Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast: Best Towns & Hotels

Amalfi Coast towns along the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

Choosing where to stay on the Amalfi Coast can completely change the experience—from the iconic hillsides of Positano to quieter bases like Maiori.

The Amalfi Coast may look small on a map, but choosing where to stay can completely change your trip. Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori, and the other towns along the coast are relatively close together, yet staying in each comes with a different mix of transportation, beaches, crowds, restaurants, views, and even how easy it is to get back to your hotel at the end of the day.

I learned this firsthand while planning a week on the Amalfi Coast with my family. I loved the idea of waking up to sweeping cliffside views, but I didn’t love the idea of climbing endless stairs every time we returned to our hotel. I wanted somewhere relatively flat and easy to walk around, with convenient transportation and preferably a pool. Those priorities ultimately led us to Maiori.

That doesn’t mean Maiori is the best place to stay for everyone. If this is your first trip and you want to make exploring the coast as easy as possible, Amalfi may be a better fit. If you’ve dreamed about waking up in Positano, the higher prices and hillside location might be completely worth it. And if spectacular views and a slower, quieter stay sound more appealing than being directly on the water, Ravello offers something entirely different.

Below, I’ve broken down the Amalfi Coast towns I’d consider staying in, what makes each one worth choosing, and a few hotels I’d put on my shortlist.

Maiori: Best for a Flatter, Easier Amalfi Coast Base

Maiori was the town we ultimately chose for our trip, and one of the biggest reasons was surprisingly practical: it’s relatively flat. I didn’t want every walk back to our hotel to involve climbing a hillside or navigating endless stairs. Maiori gave us a long waterfront promenade, restaurants we could easily walk to, ferry access, and a much easier home base for a week of exploring with my family.

We also weren’t looking for the most glamorous address on the Amalfi Coast. We wanted somewhere comfortable to return to after a day of sightseeing, where we could walk to dinner or spend time by the water without turning it into another excursion. If you want convenient transportation, easy beach access, and a little more breathing room—and don’t need Positano outside your window—Maiori offers a really nice balance.

Reginna Palace Hotel — Best for a Pool + Central Location

Average price: Approximately $200–$350 per night.

This is where we stayed, and its location was a big part of why Maiori worked so well for us. We could walk out of the hotel and be right in town, with the waterfront, restaurants, and transportation all nearby. Having a pool also gave us somewhere to slow down between busier sightseeing days, which I appreciated much more than I expected.

For me, Reginna Palace makes sense if you’re choosing Maiori for convenience in the first place. You’re getting the easier geography and central location that make the town appealing, along with a pool that gives you a reason to spend a little time at the hotel. I’d especially consider it for families or anyone looking for a comfortable base for exploring the coast.

Check availability and current rates at Reginna Palace Hotel →

Hotel Sole Splendid — Best for Beachfront Value

Average price: Approximately $150–$250 per night.

Hotel Sole Splendid is worth considering if you want to stay right along Maiori’s waterfront but don’t necessarily need a pool. It sits directly across from the beach, with restaurants, shops, and transportation within walking distance. Some rooms also have balconies overlooking the sea, giving you a little of that classic Amalfi Coast scenery without moving up the hillside.

It’s a good fit for travelers who expect to spend most of their days exploring but still want an easy, comfortable place to return to. You’re close to the water and everything happening in town, while staying in one of the more affordable hotels on this list.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Sole Splendid →

Hotel Club Due Torri — Best for Panoramic Sea Views

Average price: Approximately $300–$500+ per night.

If you like Maiori’s quieter atmosphere but still want the dramatic views that make Amalfi Coast hotels so appealing, Hotel Club Due Torri offers something different. Built into the hillside overlooking the water, it has panoramic terraces, sea-facing rooms, and a rooftop infinity pool. It’s the option I’d consider if waking up to the Mediterranean is an important part of the experience.

