Plan the perfect road trip Amalfi itinerary. Learn how to get there, the best transport (car, scooter, tour), parking, when to go, what to see, Capri ferries, and detailed 1–3 day plans.
Imagine driving sheer cliff roads above an electric-blue sea, the scent of lemons on the breeze and pastel towns tumbling toward the water. That’s the promise of a road trip Amalfi: short in miles, huge on views. Use this guide to plan your route, choose the right transport, manage parking and costs, and follow detailed one-, two-, and three-day itineraries that make the Amalfi Coast road trip as smooth as it is scenic.
Planning Your Road Trip Amalfi
Start point. The Amalfi Drive (SS163) arcs between Sorrento and Salerno, with Naples International Airport as the easiest long-haul gateway. The full coastal stretch is only about 65 km, but every bend begs for a stop; what matters most is how long you spend in each town.
Where to pick up wheels. Driving inside central Naples can be chaotic. Many travelers prefer renting in Pompeii or Salerno to avoid inner-city traffic. If you’re exploring Naples first and then continuing your road trip Amalfi, rent after you finish the city.
Direction. West-to-east or east-to-west both deliver knockout views. Pick the direction that matches your hotel and return plans.
How to Visit: Car, Scooter, or Tour
Rental Car (maximum freedom for a road trip Amalfi)
Best for travelers who want to stop at panoramic pull-outs, detour to hill towns, and set their own pace.
Pros: include total flexibility and easy access to places buses skip. Cons are real: summer traffic, tight switchbacks, and expensive parking (often €5–€10/hour or €25–€50/day).
Expect car rental from Naples in the €30–€60/day range for economy models (more in peak season), plus €20–€30/day for fuel and tolls.
I rented my car using Discover Cars. Best price and lots of flexibility on budget and options.
Scooter/Vespa (agile and fun)
Ideal for confident riders who want easy parking and that classic Italian vibe. Parking is cheaper (often €2–€4/hour) and weaving through congestion is easier. Typical rentals in Sorrento or Amalfi run about €50–€75/day.
Not recommended in rain or high winds, and luggage space is minimal—best for day trips, not long hauls.
Tour Bus or Private Driver (zero stress)
Perfect for first-timers or anyone who doesn’t want to drive. Group day trips often cover Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello in one loop and sometimes include a short boat segment. Expect €60–€120 per person for a full-day group tour; private drivers usually cost €250–€400 per car. You lose flexibility but you skip parking headaches.
Quick note for scooters: you can usually rent on the spot in Salerno or Sorrento with a standard driver’s license.
Parking on the Amalfi Coast
Parking costs add up fast. In busy towns, plan on €5–€10/hour; garages commonly run €25–€50 per 24 hours. In Amalfi, Parcheggio Luna Rossa (the tunnel between Atrani and Amalfi) is the most practical choice for sightseeing on foot. One smart road trip Amalfi tactic is to park once and ferry-hop between towns. Seasonal ferries link Salerno ↔ Amalfi (~€12 one way) and Salerno ↔ Positano (~€17), saving time and stress in peak months.
When to Go
Peak (June–August): hot, vibrant, crowded, and pricey—beautiful but busy. Shoulder (May–early June, mid-September–October): best value for a road trip Amalfi with warm seas, fewer crowds, and easier parking. Off-season (late fall–early spring): quiet roads and big views, but many hotels and restaurants close and weather can be changeable.
What to See on a Road Trip Amalfi
The road itself is the star, but these highlights elevate the drive.
Scenic drive & viewpoints:The SS163 is packed with cliff-edge vistas and sea-level coves.
Ravello’s gardens: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity deliver the coast’s most dramatic panoramas.
Amalfi’s history: The Duomo di Sant’Andrea dominates the piazza; the Paper Museum showcases a proud craft heritage.
Hiking: The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) soars high above the water from Bomerano to Nocelle.
Sea time: Boat trips, hidden beaches, and the emerald waters of Grotta dello Smeraldo add a marine fix to any road trip Amalfi.
How to Reach Capri from the Amalfi Coast
Seasonal ferries (spring–autumn) run Positano ↔ Capri in about 30–40 minutes and Amalfi ↔ Capri in about 50–60 minutes, typically €25–€30 each way. From Sorrento, year-round ferries take about 20–30 minutes and often cost €20–€25. Book ahead in summer.
The Most Beautiful Towns on Your Route
Positano is the coast’s postcard, with pastel houses cascading to Spiaggia Grande and the domed Santa Maria Assunta. It’s glamorous and crowded in peak season.
Amalfi blends history and sea views. Its striped cathedral anchors the lively piazza; the lanes and waterfront are easy to explore at a gentler pace than Positano.
Ravello floats above the coast in a world of gardens, music, and quiet lanes. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone provide incomparable views.
Atrani lies a short stroll from Amalfi and feels like a secret—pastel homes ring a tiny piazza, and a petite beach offers a tranquil swim.
Minori and Maiori offer rare wide beaches and flatter streets. Walk the fragrant Path of the Lemons between them and taste the coast’s citrus heritage.
