Driving the Amalfi Coast from Naples is one of the most dramatic road trips in Europe. Sheer cliffs drop into turquoise water. Colourful villages cling to the hillside. And the narrow, winding SS163 coastal road – known as the Nastro Azzurro, or Blue Ribbon – demands your full attention at every bend. This guide covers the full route from Naples to Ravello, with stops at Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi town.
Why Start Your Amalfi Coast Road Trip from Naples?
Naples is the natural starting point for an Amalfi Coast road trip. The city has a major international airport, fast rail connections from Rome, and sits just 50 kilometres from the coast road’s start at Sorrento. You can pick up a hire car at Naples Airport and reach Sorrento in under an hour on the A3 motorway.
Did you know? The SS163 coastal road stretches just 50 kilometres from Vietri sul Mare to Positano, yet it took engineers 20 years to blast it through the cliffs – the road only opened in 1853. Every bend reveals a view that has barely changed since then.
From Naples, you also have easy access to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many visitors combine the Amalfi Coast with a morning at the ruins before hitting the coast road in the afternoon. If you plan to do the same, read our Pompeii Travel Guide before you go.
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The best months for an Amalfi Coast road trip are May, June, September, and October. The weather is warm and sunny, the crowds are manageable, and the coast road is fully open to private vehicles.
July and August bring the highest temperatures and the heaviest traffic. The coastal road can grind to a near halt on summer afternoons. Parking in Positano fills by 9am. If you visit in peak summer, consider taking the ferry between towns rather than driving the whole route in one go.
Winter is quieter, but some hotels and restaurants close from November to March. The road stays open, but coastal mist can reduce visibility on the clifftop bends.
For a full breakdown of Italy’s seasons, see our month-by-month guide to visiting Italy.
The Route: Naples to the Amalfi Coast
The classic road trip runs from Naples along the Sorrentine Peninsula and then east along the SS163 to Ravello or Salerno. Allow at least two days to drive the route properly. Three or four days gives you time to explore each stop without rushing.
Naples to Sorrento (1 hour)
Leave Naples on the A3 motorway heading south. Exit at Castellammare di Stabia, then follow the SS145 along the coast to Sorrento. The drive takes about an hour in normal traffic.
Sorrento sits on a clifftop above the sea at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It makes an excellent base for the first night of your road trip. The town has good hotels, reliable parking, and ferries to Capri if you want a day trip. The seafront Piazza Tasso fills every evening with locals and visitors.
Sorrento to Positano (40 minutes)
Leave Sorrento heading west along the SS163. The coast road begins immediately after the town boundary. The drive to Positano covers about 18 kilometres, but expect it to take 40 minutes. The road is narrow, twisting, and often single-lane through the tunnels.
Positano is the most photographed village on the coast. White and pastel-coloured buildings stack up the cliff face above a small beach. The main road does not go into the village centre – you park above the town and walk down steep paths to the beach and restaurants.
Parking in Positano costs around €5–€8 per hour at the official car parks. In summer, arrive before 9am or take the local orange bus from the main road instead.
Positano to Praiano (15 minutes)
Most visitors skip Praiano, which is exactly why it is worth stopping. The village sits about 8 kilometres east of Positano along the SS163. It has fewer tourists, lower prices, and the same dramatic cliffside setting. The small marina is a good lunch spot, and the sunsets from the village steps are exceptional.
Praiano to Amalfi Town (20 minutes)
Amalfi town sits at the mouth of the Valle dei Mulini, a steep valley that cuts inland from the coast. The town’s 9th-century cathedral – the Duomo di Sant’Andrea – dominates the main piazza. Climb the 62 steps to the entrance for one of the best free views on the coast.
The town also has good restaurants for a lunch break. Try the local speciality: scialatielli ai frutti di mare, a thick handmade pasta served with mixed seafood. Amalfi has the most central parking on the coast, with a large car park right at the seafront.
Amalfi to Ravello (20 minutes)
Ravello sits 350 metres above Amalfi, reached by a narrow road that switchbacks up through the Valle dei Mulini. The drive takes about 20 minutes. The village itself is calm, elegant, and far less crowded than the coastal towns below.
