How to plan the perfect road trip through the Amalfi Coast

My partner and I are renting a car next month to drive the famous Amalfi Coast route from Sorrento to Salerno. We have about five days for the entire trip and want to make sure we don't miss the best viewpoints, hidden beaches, and authentic local restaurants. Given how notoriously narrow and busy the SS163 highway can be, does anyone have tips on the best times of day to drive or advice on parking? I would love a suggested daily itinerary to help us balance the sightseeing without feeling completely rushed.

Drive early in the morning before 8 AM if you want to avoid tour buses and actually find parking. Once 10 AM hits, the SS163 becomes a parking lot itself!

Make sure you book your parking spots in advance in Positano and Amalfi. Trying to find street parking there as a tourist is practically impossible.

Day 1: Start in Sorrento, drive to Positano, stopping at the Madonnina viewpoint. Grab lunch at Chez Black right on the beach.

Day 2: Explore Positano in the morning, then head to Praiano in the afternoon. Visit Fiordo di Furore—it's a stunning hidden spot underneath the bridge.

Day 3: Head to Amalfi town and Ravello. The gardens at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello offer the absolute best view on the entire coast.

Day 4: Discover the less crowded towns like Minori and Maiori. Stop by a local pasticceria in Minori for some authentic delizia al limone.

Day 5: Finish the drive through Cetara, a quiet fishing village famous for its anchovy paste, before arriving in Salerno.

If you are coming from outside Europe, double-check your paperwork well in advance—here is a helpful Schengen Visa guide just in case you need it.

Pack very light because the hotel stairs and narrow alleys will destroy your back if you bring massive suitcases. Check out this advice on packing light for Europe for tips on keeping it to a carry-on.

Rent the smallest car possible! Trust me, driving a giant SUV on the Amalfi coast is a nightmare when buses are coming the other way.

For hidden beaches, definitely check out Duoglio Beach near Amalfi. You have to walk down about 400 steps, but it is totally worth it and way less crowded than the main beaches.

Don't bother driving inside Positano or Amalfi towns; just park in one of the private multi-story garages on the edge of town and walk or take the local bus.

For authentic food, skip the main tourist squares and walk up the hillside steps in any town. You will find tiny family-run trattorias with incredible homemade pasta.

If you love wine and plan to visit other regions later in your trip, you might enjoy reading this wine tasting guide for your next destination.

Drive very defensively, use your horn on blind hairpin turns to warn oncoming traffic, and always yield to the SITA buses!