Amalfi itinerary help needed
 

Hi,
We will be staying in Salerno for 3 days and needed some suggestions about what places to see.

Day 1: Arrive to Salerno by 11.20 am.

Rest of the day - Positano Or Amalfi/Ravello

Day 2: Capri

Day 3: Positano Or Amalfi/Ravello (The one which is not covered on Day 1).

So we are bit confused about choice of places on Day 1 and Day 3. Which one to choose on day 1 - Positano or Amalfi+Ravello ?
Since we will be arriving bit late on day 1, whichever place we are choosing will get lesser time on that day.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

IME, Positano and Amalfi can each be seen in the same day. Or you can see Ravello and Amalfi in the same day. And, depending on your specific interests and preferred pace of travel, you might even be able to see all three on the same day.

Have you considered trying to visit Paestum while in the area? It is, IMO, spectacular. And Salerno itself has some very worth sites. I chose to skip Positano entirely to make time for Paestum and Salerno, but that's just me.

Good luck!

We stayed two nights in Salerno after spending one night in Paestum, then ferry from Salerno to Amalfi and bus up to Ravello for three nights. Salerno has a very interesting historic center and a beautiful seafront boulevard and harbor. Surprising that so few tourists visit it, I think you will enjoy it and it makes a good jumping-off point (ferries along the Amalfi coast and over to Capri and train to Paestum and Naples).

Here's my TR:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

We stayed in Amalfi about 10 years ago. THE highlight of the trip was the time we spent in Ravello. Public bus from Amalfi (and super helpful people even with the language barrier), walk around the main town, wonderful lunch at what was clearly a local place and very reasonably priced, and then a walk to Villa Christina. Lovely gardens, marble balcony overlooking the coast with a view for many miles. AND clouds wafting up from under the balcony. When we walked back to town (not very far), we came upon a symphony orchestra playing in another beautiful garden. The attendant waved us in as the sun was setting behind the orchestra. Truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. DON'T miss Ravello, although Amalfi was wonderful too

Hi Praveenroam!

We have been two times to the Amalfi coast, and know well the places you mention.

My answer:

Day 1 go to Positano, much closer than Amalfi / Ravello.
Day Two, Capri....but if ferries are not working, go to your program for day three.
Day three, Amalfi Ravello.
You can begin with Ravello, have lunch and then go down to Amalfi , visit Amalfi and return to Sorrento.

Remember, unless you take a taxi or have a car, you must stop in Amalfi in order to reach Ravello.

No problem as the buses to Ravello leave from the same Piazza you'll be arriving from Sorrento.
In Ravello, you can visit Villa Ruffolo, steps away from the bus terminal; or Villa Cimbronne, some 15 to 20 minutes away( you must walk) both of them have breathtaking views.

Enjoy your trip!

I'm afraid jelopez33 may have misunderstood the OP.

Amalfi and Ravello are much closer to Salerno than is Positano.

Here's what we did, if it helps:

From Salerno, we went immediately to Paestum, then spent the evening in Salerno itself. We didn't get to experience much of Salerno, but were so happy to have visited Paestum.

That could give you a day for Capri and another day for the towns on the Amalfi Coast.

Pasestum is awesome! Maybe do it on day arriving like suggested above.

Praveenroam/ Tuscanlifeedit:

My big big mistake! I read(imagine) Sorrento instead of Salerno! I am ashamed.

Any way, I think Amalfi and Ravello justify one full day, and that you can visit Positano in an afternoon, but be careful about bus timetables, or think of a private transfer for Positano to Salerno, may be after diner.

Tuscanlifeedit: a big thanks to you !!!

Any way, I think Amalfi and Ravello justify one full day>

If into a short hike I took a marvelous but energetic one up to Ravello from Amalfi - a paved path thru garden plots and orchards with steps near the top - and walked down a different path zigzagging thru vineyards to return to the coast - that was neat as vineyard workers were tending the grapes.

If able and willing consider walking up or down or both.

Personally I did not see much in Ravello except the wondrous views over the coast - saw little reason to linger - but it was siesta time and the town, in October, seemed dead; dogs were lying in the streets I recall. But go I would for the rave views. At that time Amalfi was full of tourists but I saw few in Ravello. Kind of neat.

I wonder if agsimpkins meant the Villa Cimbrone when describing the place with gardens and marble balcony in Ravello? And I believe the music festival is held at the Villa Rufulo, which also has glorious gardens and views.