Ultimate Amalfi Coast Elopement Guide | Best Locations to Elope

If you’re considering eloping on the Amalfi Coast, let me tell you one thing right off the bat: you should absolutely, 1000%, without a doubt do it. There is no place that will make for a more romantic elopement that looks like it was pulled straight off a postcard—pastel-colored villages, rugged cliffs and rolling hills, dramatic coastal views. . . it’s Italy’s version of heaven on earth.

After my own trip to this slice of paradise, I knew I had to put together an Amalfi Coast elopement guide to share my experiences with you, and help you plan an Italian destination elopement worthy of a romance novel! I’m giving you my favorite places to elope on the Amalfi Coast, luxury villa + resort recommendations, bucket list activity ideas, and practical travel tips for an easy-breezy-(Italian)-lemon-squeezy experience.

(sorry, I had to do it)

Fair warning: only keep reading if you’re ready to fall in love with this coastal dream and probably want to book a flight there ASAP😆

Where is the Amalfi Coast?

If you’re unfamiliar with the Amalfi Coast, it’s this incredible 50-kilometer (~31 mile) stretch of coastline along the Sorrentine Peninsula, in the Campania region of Italy. Looking at the iconic “boot” shape of Italy, it’s located right about where the front of the ankle starts to turn into a foot—just about 50 miles south of Naples. There are 13 charming little towns along the Amalfi Coast, a few of which I’ll be highlighting throughout this guide as we chat about where to go for your elopement.

How to Get to the Amalfi Coast

Italy doesn’t have any high-speed trains that can take you directly to the Amalfi Coast, so it’s best to either fly or take a train to Rome, Naples, or Salerno—then arrange transportation from there. You can either hop on a bus, book a taxi, or take a boat to get from any of those cities to the coast.

How to Travel Around the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is notorious for being a terrible place to drive, especially for tourists who aren’t familiar with the winding roads and steep cliffside dropoffs. While you could rely on driving yourselves around the coast, I’d probably only rent a car to get you there—then leave it at your hotel/villa and take a bus. You can take either private buses or city buses and you’ll be able to get to most places on the coast.

Pro Tip: If you’ll be doing any driving yourselves, rent the smallest car you can. It’s hard to imagine how narrow and curvy these roads are until you’re actually navigating them, so you definitely want to make it as easy as possible 😅

Why Elope on the Amalfi Coast?

I think the real question is, why wouldn’t you elope on the Amalfi Coast?! The idyllic Mediterranean climate, the sun-drenched coastline, the brightly-colored villages, scenic terraces, and luscious Italian food. . . all of my favorite things in one dreamy destination.

Because the Amalfi Coast overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, you get the most spectacular ocean scenery literally everywhere you go! I’m sure you’ve seen photos of the dazzling blue waters on a postcard somewhere, because it’s absolutely unreal how vibrant and colorful these seaside views are, as well as the charming towns that line the cliffs.

Not only is every little nook and cranny of the coast the most picturesque thing you’ve ever seen; the culture is just as beautiful and fascinating. The Amalfi Coast is filled with historic architecture, traditional music, and age-old recipes that have been passed down for generations—so I’d highly recommend trying to experience the coast more like a local than a tourist. Find off-the-beaten-path locations, eat at local restaurants, take a cooking class, learn about the Italian heritage of the towns you visit; I promise it’ll make your trip 10x more meaningful and memorable.

P.S. Even if you don’t have your actual elopement on the Amalfi Coast, you could always honeymoon here and bring your wedding attire along for some elopement-style portraits!

Most Beautiful Places to Elope on the Amalfi Coast

With so many unique towns and breathtaking places to visit, it’s SO hard to figure out where to spend your time on the Amalfi Coast. You truly couldn’t make a wrong decision if you tried!

So to help you decide which region of the coast is calling to your heart the most, let’s learn more about a few of the major coastal towns, and what they each have to offer.

And you don’t have to limit your trip to just one location—many of these towns are just a short drive away from one another. It totally depends on how you prefer to travel and explore, as well as what type of atmosphere you’d like to experience for your elopement.

Positano

Positano is for sure the most well-known town on the Amalfi Coast, and it’s the first that you’ll come across if you’re driving from the west (about 75 minutes from Naples). It’s also the most touristy town by far, so make sure you’re prepared to be around crowds (especially if you elope during peak season).

You should elope in Positano if you. . .

Dream of those classic postcard-esque backdrops of the coast
Want to relax on a sandy beach
Want to go on a romantic, private boat ride out in the iconic bay
Want to see the ruins of historic, centuries-old villas and churches

Sorrento

Sorrento is a gorgeous place to spend a day on the Amalfi Coast, offering plenty of things to do such as exploring the main piazzas, visiting the historic old town, admiring the picturesque beauty of the Church of San Francesco, and enjoying local cuisine!

You should elope in Sorrento if you. . .

Want to admire sweeping vistas of the Sorrentine Peninsula
Want to visit a super cool, 14th-century church
Love a chic, luxury coastal vibe
Want to go boating, diving, or fishing
Love delicious, freshly-caught seafood

Capri

Capri is one of the more upscale towns of the Amalfi Coast, known for its wild and rugged landscapes, chic shopping centers and lavish hotels, and its abundance of tourists. The lush greens and turquoise blues make a stop on the island of Capri absolutely worth it, as long as you’re okay dodging crowds during busy seasons (and paying higher prices for pretty much everything)!

You should elope in Capri if you. . .

