coast road

This must be one of the most beautiful places in the world a must for any bucket list this whole area is just a mass of views to make your heart leap

We visited the Amalfi Coast as part of our 3 week voyage to Italy last October. We rented a car in from the RR station office of Hertz in Naples and one way to wide for Amalfi (we originally ordered a Fiat 500 L and got a large Volvo SUV). I always wanted to drive the twisty roads of Amalfi, but not in such a wide turning circle beast like the Volvo. The highway drive out toward Amalfi and the roads up and over the mountain were not a problem, but as soon as we got to our Amalfi apartment (in Conca di Marina) we started to discover how tight these roads were. Just pulling up alongside the entrance to the apartment was dangerous... no curbs or sidewalks. We unloaded right on the downhill road with bling curves above and below us. Then we had to back up 300 feet or so and pull into the tightest parking lot I've ever experienced--and for 6 cars. Pulling in and out we were always in danger of getting clipped by a car coming up or downhill. Then the drive along the coast road itself... The drivers here are NUTS! They tailgate dangerously and then will pass on blind curves. Scooters and motorcycles think the line in the middle of the road is their personal lane. Buses are huge--and UNLIKE what I read before we left--are not narrower than U.S. buses, AND they do NOT go only from west to east. They go both ways. We even had to deal with tandem 18 wheelers coming around the sharp curves and crossing over into our lane. Parking? Forget it. (And I'm talking about October). There are some pretty expensive, inconveniently located private lots in some towns, but plan on walking uphill or downhill a lot after you park. Amalfi is not for the weak legged people. Driving was as heightened attention ALL THE TIME. I've never experienced such a disregard for basic rules of the road--and I've lived and worked in Manhattan most of my life and even lived and drove in Paris. Italian drivers are insane. Period. As for the views, the architecture, the gardens, the sea... sure, it's one of the most beautiful places I've even been to. Driving the Amalfi Coast gives me bragging rights, but would I di it again? Would I ever go back. No. And my wife and 11 year old son agree.You can read more about our voyage on our family blog:http://grandvoyageitaly.weebly.com/la-famiglia-vino-e-grotte/category/5-amalfi-coast/2

My husband loves driving trips and the Amalfi Coast drive was in his bucket list. This IS NOT for the faint of heart!!!! The views are amazing, and the curves are even more..... At one point we came upon a full size bus that was taking up the entire road - which is not too wide to begin with - I had on my side a straight down drop and the car collision warning system started to beep non-stop, and the bus kept coming. I just closed my eyes and prayed..... WOW, my husband loved it!!! He said that it is the best drive he has ever done - go figure!!!!!

This steep, extremely serpentine cliff side road is best experienced while letting someone else do the driving. We concur with other reviewers that to maximize your views, it is good to get a "sea side" seat on the route heading from Sorrento to Positano. Each new curve exposes a new perspective, and having crystal clear blue skies certainly helps the experience. Don't forget to look behind you on each curve, as that will double your exposure to the great views...and the sun angle and previously blocked valleys will make the experience different each time. Let's hear it for digital cameras...or I would have run out of film in the first 15 minutes. It is nice to do this trip in an automobile or small van, where you have the option or ability to stop and take advantage of the many simply amazing photo opportunities.

To me, this is a must do! We got this idea from a Rick Steves book, so take a peak at the book or online for further details. The bus ride has two things going for it: beautiful scenery, and the best drivers in the world! Sure, you can drive it, but if you do, take a scooter so you can stop often. You can drive a car, but here, you need to keep your eyes on the road! In warm weather, I would suggest sitting near an open window near the back, but definitely on the coast side going and coming back, if you do a round trip like we did. These are full size buses driving on cliffside roads with room for two buses if they pull their side mirrors in! It's crazy, but for these excellent drivers, it's routine. These are not tour buses, but regular buses making stops at the scenic villages along the way, with the Mediterranean beckoning just down the cliff. Park your car, get on the bus, and have a fun ride!

The Amalfi coast road regularly rates as one of THE drives you have to do. We loved driving it and it's not as scary as many people suggest - but if you don't have a car or the road makes you nervous you don't have to miss out. We hired scooters to zoom up and down - about €35 per day for a 50cc. Note - the bikes are not insured if you damage them - only if someone else does. Anyone with a drivers licence can hire a scooter - but most operators will also ask for an International Drivers Licence too. If you don’t fancy scooters, but you still want to do the coast road - then get on the local bus. You are up higher, so you get a good view. You can't stop whenever you like to take pictures, but you can hop on and hop off at the regular bus stops if you get the 24hour ticket. You can buy 24hr or 3 day tickets at the tobacconist kiosks: http://www.amoitaly.com/amalfitana/unico_costiera.htmlThe other trip to do is the ferry ride from Positano to Amalfi or vice versa. We took the bus to Positano from Amalfi to pick up our scooters (it was end of season so the Amalfi scooter shops were already shut down) and then when we returned the scooters we got the ferry back. It’s only a 30 minute ride and costs about €6, but you see the towns from the sea and they look lovely. http://www.theamalficoast.net/amalfi/english/amalfi_coast_ferries.html

