Begin your day wandering Positano’s steep, pastel streets—stop for a cappuccino and a sfogliatella at Casa e Bottega or Collina Bakery, then stroll down Via dei Mulini toward Spiaggia Grande. Pause at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta to admire its majolica dome and Byzantine icon before descending to the beach for a morning swim or a sun-soaked spot on the pebbles with rental loungers and a refreshing limoncello granita from a seaside kiosk.
After a leisurely lunch at Chez Black or La Pergola, catch a short private boat or SITA bus to the quieter Fornillo beach for a more relaxed atmosphere and snorkeling around the rocky headlands. Alternatively, book a 2-3 hour private boat trip to the Li Galli islets—enjoy cliffside views of Positano, a swim in crystalline water, and a shaded picnic of local cheeses, prosciutto and Amalfi lemons prepared by your skipper.
Return ashore for golden-hour shopping along Via dei Mulini and Via Cristoforo Colombo, picking up handmade sandals and limoncello souvenirs before dinner at Ristorante Max or La Sponda for candlelit views of the twinkling town. Finish with a digestif at Franco’s Bar or a seaside stroll on the promenade, soaking in the lit-up facades and the gentle sound of waves as your first day on the Amalfi Coast winds to a magic close.
After a relaxed breakfast in Positano, take the morning ferry or coastal bus to Amalfi and arrive in time to wander the Piazza del Duomo; step inside the Duomo di Sant'Andrea to admire the striped façade, bronze doors and the crypt’s relics, then sip an espresso at a nearby café while watching town life unfold. Stroll the old paper-makers’ quarter (Museo della Carta) to learn Amalfi’s medieval maritime history and pick up a handcrafted Amalfi paper notebook as a keepsake.
Catch the scenic bus or a short taxi ride up the cliff to Ravello, where you’ll spend the afternoon exploring Villa Rufolo’s flower-filled terraces and the panoramic Belvedere, then amble through the serene gardens of Villa Cimbrone to the Terrazza dell'Infinito for sweeping views of the coastline. Pause for a leisurely lunch at a terrace restaurant such as Cumpa' Cosimo or Ristorante Vittoria, sampling fresh seafood, local pasta and a glass of Falanghina while the coastal vistas stretch below.
Return to Amalfi for golden-hour light along the seafront, enjoy a relaxed dinner at L'Abside or Trattoria Da Ciccio with lemon-scented desserts and regionally inspired dishes, and finish with an evening stroll on the Marina Grande as the town lights shimmer. If you prefer a quieter close to the day, take the late ferry back to Positano and enjoy a nightcap on your terrace, reminiscing about the day’s panoramic gardens and historic discoveries.