How to organize a day trip by car on the Amalfi Coast. To visit the Amalfi Coast properly, you would ideally need four or five days, or even a week. But if you only have one day, here are all the possibilities available to you for spending a day on the coast.
The Amalfi Coast is beautiful from every point of view: the succession of villages are like pearls on a necklace. If you’re wondering which are the most beautiful villages to visit, the answer is: “it depends.”
It depends on several factors: the time available, the time of year, and your aptitude for navigating narrow streets and stairs. It also depends on personal preferences: an itinerary for people who love the sea and want to spend a few hours relaxing on the beach is different from one designed for those who prefer a long exploratory walk, perhaps followed by a delicious lunch by the seaside.
A car tour of the Amalfi Coast can be done in either direction. Below you will find two proposals along with advice on the best way to visit.
From Positano to Ravello
In the first part of the journey, you will leave the vast landscape of the Gulf of Naples to enter the picturesque Sorrento Peninsula. You can admire the breathtaking views that this wild and graceful region offers to passersby, letting yourself be captured by the atmosphere of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Travel Times
- Naples to Positano: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Along the road between Sorrento and Positano, you can stop to take some photos. - Walk in Positano: 1 hour.
- Positano to Amalfi: 30 minutes.
- Visit of Amalfi: 1 hour.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Amalfi: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Amalfi to Ravello: 15 minutes.
- Visit of Ravello: 1 hour.
- Return to Naples: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Positano
The first town you will visit along your itinerary is Positano, which will enchant you with its typical pastel colors. You will be welcomed by a graceful living postcard, where houses perched above the sea and bougainvillea terraces create a colorful picture.
You can stroll through the narrow streets that crisscross the historic center, letting yourself be seduced by the fabrics of Moda Mare Positano, the colors of coral, and the buzz of the many tourists who flock to Positano every day. Numerous art galleries embellish the labyrinth of narrow streets that, starting from the upper part of the coast, wind through the colorful village, ending at the seaside. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a true jewel of the village, is absolutely not to be missed.
Walking back up this fantastic coastal village is undoubtedly more strenuous, but the many inevitable pauses to admire the colorful shop windows lining the route will make it gentler and more pleasant. About an hour should be enough to take in the beauty of Positano before setting off to discover the other wonderful villages on the coast.
Amalfi
Continuing through the heart of the Amalfi Coast, you will reach the oldest maritime republic, from which the entire coast takes its name: Amalfi.
You will be enchanted by the many small white alleys winding through the historic center, among houses carved into the rock. Walking through the maze of narrow streets, you will reach the famous Cap e’ Ciuccio fountain (donkey’s head in Neapolitan), which will delight you with its fantastic submerged nativity scene.
The jewel of this magical village is the Duomo di Amalfi, a cathedral dedicated to Saint Andrew. With its cloister, golden decorations, and long evocative staircase, it seduces tourists from all over the world. The streets adjacent to Piazza Duomo are packed with shops and bars where you can taste delicious lemon-based products and buy lovely souvenirs. Before continuing to the last stop, you can have lunch in one of the many typical local restaurants, where skilled chefs prepare delicious traditional seafood and Mediterranean dishes.
Ravello
The last stop you must make will take you to Ravello, a true natural balcony over the Amalfi Coast. Driving up the coast through evocative hairpin bends, you will arrive at the City of Music, which has bewitched several poets and musicians, including Wagner, to whom the International Music Festival held every year in this magical village is dedicated.
A few minutes’ walk from the central square, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are absolutely worth a visit. They will seduce you with their enchanting gardens and famous terraces overlooking the immense coastal sea.
You can visit the Ravello Cathedral, with its peculiar floor featuring a slight incline that raises it towards the altar. Walking in Piazza del Vescovado facing it, you can breathe the chic atmosphere of this dreamlike place, steeped in music, art, and culture. Your breath will be taken away by the sunset observed from the heights of this fairytale village, and by the romantic views under the twilight lights that the return journey will offer as you retrace your steps along the Coast.
From Maiori to Ravello
This itinerary offers the possibility to enjoy the day with more tranquility.
Maiori
Film buffs cannot help but notice a little gem: two scenes from Roberto Rossellini’s movie “Paisà” were filmed in Maiori, at the Torre Normanna and the church of San Domenico. The building, which is today a charming restaurant offering breathtaking views, is the oldest tower on the Amalfi Coast and was part of the defensive tower system designed to protect the local population from frequent Saracen raids.
After a relaxing walk on the Lungomare di Maiori, our advice is to extend the stroll along Corso Regina. Halfway along, you can identify an alley, Via Casa Mannini, where scenes from the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley were filmed. We recommend taking a break at Palazzo Mezzacapo, a palace built during the 16th century by the Marquis Mezzacapo. Today it houses the municipal library, historical archives, and municipal offices. The Palace is enriched on the outside by beautiful gardens whose layout forms a Maltese cross. The fountains are choreographic and elegant, an original architectural masterpiece with vaults submerged by water.
