Driving the Amalfi Coast in 7 Days: A Perfect Itinerary

Hungry for lazy days on the beach, ice-cold shots of limoncello and the intoxicating essence of la dolce vita? Driving the Amalfi Coast in 7 days could be exactly the Italian adventure you need. 

Before we begin, I have to issue a light warning that driving the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint-hearted. If you are not a very confident driver with lots of experience driving on the right side of the road, you may struggle to keep your sanity on the increasingly narrow roads and busy one-way systems. 

And don’t even get me started on the Italian drivers. They drive like their nonna has been kidnapped and treat the roads like a real-life version of bumper cars. 

Many forums will tell you that driving the Amalfi Coast is a crazy idea, and they might be right. But those people could also miss out on the quintessential Italian adventure that is getting behind the wheel of a Fiat 500 and taking on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast Drive.  

If driving sounds like too much of a challenge for you, you can still follow this itinerary to see the best of the Amalfi Coast in 7 days. At the end of the article, I’ll include some alternative transport options to help you decide which is the right one for you. 

This 1 week Amalfi Coast itinerary also includes info on things to do in each destination, where to stay, plus handy info for parking if you do decide to tackle the drive. 

Driving the Amalfi Coast in 7 Days: Itinerary in Brief 

Day 1: Naples – Sorrento
Day 2: Sorrento
Day 3: Sorrento – Positano
Day 4: Positano
Day 5: Positano
Day 6: Positano – Amalfi
Day 7: Amalfi/Ravello 

Most people who are planning on driving the Amalfi coast will arrive in Naples, whether you’re flying into the international airport, arriving at the train station and collecting a hire car, or driving in from elsewhere in Italy. 

Naples is the transport gateway to the Amalfi Coast, but I have to say it’s not my favourite Italian city. If you only have 7 days in the Amalfi Coast, I recommend you skip spending the night in Naples and head straight to Sorrento. 

If you want to visit the famous Archaeological Park of Pompeii or climb the imposing Mount Vesuvius that buried it in ash all those years ago, you can do so on the way from Naples to Sorrento. 

This is what we did, and it makes a great pit stop on the journey, especially if you arrive early in Naples.

Days 1 & 2: Sorrento 

When driving the Amalfi coast, I definitely recommend stopping first in Sorrento (rather than doing a circuit the other way around and starting in Amalfi). This way, you’ll always be blown away by each new destination.

Sorrento is stunning, but I think if we’d have arrived there following Ravello and Positano, it wouldn’t have had as much of a wow factor.

Things to Do 

• Have fresh seafood pasta in the fishing harbour (to the left of the town centre, I recommend Porta Marina Seafood).
• Book a bed for the afternoon on the iconic Sorento Lido.
• Visit the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
• Climb Mount Vesuvius.
• Head to the rooftop of Grand Hotel La Favorita for a fancy aperitivo with a view.
• Drive to Cala di Puolo – a hidden stretch of sand with some charming beachside restaurants. Beautiful in the day and at night. We had dinner here one night to the sound of the sea lapping the shore. Go early for parking in the daytime.
• Tour a local farm with a pizza-making workshop.

Where to Stay 

We stayed at Hotel & SPA Bellavista Francischiello, which had free parking but was a short bus ride back into town. 

It also had a lovely rooftop pool to enjoy with show-stopping views of Capri Island. The bus stop is right outside the hotel, and the buses are very regular and cost just a few euros each way. 

If you want to stay right in town, there are several hotels that offer valet parking for a daily charge. I recommend Grand Hotel Royal, an authentic Italian luxury experience in the heart of the action. 

The hotel is built right into the rocks, has a beautiful pool area and its own pontoon by the water for sunbathing. Parking costs 25 euros a day. 

Where to Park in Sorrento 

In Sorrento, the best thing to do is choose a hotel with parking, whether free or valet, with a daily charge. It’s a busy town with chaotic roads, and trying to find your own public parking spot will pose something of a challenge.

If you’re just driving in for the day, the best place to park is Parcheggio Comunale Achille Lauro, an underground parking lot with loads of spaces very close to the town centre. It only costs €2 an hour for the first 3 hours, and then €3/hour thereafter. Be sure to leave before 7pm; otherwise, you may get fined for driving in the restricted zone.

Days 3, 4 & 5: Positano 

The road to Positano is where the Amalfi Coast Drive really comes into its own. While the hairpin bends are gasp-inducingly tight, the view around each corner makes each one worth it.

Arriving in Positano by road is a little chaotic. The roads get even narrower and are filled with ambling tourists, parked cars, and hoteliers moving goods from one side to another. We even missed the turn-off for the car park and had to tackle the whole one-way system all over again, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Arriving at the car park also seemed kind of sketchy, but you just have to trust the unfriendly attendants with your keys.

Once you have got your car parked, the best thing to do is leave it at the lot and explore on foot/via public transport. The town is small, but it’s on a vertical hill, so be prepared for lots of steps everywhere you go!

