Where to Stay NEAR the Amalfi Coast (Maybe Even Better!)

There is no doubt in my mind that Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean—but the small cliffside towns that dot this picturesque coastline are unavoidably crowded and expensive.

So, instead of staying on the Amalfi Coast, I recommend staying nearby and going on a full-day Amalfi Coast boat tour. The views are most spectacular from the water after all, and the boat tour still allows you a few hours to explore Positano and Amalfi on foot.

And best of all, the areas I recommend staying might be even better than the Amalfi Coast (gasp!!) Specifically, the adorable seaside town I stayed in with the most perfect views of Mt. Vesuvius and seemingly endless olive groves.

Our serene stay at La Palombara B&B near the Amalfi Coast

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

Most Popular: Sorrento

Famous for its limoncello, Sorrento is just around the corner from Positano with reliable, well-established tourism infrastructure. Getting here is super easy as the 1 hour Circumvesuviana train from Naples runs frequently. That train also connects you to nearby Pompeii (a must visit) and you can head to the Amalfi Coast and Capri on a boat tour from Sorrento’s marina.

🍋 Overall vibe: Sorrento is a tourism hub with plenty of charm and spectacular Mediterranean views, but it can feel a bit busy given the amount of tourists traveling in and out on their way to the Amalfi towns and Capri.
🚤 Things to do: Swim at Queen’s Bath, tour a lemon grove, visit nearby Pompeii and do wine tasting beneath Mt. Vesuvius.
🚆 Convenience factors: Most convenient of all! Sorrento is the end of the Circumvesuviana train line (1 hour train from Naples) and it’s where most Amalfi Coast and Capri tours depart, so it’s very easy to navigate without a car.
✨ Getting to the Amalfi Coast: Take this full-day boat tour from Sorrento’s marina, or take the public bus to Positano (the roads are rough, be warned!)

My Favorite Hotels in Sorrento

Grand Hotel La Favorita ($350+/night): Beautiful historic hotel with rooftop pool bar overlooking the Bay of Naples and a great daily breakfast.
Sorrento Marida Rooms ($100+/night): Spacious studio apartments with kitchenettes in the heart of Sorrento! Perfect if you want to make some meals in your room. A 7 minute walk to both the train station and port!
Palazzo Marziale ($150+/night): A restored 15-century building with adorable rooms, across the street from Chiesa di San Francesco and a block from the water.

Snapshots from our B&B in Vico Equense

Hidden Gem: Vico Equense

Vico Equense is my top choice on where to stay near Amalfi Coast as its just a few train stops down from Sorrento but is more beautiful and less touristy. In addition to its picture-perfect olive groves and volcano views, Vico Equense is a foodie destination! It’s called the city of taste (città del gusto) and is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and a literal university of pizza. So fun!!

🫒 Overall vibe: Vico Equense is a hidden gem town of olive and lemon groves, with pristine views of Mt. Vesuvius over the Bay of Naples, cute retro beach clubs, and a small but charming historic city center.
👙 Things to do: Sunbathe and swim at retro volcanic Lido Da Vittorio beach club, eat your way through L’Università della Pizza (the University of Pizza!), visit Pompeii and go wine tasting beneath Mt. Vesuvius, and soak in the Scrajo thermal springs.
🚆 Convenience factors: Very convenient the Circumvesuviana train stops in Vico Equense. Naples is a 50 minute train ride away, Pomepii is 25 minutes away, and Sorrento is 10 minutes away.
✨ Getting to the Amalfi Coast: Ride 10 minutes on the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, then take this full-day boat tour from Sorrento’s marina, or take the public bus to Positano (the roads are rough, be warned!)

My Favorite Hotels in Vico Equense

La Palombara B&B ($250+/night): Where I stayed and LOVED it! Beautifully serene B&B amongst olive groves with ocean and volcano views. Breakfast was exceptional and the owners went above and beyond!
Vesuvio View ($120+/night): Peaceful, budget-friendly rooms in the heart of Vico Equense with sea views!
Laqua Countryside ($300+/night): Eco-luxury property tucked up on the hills above Vico Equense town. There’s a beautiful pool and onsite restaurants, and its a lovely place to stay if you don’t mind being a bit far from town.

The marina at Capri island near the Amalfi Coast

Beautiful Capri island is a perfect Amalfi Coast alliterative

Also Consider: Capri

For an Amalfi Coast alternative that has the same glamorous feel—and dazzling Mediterranean views in every direction, consider the sweet island of Capri! Famous for its Blue Grotto and dramatic costal rock formations, Capri is a delightful, quieter area to stay that is easily accessible to the Amalfi Coast towns via boat.

💎 Overall vibe: Rugged Mediterranean landscapes and perfectly blue water with sleepy island towns and an exclusive feel. Capri is a favorite getaway for many celeberties!
👙 Things to do: Wander through Anacapri town, ride the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, and take a boat tour to the Blue Grotto!
🚆 Convenience factors: Less convenient than Sorrento and Vico Equense since you have to take a ferry here, but it gets even more charming after the day visitors leave, so staying overnight is a treat!
✨ Getting to the Amalfi Coast: Hire a private boat tour.

My Favorite Hotels in Capri

Capri Inn ($300+/night): Sea view rooms and a beautifully tranquil atmosphere just a short walk from the ferry terminal! Perfectly convenient and peaceful.
Relais Villa Anna ($150+/night): Highly-rated B&B nestled amongst lemon groves with a pool, on a quieter part of the island.
Da Gelsomina ($230+/night): The best of both worlds with sea-view rooms on a gorgeous agroturismo property with a pool and exceptional breakfast.