Amalfi Coast Day Trip: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello from Sorrento

Summary

Positano colors, Amalfi sunlight, Ravello’s calm—one long day

You’ll ride along cliffside roads from Sorrento to explore Positano’s steep alleys and lemon-scented shops, soak up Amalfi’s lively piazza with its bold cathedral, then find calm in Ravello’s gardens high above the sea. A local driver or guide shares stories along the way—just bring good shoes and an open mind for a day that lingers after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I remember feeling a weird mix of nerves and excitement as we squeezed into the minivan in Sorrento. Our driver, Antonio, had this easy way of joking about the traffic (“Italians drive with their hearts, not their eyes,” he said, which honestly made me grip my seat a bit tighter). The road twisted along cliffs that dropped right into blue water — I caught myself holding my breath more than once. When we finally rolled into Positano, it was all pastel houses stacked so close it looked like they might slide into the sea if you sneezed too hard. I wandered down these narrow paths that smelled faintly of lemon and sunscreen, stopping to poke around little ceramic shops. One old woman tried to teach me how to say “buongiorno” properly; I think I failed but she smiled anyway.

Amalfi felt louder somehow — more voices bouncing off whitewashed walls and kids darting through the square. Our guide Maria pointed out the cathedral’s striped facade (“Sicilian-Arabic style,” she said, waving her hands), but honestly I was distracted by the sunlight glinting off everything. There was this moment where I just stood with a gelato (pistachio, if you’re curious) watching boats bob in the harbor. It’s funny how you can feel anonymous and totally present at once in places like that.

The last stop was Ravello. The air changed up there — cooler, quieter, almost heavy with flowers from someone’s garden drifting over stone walls. We wandered through one of those old villas and looked out over the coast; it didn’t look real at all. Everyone got kind of quiet for a while — even Antonio stopped talking. On the way back to Sorrento I kept thinking about those views and how different each town felt even though they’re so close together. That stuck with me more than any postcard could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

• Depart from Sorrento
• Drive along Amalfi Coast
• Explore Positano town
• Visit Amalfi town
• Tour Ravello hillside
• Return to Sorrento

Top questions

How long is the Amalfi Coast day trip from Sorrento?

The tour lasts about eight to nine hours total.

Which towns are visited on this Amalfi Coast day trip?

You’ll visit Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello during the excursion.

Is there a guide included on this tour?

A guide accompanies groups of 9-21 people for narration; smaller groups have a driver only.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Sorrento?

The tour includes pickup but check your confirmation for details about exact meeting points.

Are infants or small children allowed on this day trip?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

What kind of transport is used for this Amalfi Coast day trip?

You’ll travel by air-conditioned minivan (for 6-8 people) or minibus (for 9-21 people).

How much time do we spend in each town?

You typically get one to two hours in each of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included; you’ll have free time to buy food in each town.

What’s included

Your day includes shared transport from Sorrento by air-conditioned minivan or minibus depending on group size, plus an English-speaking driver or guide who stays with your group throughout (guide for larger groups). Infant seats are available if needed; just bring comfortable walking shoes since you’ll be exploring each town on foot before returning in the evening.