Praiano is a serene midpoint between Amalfi and Positano with dramatic sunsets, Marina di Praia’s pocket beach, and cliff-edge dining without the crush.
The Perfect 1-Day Road Trip Amalfi (Base in Pompeii)
Base yourself in Pompeii for quick rail links to Sorrento and easy evening access to the ruins. Take the train to Sorrento, grab a coffee in Piazza Tasso, and pick up your car or scooter. Drive the SS163 to Positano for a stroll down to Spiaggia Grande, then continue past Fiordo di Furore to Amalfi.
Park at Luna Rossa, visit the Duomo and the Paper Museum, and lunch on the harbor or in Atrani’s quiet piazza. In the afternoon, head up to Ravello for the Terrace of Infinity and garden wandering. Return to Sorrento and train back to Pompeii or Naples.
Typical summer costs per person: €3–€5 each way for the local train (or €15–€20 Campania Express), €20–€40 in parking, €20–€35 for lunch, and €12–€17 if you add a ferry hop.
A Detailed 2-Day Road Trip Amalfi (Base in Amalfi or Atrani)
Why this base works. Amalfi is the transport hub for ferries and buses. Atrani is a two-minute walk away but calmer and often better value. You can drive in once, park, and switch to boats and buses for most day-two movements—classic road trip Amalfi efficiency.
Day 1: Amalfi & Ravello Spend the morning in Amalfi’s lanes and piazza, visiting the Duomo and sipping espresso at historic Pansa. For lunch, try seafood on the marina—scialatielli ai frutti di mare is the local favorite. Afterward, head up to Ravello for Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone’s famed Terrace of Infinity. Come sunset, drop into Atrani for spritzes on Piazza Umberto I and dinner at A’ Paranza, a family spot known for fresh fish.
Day 2: Positano by Sea, Lemon Country by Foot Leave the car parked and ferry to Positano for the most dramatic arrival: the town reveals itself from the water in full color. Browse boutiques and sandal-makers, step inside Santa Maria Assunta, and swim at Fornillo Beach if you want a calmer strand than Spiaggia Grande. At midday, take the little shuttle boat to Da Adolfo on Laurito Beach for grilled fish and mozzarella on lemon leaves (reserve in advance), or grab a panino and picnic. In the afternoon, head back east to Minori and walk the Path of the Lemons to Maiori, then cool off with a swim on the coast’s longest sandy beach. Ferry back to Amalfi for a gelato and evening passeggiata along the pier.
Where to stay (examples). In Amalfi, Hotel Luna Convento delivers history, sea views, and a platform for swimming; check parking availability in advance. In Atrani, L’Argine Fiorito sits in a quiet ravine a short walk from the piazza and the beach.
A Detailed 3-Day Road Trip Amalfi (Stay “In Between”)
Why this base works. With three days, staying midway reduces backtracking. Praiano is tranquil and central with epic sunsets. Minori/Maiori offer bigger beaches, simpler parking, and strong value.
Day 1: Sorrento → Positano → Your Base Pick up a compact car in Sorrento and head straight to Positano before the big crowds. Wander down to Spiaggia Grande, browse linen and ceramics, and photograph the cliffside cascade of houses. Lunch at a beachfront classic (Chez Black or La Pergola) or walk to quieter Fornillo Beach. Roll on to Praiano for an afternoon swim at Marina di Praia or terrace time above San Gennaro. Check in and dine cliffside—Il Pirata in Praiano offers candlelit tables in the rock.
Day 2: Amalfi & Ravello—Road Up, Sea Back Drive to Amalfi early and park at Luna Rossa, then stroll the piazza and cathedral. Coffee at Pasticceria Pansa fuels the climb to Ravello’s garden terraces and the Terrace of Infinity. In summer, check the Ravello Festival schedule; hearing a concert in these gardens is unforgettable. Ferry back to your base in the late afternoon to dodge traffic and catch golden-hour views from the water. In Praiano, sunset drinks at Kasai are a local favorite; in Minori, wander the promenade and pick a trattoria facing the sea.
Day 3: Path of the Gods & Emerald Water Start in Bomerano for the Path of the Gods hike to Nocelle above Positano: 3–4 hours of world-class scenery. Lunch in Nocelle—Trattoria Santa Croce serves homemade pasta with vast views—then descend toward Conca dei Marini to visit the luminous Grotta dello Smeraldo. End the afternoon on Maiori’s long beach or tucked into Marina di Praia before a final limoncello nightcap back at base.
Smart driving tip for a 3-day road trip Amalfi. Park once each day and rely on ferries or buses for short hops. You’ll lower stress and often save €30–€60 daily in parking.
Final Tips for a Flawless Road Trip Amalfi
Travel as light as you can—many streets are stepped or too narrow for vehicles. Book key restaurants and ferries in high season. Start drives early for easier parking and clearer views. If a traffic-free day sounds appealing, switch the steering wheel for a boat ticket; mixing road and sea gives the richest feel for the coast.
With this guide, your road trip Amalfi becomes a curated sequence of views, villages, swims, gardens, and lemon-bright meals—short on miles, long on memories.
