Best Amalfi town for two nights during two weeks in Italy

I can’t imagine any town that captivates the imagination better than Positano. For us it was magical. That being said, I don’t remember kayaking as being available. Hiking, yes. With those elevations there’s lot’s of opportunities. Wherever you go, spend both nights in one town, that’s for sure!

We also liked being right on the Amalfi Coast in Positano. Amalfi is another good choice.

We stayed in both Amalfi and Positano and liked Amalfi better. I don’t remember kayaks in either location. They both are touristed but Positano seemed even more so. It also has lots of high end shopping and that isn’t our thing. From Amalfi you can go to Ravello which is lovely. We took a bus there and hiked down. We also took a hike that was in Rick Steves book from near old paper mill but it was on a Sunday and our expected bus back did not materialize so we ended up walking back too! So be careful on Sundays!

Amalfi is more of a transportation hub than Positano and we took a bus to starting point for Path of the Gods hike and eventually ended up in Positano. We took ferry back to Amalfi. You could do same hike from Positano but you would have to either hike both ways or take bus to Amalfi to get back to Positano.

Honestly, we also did not like the fact that every where you go in Positano involves steps. We had done a lot of hiking and were a bit tired.

No matter where you stay there you should visit both towns and take the ferry between them. The view from the water back into Positano in my opinion is better than being in the town itself.

I agree with Beth. I’ve stayed in both towns and prefer Amalfi because it is less touristed, is a transportation hub and is not as mountainous as Positano. To me the real beauty of Positano is not being in it but viewing it from either the coast road or the sea. In Amalfi, I highly recommend staying at the Villa Annalara, a small hotel run by two brothers with a large terrace overlooking the town and the sea. They can suggest kayaks, hikes, etc.

With only 2 nights and whishing to hike and kayak, Amalfi is probably your best bet.
There are several hikes that start in Amalfi, then as previously mentioned the path of the gods which requires a bus ride to access. Here is the kayak company in Amalfi.

https://www.amalfikayak.com/tours

I was just in the Amalfi coast and stayed in both Sorrento and Atrani. Atrani was a perfect low key, non touristy place to stay. (Sorrento was perfect for a two night base for Pompeii and Herculaneum). Atrani was a charming little village with what felt like a more authentic experience without all the materialistic ‘atmosphere’ that Positano offered. Amalfi is a 10 minute walk through a well lit pedestrian tunnel from Atrani. We walked to Amalfi for dinner after all the crowds had thinned. You could easily take the ferry to Positano from Amalfi and see them both from the water. In my opinion that was the best thing about them both — the view from the water. The crowds during the day were body to body. Both are very touristy. We had a beautiful AirBnB in Atrani that was right next to the village piazza and steps from the beach.

Sorrento. Go to Positano and Amalfi on a day trip. Go to Capri the next day. Sorrento offers better transportation options.

We walked through Atrani on our way back from Ravello to AMalfi. It is basically through a tunnel from Amalfi.

Sorrento is a good transportation hub but I would stay on the Amalfi coast.

Consensus seems to be Amalfi.
I agree 100%.
I stayed Airbnb in Atrani.
LOVED IT.
Short walk into Amalfi. Very short! Yes, really.
The bus depot sells a cheap public bus ticket to Borremeo - I suggest the earliest departure - I think it was 7:15 am.
Walk the Path of the Gods.
Easy/moderate. 3-hour memory you will never forget.
When you arrive in Nocelle (end of hike) treat yourself to a great view / great lunch.
I did not like Positano. Tourist trap.
But to this day my memories of the Path of the Gods hike are alive and vivid.
We live for memories - not for trinkets ...

Yes, it sounds like the consensus is staying in Amalfi or nearby. Thanks for all of the input, this really helps! I can't wait to hike the 'Path of the Gods' and perhaps take the canoe tour from the company that was mentioned in a prior post (if I can fit everything in!).

Note: My first paragraph had a minor error. For the record, it should be: "I’m spending two weeks in Italy this October, flying into Zurich and then heading to Murren for a few nights, then Milan (not Murren), Naples for three nights, Capri one night, a couple of nights around Amalfi, then ending in Rome for three nights."

It’s funny that most Rick Steves’ followers prefer Amalfi to Positano because the iconic Positano (the most famous AC village) is more touristed, but when it comes to the Cinque Terre, the same people often suggest to stay in Vernazza, by far the most touristed of the Cinque Terre villages.

I think there is a reason why both Positano and Vernazza are the most visited and the most famous in their respective locales. Because they are probably the quaintest.

I'll agree, Positano usually disappoints unless you have the time to really enjoy it. The same for Vernazza. It's kind of like visiting Venice for 2 days.

Not sure it is the same people. I have never been to Cinque Terre and decided again going next year when visiting Italy because it was too touristed.

My Italian colleague told me he and his wife stayed in Amalfi the whole time and day tripped around the coast. I didn't listen to him and regretted it.

That was the trip where we stayed four places in nine days. We learned our lesson....

Positano or Sorrento for me. I'm in the minority as I did not really enjoy Amalfi. It was a one and done thing for me.
I also love Ravello too!