The Amalfi Coast is Italy’s most vertically dramatic accommodation landscape - hotels cut into cliffs, pools hanging above the sea, terraced gardens where a single room can have a view that justifies the price. It is also Italy’s most expensive coastal destination. Understanding the trade-offs between the different villages and price points is essential to getting value.
Positano
The most famous and most photographed village - vertical stacks of pastel houses above a small beach, with winding steps connecting the street to the sea. The most expensive base on the coast, with the best views and the highest tourist density.
Budget (€120–180/night): Almost impossible in summer. A few cheaper rooms are available in upper Positano (further from the sea, more steps). These fill many months ahead.
Mid-range (€180–300/night): Good hotels with sea views from terraces. The Le Sirenuse vicinity has several options. Even at this price, rooms are small by northern European standards.
Top-end (€350–1,200+/night): Le Sirenuse (the finest hotel on the coast, family-run since 1951), Il San Pietro (carved into the cliff with elevator access to the beach below), and Hotel Villa Franca. These are special-occasion properties.
Note: In Positano, “sea view” is ambiguous - confirm whether the view is direct sea view from the room balcony or partial sea view from a terrace. Ask specifically.
Ravello
350 metres above the coast on the ridge - quieter, less crowded, and more suited to those who want calm and views over the bay rather than beach access.
Mid-range (€130–250/night): Several good hotels and B&Bs in the historic streets. Better value than Positano for comparable quality.
Top-end (€350–800/night): Hotel Caruso (Belmond) - a former 11th-century palace with an infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Salerno, one of the great hotel views in the world. Hotel Villa Cimbrone (Relais & Châteaux) is adjacent to the garden villa of the same name.
Amalfi Town
The historic capital of the mediaeval Amalfi Republic - a real town with a waterfront, Cathedral, and ferry connections to Positano and Salerno.
Budget (€90–150/night): More accessible than Positano. Several B&Bs and small hotels in the streets behind the piazza.
Mid-range (€150–280/night): Hotel Luna Convento (a converted Franciscan convent with a saltwater swimming pool), and several cliff-face hotels with sea views.
Top-end (€300–600/night): Limited compared to Positano and Ravello but a few quality options.
Praiano
Between Positano and Amalfi, less visited, with good views and better value.
Mid-range (€100–220/night): Several clifftop hotels with direct sea views and pool access but significantly fewer tourists. The village has a small beach (Marina di Praia).
Best for: Those who want the coast experience without paying the Positano premium and without the crowds.
Furore (Fjord of Furore)
A small community in a dramatic fjord between Praiano and Amalfi. The Furore Fjord is a narrow inlet accessible by steps from the road - dramatic and rarely crowded. A few small hotels in the area at reasonable prices.
Plan your trip:
- Browse boat tours and guided excursions on the Amalfi Coast
- Book a car or scooter for the coastal drive
- Get travel insurance before you book
- Pick up an eSIM for Italy
- Search hotels in the Amalfi Coast on Booking.com
Booking essentials
When to book:
- Easter and high summer (July–August): 3–6 months ahead. Many top hotels open bookings 12 months out.
- June and September: 2–3 months ahead.
- April, May, October: 4–6 weeks ahead; more flexibility.
What to confirm before booking:
- Exact sea view from your room (not just from a terrace)
- Number of steps to the room from the road/reception
- Parking (the coast road is narrow; many hotels have no parking and require shuttle or help with bags)
- Air conditioning (significant in July–August)
Off-season: Many Amalfi Coast hotels close October–March. Check whether your chosen property is open for the dates you need.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
See our itineraries for inspiration:
- Amalfi Coast Itinerary - five days on the Costiera Amalfitana
- 10-Day Family Italy Itinerary - ten days through Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, and Lake Garda
- Southern Italy Itinerary - ten days from Naples to Sicily
- 2 Weeks in Italy - the ultimate two-week Italian itinerary
Hotels by price tier
The following hotels are grouped by nightly rate to help with budget planning.
Practical Notes
- Most coastal accommodation requires carrying luggage up steps - check this before booking if it’s a concern
- Parking is scarce and expensive; if arriving by car, factor in parking costs or use the Salerno/Sorrento approach
- High season (July-August) sees prices approximately double compared to May or September
- Many properties close November to March