Amalfi Coast Road Trip: Driving Along the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfitana, officially known as Strada Statale 163 Amalfitana (SS 163), runs along the Amalfi Coast. A road trip on one of Italy’s most exciting roads is surely on many people’s bucket lists. The Amalfitana winds its way from Sorrento past such famous towns as Positano, Minori, Amalfi, and Maiori. It winds constantly along the rugged coastline, always offering views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. The Amalfitana is only 50 kilometers long, but this short stretch packs a punch! With a few tips, however, a drive along the Amalfi Coast in your own car or a rental car will be an unforgettable experience!

Tip: The Amalfi Coast is a super popular travel destination, and small rental cars—which are great for navigating narrow streets—get booked up fast! It’s best to book in advance!
➜ Find a rental car here for your road trip along the Amalfi Coast*

How long does it take to drive along the Amalfi Coast?

You should take your time on the Amalfi Coast and plan to stay at least one night! You can also easily spend several days or an entire vacation here. The route is short, but there’s just so much to see. But be warned: Booking in advance is super important—otherwise, it’ll get really, really expensive during the high season!

➜ Find the right place to stay on the Amalfi Coast here

➜ Here are some tips for the most beautiful spots on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfitana: The Most Beautiful Road in Italy?

When people talk about beautiful driving routes in Italy, the Amalfitana is always mentioned. No wonder—it’s a true masterpiece of modern road engineering. The fact that it was built at all is a feat of engineering: here on the Amalfi Coast, the massive cliffs drop almost vertically into the sea, and the terrain is winding; in some places, tunnels had to be carved into the rock to build the Amalfitana.

Over fifty kilometers, there’s hardly a single straight stretch; you wind your way back and forth along the curves in your car, with cliffs on one side and the sea below. It’s quite challenging to drive. Or does anyone in our part of the world have experience with switchbacks?

Driving along the Amalfi Coast: Is it difficult?

I haven’t owned a car for at least ten years—you don’t really need one in Berlin anyway. I’ve never been an enthusiastic driver either. Still, I do drive from time to time, and I have no trouble quickly getting the hang of rental cars or other people’s cars. I’m not afraid of driving either, but I still felt a little queasy before the road trip along the Amalfi Coast. All those curves, the steep cliffs dropping into the sea, the chaotic Italian traffic —would it all go well?

It went okay. It took a little while to get used to it. Because, unexpectedly, I felt pretty sick after the first day and all those curves—even though I was the one driving! That said, the driving itself wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d expected, and I’ve picked up a few tips that will help you if you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast by car or rental car.

Tips for a Road Trip Along the Amalfi Coast (in Your Own Car or a Rental Car)

• Avoid the peak season! The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most popular vacation destinations. It gets really crowded in the summer! That just adds to the stress and takes the fun out of driving.
• Choosing the right direction: A drive along the Amalfi Coast is only truly enjoyable when heading from Sorrento toward Salento. That way, you always have the sea on your right and can enjoy the phenomenal views. Besides, I personally find it much more pleasant to drive close to the steep coastline rather than close to the rugged cliffs.
• Take advantage of the parking bays: Along the Amalfitana, there are frequent small parking bays where you can pull over briefly to take photos. Pull over as soon as you see a spot. Spots aren’t always available—you might not find one at the next opportunity, and waiting isn’t an option due to the narrow road and oncoming traffic.
• Drinking plenty of fluids and sucking on lemon candies: By the end of the first day, after a few kilometers on the Amalfitana, I actually felt nauseous and lightheaded, even though I’m not usually that sensitive. Those countless curves really take it out of you! Maybe the change in elevation played a part, too.
  How fortunate, though, that the Amalfi Coast is known for its particularly aromatic lemons and that the Amalfitana is dotted with small stalls. Along the roadside, you can buy lemons and all sorts of products, such as lemon candies. Just scratch the peel of a lemon and take a whiff, or suck on a lemon candy, and your queasy stomach will settle: an old home remedy for motion sickness! It really works! Drinking plenty of fluids helps with altitude changes.

• It’s best to drive right behind a SITA bus! These are the public buses that run along the Amalfitana, and I found it very helpful to drive right behind them. For one thing, the bus drivers know the Amalfitana like the back of their hand and know just how tight the next curve is; for another, I could easily gauge our speed based on theirs: If the bus can make it, so can we in our rented Cinquecento.
• Avoiding tailgaters: Parking spaces are also a great way to let tailgaters pass you! Don’t let it rattle you—driving on the Amalfi Coast already requires plenty of concentration.
• Keep your distance— especially behind a bus! If another bus suddenly comes toward you on a curve or in a tunnel, things can get tight. On the Amalfitana, such problems are easily solved by the bus simply backing up a few—or even quite a few—meters; that’s when it really comes in handy not to be right behind it.

By rental car or by your own car?

Driving my own car wasn’t an option for me, since I don’t even own one. Plus, it’s quite a long way from Germany down to Campania and the Amalfi Coast. That’s more of an option if you have more time to spare. By the way, traveling along the Amalfi Coast in a motorhome, trailer, or larger vehicle can be difficult. RV drivers, for example, are only allowed to drive along the Amalfitana from midnight to 6:30 a.m., and even that doesn’t sound easy to me.

Important Tips for Choosing a Rental Car

When renting a car, be sure to get comprehensive insurance with no deductible! It’s not that accidents happen all the time (we haven’t had any), but the narrow streets in places like Positano and the often difficult parking situation can quickly lead to scratches.

➜ Click here to compare prices for rental cars from Naples*

So it’s better to spend a little more now to avoid bigger bills later! We picked up the car in the city after our stay in Naples and drove off right away.

Tip: Don’t rent a car in Naples! Driving there can be very stressful, and you’ll get around the city much better using public transportation, a taxi, or Uber. Also, due to the risk of theft, many car rental companies require that you park the car only in guarded parking lots, which makes parking in the city center more complicated.

Alternative Road Trips Without a Rental Car

If driving along the Amalfi Coast on your own feels a bit too daunting, why not join a guided tour? Especially if you don’t have much time—for example, during a short stay in Naples—this way you can still see some of the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

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From Naples to Salerno: Even More Tips for the Amalfi Coast

Along the Amalfi Coast—and in the surrounding area as well—you’ll find plenty of great places to stop by or spend a short stay. Here’s some inspiration for a trip to the Amalfi Coast, with tips from Naples to Salerno:

Naples Travel Guide: The Best Tips and Attractions
The Best Pizza in Naples: Where to Find the Authentic Pizza Margherita
Pompeii: What You Absolutely Must See
Day Trip from Sorrento (or Naples): A Day on Capri
Positano: Tips for a Day Trip