The two main gardens – Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo – both offer terraces with views straight down to the sea. Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity is one of the most iconic viewpoints in southern Italy. Admission to each garden costs around €7–€10.
Ravello is also famous for its classical music festival, the Ravello Festival, which runs from April to October. Concerts take place outdoors at Villa Rufolo, with the sea as a backdrop.
Practical Driving Tips for the SS163
The SS163 is one of Italy’s most dramatic drives. It is also one of the most demanding. Keep these points in mind before you set off.
- Large vehicles are banned on the SS163 during peak season. Vehicles over 6 metres long or 2 metres wide cannot use the road during summer daylight hours. Check current regulations with your hire car company.
- Drive on the right, as in all of mainland Italy. The uphill vehicle has priority on single-lane sections – pull into passing places when needed.
- Speed limits are typically 30–50 km/h on the SS163. Do not try to rush this road. Local bus drivers and delivery vehicles know every bend and move at speed. Tourists who follow suit create accidents.
- Hire car advice: book the smallest car that meets your needs. A compact car handles the tight turns far more easily than an SUV or minivan.
- Fuel: fill up before leaving Sorrento or Naples. Petrol stations on the coast road are sparse.
- Tunnels: the road passes through several one-way tunnels with traffic lights. Wait for the green light before entering.
For a detailed guide to driving the coast road, including current restrictions and parking fees, see our dedicated Driving the Amalfi Coast guide.
Where to Eat Along the Route
Food on the Amalfi Coast is outstanding. The restaurants near the sea in Positano and Amalfi command premium prices, but the quality is usually excellent. A few things to order:
- Sfogliatella: a flaky pastry from Naples, filled with ricotta. Buy one at a bar in Naples before you leave.
- Limoncello: made from the large local Sfusato Amalfitano lemons. Every town sells it. Buy from a producer, not a gift shop.
- Grilled fish: sea bass (branzino) and sea bream (orata) are caught locally. Order them grilled with olive oil and lemon.
- Pizza: Neapolitan pizza from Naples sets the standard for the region. See our guide to Italian pizza for what to order and where.
Book restaurants at Positano and Ravello in advance during summer. Walk-in tables at peak times are hard to find.
Budget: What Does an Amalfi Coast Road Trip Cost?
The Amalfi Coast sits at the higher end of Italy’s travel costs. Here is a rough daily budget per person for a couple travelling together:
- Hire car: £40–£80 per day for a small car, including insurance
- Petrol: approximately £20–£30 for the full coast road route
- Parking: £15–£30 per day depending on location and season
- Accommodation: £100–£250 per room per night in Positano; considerably less in Sorrento or Salerno
- Meals: £20–£40 per person per day for lunch and dinner at sit-down restaurants
To save money, base yourself in Sorrento or Salerno and make day trips along the coast. Both towns offer far better value for accommodation than the coastal villages.
For a broader Italy trip, see our two-week Italy itinerary, which covers how to combine the Amalfi Coast with Rome, Florence, and Venice.
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Subscribe Free →What is the best time of year to drive the Amalfi Coast?
May, June, September, and October offer the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds, and clear roads. July and August bring heavy traffic and parking shortages. Avoid peak summer if you want to drive the coast road without long delays.
How long does it take to drive from Naples to Ravello via the Amalfi Coast?
Driving non-stop, the route from Naples to Ravello takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. With stops at Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi town, allow a full day. Many visitors spread the route across two days to enjoy each stop properly.
Is it difficult to drive the Amalfi Coast road?
The SS163 coastal road is challenging but manageable for most drivers. The road is narrow and winding with some single-lane sections. Drive carefully, keep your speed low, and let local buses and delivery vehicles pass when needed. Book a small hire car rather than a large vehicle to make the bends easier.
Do I need to book parking in advance on the Amalfi Coast?
You cannot pre-book parking on the coast. In Positano, arrive before 9am in summer to find a space. In Amalfi town, the main seafront car park is your best option. Ravello has small car parks near the village entrance. Sorrento has the most reliable and affordable parking of all the main stops.
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