Amalfi Coast with kids, what you need to know

Cetara

The small coastal town of Cetara is relatively off the beaten track, and makes for an ideal base for families. It’s gently sloping rather than steep, has a small beach and is small enough to easily explore. It’s also accessible by ferry – which is important, as children might find a car or bus journey along the serpentine coastal road challenging.

Minori

A smaller, lesser known town on the coast, Minori is also among the best places to stay if traveling with kids (it, too, lies along the ferry route). It’s less packed than places such as Positano and Ravello, has traffic-free streets in the center, and sits upon a small black-sanded beach, with lemon-grove-lined walking trails above the town.

Maiori

Nearby Maiori is especially good for toddlers, as it has a small playground on the waterfront, a castle, pedestrianized streets, several beach clubs and fewer hills than some of the other coastal towns. The main attraction here is all the play space the long beach affords – and, again, ferry access.

Ravello has beautiful gardens with glorious views out the sea that are fun to explore with kids – but better as a day trip than as a base. Just beyond the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is more built up and less beautiful than nearby towns. Yet its relative flatness and range of transport and accommodation options make the town a popular choice for families.

Amalfi

Tourist hot spot Amalfi – the town that started it all – is also worth visiting with kids, being less hilly and more accessible than Positano. Little ones will enjoy its piazzas, fountains and waterfront playground, as well as the family-pleasing Museum of Paper, where you can all give papermaking by hand a try. It also has a good range of accommodation, and is a ferry hub (Positano is 15–30 minutes away by boat, Capri around an hour). Bear in mind, however, that the town gets very busy, so we’d recommend basing yourself somewhere smaller.