Driving along the Amalfi Coast gives you a freedom you can't find with any other means of transport. You can stop wherever the view strikes you, explore villages you may not have known existed, and forget about bus schedules. Of course, the SS163 It's no joke, but with a little preparation even those who have never driven on mountain roads can do it easily.
Before You Go: Essential Preparations for Driving on the Coast
Car preparation and necessary documents
Before setting off, make sure your license, registration document, and insurance are all in order: this is the bare minimum for a worry-free drive along the Amalfi Coast.
If you're planning a multi-day itinerary and love the idea of stopping in nature or scenic areas without always relying on hotels or B&Bs, consider how to equip your car not just for driving, but for enjoying the journey. For those who want to make the most of every stop, solutions like hardtop tents and self-supporting awnings transform your vehicle into a comfortable base for sleeping, relaxing, or enjoying the sunset without compromise.
Edge-Overland.com is a European reference point for those looking for precisely this type of solution: it offers car roof tents designed with high-quality materials and comfort similar to that of a bedroom, as well as awnings that provide shade and protection from the elements with quick and easy assembly, ideal for occasional campers and expert adventurers.
The Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast by Car
May and September are pure gold. The weather is perfect, there aren't the summer crowds, and prices are still reasonable. Congestion worsens from 10-11 a.m. to 17-18 p.m. in spring and fall, with delays of over 40 minutes for just a few kilometers between Maiori and Amalfi. July and August? Forget it, unless you enjoy standing in line under the sun while parking costs as much as dinner for two.
When to Avoid Driving on the Coast
Be honest with yourself. If the thought of driving on narrow roads makes you anxious, the SS163 is not the right place to start. You have options: SITA buses (if you don't suffer from motion sickness), ferries from Salerno, or you can simply hire a local driver.
Families with small children or elderly people often find it less stressful to leave their car in Salerno or Vietri (parking costs €1,50-€3/hour) and travel by sea. Ferries connect all the main towns, avoiding curves, traffic, and headaches.
Understanding the SS163: Characteristics of the Coastal Road
Width, Curves and Traffic Restrictions
Fifty kilometers that feel like a hundred. The SS163 winds from Vietri to Positano with curves that seem designed by someone who wanted to test the nerves of motorists.
The toughest stretch? From Praiano to Positano, where the road narrows even further and every curve is a surprise. An alternate license plate system is in effect from 10:00 AM to 18:00 PM during peak periods: odd-numbered license plates are prohibited on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered days. Motorcycles and scooters are exempt from the ban. Before setting off, always check the latest regulations to avoid hefty fines.
What to Do When You Encounter a Bus on a Sharp Curve
The gigantic SITA buses appear out of nowhere when you least expect them. When you see one, immediately find a parking space and move aside: they're always right, regardless of the traffic laws. Use your horn before blind curves to warn them of your presence.
If you need to reverse, turn on your hazard lights and proceed slowly, constantly checking your mirrors. It's scary the first time, but it's a daily routine for those who live here. Breathe and remember that even the locals had to learn.
Traffic and Best Times to Drive
Get up early or have a late dinner. Before 8:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., you'll find a completely different route. During my visit in May, leaving Sorrento at 7:30 a.m., I reached Positano in 45 minutes and found parking lots almost empty. Try the same route at 11:00 a.m. in August and you'll find yourself stuck for two hours.
Weekends and holidays triple traffic. Google Maps and Waze give you real-time updates, so use them without hesitation.
Where to Stay: Choosing a Strategic Base
Single Base or Daily Trips
A fixed base makes everything easier. Sorrento works great for a four-day stay on the coast: excellent connections, more affordable parking, and prices that won't break the bank. If you really want to stay on the coast for the atmosphere, consider Maiori or Minori as smart alternatives to Positano and Amalfi.
Parking on the Amalfi Coast: Real Costs and Booking Strategies
Parking is the real nightmare on the coast. Rates range from €3 to €12 per hour, with daily maximums reaching €60. Availability? It sells out before you can say "Positano."
AmalfiThe Luna Rossa parking lot is dug into the rock at the entrance to Atrani. It has 170 spaces, €5 per hour from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and €4 at night. The daily rate can be negotiated at around €30-40. A tunnel takes you directly to the center without breaking a sweat. Alternatives: Berma Portuale or Piazza Flavio Gioia. €3-5 for the first two hours, then €3 per hour, max €40.
