The Amalfi Coast road trip is one of Italy’s most iconic drives. With its dramatic cliffs, colourful villages, and shimmering Mediterranean views, every bend in the road feels like a postcard. This flexible Amalfi Coast road trip itinerary lets you decide how long to linger in each town, so you can design the trip that fits your style.
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I’m Hazel, a solo-travel writer from the UK who’s explored the Amalfi Coast over and over. Each visit deepens my love for this coastline, and in this guide I’m sharing my first-hand tips to help you plan with confidence.
This 4-day Amalfi Coast road trip takes you through the highlights – Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello – with optional ideas for extra towns if you’ve got a little longer.
4-Day Amalfi Coast Road Trip Itinerary 🚗
This itinerary assumes you’ll be starting your Amalfi Coast road trip from Naples, the most common arrival point thanks to its international airport. From there, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Sorrento, the perfect place to kick things off.
Day 1 – Begin in Sorrento
Perched above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento makes the perfect launchpad for your Amalfi Coast road trip. With bustling piazzas, lemon groves, and views across to Capri, it’s a town that feels instantly alive.
Small fishing boats at harbor Marina Grande in Sorrento, Campania, Amalfi Coast, Italy.
🌸 Morning: Wander Sorrento’s historic centre, with its maze of cobbled alleys, artisan shops, and cafes. Don’t miss sampling the town’s signature limoncello or a wood-fired pizza fresh from the oven.
⛵ Lunch: Head down to Marina Grande, the old fishing harbour, where colourful boats bob in the water and family-run trattorias serve up seafood with a view.
🌊 Afternoon: Take the cliffside walk in Villa Comunale for sweeping panoramas of Mount Vesuvius. If you have time, join a boat tour to Capri to explore the famous Blue Grotto.
🌅 Evening: Watch the sun melt into the Bay of Naples, then head to Piazza Tasso. The square buzzes with street music and alfresco dining – the perfect first taste of Amalfi Coast life.
🏨 Stay in Sorrento: Hotel Antiche Mura (mid-range) or Bellevue Syrene (luxury).
👉 Read more: Things to do in Sorrento.
Day 2 – Positano’s Postcard Beauty
As you drive the SS163, known as the Amalfi Drive, the jewel of Positano comes into view – a cascade of pastel houses tumbling down the cliff to the sea. This is the Amalfi Coast road trip shot that ends up on postcards around the world.
🏖️ Morning: Arrive early to enjoy Spiaggia Grande before the crowds. If you want something quieter, Fornillo Beach offers a more laid-back stretch of sand.
🍋 Lunch: Treat yourself to Positano’s famous lemon delights – from gelato to pastries – before grabbing a table at a seaside trattoria.
🥾 Afternoon: Stroll Positano’s winding lanes lined with boutiques, or lace up your hiking shoes for the Path of the Gods, where the views sweep across the coast. Another option is to take a short boat trip along the cliffs for a different perspective.
🌙 Evening: Book a table at a terrace restaurant with views of the Mediterranean. After dinner, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, then finish your evening with a romantic stroll along the beachfront as the town twinkles above you.
🏨 Stay in Positano: Hotel Poseidon (mid-range) or Le Sirenuse (luxury).
👉Read more: Things to do in Positano, Italy: Coastal charm & limoncello dreams 🍋
Day 3 – The Historic Town of Amalfi
Once a mighty maritime republic, Amalfi today is a lively coastal town full of history, lemon groves, and sandy beaches. It’s a must-stop on any Amalfi Coast road trip.
🕍 Morning: Begin at the Amalfi Cathedral, a striking 9th-century masterpiece with Byzantine details and a grand staircase.
🍨 Lunch: Sample Amalfi’s lemon sorbet or sfogliatella, a flaky pastry filled with ricotta cream, before sitting down at a seafront trattoria for lunch.
🏖️ Afternoon: Relax on Amalfi Beach, swim in turquoise waters, or visit the Paper Museum to learn about the town’s unique craft. If you want a change of pace, take a short walk (or boat tour) to Atrani, a quieter neighbouring village with medieval charm.
🌄 Evening: End your day with dinner overlooking the water. Try fresh seafood pasta as the sun sets and the town lights up.
🏨 Stay in Amalfi: Hotel Luna Convento (mid-range) or Hotel Santa Caterina (luxury).
Day 4 – Ravello’s Peaceful Heights
High above the coastline, Ravello offers a calm, romantic escape from the busier seaside towns. With its lush gardens, art festivals, and panoramic terraces, it’s the perfect finale to your Amalfi Coast adventure.
🌺 Morning: Stroll through the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, where views stretch endlessly over the coast.
☕ Lunch: Pause in Piazza Vescovado for a cappuccino or light lunch, soaking up the small-town atmosphere.
