Amalfi Coast Day Trip Itinerary

The Amalfi Coast is one of those places that almost doesn’t feel real. Colourful towns stacked into the cliffs, winding coastal roads, and views the entire way along the coastline

One of the best ways to explore it is by scooter. It gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, stop wherever you want, and take in the views along the way. The day we spent cruising along the coast on a yellow Vespa ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

We rented ours in Positano, and originally planned to have it for just one day, but ended up extending it for the rest of our stay.

If you’re planning to hire a scooter, I’d recommend collecting it the night before so you can get an early start. The roads get busy quickly, especially in peak season, and having that extra time in the morning makes a big difference.

If riding a scooter isn’t for you, this itinerary can still be followed by car or bus. The SITA buses run between most towns along the coast, though they can get very crowded in summer. Ferries are another good option and give you a completely different perspective from the water, or you could book a guided tour, and leave the planning to someone else!

If you’re staying in Positano, I’ve also put together a full guide on what to see, where to stay, and how to plan your time there.

Amalfi Coast Day Trip Route

This is the route we followed along the Amalfi Coast:

Positano → Praiano → Fiordo di Furore → Amalfi → Atrani → Ravello → back to Positano

You can see all of these stops in one day, but it does make for a full day, especially in peak season when traffic is slower. We started early in the morning and didn’t get back until the evening, taking our time at each stop along the way.

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Day Trip Scooter Itinerary

Positano

Positano is easily the most recognisable town along the Amalfi Coast, with its pastel coloured houses stacked into the cliffs above the sea.

If you’re staying here, it’s worth heading out early before the crowds arrive. Grab a coffee and something to eat along Via Cristoforo Colombo, where you’ll get some of the best views overlooking the beach below. We stopped here most mornings and it quickly became one of my favourite spots.

From there, make your way down to Spiaggia Grande before it fills up. Walking through the town early in the morning, before the ferries and day trippers arrive, feels completely different and was something we made a habit of during our time in Europe.

Praiano

Praiano is a quieter town located just next to Positano. If you’re looking for a place to escape the crowds of Positano yet still be close enough to explore the bars, restaurants and other attractions, Praiano would make for a great base. It is also a more budget friendly option than its neighbouring towns.

Make a quick stop at Marina di Praia, a small beach tucked between steep rock walls. We didn’t end up staying here long, but our Airbnb host told us it’s a great spot to watch the sunset.

Fiordo di Furore

Fiordo di Furore is one of the more unique stops along the coast, with a small beach set between steep cliffs and a bridge overhead.

There’s no proper parking here, so you’ll need to find a spot along the side of the road and walk down to the cove. It’s worth getting here early, as it fills up quickly. When we drove past later in the day, there was barely any space left.

Amalfi

Amalfi is the main town along the coast and one of the easiest to access, especially if you’re arriving by ferry.

Start at Marina Grande, where you’ll find the main beach. There are a few beach clubs here if you want to rent a chair and umbrella, or you can head to the free section and set up with a towel. The beach is pebbly rather than sandy, but the water is clear and perfect for a swim.

Afterwards, head into town and wander through the streets before stopping for lunch. We ate at Bistrot F.lli Pansa, which looks out towards the Duomo di Amalfi. If you have more time, it’s worth exploring the cathedral and spending a bit longer walking through the town.

Atrani

Atrani is the smallest town along the coast and is located just around the corner from Amalfi. This pastel coloured beachside town is tucked away beneath a mountain and is, in my opinion, the prettiest town on the Amalfi Coast.

Stop in at Gelateria Artigianale da Marco for some delicious gelato.

Ravello

Ravello sits high above the coastline and feels completely different to the towns below. From here, you get wide views looking out over the Amalfi Coast.

Spend the afternoon wandering around Piazza Centrale, exploring the gardens of Villa Rufolo and taking in stunning views of the Amalfi Coast at Villa Cimbrone.

The drive from Ravello back to Positano takes around an hour. It’s worth taking your time here, there are plenty of spots along the way to pull over and take in the views.

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Is renting a scooter worth it?

Hiring a scooter was one of the highlights of our time on the Amalfi Coast. It gave us the flexibility to stop wherever we wanted and avoid some of the traffic.

That said, the roads are narrow, busy, and can feel a bit chaotic, especially in summer. If you’re not confident riding a scooter, it’s probably better to stick to buses, ferries, or a guided tour.

Where we rented our scooter

We rented our Vespa from Positano Rent a Scooter. The process was straightforward, and we ended up extending our booking after the first day.