Italy, Amalfi
The Amalfi Coast Road
Distance
78 km
Time
2h 40m
Driving score
8.4
We choose the roads, waypoints are preserved so Google Maps follows the intended route.
Editorial
Why drive it
The SS163 was blasted into the cliff in 1852 and has barely widened since. That is the whole point. You drive it in second and third, reading the road through mirrors and horn blasts, with the Tyrrhenian dropping away a car's width from your left front wheel.
Timing is everything. Leave Sorrento in the dark, watch the light come up over Positano and you get an hour of near empty tarmac. Arrive at ten and you get a coach park with a view. Small cars win here, and a classic with the roof off wins outright.
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Road width
- Narrow, with blind rock overhangs and bus passing places
- Surface
- Good, patched in places above Positano
- Best direction
- Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare
- Best time of day
- Before 07:00 or after 18:30
- Best season
- April to June, then late September
- Elevation
- 340 m maximum above Praiano
- Community rating
- 4.6 / 5
Proprietary scoring
The numbers
The journey
Route highlights
Start
Sorrento
Espresso on Piazza Tasso before the town wakes
Viewpoint
Colli di San Pietro
First proper look down the coast
Photo Spot
Positano Overlook
The postcard, best in early light
Coffee
Praiano
Quiet terrace, no coach parking
Historic Village
Amalfi
Cathedral steps and paper mills
Detour
Ravello
Climb inland for gardens and cooler air
Finish
Vietri sul Mare
Ceramics and a calm harbour lunch
Where to stay
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From the members
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