Continuing on, we recommend stopping at the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare, located on the heights of Mount Torina. The church probably requires a longer stop in Maiori: to access it from the town center, you have to climb about 127 steps, but the walk is rewarded by the chance to dive into the heart of Maiori’s traditions. The church of Santa Maria a Mare, in fact, represents the pivot of local tradition: on August 15th, the Assumption of Santa Maria a Mare is celebrated with a solemn procession ending with the “run of the Madonna.” The bearers of the Virgin’s statue, which according to legend was found on the beach in 1200, run up the 127 steps connecting Piazza D’Amato to the Collegiate Church.
The 14th-century bell tower and the dome covered in majolica tiles stand out from the structure. Also noteworthy is the gilded coffered ceiling dating back to 1529 covering the nave’s vault. Not to be missed after crossing the vast sacristy is the large loggia offering a view over the entire gulf. At this point, it’s time to leave!
Minori
The journey takes very little time: the next destination on your itinerary is neighboring Minori, just 1 km away.
Our advice is to park in the lot located on Minori’s seafront. The parking is on the right side of the road, near the soccer field and the fountain; next to it is a small rotisserie. This could be the perfect moment for a sweet break. The location is perfect: in the center of Minori, on the seafront promenade towards the small pier, a mandatory stop for all foodies is certainly the famous Sal De Riso pastry shop. For a perfect local-style break, we recommend a “Lemon Delight” (Delizia al Limone) or a delicious slice of Ricotta and Pear cake.
The stop in Minori, which started with a well-deserved indulgence, continues to discover the splendid Roman Villa, built in the 1st century. Although according to some studies the complex anciently extended to occupy the entire valley for a total of 2500 square meters, today only the parts near the sea are visible. In addition to the triclinium-nymphaeum, the bath areas, and the service and reception areas, part of the large viridarium is visible surrounded by arcades; the pool is inside the viridarium itself. There is also an interesting Antiquarium that welcomes visitors and groups together ceramics, decorative panels, oil lamps, wheat grinders, and materials found during underwater research throughout the coastal territory. Once this dive into the past is over, it’s time to hit the road again.
Amalfi
The stretch of road is short, about 4 kilometers. As soon as you arrive in Amalfi, the Luna Rossa parking lot is on the right: probably the most convenient place to leave the car and start visiting the Ancient Maritime Republic. In our first itinerary, we already talked about the main places to visit in Amalfi. In this case, however, we assume it is almost lunchtime.
If you want a quick and informal spot, we recommend one of the restaurants you’ll find in Piazza dei Dogi: you can find it by turning left from Piazza Duomo, then taking the alley to the right (careful, not the stairs on the left!). In a few moments, you are in this intimate hidden square and can choose the place you prefer. If you wish to eat on the go, you can ask for a takeaway platter at the small dairy overlooking the square to recharge without interrupting your exploratory walk.
If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, we recommend Amalfi handmade paper: the ancient tradition of paper processing by hand, which began between the 11th and 12th centuries, continues to live here thanks to the know-how and passion of a few local artisans. In this regard, it could be interesting—especially if you are traveling with children and time permits—to stop at the Paper Museum (Museo della Carta, Via delle Cartiere). Once the visit to Amalfi’s center is over, it’s time to hit the road again: Ravello, the last stop of the itinerary, will beautifully close this unforgettable day.
Ravello
The stretch of road is short, about 4 kilometers. As soon as you arrive in Amalfi, the Luna Rossa parking lot is on the right: probably the most convenient place to leave the car and start visiting the Ancient Maritime Republic. In our first itinerary, we already talked about the main places to visit in Amalfi. In this case, however, we assume it is almost lunchtime.
If you want a quick and informal spot, we recommend one of the restaurants you’ll find in Piazza dei Dogi: you can find it by turning left from Piazza Duomo, then taking the alley to the right (careful, not the stairs on the left!). In a few moments, you are in this intimate hidden square and can choose the place you prefer. If you wish to eat on the go, you can ask for a takeaway platter at the small dairy overlooking the square to recharge without interrupting your exploratory walk.
If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, we recommend Amalfi handmade paper: the ancient tradition of paper processing by hand, which began between the 11th and 12th centuries, continues to live here thanks to the know-how and passion of a few local artisans. In this regard, it could be interesting, especially if you are traveling with children and time permits,to stop at the Paper Museum (Museo della Carta, Via delle Cartiere). Once the visit to Amalfi’s center is over, it’s time to hit the road again: Ravello, the last stop of the itinerary, will beautifully close this unforgettable day.
Look for accommodation in Ravello, there is a wide choice and you can leave calmly the next day.
Renting a Car
Renting a car to visit the Amalfi Coast is certainly the solution that allows the most freedom. Remember, however, that driving on the coast is a breathtaking experience but not always easy: the roads are narrow, full of curves, and overhang the sea.
Furthermore, finding parking is not always easy and often expensive. Finally, in summer and during holidays, traffic can be very heavy (especially in the Naples-Amalfi Coast direction in the morning and in the opposite direction in the afternoon).
Rent a car in NaplesCar with Driver
If you think you might have difficulties on the busy coastal roads of Amalfi and Positano, but don’t want to give up the experience of visiting the coast by car, we recommend opting for a transfer with a driver. The most practical and flexible solution for organizing a day on the Amalfi Coast starting from Naples is to hire a private driver. This way, you can decide your departure time and itinerary completely independently, making the most of the time you have available.
Rent a car with driver in Naples