The tradeoff is location. Unlike Reginna Palace and Sole Splendid, Due Torri sits along the coastal road outside the center of Maiori, so you’ll give up some convenience in exchange for the setting. But if you’re comfortable with that tradeoff, it gives you the views and more upscale hotel experience without needing to stay in Positano.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Club Due Torri →

Amalfi: Best for First-Time Visitors Who Want to Be in the Middle of It

Amalfi is probably the most natural starting point if this is your first trip and you want to make exploring the coast as easy as possible. It’s beautiful in its own right, but its biggest advantage is practical: you’re staying in one of the coast’s main transportation hubs rather than constantly traveling to it. Ferries and buses connect Amalfi with many of the places you’re likely to visit, making it especially appealing if you don’t have many days to work with.

You’ll also have restaurants, shops, the waterfront, and plenty to explore right outside your hotel. The tradeoff is that central Amalfi can get busy during the day, particularly around the waterfront and Piazza Duomo. If you want the convenience without feeling surrounded by crowds every time you step outside, where you stay within Amalfi matters almost as much as choosing the town itself.

L’Antico Convitto — Best for Boutique Charm & a Quiet Central Location

Average price: Approximately $200–$350 per night.

L’Antico Convitto is an appealing option if you want to stay in the heart of Amalfi without being directly on its busiest streets. This small boutique hotel is tucked into the historic center, just steps from the cathedral and a short walk from the ferry and bus terminals. You can easily walk to transportation, restaurants, and the waterfront, then retreat to a quieter pedestrian street at the end of the day.

The rooftop terrace is another highlight, with space for breakfast or relaxing while looking out over Amalfi’s rooftops. I’d consider this one for travelers who want the character of a smaller hotel and a central location but don’t need the amenities of a larger resort.

Check availability and current rates at L’Antico Convitto →

Hotel Residence — Best for Waterfront Convenience & Easy Transportation

Average price: Approximately $300–$600+ per night.

Hotel Residence puts you about as close to the center of the action as you can get. It sits directly along Amalfi’s waterfront, just steps from Piazza Duomo and a short walk from the ferry terminal and bus station. The beach, restaurants, shops, and transportation are all nearby, making this the option I’d look at if I had only a few days and wanted getting around to be as easy as possible.

The hotel occupies a historic building, with rooms overlooking either the sea or the cathedral area, plus a rooftop cocktail bar and an on-site restaurant. The tradeoff for that location is that you’re staying in one of Amalfi’s busiest areas, so I wouldn’t choose Hotel Residence for peace and quiet. But if being able to walk out the door and immediately start your day is the priority, its location is hard to beat.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Residence →

Hotel Aurora — Best for Harbor Views & a Quieter Waterfront Stay

Average price: Approximately $200–$400+ per night.

Hotel Aurora offers a nice middle ground if you want to stay in Amalfi but would prefer a little distance from the busiest part of town. It sits along the waterfront near the marina, about a 10-minute walk from the historic center. You can still walk to the ferry terminal, restaurants, and main attractions, but you’re not staying directly amid the crowds around Piazza Duomo.

Its waterfront setting is the real draw, particularly the breakfast terrace overlooking the bay. Some rooms also have balconies with sea views, making this a good choice if you want to balance sightseeing with slower mornings and evenings by the water. Just keep in mind that not every room has a sea view, so I’d pay attention to the room category when booking.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Aurora →

Positano: Best for the Iconic Amalfi Coast Experience

If the Amalfi Coast you’ve been picturing is pastel-colored buildings cascading down a cliff toward the sea, you’re probably picturing Positano. There’s something special about actually staying here rather than arriving with the daytime crowds and leaving a few hours later. You get to experience the town during its quieter mornings and evenings, with the scenery that made the Amalfi Coast famous right outside your door.

The biggest consideration is where your hotel sits on the hillside. Positano is incredibly vertical, and a beautiful hotel with an incredible view can also mean a serious climb or more stairs than you expected. If you’re traveling with luggage, have mobility concerns, or simply don’t want every trip back to your room to feel like a workout, I’d pay almost as much attention to the hotel’s location as the hotel itself.

Villa La Tartana — Best for Staying Close to the Beach & Ferries

Average price: Approximately $250–$450 per night.

Villa La Tartana is a great option if you want to stay near the heart of Positano without paying for one of its large luxury hotels. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the main beach, where you’ll also find the ferry dock for boats to Amalfi, Capri, and other towns along the coast. Restaurants and shops are nearby, making it especially convenient if you plan to spend your days exploring.