🚶 Afternoon: Explore Ravello’s artisan shops, or hike the ancient trails that connect the hilltop villages. In summer, don’t miss a concert at the Ravello Festival.
🍷 Evening: Dine on a terrace as the sky turns gold, with a glass of local wine in hand. Ravello at sunset is pure magic.
🏨 Stay in Ravello: Hotel Villa Fraulo (mid-range) or Belmond Hotel Caruso (luxury).
Practical Tips for Your Amalfi Coast Road Trip 📝
👩🦰 Solo Travel: The Amalfi Coast is solo-friendly, with safe streets, easy connections, and plenty of group activities like hikes or boat tours.
🚘 Driving: The Amalfi Coast road is narrow and winding, but spectacular. Drive slowly, and stop at viewpoints whenever you can.
🚗 Car Rental: Use Discover Cars for the best local deals and flexible airport pickup.
☀️ Best Time to Visit: April-June and September-October bring perfect weather without peak crowds.
Map of This Amalfi Coast Itinerary 🗺️
See all the key stops pinned on this custom map. You can also see driving instructions from Google Maps by clicking the map.
Other Amalfi Coast Towns to Add 🌟
One of the joys of an Amalfi Coast road trip is stumbling on smaller, less-famous villages. If you have extra days, consider adding:
- Atrani – tiny, picturesque, and just a short stroll from Amalfi.
- Maiori & Minori – beach towns with promenades, Roman ruins, and a slower pace.
- Praiano – perched between Positano and Amalfi, with dreamy sunsets and quieter streets.
- Cetara – a fishing village famed for anchovies and traditional seafood.
- Conca dei Marini – home of the emerald-green Grotta dello Smeraldo sea cave.
- Vietri sul Mare – the gateway to the coast, known for its colourful ceramics.
Each of these towns adds a new flavour to your road trip, and you’ll pass many of them along the Amalfi Drive.
FAQs for Amalfi Coast Road Trip Planning 💡
Is the Amalfi Coast safe for solo travellers?
Yes, the Amalfi Coast is safe. Solo travellers can comfortably explore towns, dine out, and use buses or ferries. Just take the usual precautions at night and in busy areas.
Do I need a car for an Amalfi Coast road trip?
A car gives you freedom to explore hidden beaches and quiet towns, but buses and ferries connect all major spots. If driving makes you nervous, public transport or guided tours are excellent alternatives.
When is the best time to go on an Amalfi Coast road trip?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal. Expect warm days, fewer crowds, and affordable hotels. Summer is gorgeous but packed; winter is quieter but some businesses close.
How many days should I plan for an Amalfi Coast road trip?
Allow at least 3-5 days to see Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. More time means you can explore smaller villages and enjoy the coast at a slower pace.
Where can I park along the Amalfi Coast?
Parking is limited and expensive in town centres. Use public car parks on the outskirts, then walk or take a shuttle in.
How do I get to the Amalfi Coast?
Most travellers fly into Naples International Airport, then continue by car, bus, or train to Sorrento.
What are the best guided tours and day trips on the Amalfi Coast?
The best Day Trips in Amalfi Coast according to Viator travelers are:
🎟️ Private Full-Day Amalfi Coast Driving Tour.
🎟️ Day Trip to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello from Sorrento.
🎟️ Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Sorrento.
🎟️ Day Trip to Capri and Blue Grotto.
🎟️ Capri Blue Grotto Small Group Boat Day Tour From Sorrento.
Final Thoughts ✨
For me, an Amalfi Coast road trip is more than just a journey – it’s a collection of small, unforgettable moments. Watching the pastel houses of Positano glow at sunset, wandering through Ravello’s gardens high above the sea, or simply pulling over on a bend in the road to let the view take your breath away.
As a solo traveller, I’ve always felt safe, inspired, and completely enchanted here. Driving those winding cliffside roads can be challenging, but it also gave me a sense of freedom that’s hard to match.
The Amalfi Coast has a way of staying with you long after you’ve left – and I can promise you, it’s a road trip you’ll want to take again.
Some quick links for your trip:
- Reserve your Amalfi Coast Hotel early, before they sell out.
- Remember to pack decent sunscreen and a packable sun hat.
- There are many Amalfi Coast tours you can book (no payment required up front).
- This is the best quick-dry sand-repellent beach towel.
- If you need a rental car, book one at Discover Cars and pick it up at the airport.
Related Reading 🔗
More Italy & coastal inspiration:
🏨 Best Places to Stay on The Amalfi Coast, Italy.
🌟 Things to do in Positano: Coastal charm & limoncello dreams.
🚗 How to get from Naples to Sorrento: by train, bus, car & ferry.
🍕 10 of the Best Day Trips from Naples Italy.
🇮🇹 A Naples Itinerary: 2 Days in Naples, Italy.
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