving and trying to squeeze on with luggage or bigger backpacks, forget about it!

I chose to stay in Amalfi Town because it was easier to get to. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of booking a guesthouse in the mountains 20 minutes away because while it was a beautiful escape from all the other tourists, it was pretty stressful to have to constantly check bus schedules to ensure that I got back on time.

Additionally, Amalfi is a little flatter of a town so if you use a wheelchair or are traveling with large luggage, it’s a little easier to get around. Positano in comparison, is super vertically built. As you probably already know, the houses sit directly in the hills so there are lots of winding stairs that you have to traverse. (Let’s be honest though, the Amalfi Coast in general is not that accessible to people with mobility needs.)

One last thing… a lot of visitors will also opt to stay in Sorrento or Salerno. They’re not technically one of the towns of the Amalfi Coast but are larger cities with easy access to key destinations like Naples and Capri.

I chose to omit them from this comparison been cause they’re further away and I felt that the additional transport time wasn’t worth it. If you’re only visiting the southern region for a few days however, and are simply day-tripping to the Amalfi Coast, then it might be worth considering.

Budget

Amalfi is the more budget-friendly option between the two but to be frank, they can both get pretty pricy (especially during high season).

Positano has a glamorous vibe with a huge collection of luxury hotels and villas that typically average $400 – $500 per night during the summer season. Amalfi, in contrast, tends to be more down-to-earth with a wide range of accommodations that run from $200 – $350 per night.

If you’re budget-conscious, I would recommend staying in Amalfi Town during shoulder or off season. This not only helps to alleviate the region’s overtourism issues, but can be beneficial both for your wallet and for local guesthouse owners (to maintain a steady stream of income). A one-night stay in Amalfi town in November, for example, will cost a reasonable $80 – $130 for the night.

However, if you’re looking for the typical Instagram-worthy, luxurious Amalfi coast experience, then Positano is definitely where you want to stay!

Things To Do

There’s a lot more to do in Positano. From wandering the picturesque alleys to visiting niche art galleries or hanging out all day at a beach club, Positano is simply a more populous and active place.

On the flip side, Amalfi is pretty quiet. That’s partially why I chose to stay there but if you’re someone who’s always on the go and wants constant stimulation, it can get pretty boring. I spent an afternoon wandering the town and felt like I basically saw everything.

That being said, my intention for visiting the Amalfi Coast was to spend time exploring some of the other towns like Scala and Ravello. I knew that I was going to be out for the most part and that’s why it didn’t really bother me that I stayed in a sleepier town.

However, if you don’t want to deal with the logistics of navigating the coast and prefer to stay in one place, Positano is definitely the better option!

Vibes

So let’s talk about the vibes… because that makes a huge difference in terms of the experience you’re looking for!

Positano is glamorous, curated, and full of people who are there to show off and be seen. Think linen sets, Aperol spritzes, and perfectly posed vacation photos. It’s a super picturesque town but can sometimes feel overcrowded and like you have to compete with others to fully experience its charm.

Alternatively, Amalfi feels more lived-in. It’s beautiful in its own way, but there’s a sense that real life actually happens there. Kids play in the piazza, nonnas go shopping at the grocery stores (okay, not the ones in town but the ones 10 minutes away in the mountains), and it has a cozy, authentic vibe that’s hard to find in more curated destinations.

And as a solo female traveler, we can’t miss out on the safety conversation!

I felt safe in both places but I think each town definitely had its own concerns.

Positano is a heavily touristed location that tends to draw pickpockets. You have to be a little more vigilant about your belongings but it was pretty safe outside of that. I also got hit on in Positano and have heard the same line being used on some of my other friends! So there definitely seems to be more of a spontaneous hook-up culture there as well.

Amalfi is a huge transport hub and that always brings shady characters. While most transient people tend to stick to big cities like Naples, Rome, or Florence, there’s always slightly dodgy energy around large bus and train stations. It was fairly mild at Amalfi, but again, just be aware of your stuff and don’t talk to strangers!

Whether you stay in Positano or Amalfi will depend on your travel style.

Amalfi is better for the slow traveler looking for cheaper accommodations, a central hub to base day-trips out of, and a more local vibe.

If you’re looking for a typical romantic, resort-like, Amalfi Coast experience, then stay in Positano. It’s the most popular town with the Is Capri Worth It?most happening, and if you’re short on time and don’t want to waste any of it on commute and travel, then that’s the place to be!

Still can’t decide between Positano and Amalfi? Shoot me a DM on Instagram @thesensiblefay or email me at [email protected]. I’m always happy to help!

For more tips on planning your southern Italy trip, check out: Is Capri Worth It? or Is Naples Safe?