Amalfi and Positano Cruise Port Guide

The short answer

These are tender-only calls: small boats land you right in town, but rough seas can cancel the stop. Amalfi is mostly flat at the bottom; Positano is a vertical town of steps. Local ferries link Amalfi and Positano in about 15 minutes in season.

Getting ashoreTender boat ashore

Distance to townThe tender landing is in town; Amalfi's cathedral is a few minutes' walk. In Positano, the beach landing is at the bottom of the town; everything else is uphill.

Gateway forAmalfi, Positano, Ravello, Atrani

Ferry to Between Amalfi and PositanoAbout 15 minutes (Wikivoyage) · About 8 euros adult (Wikivoyage, approximate)

On the chart

Where Amalfi and Positano lies

Where your ship docks

Small and mid-size ships anchor off Amalfi or Positano and tender passengers to the town's small harbor or beach pier. There is no cruise dock.

Shuttle. Ship tenders only.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The way	Time	Cost
Ferry to Between Amalfi and Positano	About 15 minutes (Wikivoyage)	About 8 euros adult (Wikivoyage, approximate)
SITA bus to Between Amalfi and Positano	About 50 minutes (Wikivoyage)	Not verified
SITA bus to Ravello (from Amalfi)	Not verified	Not verified
Local orange bus or walk to Upper Positano	Short	About 1.20-1.60 euros (Wikivoyage, approximate)

Ferry to Between Amalfi and Positano

Time About 15 minutes (Wikivoyage)Cost About 8 euros adult (Wikivoyage, approximate)

Buy at the ticket kiosk by the pier.
Ferry season mainly Easter to October (Wikivoyage).

Cancelled in rough seas.

SITA bus to Between Amalfi and Positano

Time About 50 minutes (Wikivoyage)Cost Not verified

Buy tickets before boarding at bars or shops.
Validate on board.

Crowded; winding road.

SITA bus to Ravello (from Amalfi)

Time Not verifiedCost Not verified

Bus from the Amalfi bus area by the harbor.

Local orange bus or walk to Upper Positano

Time ShortCost About 1.20-1.60 euros (Wikivoyage, approximate)

Buy from a shop (cheaper) or the driver.

Unico Campania tickets are not valid on this bus (Wikivoyage).

Worth the trip

What to see

Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise

Grand striped cathedral at the top of a long stairway.

How: Walk from the tender pier.
Time: 1 hour
Tickets: About 3 euros (Wikivoyage, approximate).

Positano's Spiaggia Grande and Santa Maria Assunta church

The classic Positano view and its tiled dome.

How: At the Positano landing.
Time: 1-2 hours
Tickets: Free; the Roman villa museum (MAR) under the church charges entry (price not verified).

Ravello gardens

Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, high above the sea.

How: Bus from Amalfi.
Time: 2.5-3 hours with travel
Tickets: Not verified.

Atrani

Tiny village next to Amalfi, quieter.

How: 10-15 minute walk from Amalfi (not verified).
Time: 45 minutes
Tickets: Free.

A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

Example for an Amalfi tender call.
8:30 Tender to Amalfi.
9:00 Amalfi Cathedral before the crowds.
10:00 Bus up to Ravello.
10:45-12:30 Ravello gardens.
12:45 Bus down to Amalfi; lunch.
14:30 Optional ferry to Positano only if the ship's last tender time leaves a large margin; otherwise walk to Atrani.
15:30 Join the tender line at least 60-90 minutes before all-aboard.

Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

Calls are cancelled or shortened when the sea is rough.
Tender lines can be long.
Positano is all steep steps.
Summer crowds and road traffic.
Italy has frequent announced transport strikes (trains, buses, ferries), often on Fridays. Check the Italian Ministry of Transport strike list (scioperi.mit.gov.it) the week before your port day.

Do this

Wear shoes with grip.
If your ship calls at Positano, see Positano first and take the ferry to Amalfi only if time allows.
Carry coins or small bills for the local bus.

Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

No cruise passenger fees confirmed (see unverified).

Accessibility

Poor. Tenders need steps and a crew hand; Positano is very steep. Amalfi's lower town near the pier is flatter, but the cathedral has a long stairway.

Money

Euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard work in most shops, restaurants and museums; tap-to-pay is common. Carry 20-40 euros in cash for small cafes, toilets, markets and some buses. Use a bank ATM (inside or at a bank) and always choose to be charged in euros, not dollars, when a card machine or ATM asks.

Onward