Amalfi

Where to stay

Most budget travelers base in Atrani, a 10-minute walk east of Amalfi's Piazza del Duomo along the coastal path, where small guesthouses run noticeably cheaper than anything on the main drag. Salerno, at the eastern end of the SS163, is the practical budget hub: frequent SITA buses put you anywhere on the coast for under two euros.

Getting around

• The SITA bus along the SS163 is how locals move between towns. A Unico Costiera day pass covers unlimited rides and costs far less than a single ferry ticket.
• Book in Minori or Maiori instead of Amalfi or Positano proper. You get the same rocky beach and water, a real grocery store on the waterfront, and prices that make sense.
• Ferries from Salerno or Naples look appealing but run only in season and cost three to four times the bus. Miss the last one and you're stuck paying resort-town rates for a last-minute room.

When to go

April, May, and October offer the lowest rates and actual availability. July and August are fully booked weeks out, especially any property with a sea view between Positano and Amalfi town.