The Amalfi Drive: A Dolce Vita Convertible Adventure

Few roads in the world are as legendary as the Amalfi Drive. Winding for 50 kilometres between Sorrento and Salerno, the SS163 clings to cliffs that plunge into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pastel villages tumble down mountainsides, domes glint in the sun, and every bend opens onto another cinematic view.

Driving this road in a convertible is not just transport. It is an experience: roof down, sunglasses on, sea breeze in the air. The Amalfi Drive is la dolce vita on four wheels — and here’s how to make it yours.

Convertible driving along the Amalfi Coast road with sea views and dramatic cliffs.
 

Imagine yourself behind the wheel, roof down, with the Amalfi Coast unfolding turn by turn — every bend a new postcard moment waiting for you.

 
Aerial view of Sorrento’s cliffs, marina, and beaches overlooking the Bay of Naples.
 

Look out from Sorrento’s cliffs and you’ll see the Bay of Naples stretch wide — the perfect starting point for your coastal adventure.

 

🏛️ The Amalfi Drive: History & Engineering Significance

 

Before the 19th century, the Amalfi Coast was almost cut off. Villages like Positano, Amalfi and Ravello were reached only by mule tracks or by sea.

 

In the 1830s, the Bourbon Kingdom of Naples ordered a coastal road. It took nearly twenty years of blasting cliffs and carving tunnels by hand. When it opened in the 1850s, the SS163 was hailed as an engineering marvel.

 

At barely five metres wide in places, it was never designed for today’s traffic. Yet its daring route above the sea remains a remarkable achievement, transforming isolated villages into thriving towns and laying the foundations for modern tourism.

The Amalfi Coast Driving Experience

The Amalfi Drive is both demanding and rewarding. It’s narrow, winding, and full of hairpins. Buses command the bends, scooters dart past, and parking is scarce. But those who take it slow, with patience and style, discover one of the most thrilling journeys in Europe.

In a convertible, the magic is magnified. You hear the engine echo against stone walls, smell the lemon groves, and feel the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. Every curve is both a challenge and a gift.

Fiordo di Furore bridge overlooking a hidden beach and fishing hamlet along the Amalfi Coast.
 

As you cross the bridge, glance down and you’ll spot this hidden fjord — a secret beach and fishing hamlet carved deep into the cliffs, waiting to surprise you.

 

⏱️

Suggested Day Drive Itinerary

Distances and times are indicative and exclude parking time.

Sorrento → Positano
17 km · ~40 min
Allow 1–2 hrs to explore (lanes, beach, coffee).
Positano → Amalfi
20 km · ~50 min
Photo stops: Praiano, Fiordo di Furore, Conca dei Marini.
Amalfi (on foot)
1–2 hrs
Duomo di Sant’Andrea, alleyways, seafood or pizza on Piazza Duomo.
Amalfi → Ravello
7 km · ~20 min
Villa Rufolo gardens, Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity, coffee on Piazza Duomo.

Tip: Start early, park once at each main stop, and avoid peak arrival (11:00–15:00).
White convertible parked above the Amalfi Coast with Positano’s hillside houses and sea views in the background.
 

Picture yourself here, roof down, taking a pause above Positano — the sea shimmering below and the road ahead promising more unforgettable views.

 

A Slower Holiday: Twin-Centre Idea

For an even richer experience, divide your stay between Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

– Spend a few nights in Sorrento — lively piazzas, easy access to Capri and Pompeii.

– Collect your convertible and transfer along the coast to Positano, Amalfi, or Ravello for another few nights.

– Explore in small daily drives: Atrani and Minori one day, Vietri ceramics another, Positano’s beach clubs the next.

– By night, enjoy candlelit dinners on terraces with views of the twinkling coast.

This way you savour the road in small, beautiful pieces — unhurried, stylish, and steeped in la dolce vita.

White convertible car driving with Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in the background.
 

Drive a little higher and this is your reward — the Bay of Naples stretching below and mighty Vesuvius rising on the horizon.

 

🛣️ Driving Tips

 

  • Best hours: before 9:00 or after 16:30. Spring and autumn are ideal.
  • Defensive driving: keep right, use convex mirrors, tap the horn on blind bends.
  • Vehicle choice: compact convertibles are easier to drive and park.
  • ZTL: respect restricted zones; use signed car parks and garages.
  • Mind buses: give way on tight bends; fold mirrors if needed.

 

Parking by Town

Town Where to Park (links open maps)
Sorrento Piazza Tasso area car parks
(central).
Positano Mandara
or
Di Gennaro
garages (valet available).
Praiano San Gennaro car park
near the church.
Amalfi Luna Rossa garage
(inside cliff tunnel; short walk to the Duomo).
Ravello Auditorium / Piazza Duomo car parks
(short uphill walk).

Tip: summer rates rise and spaces are limited; arrive early or use valet where offered. Always check posted tariffs on the day.

📸 Best Views

  • La Sponda bend (Positano): classic postcard angle.
  • Fiordo di Furore: stone bridge over a narrow fjord.
  • Conca dei Marini: high coastal panoramas.
  • Atrani: little gem as you descend from Amalfi.
  • Ravello – Terrace of Infinity: one of Italy’s finest vistas.
White convertible car parked in front of the Duomo di Sant’Andrea in Amalfi’s main square.
 

Pause in Amalfi’s lively square, climb the grand staircase to the cathedral, and then return to your car ready for the next stretch of the coast.

 

Live Your Dolce Vita, Roof Down

 

The Amalfi Drive is unforgettable — planning it can be complex. ExpertoItaly curates convertible car holidays in partnership with Sorrento Car Rent: compact and classic models delivered to your hotel, handpicked routes, and boutique stays.

 

From a one-day loop to a week exploring at leisure, we handle the details so you can enjoy the drive.

 

Enquire with ExpertoItaly

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