5 Best Amalfi Coast Day Trips from Positano

Among the things to see and do in Positano is to explore the nearby coasts and, how not to highlight the postcard landscapes and villages on the Amalfi Coast?

In this post you will find a guide with the best excursions along the Amalfi Coast so you can enjoy its famous caves, visit its medieval castles, get lost among its winding streets, appreciate the group of houses embedded in the cliffs, visit its rocky arches or tour its villages by boat, scooter or minibus. Find out prices, duration, timetable and description of the tours so you can choose how to get from Positano to the Amalfi Coast.

Let yourself go on a voyage of discovery with one of the Amalfi full day excursions to Amalfi along the Amalfi Coast. This type of small group experience combines a guided tour with plenty of free time for you to explore Amalfi, Atrani, Praiano, Maiori or Ravello by sea and land at your own pace from Positano.

The tour starts with a pick-up from your accommodation or a central meeting point in Positano, to take you to the harbour, where you board a comfortable and elegant boat that weighs anchor to sail towards the lagoons and caves that line the rugged coastline.

Take the time to have fun at the swimming and snorkelling stops around Praiano - you've earned it - and enjoy a relaxing break with snacks and drinks on board. Next up: explore on foot! Visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle and its bell tower installed around 1200.

Next, pass through the beautiful fishing village of Furore Fjord and continue to Conca dei Marini to sail under the ancient villa of Sophia Loren.

Stop to see the abode that Jackie Kennedy chose for her dream holiday along the Amalfi Coast, just before recharging your batteries during your lunch stop in Amalfi. In the afternoon cruise through Italy's smallest town, Atrani and stroll through the Roman villas located in Maiori or Ravello before returning to your point of origin.

Details of interest

• Price: from €925 per group of up to 6 people.
• Duration: 6 - 8 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: light snacks such as fresh fruit. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Towels. Boat service with captain. Transfer to and from your accommodation.
• Means of transport: minibus and small boat.
• Pros: This is a private cruise where you and your group go on a day trip to several of the highlights of the Amalfi Coast, including the Blue Grotto, the Cathedral of Amalfi and Marina Grande. The tour is customisable, the itinerary is as suggested by the area.
• Cons: Entrance fees to any of the destinations are not included.

Praiano, Furore and Emerald Grotto? with this small group tour you can see them all from Positano and at your own pace!

Put on your snorkelling gear and dive into the water as you sail past Sant Angelo Beach and the popular rock formation on Ischia Island where you will see its imposing Aragonese Castle. Swim around this rock and observe the numerous fish that live around it.

After returning to the boat, the tour continues to Praiano, an ancient fishing village where its ancient Church of San Gennaro and cliffs lined with luxury villas define the character of the place. Explore its historic centre or stroll along Marina di Praia, its flagship beach. Then head towards the Furore Fjord to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll be amazed by the Italian postcard that unfolds before your eyes.

And to end the day on a high note, enjoy a last stop at the Emerald Grotto, an underground grotto where the intense green colour of the water will take your breath away. The boat skirts the area, but you can enter the grotto between 9.30am and 4pm to see inside for a supplement of approximately €5 per person. At the end of the tour, enjoy a glass of prosecco or limoncello and watch the sun set over the sea as you make your way back to Positano.

Interesting details

• Price: from 790 € for groups up to 5 people.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: snorkelling equipment. Beach towels. Minibar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks including prosecco and limoncello. Boat captain service.
• Means of transport: speedboat, sailboat, gozzo or small boat.
• Pros: it is a complete boat trip, with everything you need for a great day out on the Amalfi Coast from Positano.
• Cons: It does not include entrance to the Emerald Grotto or the Aragonese Castle of Ischia. Often the boat captains only speak Italian or English.

Here's the plan: You and your friends are going on a Vespa tour of the Amalfi Coast. What does that mean? That you travel along this majestic coastline guided by an expert with time available to chat, take pictures and learn interesting facts about the area.

Along this type of excursion you travel through world-famous coastal scenery as well as small picturesque villages from Positano to Ravello, via Amalfi, Conca de' Marini and charming Atrani. In Positano you stroll through the centre among boutiques and craft shops, before alighting on the beach to enjoy the famous views.

Next stop is Conca de' Marini, very close to the Emerald Grotto where the group decides whether to enter at this time or return. You then continue the ride along the winding road with a colourful 360-degree stamp in the direction of Amalfi, where you can visit its famous cathedral or perhaps the Amalfi Arsenal Museum, a medieval shipyard of reference in the area.

Continue to roar the engine of your vintage Vespa now in Atrani, the fishing village with its endearing open-air museum. Then continue with a stop at the viewpoint of Villa Cimbrone Gardens to reach the last stretch of the ride: Ravello.

In Ravello you won't be able to resist stopping among the sumptuous villas, shops and terraces to taste the "delizia al limone". This is a delicacy of the gods with a local accent that goes well with the Neapolitan pasta Sfogliatella, accompanied by a Neapolitan espresso, before you set off to return to your point of origin, just in time to join the things to do in Positano by night.

