The Amalfi Coast is Italy's most logistically demanding destination, and that's what most travelers discover too late. From Montreal, there is no direct flight to Naples. You have to go through Rome, then take a train and a transfer — a full day from door to door. On the ground, a car is a liability, not an asset, because of the narrow cliff roads and near-total absence of parking. The coast can be seen in four to six days, from a single base, between April and October.
In this article you will learn how to actually get there, which village to choose, why a car is a mistake, and what is overrated.
Why the Amalfi Coast
It is the spectacular in its purest form. Vertical villages clinging to cliffs, lemon trees on terraces, a sea so blue it never photographs quite right. No other Mediterranean coast has this verticality.
What it is not, and this needs to be said before you book. It is not a restful destination. It is a coast where you climb and descend stairs constantly, where transport is slow and packed in season, where beaches are small, often pebbly, and paid.
It is not a destination for people with reduced mobility, or for families with strollers. Positano is essentially one giant staircase.
Those who accept these constraints find one of the most beautiful places in the world. Those who ignore them spend a frustrating week.
Getting there from Quebec
The critical point: there is no direct flight.
From Montreal, direct flights to Italy serve Rome, Milan, and Venice. Naples is not served without a connection.
Two options.
- Via Rome. Direct Montreal-Fiumicino flight, about seven and a half hours, then the Rome-Naples high-speed train, about one hour and ten minutes, then a transfer to the coast, one to two hours depending on the village. This is the simplest route.
- With a European connection to Naples, often longer overall.
Allow a full day from door to door. Do not plan anything for the day of arrival, and especially do not arrive in the evening — nighttime transfers along the coast are painful.
Jet lag. Six hours ahead of Quebec. Combined with the transfer, the first two days are largely unproductive.
Do not rent a car
This is the most important advice on this page.
The cliff road, the Strada Statale 163, is a narrow, winding road carved into the cliff face, with hairpin turns and buses coming the other way. In high season, it is saturated.
Parking is nearly nonexistent in the villages, and where it does exist, it is very expensive.
The alternatives work better.
- The ferry. By far the best option. It connects Salerno, Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, and Capri. Fast, pleasant, and you see the coast from the sea, which is the only proper perspective. It only runs from approximately April to October, however.
- The SITA bus. Inexpensive, but packed in season, with waits.
- Private transfer. Costly, but effective for arrival and departure with luggage.
If you do rent a car elsewhere in Italy, be aware that an international driving permit is required in addition to your Quebec license, and it can be obtained from CAA-Quebec before departure.
Which village to choose
The choice of base matters more here than anywhere else in Italy, because getting around is slow.
Amalfi. The best practical choice. It is the hub for ferries and buses, the town center is flat, and it is less expensive than Positano. Its cathedral is magnificent.
Ravello. Perched high up, quieter, with incomparable gardens and views. Ideal for couples. Less convenient for getting around — you always have to come back down.
Positano. The most photogenic and the most expensive. It is also a giant staircase, from the top of the village to the beach. Stunning, but physically demanding.
Praiano. Between Amalfi and Positano, quieter, better value. A good compromise.
Sorrento. Technically outside the Amalfi Coast, but well connected, flatter, more affordable, and convenient for Capri and Pompeii. A good choice for a first stay.
Avoid Positano as your base if you are traveling with large suitcases or if walking is a challenge.
What to see, and what is overrated
Must do
- A ferry ride between Amalfi and Positano. The coast from the sea is the real perspective.
- Ravello, its villas and suspended gardens.
- Amalfi Cathedral and its monumental staircase.
- Pompeii, about an hour away. A major site — allow half a day to a full day. There is almost no shade; go early.
- The Path of the Gods, a cliff walk between Bomerano and Nocelle. The most beautiful hike in the region.
What often disappoints
- Capri as a day trip in high season. Crowded, expensive, and you will only see the crowd. Capri reveals itself once the day-trippers have left, which means staying overnight.
- The beaches. Small, often pebbly, and largely taken over by paid beach establishments. This is not a beach destination.
- The limoncello from tourist shops. Sweet and industrial.
How many days
Four days. The minimum. Two or three villages, plus Pompeii.
Five to seven days. The right format. You add Capri with an overnight stay, a hike, and above all some downtime.