Definitely not an easy drive, even for an experienced Italian driver (me !)... Narrow, curves, villages and the other driversNonetheless, it's one of the most spectacular views in the worldSo, drive safely and enjoy the ride... Only alternative is to stay he and watch pictures :-)

We drive from ravello along the coast , first stop is amalfi town, lots of tourist, full of shops restaurants, typical tourist spot, then we move onto positano, similar to amalfi, however, this sector is the most beautiful coast line in amalfi coast, the road is going up and down, all the time you have sea view in front of you, blue water, houses build on the cliffs, the road is very narrow, many buses and tourist big buses passing by, sometime you need to stop to let them pass through.some drivers are so cautious ,driving very slow causing a long line at back.parking is a diaster. In general, it worth a visit if you can manage to drive in the narrow road,

This is a beautiful place to visit, it felt like I was in a dream. The beautiful villages hugging the hillside, the small winding roadways. We had just finished the "Walk of the Gods" and were debating whether to walk the remaining 1500 steps down to Positano or catch a bus, I'm glad we chose the bus. Sitting in the front seat, the experience was fabulous, and just as I had read but more so. The roads are very narrow and windy, the views superb, picture perfect. It was hysterical to watch 7 cars trying to reverse out of the way of our bus on the tight bends, the cars in the end either pulled in where they could or passed the bus to clear the congestion. There is no continuous horn blowing, they just do what has to be done, an experience I am so pleased I had and one to remember but would say not for the faint hearted, but what an experience. Kerre M

..but the views are spectacular. Went with wife , needed her to check passenger side space from wall to car frequently as i drive on other side in uk. Parking is a nightmare but we found valet parking as we got into positano. Some kimikaze bikers and drivers but after a while when you recalibrate things become easier. Road from coast through ravello to naples has great views of the towns below, and less stressful than the coast road. Stop at ravello for relaxing drink is a must. If roads were wider and fewer lunatics then drive would have been perfect. We had audi a3 convertible but even smaller car recommend as you will be trying to fit in gaps all the time.

Just going into second week of my stay on amalfi coast. We have a hire car and have driven on many of the roads in the area. I can not believe the driving it is a nightmare. First you have to compete with the aggressive italian drivers combine this with unbelievable amounts of traffic. You also have cars parked all the way along the roads making it impossible to pass. Parking in towns is non existent. You need to be up and on the road by 8 am to stand any chance of making it to anywhere. Even a trip to the beach means an early alarm call just to be able to park. I have travelled lots but i have never experienced such difficulty in trying to get around. There is no doubt that this is a beautiful part of the world but its not one that i will be coming back to any time soon.

We are currently on a European bus tour and leaving Sorrento this morning. We had a day trip bus ride to Positano. On the way their we encountered at least 3 near misses with buses, motor bikes and pedestrians. On our return trip the inevitable happened. 3 motor bikes had a major collision right next to our bus - 2 persons deceased . 1 in a critical condition. In my opinion the road is ridiculous and is used as a racing track. The blind corners are a joke, there are no speed signs or signs that tell drivers how sharpe the corners are. The baracade is less than a meter so if you are in an accident there is a high chance that you could fall 150 meters. I thought the roads bikes in Thailand was bad, this part of Italy is worse .

This is an amazing ride along the coast. I suggest taking the bus, its inexpensive and you can just relax and enjoy the views. In season you can get a hopper pass. Be sure to have a nice lunch on the water!

The roads on the Amalfi coast are not as difficult as described by many.You must be aware, that you have to wait and let a bus or another large vehicle pass.

Just recovered from doing this - glad I wasn't driving!Amazing views going anti-clockwise. Set off at 10.30 and shd have set off sooner. Glad to be behind a coach which seemed to plough all other traffic out of the way for us! A few hair-raising moments as we entered tunnels behind it and passed other traffic. Definitely not helped by cyclists and the mad scooter drivers. Nearly impossible to exit from road and we didn't attempt to so no idea what the towns are like. Frankly, they shd ban all tourist traffic, including the large coaches, and just have shuttle busses and local traffic. Next time, we'll go on a local bus and hop on and off and really is it Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, etc.!If you can go further than Amalfi, I recommend it as the road does become quieter and less touristy!