Things to Do 

• Hike the Path of the Gods.
• Take a walking tour of the Old Town with an insider guide.
• Have cocktails at Caffe Positano for insane views over the whole town. 
• Learn to cook pasta the local way.
• Visit the iconic Le Sirensue for drinks or dinner.
• Walk to Fornillo Beach, rent a sunbed and get the free boat back.
• Take a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast or to the island of Capri.
• Spend the day at the famous Arienzo Beach Club.
• Have dinner at Hotel Eden Roc for gnocchi that will knock your socks off.

Where to Stay 

For Positano, I’d recommend staying at Casa Dama (pictured above). It’s just down the road from the infamous Le Sirenuse, meaning you get the same show-stopping views for a fraction of the cost. 

It’s ideally located just a 10-minute walk to the beach, and (I really can’t stress this enough) the balcony views are just insane.

We spent many happy hours up there eating croissants at breakfast and sipping white wine before dinner. The host will reserve you a spot in the nearest public car park, which is about 200m away (pack light!). 

An alternative option would be Hotel Poseidon. We went for cocktails here, and it looked truly beautiful. 

If money is no object, book the iconic Le Sirensue for that once-in-a-lifetime luxury experience. 

Where to Park in Positano 

There aren’t really any hotels in Positano that offer free parking, but there are multiple public car parks scattered throughout town. If your hotel is fancy enough, they will have a valet to take your car to one of these parking lots. 

If not, you will park your car yourself and then walk to your hotel. The best thing to do is reach out to your accommodation provider to find out where the nearest public parking lot is and the current daily rates (expect to pay at least €70 a day). 

Days 6 & 7 Amalfi/Ravello 

The drive from Positano to Amalfi or Ravello might be the shortest journey on the itinerary in distance, but has the potential to take you the longest.

This is the most popular stretch of the Amalfi Coast Drive, and there’s only one road along the coast, so be prepared to leave Positano early if you want to avoid sitting in too much traffic.

It’s better to stay in or near Ravello and then visit Amalfi for the day because parking can be especially tricky here.

Thankfully, the drive back to Naples from Ravello is pretty simple, with a road that cuts back through the mountains of the peninsula with some stunning views of Mount Vesuvius along the way.

Things to Do 

• Take a sunset boat cruise to admire the Amalfi Coast from the water.
• Explore Amalfi’s Old Town and visit the striking cathedral (duomo).
• Visit the famous limoncello factory with a tour and tastings.
• Spend the day getting lost in the streets of Ravello.
• Visit the breathtaking Villa Cimbrone with its beautiful Terrazza dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity) in Ravello.
• Go kayaking to explore hidden sea caves and beaches.
• Visit a historic terraced lemon farm and taste locally-made lemony delicacies.

Where to Stay 

For the final section of our 7-day road trip around the Amalfi Coast, we stayed at Palazzo Pascal in Scala, which is up in the hills near Ravello. 

This was a lovely contrast to having stayed in the centre of bustling Positano. It was so tranquil up there among the chiming church bells, and heaving lemon groves, and the views were just incredible.

Plus, Palazzo Pascal had car parking, which was incredibly difficult to find in Amalfi. I wrote a full review of our stay, which you can read here.

I wouldn’t recommend staying in Amalfi if you are driving the Amalfi Coast because there are no decent overnight car parks. Instead, base yourself in Scala/Ravello and then visit Amalfi for the day instead. 

In Ravello, I recommend staying at the beautiful Hotel Caruso if your budget will stretch or else the charming Garden Hotel. 

Where to Park in Ravello and Amalfi 

Because we stayed in Scala, we drove to Amalfi for one day and Ravello for the next. Parking was much easier in Ravello than anywhere else on the Amalfi Coast.

They have a public car park in a great location right by Cathedral Square, which only costs a few euros an hour or 15 for the entire day. This car park will be very busy in peak summer, so best to arrive early. 

In Amalfi, we parked at the covered Luna Rossa lot, which is on the road into town (if you’re coming from Scala/Ravello). It’s a short walk into town, but the possibility of there being a spot is much higher, and we didn’t want the stress of not being able to find one. 

It costs €7 an hour for the first 2 hours, then €5 thereafter. There are no daily rates, so it will get expensive if you choose to leave your car for the whole day.

If you’re looking for somewhere to park overnight, I recommend basing yourself in Ravello/one of the nearby towns and then just visiting Amalfi for the day. 

Want to save all your trip details in one place?

I’ve created a handy, editable template to allow you to plan every trip with ease.

Optimised for use on your smartphone, this customizable itinerary template can be filled out with all the unique details of your trip. You can also add convenient links to useful websites, boarding passes, and map locations – for instant directions wherever you need to go next.

Driving the Amalfi Coast: FAQs

Is 7 Days in the Amalfi Coast Enough? 

