Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Amalfi) — Amalfi town center — Iconic first stop for the grand staircase, Arab-Norman façade, and a quick sense of the town’s history; go now while arriving and the center is still lively. — afternoon, ~1 hour
Pasticceria Pansa — Piazza Duomo — A classic stop right by the cathedral for a sfogliatella or lemon cake; perfect low-effort arrival fuel. — afternoon, ~30 minutes, €5–10 pp
Chiostro del Paradiso — beside the Duomo — Peaceful cloisters and fresco fragments give a quieter counterpoint to the busy piazza and fit neatly after the cathedral. — afternoon, ~30–45 minutes
Marina Grande Beach — Amalfi waterfront — Easy post-check-in seaside time with umbrellas, views, and a first dip or stroll along the promenade. — late afternoon, ~1.5 hours
Trattoria da Gemma — historic center — A dependable Amalfi dinner for coastal classics and pasta, best placed after a relaxed first day. — evening, ~1.5 hours, €30–50 pp
Start at Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Amalfi) while the town center is still buzzing but not yet fully packed. The big staircase, the striped Arab-Norman façade, and the bronze doors make it one of those places that immediately tells you you’ve arrived somewhere special. If you want the full interior, aim to step inside before the evening rush; dress modestly, and note that the cathedral complex typically has a separate ticket for the cloister and crypt areas, usually just a few euros. From there, linger in Piazza Duomo rather than rushing off — this is the real arrival moment, with the best people-watching in town and plenty of shade in the late afternoon.
A few steps away, pause at Pasticceria Pansa for a quick sugar fix. Order a sfogliatella or one of their lemon cakes, then keep it simple with an espresso or a granita if it’s warm. Expect roughly €5–10 per person depending on what you pick, and don’t worry about making it a long sit-down — this is more of a classic Amalfi ritual than a meal. After that, duck into Chiostro del Paradiso beside the cathedral. It’s small, calm, and just right after the lively piazza: the striped arches, old fresco fragments, and cloistered garden feel like a reset button before you head back into the town’s seaside rhythm.
By late afternoon, make your way down to Marina Grande Beach for the softest part of the day. If you want convenience, this is the easiest first beach stop in Amalfi — you can rent loungers and an umbrella at the beach clubs, or just settle on the edge of the promenade and watch the ferries come and go. A first swim is completely doable in late spring, but even without getting in the water, the walk along the waterfront is part of the pleasure. It’s a good idea to bring sandals for the pebble beach and a light layer if the sea breeze picks up once the sun drops.
For dinner, head back into the historic center to Trattoria da Gemma, a dependable Amalfi classic for a first night meal. Go for coastal staples — seafood pasta, lemon-scented dishes, or whatever the kitchen is doing well that day — and keep expectations in the comfortable, local-trattoria lane rather than fine dining theater. Dinner here usually runs around €30–50 per person depending on wine and courses, and it’s the kind of place where you can linger without feeling rushed. Afterward, give yourself time for one slow loop through the center before calling it a day; Amalfi is at its best when you don’t overplan the first evening.
Villa Rufolo — Ravello center — Start at the hilltop icon for its gardens, terraces, and sweeping coastal views before the day gets busier. — morning, ~1.5 hours
Ravello Duomo (Cathedral of Saint Pantaleon) — Piazza Duomo — A compact cultural stop with a striking bronze door and calm square right nearby. — late morning, ~30–45 minutes
Caffè Calce — Ravello center — Ideal for a coffee, pastry, and a scenic pause between sights in the village core. — late morning, ~30 minutes, €5–12 pp
Villa Cimbrone Gardens — Ravello outskirts — The Terrace of Infinity and formal gardens are the marquee Ravello experience, best saved for when you have time to linger. — early afternoon, ~2 hours
La Tagliata — above Positano/Ravello route area — A scenic, family-style lunch with generous portions and hillside views; worth the detour for a destination meal. — afternoon, ~2 hours, €40–60 pp
Arrive in Ravello early enough to enjoy the hilltop calm before the day-trippers fill the lanes, then head straight to Villa Rufolo. It’s the essential first stop here: the layered gardens, Moorish details, and those coastal terraces are at their best in the softer morning light, and you’ll want the full 1.5 hours to wander without rushing. From there, it’s an easy stroll into Piazza Duomo for Ravello Duomo (Cathedral of Saint Pantaleon), a compact and quietly impressive stop with its bronze doors, simple interior, and a square that still feels like an actual village center rather than a sightseeing set piece.
