I learned the hard way that the wrong shoes can ruin a day on the Amalfi Coast. My first afternoon in Positano, I watched a woman in brand-new espadrilles take one step onto the cobblestones and immediately sit down on a wall to rub her heel. That moment stuck with me.
The coast is built on cliffs with uneven cobblestone streets and steep steps. Wrong shoes will ruin your trip.
So let’s start there, because nothing else matters if your feet hurt.
Pack for the terrain first, the temperature second, and the photos third. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful but it’s also physically demanding — steep stairs, slick stone, pebble beaches. If your shoes and bag don’t work, neither will your trip.
The Shoe Situation
You need three pairs of shoes maximum. That’s it. The first pair is your daily walker: broken-in walking shoes with good grip and ankle support. Think Allbirds, Ecco, or Merrell — not hiking boots, which are too heavy and hot for summer. The second pair is water shoes or strapped sandals for the pebble beaches. Flip-flops won’t cut it here. The third pair is for evenings: block heels or wedges (max 2 inches) for women, loafers or clean sneakers for men.
Break in your walking shoes at least two weeks before the trip. New shoes on these streets will blister you within an hour. And leave the stilettos, backless mules, and thin-soled flats at home — they’re genuinely dangerous on the slick, uneven stone.
Flat leather sandals with ankle straps — like Birkenstock Arizona or Sam Edelman Gigi — work as a daily shoe if they have good grip and a cushioned footbed. White or neutral sneakers (New Balance 574, Veja Esplar) are another solid choice for long walking days.
What to Wear (and What to Leave)
Daytime summer temperatures hit 85-95°F (30-35°C) with humidity off the sea. But mornings, evenings, and boat rides are cooler, and Ravello sits at 350m — you’ll want a layer there even in July. Pack light, breathable fabrics: linen, cotton, and lightweight gauze. Avoid synthetics and silk in the midday sun.
My go-to formula: a linen set (matching shorts or trousers plus top), a flowy midi dress that transitions day to night, and one pair of lightweight trousers for evenings. For men, pack at least one pair of long pants — some restaurants require them. Leave the jeans at home. They’re hot, slow-drying, and heavy in a suitcase.
White soles are a mistake. They stain instantly from cobblestone dust and lemon granita spills. And skip anything that needs ironing — your hotel probably won’t have one, and you won’t want to spend vacation steaming clothes.
Church Dress Code
You’ll visit churches — Amalfi Cathedral, the duomos in Ravello, small chapels in every town. Cover shoulders and knees. Men need long pants and a shirt with sleeves. Women should carry a lightweight scarf to drape over shoulders. That same scarf works as an evening wrap and a beach cover-up, so it earns its space.
Beach and Boat Days
Pack two swimsuits so one can dry while you wear the other. One solid color, one print. For boat days, a one-piece or well-supported bikini is smarter than a string bikini — the wind and waves make flimsy suits awkward. A lightweight cover-up (cotton kaftan, linen shirt belted into a mini dress, or crochet cover-up) does double duty as a beach layer and a quick evening wrap.
Water shoes with non-slip soles are non-negotiable if you plan to swim. The beaches are pebble, not sand, and the rocks get hot. A dry bag and waterproof phone pouch will save your electronics on boat trips and beach days.
Check the Atlas Heart summer packing list for more detail on beach layers — her advice on cover-ups that pull double duty is spot-on.
Beach clubs and public beaches have different vibes. Some require reservations and have dress codes. A woven straw tote works for both — big enough for towel, sunscreen, water, and snacks, but chic enough for a beach club.
Your Daily Day Bag
You’ll leave your hotel in the morning and not return until evening. That means your day bag needs to carry everything you need for 10+ hours. I use a crossbody bag with a zipper — it’s safer on crowded buses and narrow streets than a backpack, and easier on stairs.
Here’s what goes inside: a refillable water bottle (tap water is safe and public fountains are everywhere), SPF 50 sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, UV sunglasses, a portable phone charger (10,000 mAh — cellular coverage drains battery faster than usual), a light jacket or cardigan, and your church scarf. A reusable water bottle saves you from buying €2-3 bottled water at tourist spots.
Add electrolyte powder to your water on hot days. The combination of heat, stairs, and boat sun dehydrates you faster than you expect. DripDrop ORS or Ultima Replenisher packets take no space.
Tech, Power, and Health
Italy uses Type C and Type L outlets at 230V/50Hz. Most modern electronics accept 100-240V — check your charger brick. If it does, you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. But some historic coastal buildings have only Type L outlets, so bring a universal adapter that explicitly lists Italy or Type L.
Bring a voltage converter only if you’re packing a 120V-only device like an American hair dryer or flat iron. Honestly, skip the hair tools — hotels provide dryers, and coastal humidity will undo your styling anyway.
Prescription medications: bring enough for your trip plus 3-4 extra days, in original bottles. Italian pharmacies sell ibuprofen, antihistamines, and motion sickness pills over the counter, but they cannot fill a foreign prescription. Motion sickness medication is smart to have — the coastal roads wind constantly, and ferry crossings can be rough.
Keep a change of clothes, your medications, and a light jacket in your carry-on for the transfer from Naples Airport. The drive to Sorrento is about 75 minutes, and car air conditioning can be surprisingly cold after the airport heat.
The One Thing That Changes Everything
Pack light. One medium suitcase and one carry-on per person. Porters on the coast navigate 50-100 steps daily — if you wouldn’t comfortably carry your bag up 50 stairs, it’s too heavy. Private transfers from Naples Airport to Sorrento fit three passengers with three medium suitcases in a Mercedes sedan; larger groups need a van.
The Amalfi Coast is not a place for options. It’s a place for the right things. Every item in your bag should earn its spot by working across multiple situations — a scarf that covers churches, beaches, and evenings; a dress that goes from town to dinner; shoes that handle stone steps and restaurant tables. Pack that way, and you’ll spend your trip looking at the coast instead of at your blisters.
For more on making the most of your time here, check out my guide to hiking the Path of the Gods — it’s the kind of day that makes every item in your bag earn its place.
Sources and further reading
Cerratolimo. “Italy Packing List: Amalfi Coast.” 🔗
The Atlas Heart. “Amalfi Coast Packing List: Summer.” 🔗
Travel With Amby. “What to Wear: Amalfi Coast.” 🔗
Quartz Mountain. “What to Pack for Amalfi Coast.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
The Coastal Cove at Marina di Praia — A guide to visiting this small beach cove before the day-trippers arrive, with tips on timing and what to bring in your day bag.
A Family-Run Lemon Farm Above Minori — What to expect from a visit to a working lemon farm, including what to wear and what you’ll want to have in your bag.
A Coastal Bakery Trail Through Amalfi’s Backstreets — A dawn walking route through Amalfi’s bakeries, with practical advice on footwear and timing.