My wife and I have a trip planned for this October that includes nine days in Sorrento and Positano. I've chosen to rent a car and have read enough to know that I'm not gonna attempt the complete drive from Sorrento to Salerno. However, I am interested in chancing a drive from Sorrento that takes me over the mountains to Ravello or on the parallel road that intersects with the Amalfi Coast road near Maiori. I'd welcome any comments from those who've driven either route and what they experienced. I see there are a number of small towns. Is there enough to see on one of these drives? Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
For sure you should drive the Strada Statale Amalfitana along the coast. If you want to go up the mountains, through the Valico di Chiunzi, they are all curvy and narrow by US standards (meaning 2 lanes, each 10 ft wide at most with no shoulders). There are spots where you can stop and see the view. If you have time do it, but do the entire coastal road first. Then maybe on the way back you can go up to the Valico di Chiunzi and descend back to Angri and go back to Sorrento via Castellammare.
Posted by
Toronto area, Canada
174 posts
I, too, was a little bit anxious about driving along the Amalfi coast, but a couple of years ago during the last part of an Italy vacation I drove from Salerno along the Amalfi coast to Ravello, where we stayed for a few days, and then further along the Amalfi coast to Sorrento. The Amalfi coast drive is spectacular -- don't miss it! Yes, the roads are windy and sometimes narrow, but just be careful and keep your cool and you'll be fine. Undoubtedly there will be some interesting photo opportunities when the traffic stops for a while as a couple of tourist buses try to navigate past each other. But, regarding your more specific question... sorry, I haven't driven on the road over the mountains to Ravello.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Mark, don't let the fear-mongering get the best of you. The road between Sorrento and Salerno via Amalfi and Positano is indeed narrow in some sectors, but totally doable with a regular car.
Some people hire drivers, or use buses for their own reasons, and then write about how they wouldn't drive there, having never sit behind the wheel, and then go preaching against diriving there.
Rent a car, and drive around - with caution, but no fear.