Just over an hour by car from the chaotic streets of Naples, the Amalfi Coast is famed for its picturesque cliffs, sparkling waters, and charming seaside towns, but its history is also very interesting. The town of Amalfi was established as a trading post in the 2nd century CE (you read that right!) and played an important role as an independent republic in the 10th and 11th centuries. It was later absorbed into the powerful Kingdom of Sicily. Since the 19th century, Amalfi and the surrounding coastal towns have been an inspiration for artists and a destination for travelers from all over, especially those looking to take an Amalfi Coast road trip through its gorgeous landscapes and towns.
All of the towns in this itinerary are very small, which means that the best way to experience them is to just wander around. In our ultimate guide to an Amalfi Coast road trip, we give you tips on where to eat, where to park, and some key points of interest. Andiamo!
Day 1: Positano and Praiaino
First stop is the stunning town of Positano, with multicolor houses that stretch up the rocky hillside. Positano has a pebbly beach where you can admire the town’s architecture. Nearby Fornillo beach is worth a look as well. There’s a lovely short walk that connects Fornillo beach to the main town. Swanky hotel Le Sirenuse gives a view of the town from above.
Where to eat in Positano
Heads up! Positano prices are off the charts. To save money, grab a panino from Eudoteca Cuomo (Via dei Mulini, 3). Adamo ed Eva in Hotel Eden Roc offers great fresh fish and one of the most spectacular views in the town. Il Ritrovo is a family owned restaurant in the hills that you can reach by car or with a shuttle from the center of Positano.
Where to park in Positano
Parking in Positano is notoriously expensive and difficult to find. The main parking areas can be found on Google Maps, and we recommend calling ahead—sometimes they let you reserve a space. If you want to avoid parking in Positano altogether, drive up to the gorgeous tiny village of Nocelle, which has free street parking and a bus (a 20 minute ride) that goes down to Positano. Make sure to check the hours on the website.
Insider’s tip: parking along the Amalfi Coast
If you happen to see a street spot anywhere on the coast bordered by white lines, you can park there for free. Just make sure there’s no sign nearby that says solo residenti (residents only). If the parking space borders on the street are blue, you can park there as long as you pay the meter.
After spending the morning and eating in Positano, drive the 25 minutes to Praiaino, stopping at any and all lookout points along the way to enjoy the view. Praiano is a less dense, less chaotic cliff town with winding streets that lead down to the beach. We recommend visiting the small but beautiful church of San Luca Evangelista. If you have time before sunset, climb up the stairs to see breathtaking views from the famous hiking trail Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). The entrance is on Via Costantinopoli. Just make sure you don’t go too far on the trail, and come down before it gets dark.
Where to eat in Praiano
Two delicious dinner options are Ristorante Franchino and Da Armandino. Ristorante Franchino serves up high quality seafood on a gorgeous terrace. Da Armandino is located in a unique location—right on the beach! Try their seafood risotto.
Where to park in Praiano
Most hotels and B&Bs have access to parking spots, so make sure you ask when you reserve your room. Asking your lodging about overnight parking is the best way to find secure spots.
Day 2: Amalfi and Ravello
On day two you’ll drive about 30 minutes from Praiano to Amalfi. The cathedral of Amalfi is breathtaking from the outside, and it’s definitely worth paying the three euro entrance fee to visit the church and the complex inside. The town itself is small but full of tiny side streets for wandering and people watching.
Where to eat in Amalfi
For lunch, immerse yourself in nature at Agricola Fore Porta. It’s an organic farm that serves up a daily menu of the freshest ingredients. The walk there and back from the town of Amalfi is also lovely. Don’t want to leave the center of Amalfi? Head to La Bottega dei Ferrari for a custom panino (P.za dei Dogi, 24). Or for a sit-down meal, Taverna degli Apostoli (Via Sant’Anna Piccola, 5) makes mouth watering fresh pasta. Expect high prices for the central location in Amalfi, though.
Where to park in Amalfi
One of the cheapest rates in Amalfi is Luna Rossa (Via Pantaleone Comite, 35). Most parking lots charge around 4-6 euro per hour. If they try to charge you more, go to the next place!
