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Amalfi Coast by Car - Need Peak Season Survival Guide
Hello all,
I’m going on holiday to Amalfi Coast from the 15th to the 21st of August. We’re landing in Rome, staying there for the first night, and departing the next day to Minori, in Amalfi, by rental car. I have travelled a bit around Italy, having lived there for one year, but never went to Amalfi and thought having a car was the best choice to have some freedom exploring the surrounding area, while based in Minori. I kind of booked things in a bit of a hurry, to secure good deals and such, and am now stumbling on quite a series of articles / reviews describing Amalfi’s infernal peak season traffic jams (which I find much more scary than the road itself). Our accommodation has a parking space, so I’m not that worried about Minori, what I would like to hear from you is suggestions regarding best ways to avoid car related migraines, such as: peak hours, beaches with good parking spots, places that you shouldn’t take the car to, etc. Also, if anyone has similar non-car related crowd avoiding tips, that would like to share, it would be great. Thanks for the help, Best regards, André |
Hi André - The simplest way is to use ferries/hydrofoils instead. In August that can be much quicker than sitting in traffic jams along the coast road.
Crowd avoiding tips? How about hiking the 'Path of the Gods?' A private boat trip? If you still want to drive, early or late is best. Steve |
If you do drive, I would take the route via Salerno and miss the crazy traffic between Positano and Amalfi.
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Keep it parked. Although it might be useful for Ravello & Amalfi but in peak season, all bets are off. Positano, Praiano etc is just hwy parking.
If you want an interesting (and less traveled drive in or out) exit the coast road at Conca dei Marini & head north. No tour buses & great views as it winds up through Furore & Agerola & drops you into Castellammare di Stabia on the Napoli side. Ian |
Why don't you use the car to do something interesting like you planned to do in the first place -- like go into the Cilento area, or head into the hills where the migraine-inducing tourist crowds don't go? Minori is far enough south you can go lots of places without encountering the tourist zoo that collects around Positano and the town of Amalfi.
Sure, take a ferry one day to Positano. But otherwise, ask where you are staying in Minori for some local intelligence about intersting places off the tourist map but on Michelin map. If I had a car in that part of the world, I'd have a blast -- but I woudn't be driving it from Amalfi to Positano to Sorrento, which is where the bottlenecks are. That said, I think there is plenty of parking in Pompeii, and Paestum, but you should go early in the morning to avoid the heat. Have a great time with the car and come back and tell us the amazing things you discovered and had all to yourself! |
Hi and,
I would take the bus to travel the coast road in season. It is far less frustrating because the driver knows where the choke points are and you don't. I believe that the Orange bus will take you as far as Positano. I'm not sure if the SITA bus (Sorrento to Salerno) stops in Minori, but it does stop in Praiano. Enjoy your visit. ((I)) |
Of course the SITA bus stops in Minori! But the OP is not asking about the bus!
I agree with Zeppole; use the car to explore in the direction of Salerno and beyond. The southern/eastern stretch of the coast is, to me, the most beautiful. Be sure to have at least one meal in Cetara if you are a fish lover. You can take the bus from Minori, or drive. Be sure to book ahead. If you want more tips on particular restaurants in Cetara let me know. If it were me, I would make sure to get a very early start in the morning and rely on ferries where possible. I would NOT want to deal with the SITA buses in August! They were overflowing in late April (standing room only) and I cannot imagine the scene in high summer. |
You have all been very helpful, thanks a lot! I have been wondering about occasionally driving opposite directions from the Positano-Amalfi axis and exploring surrounding areas, so I appreciate the pointers.
It was my first posting here, will definitely come back and share the experiences. |
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