Pause at Caffè Calce right in the center for a coffee and something sweet — a cornetto, a slice of cake, or just an espresso at the bar if you want to keep it local and quick. Expect roughly €5–12 per person depending on how much you order, and it’s a good place to let the pace slow down a bit before the more garden-heavy part of the day. From here, you can linger around the lanes near Piazza Vescovado and then continue by short local roads and footpaths toward the next hillside stop.
Set aside a proper stretch for Villa Cimbrone Gardens, because this is where Ravello really opens up. The walk out to the villa takes you a little beyond the center, and the payoff is the formal garden design plus the famous Terrazza dell’Infinito, where the view feels almost absurdly wide on a clear day. Two hours is about right if you want to move slowly, take photos, and sit a while; tickets are usually around the mid-teens, and it’s worth checking the current opening times since they can shift seasonally.
Finish the day’s Ravello loop with lunch at La Tagliata, the kind of hillside, family-style place people remember long after the trip. It’s generous, rustic, and built for lingering over plates that keep coming, with sweeping views that make the meal feel like part of the sightseeing rather than a break from it. Budget about €40–60 per person, more if you go fully into wine and dessert, and if you’re heading onward afterward, it’s best to keep your afternoon unhurried so you can enjoy the setting rather than treating it like a timed stop.
Spiaggia Grande — Positano waterfront — Begin at the postcard beach while the village wakes up, with the best light and least congestion early. — morning, ~1 hour
Chez Black — Spiaggia Grande — Easy beachfront breakfast or early lunch with a front-row view of the bay and beach scene. — morning, ~1 hour, €20–35 pp
Church of Santa Maria Assunta — central Positano — A quick cultural stop for the famous majolica dome and the Black Madonna icon, just uphill from the beach. — late morning, ~30 minutes
Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) access from Nocelle — above Positano — Save the marquee active experience for the final day; even a partial hike delivers unforgettable cliffside scenery. — midday/afternoon, ~2.5–3 hours
Franco’s Bar — Le Sirenuse, upper Positano — End with a stylish aperitivo and panoramic terrace views, an ideal finale after the hike and town wandering. — late afternoon, ~1 hour, €20–35 pp
Arrive in Positano early enough to catch Spiaggia Grande before the beach clubs fully wake up; this is when the whole bay still feels a little dreamy, with the pastel houses above you and the ferries, swimmers, and coffee cups just starting to appear. Give yourself time to wander the edge of the sand and the promenade without trying to “do” anything — the point here is to let Positano hit you first. From the beach, Chez Black is the easiest first stop for a beachfront breakfast or early lunch, and it’s worth lingering for a table with a view if you can get one. Expect roughly €20–35 per person depending on whether you keep it light or go for a proper meal; in late April it’s usually calmer before noon, but booking isn’t a bad idea if you want to avoid waiting.
After breakfast, make the short uphill drift to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the little landmark that gives Positano its instantly recognizable skyline. It’s a quick stop — about 30 minutes is plenty — but don’t rush past the details: the majolica dome glinting in the light and the Black Madonna icon inside are part of the town’s identity. Because it sits just above the waterfront, this is an easy transition rather than a trek, and it sets you up nicely before the day becomes more active.
For the marquee effort of the day, head to the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) access from Nocelle and save some energy for the views. Even doing only a partial stretch of the trail is absolutely worth it: you’ll get those dramatic cliffside panoramas, terraced hills, and that famous suspended-over-the-sea feeling without needing to commit to the whole route. Plan on about 2.5–3 hours total, including a slow pace for photos and water breaks; sturdy shoes are a must, and if the sun is already strong, bring more water than you think you need. April is a good month for it, but the trail can still feel exposed by midday, so go steady and don’t try to hurry the scenery — that’s the whole point.
Come back down and finish in style at Franco’s Bar at Le Sirenuse, where the aperitivo feels like the reward for the whole day. It’s one of the best terraces in town for that end-of-trip, “we really did it” moment, especially as the light starts to soften over the coast. Cocktails and snacks generally land around €20–35 per person, and it’s smart to arrive a little before sunset if you want the best seats. From here, you can let the evening unfold slowly — Positano is at its best when you stop trying to cover ground and just enjoy the view.