After lunch, drive up to Ravello (about 15 minutes) for the afternoon and sunset. The town nestled in the hills has one of the most picturesque central piazzas on the coast. It’s also home to several villas that you can visit. We recommend going to the gardens of Villa Cimbrione, especially in the springtime. It has a must-see terrace called Terrazzo dell’Infinito. Catch the sunset there, if you can! Because of high prices, we recommend looking for lodging in the downhill town of Minori.
Where to eat in Ravello
Ravello is unfortunately full of tourist traps. There is a wonderful gelato place, though: visit Baffone Gelato (Via Roma, 48) for an afternoon pick-me-up. We recommend getting dinner directly in Minori at the very cute restaurant Giardinello (C.so Vittorio Emanuele, 17).
Where to park in Ravello
The Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium and the Duomo car park are the best parking options in Ravello, and charge 2-3 euro per hour.
Day 3: Minori, Maiori, and Vietri sul Mare
The towns of Minori and Maiori are connected by a scenic walking path, called the Path of the Lemons. After exploring the town of Minori in the morning, we recommend hiking this beautiful path, which takes 1-2 hours and has some charming places to stop along the way, offering lemonade and refreshments. The path is well marked and paved, but beware: there are over 400 stairs. You can eat lunch along the path or in Maiori.
Maiori is like a larger version of Minori—a charming and lively little coastal town, much less touristy than Positano and Amalfi. Take the main road to return to Minori from Maiori. It’s only a 15 minute walk.
Where to park in Minori
Via Pioppi is where you’re most likely to find street parking. If you don’t find it there, try the garage Parcheggio Pioppi (Via Pioppi, 8). When in doubt, always ask your place of lodging for tips.
Where to eat in Minori and Maiori
For breakfast, dessert, or a snack any time of the day, you can’t miss Pasticceria Sal di Riso. It’s by far the best and most well-known pastry shop on the coast. Many of their sweets feature flavorful lemons from the surrounding areas.
On the Path of the Lemons, you’ll find Cuonc Cuonc (Via torre s.n.c), a small farm with a terrace restaurant serving hyper-local plates.
In Maiori, the best place for a budget lunch is Antica Salumeria del Corso (Corso Reginna, 71).
In the afternoon make the 35-minute drive to Vietri sul Mare, a town famous for its artisanal ceramics. This is the best place on this itinerary to pick up souvenirs!
Wandering around the town, you’ll see ceramic tiles covering many of the walls and surfaces. The town itself is like a living piece of ceramic art. Around sunset, head to a lookout point at Corso Umberto 14 for a peaceful view in a small piazza.
Where to park in Vietri sul Mare
Piazza Matteotti (Corso Umberto Iᵒ) has public parking, but it’s quite a small lot. You may be able to find street parking around that area, though.
Where to eat in Vietri sul Mare
Il Principe e La Civetta is a restaurant that’ll finish off your trip on a high note. For a treat, try their fish carpaccio, served on a block of himalayan pink salt with fresh fruit.
Amalfi Coast Road Trip FAQ
What’s the best time of year to take this road trip?
The best months to experience an Amalfi Coast road trip is by driving along its winding roads during April, May, September, and October. The Amalfi coast is beautiful year round, but the season officially starts on April 1st, and runs through to November. Many shops and restaurants close during the winter. During the summer the coast is filled with beachgoers and tourists (which means traffic) and the temperatures can get a bit hot for sightseeing.
Can I visit these towns without a car?
No car? No problem. Check out our guide on how to get around the Amalfi Costs by Bus, Ferry, and Train.
How was this road trip designed?
This Amalfi Coast road trip has been curated to show you how to best experience this picturesque corner of Italy in just three nights. Packed with interesting things to do and gorgeous towns to visit, this area is incredibly easy to move around by car or motorbike. So get your motor going, head out on the highway, and enjoy everything that’s waiting for you in the gorgeous Amalfi Coast.
Where do you recommend staying in Naples?
Not only is the Amalfi Coast an amazing place to visit, its very near other amazing places to visit. If you have the time, Naples is very close. Need some hotel options? We’ve got you covered there as well—check out our list of the best hotels in Naples.
