The rental car is booked. The playlist is ready. Everyone’s dreaming of winding roads, lemon gelato, and sunset selfies.

Then reality hits: the GPS says “30 miles” but forgets to mention the road is one lane each way, buses rumbling alongside like freight trains, and parking can vanish faster than free prosecco.

Suddenly, the question isn’t “Which towns should we see?” It’s “How many days do we need so this Amalfi Coast road trip feels like a vacation instead of an Italian driving exam?”

Here’s the no-drama, been-there-a-dozen-times answer that saves relationships and sunburns.

The Bare-Minimum Survival Plan: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Possible? Yes.

Pleasant? Barely.

Day 1: arrive in Naples, pick up the car, crawl to Sorrento (traffic + jet lag = instant regret).

Day 2: Positano all day.

Day 3: Amalfi + Ravello.

Day 4: maybe a beach or Capri, maybe just recovery.

Day 5: cry while returning the car.

Everything gets seen, nothing gets felt. Photos happen. Memories blur. Most people who do five days swear, “next time we’ll stay longer.”

The Sweet-Smile-Every-Day Sweet Spot: 7–8 Days

This is where the coast finally breathes.

Two nights in Sorrento (easy base, great food, gentle intro) with Amalfi Coast private tours for stress-free drives.

Three nights in Positano or Praiano (heart of the vertical drama).

Two nights in Amalfi or Ravello (quieter evenings, cooler air).

Or flip it: one central base (usually Positano or Sorrento) and day-trip the rest. Either way, seven nights turns the trip from a checklist to a love story.

The Perfect, No-Regrets Dream: 10 Days

Ten days is pure oxygen.

Extra nights mean slow mornings sipping coffee on balconies, random boat detours, second visits to favorite restaurants, and the freedom to say “let’s just stay here all day” when a hidden beach steals the plan via tailor-made Amalfi itineraries. Ten days is when the Amalfi Coast stops being scenery and starts feeling like home.

Sorrento: 2–3 Nights Minimum

Sorrento sits just outside the official Amalfi Coast, but it’s the smartest launch pad. Its streets are easy to walk, with real supermarkets, convenient parking garages, a ferry port to Capri, and a train to Pompeii.

Two nights let the group shake off jet lag, eat incredible pizza, and wander cliffside lanes without pressure. Three nights feel luxurious and still leave plenty of time for the dramatic stretch ahead.

Positano: Never Less Than 3 Nights

Positano from the road is pretty. Positano from the inside is life-changing.

One rushed day equals sore calves and zero memory of the magic. Three nights give early-morning empty streets, lazy beach afternoons, sunset aperitivo high above the lights, and the slow realization that nowhere else on earth looks like this. Four nights if celebrating something special; five if never wanting to leave.

Amalfi Town: 2 Nights Changes Everything

Day-trippers flood Amalfi from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stay overnight, and the town transforms. The cathedral square turns peaceful, restaurants open secret upper terraces, and the waterfront glows without the cruise-ship glare. Two nights also make side trips to Atrani, Conca dei Marini, or a lemon-grove lunch feel easy instead of exhausting.

Ravello: 1–2 Nights for the Soul

Ravello floats 1,200 feet above the chaos. Gardens that feel like Eden. Views that ruin every other view forever. One night is magical; two nights are healing. Stay for a concert in summer or just breakfast, watching the mist burn off the valleys. Even one night breaks the coastal rhythm in the best way.

The Hidden Day-Eater Nobody Talks About: Driving & Parking

30 miles of coastline = 2–4 hours behind the wheel on a busy day.

To find a parking spot in Positano can take an hour and €40.

Buses crawl. Taxis vanish at lunch.

Every Amalfi Coast road trip needs at least one full “lost” day for traffic, wrong turns, and the moment everyone agrees to abandon the car and walk. Build that into the schedule or watch happiness evaporate.

Boat Days: The Non-Negotiable Cheat Code

One full day off the road, private or small-group, saves two days of driving stress. See the coast the way it was meant to be seen: from the water. Hidden coves, zero parking battles, swimming in neon-blue water. Schedule it mid-trip; legs rest, cameras explode, kids vote it best day ever.

Shoulder Season Superpower

April–May and mid-September–October stretch every day longer. Cars actually move. Parking exists. Restaurants have tables. The same 7-day itinerary in July needs 9–10 days just to account for heat, crowds, and sold-out ferries. Travel off-peak, and the coast hands out free bonus days.

Where to Base for Maximum Chill

• One base believers → Positano or Sorrento (7–9 days perfect)
• Two bases → Sorrento (3 nights) + Positano/Praiano (4–5 nights)
• Three bases → add Ravello or Amalfi (10+ days)

Fewer hotel switches = more vacation.

Weather Contingencies

Summer rain is rare but dramatic. Spring and fall bring occasional showers. An extra day means a rainy morning becomes cozy café time instead of a disaster.

Food Time Reality

Lunch starts at 1 p.m. and lasts until the wine bottle is empty.

Dinner never begins before 8:30 p.m.

Rushing meals on the Amalfi Coast is borderline criminal. Build slowness into the plan, or the days feel stolen.

The Math That Actually Works

• 5 days = highlights only, high stress
• 7–8 days = relaxed pace, real memories
• 10 days = full love affair with the coast
• 12+ days = locals start recognizing you at the bar

Most travelers who swear “five days were enough” either never left their hotel or are lying to themselves. The ones who return year after year? They all say the same thing: we finally stayed long enough.

So when planning the ultimate Amalfi Coast road trip to see Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, give the coastline the gift of time. Eight nights is the number where the traffic stops mattering, the views sink into your bones, and every morning still feels like Christmas.

Anything less and you’ll love it… But you’ll leave hungry.

Anything more, and the only problem becomes figuring out how to move there permanently.

That’s the real Amalfi math. Simple once someone says it out loud.

Ready to Make Your Amalfi Coast Road Trip Actually Feel Effortless?

If you're already picturing the winding roads, cliffside views, and sun-soaked towns, this is the moment to make the planning part just as smooth. Exploring Amalfi Coast takes the stress out of the journey with comfortable vehicles, local drivers who know every curve of the coastline, and custom routes that match the pace you want. It turns long drives into relaxing moments and busy days into something easy to enjoy.

If you want a road trip that feels organized, safe, and filled with the best stops along the way, their private tours are exactly what delivers that experience. This is your chance to enjoy the coast without worrying about parking, traffic, or tight schedules. Let the experts handle the road while you enjoy the views.