Some rooms have balconies with sea views, but the location is the real advantage here. You’re staying near the bottom of Positano rather than much farther up the hillside, which can mean a lot less climbing every time you head back to your hotel.

Check availability and current rates at Villa La Tartana →

Hotel Pupetto — Best for a Quieter Beachfront Stay

Average price: Approximately $250–$450 per night.

Hotel Pupetto sits directly on Fornillo Beach, a smaller and quieter alternative to Positano’s main beach. A waterfront walking path connects the two areas, so you can still walk to the center of Positano and the ferry dock without staying directly in the middle of the busiest part of town.

This is the option I’d consider if being by the water is more important than being in the center of everything. You get a quieter side of Positano and a beach right outside your hotel, while still being close enough to walk into town when you want to explore.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Pupetto →

Hotel Royal Prisco — Best for Positano Views Without the Luxury Price Tag

Average price: Approximately $250–$450 per night.

Hotel Royal Prisco sits farther up the hillside, so you’re trading some of the convenience of staying near the beach for the views Positano is famous for. You can still walk down to the main beach, ferry dock, restaurants, and shops, but you’ll have an uphill walk when it’s time to return to the hotel.

In exchange, you have the option of booking a room with a balcony overlooking Positano and the sea without moving into the town’s highest luxury price range. I’d consider this one if having that classic Positano view from your room is part of why you’re staying here in the first place and you don’t mind the extra walking.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Royal Prisco →

Ravello: Best for Views, Romance & a Quieter Stay

Ravello offers a completely different version of the Amalfi Coast. Rather than staying directly along the waterfront, you’re high above it, surrounded by gardens, historic villas, and some of the most memorable views we encountered during our trip. I loved visiting Ravello, and I can absolutely understand the appeal of staying here and making the town itself part of the experience.

I wouldn’t choose Ravello if my priority were constantly hopping between coastal towns. But for a slower trip, a special occasion, or a stay where relaxing at the hotel matters just as much as sightseeing, being slightly removed from the rest of the coast can actually be part of the appeal.

Hotel La Moresca — Best for Boutique Charm & Beautiful Views

Average price: Approximately $150–$300 per night.

Hotel La Moresca is a small, family-run hotel in a quieter part of Ravello, about a 7–10 minute walk from the main square. You’re close enough to walk to restaurants, shops, and Ravello’s famous gardens, while staying slightly removed from the busiest part of town. With just nine rooms, it also offers a more intimate experience than many of the larger hotels along the coast.

The rooftop breakfast terrace is the standout, with sweeping views of the coastline and surrounding hills. I’d consider this one if you want Ravello’s scenery and peaceful atmosphere without paying for the amenities of a larger resort. Just keep in mind that the hotel doesn’t have an elevator, so you’ll need to be comfortable with stairs.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel La Moresca →

Hotel Rufolo — Best for Central Convenience & a Pool

Average price: Approximately $250–$450 per night.

Hotel Rufolo puts you right in the heart of Ravello, just steps from the main square and Villa Rufolo’s famous gardens. Restaurants and shops are nearby, making it easy to explore the town on foot and return to your hotel throughout the day without a long walk.

You also get a swimming pool and panoramic terraces overlooking the gardens and coastline, so you don’t have to choose between a central location and having somewhere beautiful to relax. I’d consider Hotel Rufolo if you want to spend time enjoying the hotel itself but still want to be able to step outside and immediately explore Ravello.

Check availability and current rates at Hotel Rufolo →

Villa Piedimonte — Best for Panoramic Views & Relaxation

Average price: Approximately $250–$450 per night.

Villa Piedimonte sits slightly outside Ravello’s historic center, about a 5–10 minute walk from the main square. That gives you a quieter setting while keeping restaurants and attractions within reach. The walk back includes some uphill sections, but the hotel offers a shuttle service that can make getting around easier.

The panoramic pool and terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast are the real draw here, and many rooms also have balconies or outdoor spaces with sea views. This is the option I’d consider if you want to lean into the slower side of Ravello and are happy to spend part of your trip relaxing at the hotel rather than filling every day with sightseeing.

