Driving the Amalfi Coast in a Rental Car

• Posted on: 19th November 2025
• Posted by: admin

🚘 Renting a Car for the Amalfi Coast Drive

It’s not very hard to believe why tourists flock to Amalfi and expectantly wait to drive along the infamous Strada Statale 163. The charming towns atop cliffs, turquoise waters, and beautiful views make driving on the Amalfi Coast route an absolutely a once in a lifetime experience. It is often referred to as one of the most scenic drives in the world, so much so that travelers consider it a can’t-miss attraction within its own right.

Driving on this world renowned scenic route can be a feat, especially in a rental car. Freedom to explore hidden paths, taking your time to drive down the coast in a self drive car can perfectly complement your Italian seaside getaway.

This article focuses on the realities of hiring a car and dancing the drive that is the Amalfi Coast Road.

✅ What makes the Amalfi Coast Worth it?

The Costiera Amalfitana is a stunning 50-kilometer stretch of coastline in Southern Italy. Located in the Campania region, the highway connects towns like Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi to Salerno. Also known by the name Strada Statale 163 Amalfitana, it took nearly twenty years of blasting cliffs and carving tunnels by hand to complete this engineering marvel in the 1850s.

• Steep rock formations on one side and dramatic drop to the Mediterranean on the other, this spectacular route follows the twisting shoreline, resulting in winding stretches of roadway and sharp curves. This unique point of view makes it a destination worth exploring.
• Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the coast testifies to the harmony between man and nature. Exploring this unique location is an extraordinary cultural experience which keeps on continually inspiring travelers from across the globe.
• While visiting Amalfi Coast, one must try region’s coastal flavours by sampling signature dishes like Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare, Spaghetti alla Nerano, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Delizia al Limone, and Caprese Salad, alongside local treats like Mozzarella di Bufala, Torta Caprese, and Sfogliatella. The region sees abundant lemon growth, which makes dishes like limoncello (lemon liqueur), Amalfi cookies (made with a lemon icing), or delizie al limone, lemon sponge cake, a must try. 
• The Amalfi Coast drive encompasses some of the most unique attractions. Top unmissable activities while visiting are wandering Positano’s colorful streets, exploring Ravello’s gardens (Villa Cimbrone, Villa Rufolo), hiking the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), visiting the Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Andrea), taking boat trips to Capri or the Blue Grotto, and relaxing at beaches like Marina Grande or Fornillo.

🛣️ Truth About Driving the SS163 Strada Statale

The reality is that driving the Amalfi Coast is frustrating and bit stressful in a nutshell. The views are most definitely worth it, but don’t expect a totally stress-free drive where you can relax and simply enjoy the views. There is hardly a straight stretch of road on the entire drive.

Here’s a list of pros and cons to weigh when planning to drive on one of the most stunning coastal roads in all of Europe in a rental car:

Verdict: If your trip is only limited to Amalfi Coast towns, then relying on ferries and buses offering guided tours might be the most practical choice. But if you plan on exploring the wider Campania region during off peak season and don’t really mind driving stress and high parking costs then hiring a car might just make the most sense.

🏢 Main Destinations along the Amalfi Coast Drive Route

The Amalfi Coast region stretches 34 miles down the west coast of central Italy, and there are multiple towns for travelers to explore. What all of the towns do share is the SS163 highway, otherwise known as the Amalfi Drive. This particular road can take travelers directly to the various towns that call the Amalfi Coast home. In total, there are thirteen Amalfi Coast towns: Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Scala, Ravello, Minori, Tramonti, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare. See below for an Amalfi Coast map showing the location of each town.

There are a couple of routes ideal for exploring Amalfi Coast, but ultimately the best option for your individual trip will depend on the arrival destination. The most stunning part of the coast is the 36 km (22 mile) stretch between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. Our suggested itinerary below begins in Vietri sul Mare, travels north to Amalfi with a stop in Ravello, then continues on to Positano before catching the autostrada north to Naples or Rome. Encompassing one day, the recommended day drive route is great for travelers who don’t plan on staying overnight and finish the drive in a single day.

Useful Advice: Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport (QSR), Railway Station (Stazione di Salerno), and Downtown are strategic locations to begin the journey owing to their short distance from the Coast. And you can easily drop off the car hire at Naples Capodichino Airport, Sorrento Downtown, Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Ciampino Airport (CIA), Rome Termini, or other nearby locations.

💡 Practical Tips for a Worthwhile Trip

The SS 163 is not an easy road, requiring careful and cautious driving. We would recommend not underestimating the challenging logistics of exploring Amalfi Coast by car and researching properly. Understanding local driving etiquette is highly recommended for an uneventful trip. Here are a few considerations that one must keep in mind when planning to drive the infamous ‘Divine Coast’:

👨‍✈️ Driving Considerations:

When driving through curves, the best advice is to delay steering as much as possible to stay completely within your lane. Expect a slow journey encompassing numerous sharp curves and lengthy tunnels. Some of the off-the-beaten-path locations, like Furore, Conca dei Marini, Grotta dello Smeraldo might have limited access to vehicles. Hence, there might not be any other choice than walking on foot to your desired destination. This bumper-to-bumper chaos is particularly prevalent when renting a car in the peak tourist season.

🅿️ Parking Availability:

Check the availability of parking spaces in real time before beginning your journey. If you plan on parking on the streets, pay close attention to the color of lines for the parking spaces. The white lines indicate free parking, yellow lines indicate resident-only parking (also shown on vertical signs), and blue lines indicate paid parking areas (shown on vertical signs along with rates) with meters that accept cash or card. It is always advised to display your parking ticket clearly in your car. Especially in regions where parking is scarce, the renters might need to navigate the crowded streets on foot. This might not be the most ideal option for those carrying large suitcases or people with limited mobility

⚠️ Watch out for ZTLs:

Anyone planning to visit this beautiful region must check the updated regulations for Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) before setting out on the journey. The penalties for entering these restricted areas can result in hefty fines. ZTL zones are always marked with vertical signs, so pay close attention to those.

🚗 Vehicle Selection:

Hire the smallest car you can find to navigate the tight curves and narrow parking spaces. Opt for a Fiat 500, but you can hire even smaller ones. The narrow and winding roads of the drive might make maneuvering a larger vehicle a really difficult task. Especially avoid risky behaviours like speeding and overtaking. We would like to advise against hiring an electric or hybrid car, as recharging stations are still few and far between on the Amalfi Coast.

🚫 License plate number restrictions:

To limit congestion for this particular drive, changes to legislation have been introduced to levy restrictions on when cars can access the busiest stretch of the SS163 from Positano to Vietri sul Mare. Cars with a registration plate that ends in an even number cannot access the Amalfi road between 10am and 6pm on even-numbered days. For cars with a plate that ends in an odd number are banned between 10am and 6pm on odd-numbered days. This rule is exempted for Residents of the 13 towns, Taxis and NCC cars, Public transport, and Police and emergency service vehicles. However, rental cars are NOT exempt from the alternating license plate rules on Italy’s SS163 Amalfi Coast. It is therefore advised to double check your rental car’s license plate’s last digit and follow the alternating schedule, or risk fines.