Road Trip to Discover Adventure Around Amalfi Coast
Plan a road trip to Discover Italy, and what is better than making memories on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Coast in Italy traces the southern shore of Salerno Gulf, on the Tyrrhenian Sea in southern Italy. It is a popular destination and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape in 1997. This region is famous for panoramic ocean views. You can plan a self-drive to the Amalfi Coastline, as the province of Salerno enjoys fine Mediterranean weather year-round.
If you are looking for a self-drive itinerary with iconic sweeping views and unparalleled beaches, then the Amalfi Coast trip is the only itinerary you need to consider. In this Amalfi Coast round-trip guide, you will take in some of the most memorable destinations this iconic Italian region has to offer, soaking in the culture of this place and making memories you will never forget.
Amalfi Coast Road Trip Itinerary
01 Rome
Get your rental car at Rome Fiumicino Airport and drive Northeast to the Eternal City, where you can spend some time visiting some of the iconic landmarks. Major tourist attractions that top the lists are the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Piazza Navona, the Vatican, and Trevi Fountain. There are many other spots worth checking out in the city of Rome, so feel free to spend additional time before heading to your next destination.
02 Ostia Antica
- 26.7 km from Rome via SP8
With just a quick half-hour drive from Rome is Ostia Antica, the first stop on the Amalfi coast itinerary. History buffs will love this stop, as it’s the location of the harbor city of Ancient Rome. It is a historic tourist destination, which offers well-preserved ancient buildings, frescoes, and stunning mosaics. Spend some time walking the Theatre here.
03 Naples
- 241.1 km from Ostia Antica via A1/E45
The city of Naples settles in the bay of Naples is a beautiful Italian region of Campania. It is also called Napoli by locals and has centuries of prominent art and architecture. After Rome and Milan, the city of Naples is the third-largest city in Italy, and it offers visitors the fine dining, art, culture, and nightlife that you would expect in a thriving coastal city. History buffs will love the deep roots of Naples – it is known as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Do not forget to explore the historic city center; it is the largest in Europe, and the art, architecture, and artifacts found here encompass twenty-seven full centuries of history. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a beautiful, romantic, and unforgettable place to explore. Walk the ruins of Pompeii, and tour the Palace of Caserta before making reservations at an open-air restaurant with live music.
04 Sorrento
- 48.4 km from Naples via A3 and SS145
If you are looking for an escape to the natural beauty, then Sorrento and the surrounding scenic views must be on your bucket list. This coastal gem in Italy overlooks the Bay of Naples, and the Sorrentine Peninsula offers stunning views of Naples, Isle of Capri, and Mount Vesuvius. The Amalfi Coast road trip is a scenic drive through narrow roads, which connects Sorrento and Amalfi, weaving along high cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. You can also have a quick bite or lunch in Sorrento.
05 Positano
- 15.7 km from Sorrento via SS163
From Sorrento, hop into your rental car and head to the village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. You must have seen stunning photos of Positano while looking for a beautiful coastal Italy’s destination. Gorgeous villas cascade down coastal hills into the placid waters lapping at the beach of Positano. Also, consider dining here and nagging until after dark for enjoying the nightlife and seeing the city lights that reflect beautifully in the ocean’s water.
06 Salerno
- 41.9 km from Positano via SS163
The next destination on your Amalfi Coast self-drive is the gorgeous city of Salerno- the capital of Salerno Province, and a stunning city nestled on the Gulf of Salerno and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. If it’s your first time visiting Salerno, a helpful tip is that there are three distinct sections of the city, this allows you to choose your favorite area to visit of all three and know more about the evolution of this historic harbor town. The medieval sector offers some of the oldest architecture in the city, but the 19th-century sector is also worth exploring.
The post-war area is densely populated, but its mostly apartment blocks, so you may want to skip it. If you have time to visit only one or two points of interest, then visit the Lungomare Trieste, which is a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy views that rival the French Riviera.
Another great destination in Salerno is the Castello di Arechi, an imposing castle located at 984 feet elevation overlooking the city. If you want a stunning place for a photo, the Castello di Arechi is an ideal option for you. It offers visitors truly one-of-a-kind, sweeping views of the city flanked by the Gulf of Salerno.
07 Tivoli
- 254.9 km from Salerno via A1/E45
After spending a day or more in Salerno, next drive north to Tivoli, the last stop on this Amalfi Coast road trip before heading back. While it isn’t a quintessential Amalfi destination, the town of Tivoli in central Italy hugs the curves of the Aniene River in the Sabine hills. This is a gorgeous region of Lazio, Italy, and stopping here on the final day of your trip is a perfect way to capture authentic Italy in your memory.
Famous villas worth exploring in Tivoli include Villa d’ Este and Villa Adriana (both Unesco World Heritage sites), and Villa Gregoriana. Also, visit Tivoli Cathedral, the Temple of Tiburtine Sibyl, and the little waterfall, which sits under the Ponte Gregoriano. Every inch of Tivoli offers visitors excellent backdrops for photo ops and the feeling that you have stepped back in time to enjoy a simpler and better way of life.