5 BEST Amalfi Coast Tours from Sorrento

If you’re headed to Sorrento, no doubt the Amalfi Coast is calling your name—pastel villages clinging to rugged cliff sides, lemon-scented breezes, and those narrow cobblestone streets teeming with retro charm.

But you need to make a choice: will you cruise its turquoise shores, trek the legendary Path of the Gods, or trace its winding cliffside roads on a good ol’ bus tour?

I recently spent ten dreamy days in Southern Italy—ever on the search for the most delicious organic wine, fluffiest focaccia, and most charming historic villages.

We stayed on the outskirts of Sorrento in my great-grandfather’s hometown, ‘the city of taste,’ Vico Equense and spent a day exploring the nearby Amalfi Coast.

And wow… can confidently say that Positano, Amalfi, and the whole coastline truly live up to the hype. They are even more beautiful in real life—and also more crowded, which is why its so lovely to visit on a day trip and stay somewhere a little quieter like Vico Equense or Sorrento.

Our day on the Amalfi Coast ended up being on of the highlights of our Southern Italy trip (and that’s saying something, it was an incredible vacation). Whether you explore by boat, bus, or even on foot, I’m betting your Amalfi Coast tour will be a favorite travel memory for you, too.

Amalfi Coast by Boat or Land

There are two main ways to experience the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Sorrento: by boat or by land.

Both require hours of travel (either in a bus on the Amalfi Coast’s traffic-ridden winding roads or on a boat). And no matter what option you choose, you’ll be limited to only spending a few hours in Positano and Amalfi—but don’t worry, I found it to be plenty of time for a romantic taste of the towns!

I suffer from motion sickness both on winding roads and rough seas. But being in the open-air on boat sounded a lot better than being stuck in a bus, so I went with the boat tour option! Plus, we were visiting in early September, so we got to go snorkeling along the way.

I LOVED our boat tour and would highly recommend it—we got to see the coastline the whole way along, stopped at some secluded beaches and snorkel spots, had two hours in both Positano and Amalfi, and got to each lunch and sip local limoncello on the boat!

But going on a land tour might be better for you if you’re visiting at a different time of the year when its colder outside—or if you want to hike the Path of the Gods, which is absolutely on my bucket-list now!

5 BEST Amalfi Coast Tours

1. Positano and Amalfi Boat Tour with Onboard Lunch PLUS Snorkeling ($161)

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This intimate small-group cruise is what I did and I LOVED it! You’ll enjoy several hours of sailing along one of the world’s most stunning coastlines, stops to snorkel, and get free time to explore both Amalfi and Positano.

It’s certainly more pricey than the larger group budget Amalfi boat tours (I’ll share that option next), but so worth it if you prefer traveling with a smaller group (10-12 people max).

Perks include a fresh organic lunch served on the boat (which is yummy and saves you time when exploring the villages), plus snorkel equipment and Prosecco! ✨

❌ Skip if: You’re visiting in wintertime, or prefer not to be on the water.

✅ Book if: You want a relaxed, scenic day on the water with swimming and village-hopping.

2. Budget-Friendly Amalfi Coast Boat Tour ($82)

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Get the most bang for your buck with this group Amalfi Coast boat tour that includes pickup from your hotel in Sorrento, and an all day adventure along the coast.

It’s very similar to the tour I took, but with a larger group and no food onboard. You’ll get the chance to snorkel at the stunning Li Galli islands, fabled to be where Ulysses encountered the Sirens.

And of course, you’ll get free time to explore both Amalfi and Positano towns, the highlight of your day!

❌ Skip if: You prefer a smaller group or don’t want to be on the water.

✅ Book if: You want to be picked up at your hotel and experience the Amalfi Coast by boat with a budget-friendly tour.

3. Path of the Gods Amalfi Coast Hiking Tour ($99)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 230+ 5 star reviews. Read reviews.

For a completely different Amalfi Coast experience, trek along the panoramic Path of the Gods, beside terraced vineyards, historic monasteries, and rustic farmhouses, with views all the way to Capri.

This highly-rated Amalfi Coast hiking tour is led by a local guide, and includes a shepherd’s lunch made from local ingredients with wine while you enjoy live music!

Hiking poles are provided, and round-trip transportation from Sorrento the the hiking trail is included.

❌ Skip if: You’re not comfortable with a moderate hike involving inclines, stairs, and uneven terrain.

✅ Book if: You’re an active traveler happy to trade the popular Amalfi Coast towns for a quieter taste of rural Italian life.

4. Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello Bus Tour from Sorrento ($116)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 940+ 5 star reviews. Read reviews.

Immerse in three of the Amalfi Coast’s most breathtaking towns—Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello—on this highly-rated bus tour from Sorrento.

Your guide and bus driver will tell you all about the coast’s history, and stop at all the best viewpoints along the way. Of course, the van is air conditioned, and you’ll get dropped off in the center of the city in all three towns so you can easily explore on foot.

❌ Skip if: You want to avoid the winding road and traffic, or prefer to see the coastline from the water.

✅ Book if: You want to visit THREE towns (most tours just visit two) and prefer exploring by land.

5. Private Tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento ($348)

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If you want to experience the Amalfi Coast entirely on your terms, book a private tour for the day. It includes hotel pickup, a luxurious air-conditioned vehicle, and a local expert who knows every scenic overlook and hidden gem along the way.

The guides are exceptional and will customize your tour completely based on your interests—see Positano and Amalfi, explore in the smaller villages of Praiano and Atrani, visit the Emerald Grotto, or whatever else pleases you!

❌ Skip if: You’re on a budget, private tours are more of a splurge.

✅ Book if: You want total flexibility and a more luxurious experience.

Amalfi Coast Tours FAQs

Is the Amalfi Coast worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is truly as beautiful—if not more—than the pictures. That said, the most trendy towns of Positano and Amalfi can be exceptionally crowded, and the roads are winding! That’s why I really enjoyed just spending a day on the Amalfi Coast, it gave me a taste of each town, but I still got to go back to my quiet (and beautifully scenic) B&B on the Sorrentine Coast.

Is a day on the Amalfi Coast enough?

A day here is absolutely enough to soak in the magic of the Amalfi Coast, but you’ll only get to experience a few of the towns.

Should I stay in Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast?

Sorrento is generally more affordable, much easier to get to, and well-connected for day trips to Naples, Pompeii, and Capri. Meanwhile, the Amalfi Coast offers more romantic, “wake up to the view” experiences but tends to be pricier and is very difficult to get around. Many travelers choose Sorrento as a base and visit the Amalfi Coast on day trips.

All that said, my choice is to actually stay in nearby Vico Equense, an intimate town on the outskirts of Sorrento with views of Mt. Vesuvius and the same rural feel that the small Amalfi Coast towns offer, but its easy to get around because its on the Naples train line! From here, you can take the train 15 minutes into Sorrento and join a variety of Amalfi Coast tours from Sorrento.

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