Think you can do the Amalfi Coast in seven days and still relax?
You can, but only if you plan the drives, bases, and ferry day the right way.
This 7-day Amalfi Coast road trip plan is a clear blueprint: daily driving routes, realistic drive times, where to sleep each night, and which days work relaxed or fast-paced.
I also flag the big traps, like summer traffic, narrow SS163 switchbacks, ZTL restricted zones, and Capri as a ferry day, so you can enjoy the views, not the headaches.
Your Complete 7-Day Amalfi Coast Road Trip Plan At A Glance
This guide gives you a full day-by-day driving itinerary for the Amalfi Coast, complete with routes, drive times, must-see stops, and where to base yourself each night. Think of it as your trip blueprint. Follow it exactly, or tweak it to match your pace.
There are really two ways to run this trip. A relaxed version spreads things out and leaves room for slow lunches and lingering sunsets. A fast-paced version combines a few days so you can squeeze in more towns if your week is tight. The table below flags which days work for each style, so you can pick your lane early and stop second-guessing the plan.
One thing to flag before you get excited about hairpin turns and cliffside views: summer traffic (June through September) can double or even triple the drive times listed here. The SS163, the main coastal road, turns into a slow crawl of tour buses, scooters, and rental cars during peak season. Every time estimate below assumes off-peak conditions, so build in extra buffer if you’re traveling in July or August.
Also worth clearing up now, the Capri day is a ferry excursion, not a driving day. You won’t be navigating any roads to reach the island, just hopping on a boat from Positano or Sorrento.
| Day | Route (Start to End) | Main Stops | Driving Time | Pace Variant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Naples or Rome to Sorrento/Positano area | Arrival, acclimation | ~1.5 hrs (Naples) or ~1.5 hrs train + transfer (Rome) | Same for both |
| Day 2 | Sorrento to Positano | SS163 coastal drive, scenic viewpoints | ~45 min to 1.5 hrs (driving only) | Relaxed: full day in Positano / Fast-paced: add Praiano stop |
| Day 3 | Positano (ferry to Capri and back) | Capri day trip via ferry, no driving | ~25 to 50 min ferry each way | Same for both |
| Day 4 | Positano to Amalfi | Coastal towns, beaches | ~30 to 45 min | Relaxed: overnight in Amalfi / Fast-paced: day trip only |
| Day 5 | Amalfi to Ravello | Hillside villas, gardens | ~20 to 30 min | Relaxed: leisurely / Fast-paced: combine with Day 4 |
| Day 6 | Amalfi Coast to Pompeii (plus optional Vesuvius) | Ruins, optional volcano hike | ~1 to 1.5 hrs | Relaxed: Pompeii only / Fast-paced: add Vesuvius |
| Day 7 | Path of the Gods hike or cooking class (base town) | Final activity day | No driving or short local transfer | Relaxed: cooking class / Fast-paced: hike |
Full details on parking, alternate activities, and which towns make the best overnight bases are coming up in the sections below. Just keep in mind that every drive time here assumes moderate traffic outside the busy summer months. Road-tripping in peak season? Add a real cushion to each leg.
Planning Your Amalfi Coast Driving Route
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The SS163 is the road that makes this whole trip possible, and it’s also the thing most people worry about once they start researching. It runs along the coast from Sorrento down through Positano, Amalfi, and onward to Ravello’s turnoff, hugging cliffs the entire way. Expect narrow lanes, blind curves, and spots where two cars barely fit past each other. It’s a stunning drive. It’s also one of the more demanding roads you’ll find in Italy, especially if you’re not used to mountain driving or you’re jet-lagged on day one.
Before you book a car, think through the transmission question. Most rental cars in Italy default to manual, and automatics are a smaller, pricier pool that books up fast. If you’re not confident shifting gears on steep switchbacks while also watching for oncoming scooters, request an automatic well in advance. Ideally when you first reserve the car, not a week before pickup. And if you’re planning to pick up your car in one city and drop it off in another, like Naples to Sorrento, check for one-way rental fees. These can add a meaningful chunk to your total cost, so it’s worth comparing a round-trip pickup against a one-way drop before you commit.
Understanding ZTL Restricted Traffic Zones
ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato, and you’ll run into these zones in the historic centers of towns like Amalfi and Positano. They restrict vehicle access to residents and permitted traffic only, and the enforcement is all done by camera. Drive through without a permit and the fine shows up in the mail weeks later, sometimes months, long after you’ve forgotten about the trip.
The easiest fix is to check with your hotel before you arrive. Many properties inside or near a ZTL zone can arrange temporary access, or will simply tell you where to park just outside the restricted area instead.
If you’re not an EU resident, it’s
Final Words
This guide gives a day-by-day driving plan with routes, endpoints, timing, and key stops for your 7-day Amalfi Coast road trip itinerary. It lists relaxed and fast-paced options so you can combine or slow days.
Capri is a ferry day, not a driving leg. The SS163 is narrow and summer traffic can double or triple drive times, so build extra time into each day.
Base in Positano or Praiano for the classic coast vibe, or pick Amalfi or Sorrento. Full parking, ZTL, and activity tips are below—use this itinerary as your roadmap and enjoy the views.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to drive the entire Amalfi Coast?
A: The drive along the entire Amalfi Coast takes about 2–3 hours of nonstop driving (Sorrento to Salerno) in off-peak conditions; expect 4–8+ hours in summer traffic on the narrow SS163.
Q: Is 7 days enough for Amalfi Coast?
A: Seven days is enough to see the highlights: base in Positano or Praiano, day trip to Capri by ferry, Amalfi and Ravello, Pompeii, plus a final hike or cooking class—allow extra time for traffic.
Q: What is the most scenic route to drive along the Amalfi Coast?
A: The most scenic route is the SS163 coastal road from Sorrento through Positano to Amalfi — cliffside hairpins, frequent viewpoints, and coastal villages; drive slowly and plan stops for photos and viewpoints.
Q: What is the prettiest town on the Amalfi Coast?
A: The prettiest town is often considered Positano for its stacked pastel houses, beaches, and photo-ready streets; Ravello is the quieter contender for gardens and sweeping cliff-top views.