I have booked s car from Sorrento for 8 hours to see Amalfi, Ravello, the Emerald Grotto and maybe Positano. I am hearing conflicting stories of the drive and time and crowds. Recommendations for areas not crazy crowded. I definitely want to do Ravello and the Emerald Grottos. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also should I keep the car reservation. Thank you in advance if
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7771 posts
Since you have a private car, the driver can easily adjust on the fly. We were "slightly disappointed" by Positano, but I think you have to take a look, it's so famous. Our driver suggested the Emerald Grotto, but (having seen a great Blue Grotto off Croatia [and happy to have skipped the time-sucking Capri grotto ... ]) I thought the Emerald Grotto was Okay but Missable. Check the Search box here to see if there's a mozarella farm or something you want to do instead of all "the coast." I agree that Ravello is a must-see. We had a walking sandwich there to save time, but went to a luxury restaurant after lunch hours for a local desert specialty.
Our trip (late May, plenty of traffic, late getting back to Sorrento) was Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Green Grotto, and three shorter photo stops, one bathroom stop at a pottery show which we ignored. Money well spent on the car service. Had about 80-90 minutes free time in each of the 3 big stops.
Posted by
4836 posts
Are you driving, or is it with a private driver?
What month?
Emerald Grotto info:
https://www.positano.com/en/e/visiting-the-emerald-grotto-amalfi
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4437 posts
We spent 11 days in Sorrento and loved it. Two of our days were along the Amalfi Coast. The first was by ferry to Amalfi Town and then SITA bus to Minori and then a walk to Maiori via the Path of the Lemons. The 2nd day was via a shared driving tour with 8 others that consisted of 4 hours of driving and 4 hours of site-seeing. There is no perfect transportation method for the AC and all I can say is that your method is as good as any.
Positano is worth a stop and a photo and then move on. If I had a do-over I'd spend the majority of my time in Ravello which was the prettiest and least crowded of the big-3. For what it's worth, I'll take Capri over the AC every time.
Posted by
81 posts
Have done the Amalfi Coast several times, driving it myself and with a private driver. With a driver, you will spend an hour to an hour and a half in each town, which is nice but not enough time to do each stop justice (Positano, Amalfi and Ravello). All are beautiful! The last time we did the drive with a private driver, we talked him into 2 of the 3, with time for a coastal lunch at a great seafood restaurant.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
From one of my previous posts…
The quickest way by car, is to take the
A1/E45 to Angri to the ( SP2b) to the (SP2)
Beautiful drive to Ravello. You don’t have time to visit Sorrento. Time dependent on departure 1H15m- 1/12 Hs
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Molo+Beverello,+80133+Napoli+NA,+Italy/Ravello,+84010+SA,+Italy/@40.7063907,14.4767363,9z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x133b084e9b6deb39:0x2bc6194430c647c6!1m2!1m1!1s0x133b95759806ec37:0xfc15a139e8011360!3e0?hl=en-us
You might have time for Ravello and Amalfi, I’d save any extra time on a pleasant lunch.
If this is from a cruise ship you actually won’t have 8 hours.