Doing the Amalfi Coast in 7 days is a squeeze, but you can definitely hit all of the highlights, including Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. With 3 nights in Positano, you could also take a day trip to see Capri as well, if that’s on your bucket list. 

I would say 7 nights in the Amalfi Coast is the perfect amount of time for your first visit and gives you a great excuse to come back another time if there’s anything you feel like you missed. 

What is the Best Amalfi Coast Car Hire?

For Amalfi Coast car hire, we booked a Fiat 500 with Europcar via Discover Cars. The Discover Cars booking platform offers robust, comprehensive insurance (an ESSENTIAL when driving the Amalfi Coast) that will pay you back the deductible if you do happen to get in an accident. 

Compare Amalfi Coast car hire options here.

How to Get to the Amalfi Coast? 

You can fly into Naples-Capodichino International Airport and organise car hire to get to the Amalfi Coast from there. This is a large international airport that serves as a major transport hub for Southern Italy, so you should be able to find lots of direct or connecting flights here. 

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Italy, you can also get the train to Naples (Napoli Centrale) from most other major cities, including Rome, Florence and Pisa. They have car hire outlets right inside the station (follow signs for Noleggio Auto). 

If you are driving from Rome, take the A1 towards Naples. Bypass the city on the A1 and then take the E45 past Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius until you reach the SS145, following the signs to Sorrento. 

What is the Best Time to Drive the Amalfi Coast?

The best time to drive the Amalfi Coast is in the shoulder seasons, when the roads are quieter. Driving the Amalfi Coast in August, June or July is not recommended. There are simply too many people on the roads, and you’ll likely spend most of the 7 days in gridlocked traffic behind a bus somewhere.

March, April, May, October and November would be the best months to drive the Amalfi Coast. 

These seasons also offer cooler weather for sightseeing and cheaper accommodation rates. Discover more tips for seeing the Amalfi Coast on a budget here.

What are the Pros and Cons of Driving the Amalfi Coast?

Pros

• You can take plenty of luggage if you wish.
• If you book in advance, car hire isn’t too expensive.
• Guaranteed excellent views and a comfortable seat while travelling between destinations.
• Schedule is flexible.

Cons

• Driving in Italy is not for the faint-hearted.
• Parking is eye-wateringly expensive, everywhere on the Amalfi Coast but particularly in Positano.
• Car hire can be expensive if you don’t book in advance.

Top Tips for Driving the Amalfi Coast 

Be sure to double-check whether the parking at your accommodation is actually free and on the premises, because very few hotels/Airbnbs actually have their own parking.

Those that are listed as having it are usually referring to the handful of public car parks, which you have to book and pay for separately. It cost us £70 for 48 hours’ parking in Positano. Our hotels in Ravello and Sorrento had free parking.

One thing I will say about driving the Amalfi Coast is that you need to be a confident driver. I would have never been able to do it myself. My husband is pretty confident on the roads, and even he struggled to keep his cool at times.

For a more relaxing experience, I would avoid driving the Amalfi coast in August or other peak summer dates.

Driving the Amalfi Coast: What are the Alternatives?

Bus

It’s possible to get the bus between the big towns of the Amalfi Coast, but honestly? I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re on a really tight budget. In summer, the queues for the buses can be insanely long, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get on. 

The buses are also very slow and can be hot and uncomfortable, depending on how many other people you’re sharing it with. They often end up in gridlocked traffic as well.

If money is an issue, I recommend taking the ferry instead. 

Private Driver 

Hiring a private driver or booking transfers between destinations is a great way to get that road trip feeling without the stress of driving, parking, and navigating yourself. 

Transfers are pretty expensive, but once you factor in the money you would have spent on parking and car hire, you might find it more reasonable than you first thought. 

• Here is a highly-rated private transfer from Naples to Sorrento that even includes a stop in Pompeii and a private tour.
• Here is a reliable private transfer from Sorrento to Positano (or vice versa).
• Here is a private transfer to take you back to Naples from Amalfi.

Train

There is a train between Naples and Sorrento which takes around an hour. It stops at Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius along the way. You can book it here.

Aside from that, there are no trains between any of the other towns on the Amalfi Coast, so you’ll need to make alternative arrangements for the remainder of your trip.

Boat Transfers 

Boat transfers would have been my transport mode of choice if we hadn’t been hell-bent on driving. You can get public ferries between Naples, Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, making it a great way to get about without spending too much. 

I would book your ferry tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat on the faster trips. I use Omio to search and book ferry transfers.

Alternatively, you can book a private boat transfer from one destination to the other. This has got to be the coolest way to travel, with driving the Amalfi Coast coming a close second. 

Hopefully, this post has answered any questions you might have about driving the Amalfi Coast but if not, feel free to ask away in the comments! I’d love to hear about your experience, too.

Find more Italy guides here, or check out five of the prettiest places in Portugal for Amalfi-style scenery at a fraction of the cost!