Check availability and current rates at Villa Piedimonte →

Minori: Best for a Smaller, Quieter Coastal Base

If Maiori appeals to you but you’d prefer something even smaller, Minori is worth considering. It sits directly along the coast with its own beach, restaurants, and ferry connections, but feels much more compact and relaxed than Amalfi or Positano. You still get the experience of staying by the water, just with less activity around you.

Minori and Maiori are neighbors, but I wouldn’t consider them interchangeable. Maiori has a larger beachfront and more going on, making it the more practical choice if you want a little more variety around you. Minori feels smaller and more intimate, which could be exactly what you’re looking for if quiet evenings and a slower pace are part of the appeal.

The two towns are also connected by the Path of the Lemons, which climbs through the hills and lemon groves between them. We walked this route during our stay in Maiori before continuing toward Ravello, and it was one of my favorite ways to see a different side of the coast.

I wouldn’t choose Minori if you want to be in the middle of the action or have lots of restaurants and shops right outside your door. I’d choose it if you want a smaller, quieter town to come back to after a day of exploring, while still staying directly on the Amalfi Coast.

What About Staying in Sorrento?

Sorrento comes up constantly when researching where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, but there’s one important thing to understand: Sorrento isn’t actually on the Amalfi Coast. It sits on the opposite side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, so staying there is a different experience from waking up in Amalfi, Positano, Maiori, or one of the other towns along the coast.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad base. In fact, Sorrento can make a lot of sense if the Amalfi Coast is only one part of a broader trip. It’s particularly convenient if you’re also visiting Pompeii, Naples, or Capri, giving you access to trains and ferries without needing to move hotels every couple of nights.

I stayed in Sorrento on my first trip to this part of Italy, when our itinerary included Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. For that kind of trip, the appeal is easy to understand. You’re choosing Sorrento for its connections and flexibility rather than for the experience of staying directly on the Amalfi Coast.

If the Amalfi Coast itself is the main focus of your trip, I’d stay in one of the towns above. There’s something different about having the coast outside your door in the morning and being able to enjoy it after many of the day-trippers have left. But if you’re combining the Amalfi Coast with several destinations around the Bay of Naples and the Sorrentine Peninsula, Sorrento may ultimately be the more practical base.

So, Where Should You Stay on the Amalfi Coast?

There isn’t one town I’d recommend to everyone. The best base really comes down to how you want to spend your trip and what matters most to you: location, views, convenience, beach access, or a quieter atmosphere.

Choose Maiori if: You want flatter terrain, easy beach access, more breathing room, and a practical base for a longer stay. This was the right choice for our family, especially because we wanted somewhere easy to come back to after long days of sightseeing.

Choose Amalfi if: You want to be in the middle of the coast with some of the easiest ferry and bus connections. It’s particularly appealing for a shorter first trip when you want to make the most of your sightseeing time.

Choose Positano if: Staying in the iconic Amalfi Coast town is part of the experience you’re dreaming about and you’re willing to pay more for it. Just pay close attention to where your hotel sits on the hillside before booking.

Choose Ravello if: Spectacular views, atmosphere, and a slower pace matter more than easy access to beaches and ferries. It’s a great choice if you want relaxing at your hotel to be part of the trip rather than simply having somewhere to sleep.

Choose Minori if: You want a smaller, quieter coastal town while still having a beach, restaurants, and ferry connections nearby.

Consider Sorrento if: The Amalfi Coast is only one part of a broader itinerary that also includes Naples, Pompeii, or Capri. You’ll give up staying directly on the coast in exchange for easier connections in several directions.

For our first trip, Maiori gave us exactly the balance we were looking for. It was flatter and easier to navigate, gave us a quieter place to return to each evening, and worked incredibly well for a week spent exploring the coast. But one of my biggest takeaways was that I could make a case for staying somewhere completely different next time.

Maybe I’ll stay in Ravello and make slowing down at the hotel part of the experience rather than trying to see everything. Or maybe I’ll plan a shorter trip, splurge on a hotel in Positano, and finally wake up to that view. Every town offers something a little different, and I’m already looking forward to figuring out where I’ll stay next time.

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