PositanoCentral private parking lots charge €10-12 per hour, with a maximum of €50. Blue-slot parking spaces on the street cost €4 per hour, but finding them is harder than winning the SuperEnalotto.
RavelloParking under Piazza Duomo: €2,50-€6 for uncovered spaces, €12 for covered spaces.
SorrentoMunicipal parking lots like Achille Lauro cost about €2,50 per hour, €25 per day on weekends. More free spaces than on the coast.
Complete Itinerary: 4 Days on the Amalfi Coast
Day 1: Arrival and Sorrento
The first day is for getting used to. Go to Sorrento, visit the historic center, the Cloister of San Francesco and take a stroll along the seafront with Vesuvius as a backdrop. Park your car and leave it there, avoiding the stress of moving it every day.
Day 2: Positano and Praiano
Leave for Positano by 7:30 a.m. (40 minutes from Sorrento if there's no traffic). Park at the multi-story car park on Via Pasitea or negotiate a daily rate with a private car park. Wander through the colorful streets, walk down to Spiaggia Grande, then continue toward Praiano. Don't miss the Furore Fjord: perfect for envy-inducing photos and a dip if you're brave. In August, traffic can easily double this time.
Day 3: Amalfi, Atrani, and Ravello
Amalfi for the Duomo di Sant'Andrea and its Cloister of Paradise. Then, walk to Atrani, a village so small it looks like a nativity scene. Afternoon in Ravello, visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, with their gardens that will make you forget everything else. If you arrive after 10:00 a.m., be prepared to wait in line.
Day 4: Vietri sul Mare, Minori, and Maiori
Finish your tour with Vietri and its hand-painted ceramics. Stop in Minori for local sweets and relax in Maiori on the coast's largest beach.
Common Mistakes for Beginners to Avoid
Don't think that 20 kilometers can be done in 20 minutes. In high season, it can take an hour to cover just a few kilometers. A mistake I made: I didn't know that some parking lots in Positano close at 23:00 PM, so I ended up paying an extra €50 for late-night pick-up.
Avoid driving during peak hours when the sun blinds you and traffic is at its worst. And don't forget to check license plate restrictions to avoid fines.
Final Checklist Before Departure
Your car's documents are in order, the vehicle is properly prepared, all reservations are confirmed, and traffic restrictions have been checked. Download offline maps and save emergency numbers. Bring layers and a swimsuit (just in case). Check the weather forecast and consider alternatives (ferries, buses) if the weather worsens or if you simply don't feel like driving. With this preparation, the Amalfi Coast by car becomes what it should be: an experience of absolute freedom amid breathtaking curves and unforgettable views.
Naples – Tense moments occurred last night at Naples Central Station, where a routine security check escalated into violence. A man, a non-EU citizen who was later found to be illegally residing in Italy, was arrested by the State Police on charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a public official after attacking train staff…
Maddaloni, a 14-year-old boy robbed by two peers armed with knives: the stolen goods were recovered.
MADDALONI – They threatened a peer with a knife and stole his wallet, smartphone, and electric bicycle. The two minors involved in the incident were both reported to the Juvenile Court for conspiracy to commit robbery after the intervention of the Carabinieri of the local station.
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon, around 16.30pm, near a bar in via Forche Caudine, in Maddaloni, in the province of Caserta. According to the military's reconstruction, the victim, a 14-year-old boy who was with a friend, was approached by two peers. After threatening him with a knife, the two men took his personal belongings and then quickly fled.
NAPLES – The child admitted to Monaldi Hospital in serious condition after receiving a damaged heart transplant has been placed first on the Italian transplant list. His mother, Patrizia, announced the news during a live broadcast on the program. Life live su Rai 1.
"They've put him first on the Italian transplant list," the woman explained, noting that she was informed directly by the ministry. This news represents a crucial step in the race against time to save the little boy, whose condition remains delicate but, according to the doctors, is compatible with another operation.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
Interesting article, but there's a lot I didn't know before, like expensive parking and summer traffic. I should plan my trip better to avoid any surprises.