Are drawn to a more elevated, glamorous atmosphere
Want to take a chairlift to the top of an insanely beautiful mountain
Want to see the ruins of a Roman Emperor
Dream of relaxing on sandy beaches & taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters
Want to take a fairytale boat ride through a crazy cool cavern

Praiano

Praiano is such a charming little town, and is usually MUCH less crowded than some of the bigger towns along the Amalfi Coast. It’s an enchanting place to simply stroll through the alleyways, walk up and down the (many) stairs, and get a little lost along the way. It’s super easy to take a water taxi to and from Positano, so you can make Praiano your home base and still experience the magic of Positano during your time there!

You should elope in Praiano if you. . .

Want a quieter place to explore, with less tourists than towns like Positano
Don’t care about touristy activities or gift shops
Love to wander without a strict itinerary

Amalfi

Amalfi can be a great stop to add to your itinerary, but you likely won’t need more than an afternoon or evening there. It’s one of the smaller towns on the coast, so there isn’t quite as much to do—though it’s definitely worth it to see the incredible Amalfi Cathedral!

You should elope in Amalfi if you. . .

Want to see a stunning cathedral featuring Rococo, Baroque, and Romanesque architecture
Are down to explore in the early mornings & later evenings, when fewer tourists are out
Want somewhere beautiful to spend an evening

Legalities of Getting Married on the Amalfi Coast

Can Americans Legally Get Married on the Amalfi Coast?

Yes, American citizens can get legally married on the Amalfi Coast (and the rest of Italy)! However, if you don’t want to go through the process of getting your Italian marriage license, you can always have a simpler symbolic ceremony instead.

Requirements to Get Married on the Amalfi Coast

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you would need in order to get legally married in Italy while you’re there:

Valid U.S. passports
Birth certificates (originals or copies)
“Dichiarazione Giurata” – an affidavit sworn before a U.S. consular accredited in Italy
“Atto Notorio” — a declaration to get married from your nearest Italian embassy or consulate in the U.S.
A declaration of intention to marry at the town hall where your marriage will be performed
A civil ceremony performed by the mayor, or a religious ceremony performed by a Roman Catholic priest

While you can definitely do this if you want to, I’d honestly go with a symbolic ceremony to keep things easier and less stressful! You’ll go through all of the legal requirements to get married in your hometown in the U.S., and then have a symbolic vow exchange once you’re actually on the Amalfi Coast. It takes a lot off your plate when you’re already so busy planning for your trip, booking your travel, etc., especially if you’re planning a more last-minute elopement!

10 Unforgettable Amalfi Coast Elopement Ideas

Once you get to the Amalfi Coast, it’ll be super easy to find incredible ways to spend your time, but I’ve got a few ideas here to help get you started.

1. Book a private boat tour in Positano

2. Sip a drink with limoncello liqueur made from Amalfi Coast lemons

3. Rent a vintage Fiat to pose with in your elopement portraits

4. Hike the scenic Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) in Positano

5. Kayak at a secluded beach along the coast

6. Check out the many historic ruins and cathedrals

7. Take a day trip to one of the other charming seaside towns

8. Drink an Aperol Spritz on the patio of your hotel room as you take in the magical views

9. Drive along the picturesque Amalfi Coast Road

10. Enjoy as much local pizza, pasta, seafood, and gelato as you possibly can

For more amazing elopement ideas like these, don’t miss my guide to 20 Bucket List Adventures to Have on Your Elopement Day.

Final Tips for Your Amalfi Coast Elopement

Finally, I’ll leave you with a few tips to help make sure your elopement on the Amalfi Coast is as romantic, stress-free, and unforgettable as possible!

Spring & fall are the best times to elope on the Amalfi Coast. The Mediterranean climate means that the Amalfi Coast gets very mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. If you can elope in the early spring or early fall when it’s not too hot, rainy, or crowded, you’ll enjoy a much more pleasant experience! October, specifically, is an amazing time to elope on the coast.
Be prepared to climb stairs: Every town on the Amalfi Coast is famous for being very stair-heavy, since you pretty much climb up and down the coastal cliffs to get down to the beach, to restaurants, etc. Make sure you’re ready by bringing comfortable shoes for lots of walking and stair-climbing—definitely skip leg day before your trip!
Know the difference between villas and resorts: While both are totally viable options for your elopement, villas are often best if you have a large group of people with you who can split the cost + fill the place, whereas hotels and resorts are usually better for couples. Or you can find a smaller villa/just totally ignore me and find a luxurious, ocean-view villa for just the two of you!
Watch where you drive (and park): As I mentioned before, the roads along the Amalfi Coast are VERY narrow and can be difficult to drive. Be extra careful when navigating, and make sure that parking is explicitly allowed when you need to park your car. I’ve heard so many stories about tourists getting ticketed on the coast for parking somewhere they actually weren’t allowed to.

For more of my best tips for planning a destination elopement (plus a handy-dandy checklist you can use), read this guide!

All-Inclusive Amalfi Coast Elopement Packages

The Amalfi Coast is such a gem of a destination to visit, whether you’re eloping, going on your honeymoon, or just ready to cross it off of your travel bucket list. The turquoise waters, sandy beaches, incredible scenery, breathtaking architecture, and delicious cuisine are absolutely unparalleled, and make for a total dream-come-true destination elopement experience.

My all-inclusive elopement packages offer the perfect way to elope on the Amalfi Coast: a completely done-for-you experience where I help you plan everything from your vendors, to your activities, down to which of the many luxury resorts you stay at. Reach out here to get a custom quote for your Amalfi Coast elopement, and to start dreaming up your fairytale adventure on the Italian peninsula!

Not sure where you want to elope yet? Here are a few of my all-time favorite elopement destinations around the world + planning guides to go along with each one:

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I’m Sarah, an elopement photographer traveling around the United States in my campervan.

I spend months at a time at each location I travel to, diving deep into the local elopement market in that area, so I can bring the important information to you from the comfort of your home.

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