More than a week. Combine with Naples, or with Rome beforehand — the most natural itinerary, since that is where you land anyway.
When to go
| Period | Weather | Crowds | Note for a Quebec traveler |
|---|---|---|---|
| March, spring break | Cool | Low | Many establishments closed, no ferry |
| Late April to June | Mild, sea still cool | Growing | The best window |
| July and August | Hot | Peak | Construction holidays, so the worst time. Road saturated, prices at their highest |
| September to early October | Mild, warm sea | Declining | Probably the best month |
| November to March | Cool, rainy | Very low | The coast hibernates. Ferries stopped, hotels closed |
The critical point. The Amalfi Coast shuts down in low season. Ferries stopped, hotels and restaurants closed. Coming in January means finding a magnificent setting and a dead region.
September is probably the best month. The sea is warm, the crowds have left, and prices drop.
Budget
The Amalfi Coast sits at the top of the Italian market, alongside Lake Como.
- Accommodation. The dominant cost. The gap between Positano and Praiano or Amalfi is considerable for a very similar experience.
- Transfers. An underestimated cost. A private transfer from Naples is expensive, and you will need it at least on arrival and departure.
- Ferries. Affordable and efficient.
- Beaches. Beach establishments charge for a sun lounger and umbrella, sometimes a lot.
- Restaurants. Expensive with a view, reasonable on the back streets.
Getting married on the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a spectacular wedding destination, and the most logistically demanding in all of Italy.
It is worth being honest about this. Bringing guests to the coast involves long transfers, narrow roads, and expensive shuttles between the church, the reception, and the hotels. This is consistently underestimated in budgets.
A number worth knowing: search volume for Amalfi Coast weddings remains very low in the French-speaking market, far behind Lake Como and Tuscany. The destination exists, but it is far less in demand than its reputation suggests.
For a Catholic wedding, Italian rules apply. The consent of the priest at the host church must be obtained before any reception venue is booked. The canonical file is prepared in your home parish and passes through two diocesan chanceries. At least twelve months.
Quebec couples should know that Canada does not issue the European equivalent of a nulla osta, and that legalization at the Italian prefecture remains required.
The procedures are outlined in getting married in a Catholic church in Italy and the documents in documents for a religious marriage abroad.
To review the situation before committing to costs, get in touch.
Mistakes to avoid
- Renting a car. Narrow cliff road, near-total absence of parking, saturated traffic in season.
- Choosing Positano as your base with large suitcases. It is a giant staircase.
- Coming in low season. Ferries stop, much of the coast closes.
- Planning activities on the day of arrival. It is a full day from door to door from Montreal.
- Visiting Capri as a day trip in summer. You will only see the crowd.
- Coming for the beach. This is not a beach destination.
- Underestimating transfers. The most commonly forgotten item in the budget.
Conclusion
The Amalfi Coast is spectacular and demanding, in that order. The traveler who accepts this is rewarded. The one who pictures a restful riviera leaves disappointed.
No car, a single base in Amalfi or Praiano, ferries, and a season between April and October. And allow a full day to get there from Montreal.
For other regions, see Rome and Lake Como, or all destinations.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Montreal?
- There is no direct flight to Naples. The simplest route is a direct Montreal-Rome flight, about seven and a half hours, then the high-speed Rome-Naples train, about one hour and ten minutes, then a transfer of one to two hours to the coast. Allow a full day from door to door.
- Should you rent a car on the Amalfi Coast?
- No. The cliff road is narrow, winding, and saturated in season, and parking is nearly nonexistent in the villages. The ferry is the best way to get around, from April to October. The SITA bus is inexpensive but packed. A private transfer is useful for arrival and departure with luggage.
- Which village should you choose on the Amalfi Coast?
- Amalfi for convenience — it is the ferry and bus hub. Ravello for peace and views, but it is perched high up. Positano for beauty, but it is a giant staircase and the most expensive. Praiano is the best compromise. Sorrento, technically outside the coast, is flatter and more affordable.
- What is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
- September and early October, most likely. The sea is warm, the crowds have left, and prices drop. Late April to June is the other good window. The coast largely closes from November to March, with ferries stopped and hotels closed. July and August bring heat, peak crowds, and highest prices.
