Known as the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), the 50km of coastline from Sorrento to Salerno is one of Europe’s most beautiful. The narrow and winding corniche road (Statale 163) that hugs this rugged coastline is known as the Amalfi Drive, and is justly famous as one of the world’s most hair-raising and most scenic motoring experiences.
The winding road twists precariously along the edge of the Lattari Mountains, past picturesque towns clinging vertiginously to the rocks, terraced gardens and bright bays dotting the shoreline, all surrounded by stunning flora such as orange, lemon and olive groves, vineyards and colourful bougainvillea. By car or bus it’s an incredible ride, with some of the most spectacular stretches between Sorrento and Amalfi. Every hairpin bend reveals stunning coastal views, though the designated driver will probably be busy concentrating on the tour buses, cars and scooters all jostling for space: John Steinbeck, who used to come here in the 1950s, claimed the Amalfi Drive was “carefully designed to be a little narrower than two cars side by side.”
Salerno to Amalfi 24 km
From the east, the route begins in Salerno, a working port city that makes a good jumping-off spot for the less-developed Cilento coast and high hills and valleys inland. Beyond the town of Vietri sul Mare, famous for its colorful ceramic ware, the route passes Cetara, a tiny fishing village clasped tightly at the end of its narrow valley that is probably the Amalfi Coast at its least touristy, the bustling resort of Maiori and the small picturesque town of Minori.
>> VISIT SALERNO, VIETRI SUL MARE, MAIORI AND MINORI
After Maiori and Minori, the road reaches the historic town of Amalfi, the coast’s unofficial capital and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
>> VISIT AMALFI
Amalfi to Sorrento 32 km
19 km along the route from Amalfi, Positano is a tiny town that clings precariously to the cliffs, an affluent resort famed for its spectacular location. A little further along to the east Praiano makes a pretty, low-key alternative to the glitz of Positano.
>> VISIT POSITANO AND PRAIANO
West of Positano, the road enters its most spectacular stretch, clinging to the side of the cliffs as it climbs to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, which as its name implies, gives great views of both the Golfo di Napoli and the Golfo di Salerno, then descends steeply into the popular seaside resort of Sorrento on the other side.
>> VISIT SORRENTO
Practical advice The Amalfi Drive can be reached from Naples via the A3 Autostrada to Castellammare di Stabia, which is on the northern side of the Sorrentine peninsula and is linked to Sorrento farther west by Statale 145. Beyond Sorrento, Statale 145 winds westward around the tip of the peninsula and returns eastward along its southern edge as Statale 163 – the Amalfi Drive. Driving it can be both a joy and a challenge. There can be a lot of traffic congestion during the high season especially on the most popular stretch around Positano.