First things first, driving the Amalfi Coast may sound daunting and even a little life threatening (which truthfully, it probably is) BUT it is the BEST way to see it.

Other than that, it is every man for himself on the narrowest, curviest, most dangerous and yet most beautiful roads in the world, or at least that I’ve been privy to.

The Route:

We started in Napoli and thought a stop downtown for pizza would be quick and simple. It was neither. Having a car in downtown Naples is more of a headache than it could ever be worth! My advice: save at least a few hours and cab/bus in from the airport OR find a guarded parking garage in Naples. (I’ve heard if you rent from Hertz they provide safe parking near the main train station!) All in all, your best bet would be to save Naples for the end of your trip if you’re flying in and out of the city, then you can return your car and bus/cab in. Or if you’re set on driving into Naples, it’ll give you more time to adjust to the maniac mopeds coming at all sides of your vehicle.

From Naples, you’ll head out on the A3 highway and pass right beside Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii— a must see stop in my opinion. Plan for at least a few hours roaming through the ruins. See some of my photos from our stop here!

Next is Sorrento, you’ll know once you hit the peninsula because there will be handy little scenic stop off points every curve.. and you should pull over.

Spend a few days here in Sorrento…read here to see what to do, where to stay, what to eat.

From Sorrento, take the SS163 to Positano. You’ll begin seeing cars parked all the along the road into Positano and there is something special and characteristic about taking one of the winding, narrow staircases down into the city. But remember if you go down, you have to go back up. There’s a parking garage down in the city if you’re feeling like just observing the stairs from afar! See my photos here. 

Next up, the namesake of the coast, Amalfi. (You’ll pass numerous small towns between Positano and Amalfi so save time if you’re up for exploring!) If you drive through the marina of Amalfi, around the next bend, you’ll find a parking garage. I would recommend planning to spend at least a few days in this area so coordinating parking with your accommodation is very much advised!

I think the true gem of the infamous coastline is Atrani. Literally steps away from the busy tourist crowd, is one of the tiniest towns in Europe. You feel like you’re stepping back in time to an undiscovered, true Italian gem. Read about where to stay here!

Above Atrani, high in the mountains, is Ravello. It is romantic and charming and offers gorgeous vantage points of the cities nestled by the coast. There are many buses running from Atrani and also a steady incline hike of only 3 km–I prefer the hike because you can see little snippets of true countryside Italian living. Read all about Ravello here!

Leaving from Atrani, continue on the SS163 and you’ll skim past the coastline villages of Maiori and Minori. We followed the SS163 to the A3 and continued past Pompeii again back to Naples.

The narrow and winding roads are enough, but then add in jaw dropping views competing for your attention and the wild, risk taking Italian drivers and you have the ever exciting road trip of the Amalfi Coast!

  
  
  

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