Driving the Amalfi Coast: A Honest Guide
The Amalfi Coast road (SS163) is legendary—one of the world's most scenic drives, carved into cliffs above the Mediterranean. It's also narrow, winding, crowded with buses, and requires constant attention. Driving here can be exhilarating or exhausting depending on your experience, expectations, and choices.
The Reality of Driving Here
- Road width: Often only wide enough for 1.5 vehicles. Regular encounters with buses require reversing or squeezing past.
- Curves: Continuous blind corners. Constant horn use to signal approach.
- Traffic: Heavy in summer, especially 10am-4pm. Single delays cascade into hour-long jams.
- Views: The driver sees the road, not the scenery. Passengers get the views.
Should You Drive?
Consider driving if:
- You're staying in Ravello (accessible parking, central to everything)
- You're comfortable with challenging driving conditions
- You want flexibility to explore the region beyond the coast
- You're visiting in shoulder season when traffic is lighter
Avoid driving if:
- You're staying in Positano (parking is a nightmare)
- You're uncomfortable with narrow, winding roads
- You're visiting July-August (traffic makes driving miserable)
- You want to relax rather than concentrate
Parking Realities
Ravello: Multiple parking areas at town entrance. Relatively easy. This is why Ravello makes sense as a base for drivers.
Amalfi: Limited public parking, often full by mid-morning. Private garages available at significant cost (€30-40/day).
Positano: Extremely difficult. Upper lot fills early. Many visitors circle for an hour without finding space. Consider parking elsewhere and taking bus or boat.
Driving Tips
- Rent the smallest car available—you'll thank yourself
- Drive early morning or evening to avoid peak traffic
- Use your horn at blind corners (locals expect it)
- Pull into layby areas to let faster traffic pass
- Buses have right of way—they can't maneuver, you can
- Get full insurance coverage; mirrors get clipped
The Ravello Solution
Basing yourself in Ravello provides the best of both worlds. You can have a car for flexibility (parking is manageable), but reach most attractions via bus, ferry, or walking. Leave the car parked, explore stress-free.