Interesting details

• Price: from 330 € per person.
• Duration: 6 - 7 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: expert local guide service. Rental of a classic scooter. Mackintosh, if necessary. Neapolitan coffee or typical drink. Snacks in cafés along the coast. Neapolitan souvenir. Transfer service to and from the accommodation in Positano.
• Means of transport: classic Vespa.
• Pros: You ride the roads around the Amalfi Coast on the back of a vintage Vespa, say yes to the classic! And get ready to enjoy your trip while an expert rides in front of the handlebars. The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. And with this kind of ride you can see it all!
• Cons: Entrance fees to the Emerald Cave, Amalfi Cathedral, museums or any of the other sites visited are not included. Guides usually speak English and Italian.

If you're going to spend a day on the Amalfi Coast, why not do it with a group of people who like what you like? That's the opportunity offered by this kind of Group Boat Trip to Amalfi, Minori and Maiori from Positano.

You sail slowly, admiring every inlet, grotto and bay along the way. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a dip with your snorkel and enjoy the rich colour on land as well as in the sea. This is one of those experiences you will remember for years to come. The locals of this coast have for centuries preserved and created an environment as rich in history as it is in beauty, impossible to overlook.

The Amalfi Coast is considered a World Heritage Site in no small part thanks to the mythical Mediterranean landscape. It's a seductive combination of contrasting coastal mountains with a vertical scene of sheer cliffs and blue sea, such as those present in Praiano, Conca dei Marini, Furore fjord, Minori where its spas make you leave the boat deck abandoned.

And when it's time to leave the sea, visit the Roman villas of Amalfi, as well as some trails following the guide's instructions. You will see things that most tourists never get to see for lack of knowledge: hidden caves and secret passages that were travelled through long ago. This is definitely one of the best excursions in Positano.

Interesting details

• Price: from 110 € per person.
• Duration: 7 - 8 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: snacks such as fresh fruit. Water, beer, soft drinks, limoncello and prosecco. Boat trip with skipper.
• Means of transport: small boat.
• Pros: the value for money is quite good. This is the ideal type of excursion for bathers who want to spend a day on the Amalfi Coast among caves and inlets and then explore the curiosities of the Amalfi villages.
• Cons: The transfer there and back is to Marina Grande (Spiaggia di Positano), the port of Positano. Entrance to the Emerald Grotto, as well as any other monument or museum, is not included. The guide is usually in English or Italian.

On this 2-hour excursion, you'll get away from the luxury hotels, crowded restaurants, bustling streets of Positano and other coastal towns. Sail away from it all, in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, towards the Isle of Capri.

On board a small boat, the captain takes you directly to the archipelago of the islands of Li Galli, also known as "Le Sirenuse", since according to Greek mythology, this was the abode of the Sirens.

A group of three islets make up this archipelago: Gallo Lungo, La Castelluccia and La Rotonda, and in the middle you can snorkel, swim at your leisure or, if you prefer, just enjoy the view from the boat. You will be in a privileged spot, watching the sunset behind Capri while enjoying the minibar with water, beer, prosecco and soft drinks. At the end, you leave the romantic atmosphere of the sunset behind you and the captain returns you to your point of origin just in time to join the nightlife of Positano.

Interesting details

• Price: from 600 € for groups of 6 people.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Timetable: evening.
• What the tour may include: towels. Service of captain of the boat. Minibar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including soft drinks and prosecco.
• Means of transport: yacht, speedboat or "gozzo".
• Pros: You enjoy the sunset with views of the surrounding ten Amalfi Coast. The ride is quite intimate. The atmosphere is relaxed, ideal for couples or small groups to share and savour any celebration with the sea as a witness.
• Cons: It is sunset, so the walk is short. Transport to and from the accommodation is not included.

Time varies between 2 and 9 hours, depending on the type of excursion. Tourists often embrace day trips to enjoy the charms of the place.

There is much to discover and it is best to take advantage of the combination of sea and land tours for as long as possible.

• Book your activities in advance. It may seem like booking at the last minute will save you money, but this is not always true when it comes to Amalfi Coast excursions. It pays to book in advance to take advantage of the best discounts and plan your itinerary.

There are hundreds of things to do and see in the area and usually visits to the Amalfi Coast are usually limited and combined, for example 3 days in Positano, and other days in Sorrento or Naples. To optimise your schedule and get the most out of your visit, confirm your place in all the activities you are interested in. I recommend that you call at least 3 days before you venture out.

• Don't forget your sunscreen, especially if you are travelling in summer. Even if it is cloudy, the sun can be strong enough to burn your skin if you are not protected. Make sure you use plenty of sunscreen and reapply often, especially if there are gaps between clouds or after swimming or sweating.
• Try to book your airport transfers to Positano in advance. The nearest airport is Naples and the transfer by public transport is busy and requires connection. Decide in advance so you can book your taxi or shuttle from the hotel, or check bus, train and boat timetables.

You will see caves, coves, villages, beaches, coves and famous grottoes such as the Emerald Grotto, Gallo Lungo, La Castelluccia and La Rotonda, the islets of the archipelago of the islands of Li Galli. You will also find museums, churches, bell towers, ruins and Roman villas in every village you visit.

In this type of excursions along the Amalfi Coast the most interesting thing is the contrasts, activities and alternatives that seduce the senses of its visitors.