Amalfi Coast Road Trip: 10 Must-See Stops & Tips for 3 Days

My husband and I spent 3½ days exploring the Amalfi Coast in May. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, you truly can’t go wrong with any corner of Italy — but there’s something particularly lush and otherworldly about the Amalfi coastline. In 3 days we explored Positano, Sorrento, Salerno, Amalfi, Ravello, and Bomerano, and I honestly could have stayed for a month.

New to points & miles? Grab my free Beginner’s Guide HERE — including how to fly to Italy for nearly free!

Here are my tips for the Amalfi Coast, based on our own experience — updated for 2025/2026. I hope they help!

How to Fly to the Amalfi Coast on Points

The closest major airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples (NAP). You can also fly into Rome (FCO) and drive south — about 3 hours — which is what we did and loved. Here are the best ways to get there on points:

Option 1: Air France Flying Blue (Best for Families — My Top Pick)

Flying Blue is hands-down one of the best programs for flying a family to Europe. Air France and KLM both fly into Naples and Rome, and Flying Blue prices economy award seats from the US to Europe starting around 25,000 miles each way per person. With a family of 4, that’s 100,000 miles round-trip in economy — very achievable with a couple of sign-up bonuses.

What makes Flying Blue especially great for families is their Promo Rewards program — every single month, they release discounted award seats on select routes, sometimes 25–50% off the standard price. Economy seats from US cities like New York, Chicago, and Dallas to Europe regularly pop up for as low as 18,750 miles each way during promos. Check flyingblue.com monthly or sign up for alerts.

How to earn Flying Blue miles without flying:

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Flying Blue at 1:1
Capital One miles transfer to Flying Blue at 1:1
Citi ThankYou Points transfer to Flying Blue at 1:1
Bilt Rewards transfer to Flying Blue at 1:1
The Air France–KLM World Elite Mastercard earns Flying Blue miles directly

Option 2: United Miles / Star Alliance (Fly into Rome or Naples)

United MileagePlus miles work great for flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, or ITA Airways (Italy’s flag carrier, now part of the Star Alliance Lufthansa group). You can also use Air Canada Aeroplan (transfers from Chase, Capital One, and Amex at 1:1) for Star Alliance flights with no fuel surcharges — one of the best-value programs for transatlantic travel.

Option 3: American Airlines AAdvantage / Oneworld

AA miles work on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and other Oneworld partners flying into Rome or Naples. Transfers from Citi ThankYou and Bilt to AA make this accessible.

💡 Pro Tip: Fly into Rome, rent a car, and drive the scenic route down to the Amalfi Coast. It takes about 3 hours and is absolutely beautiful. That’s what we did — and it meant we got to experience Rome AND the coast in one trip.

1. Renting a Car — What’s Changed Since We Visited

I still highly recommend renting a car for this road trip. Driving the Amalfi Coast with the windows down and the Mediterranean below you is one of those experiences you just can’t replicate on a bus. That said, there are some important updates from when we first made this trip that you need to know about before you go.

Do You Still Need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Yes — and you should still get one. Italian law technically requires non-EU drivers to carry an IDP alongside their US license. In practice, rental car agents don’t always ask for it, and you may never be stopped — but if you are pulled over and don’t have one, the fine starts at €408. An IDP from AAA costs about $20–$40, takes 5–7 weeks by mail (allow more time in 2025), and is valid for one year. It’s cheap insurance. Get it before you leave — you cannot obtain one once you’re already in Italy.

⚠️ Important: New Driving Restrictions on the Amalfi Coast (2025)

This is a major update from when I originally wrote this post. The Italian government now enforces an alternating license plate system on the main coastal road (SS163 Amalfitana) from Easter week through September, active between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.:

Cars with odd-numbered license plates drive on odd-numbered dates
Cars with even-numbered license plates drive on even-numbered dates

The catch? You won’t know your rental car’s plate number until you pick it up — making it impossible to plan in advance which days you can drive. Hotel guests are exempt and can access their accommodation regardless of plate number by showing their reservation. Always confirm the current rules with your hotel or rental company before your trip, as regulations are updated seasonally.

My advice for 2025/2026: If you’re visiting in peak summer (June–August), seriously consider basing yourself in Sorrento or Positano and using a combination of ferries and SITA buses for day trips along the coast. The ferries in particular are spectacular — stunning sea views, no traffic, no parking headaches. For shoulder season (May or September/October), driving is much more manageable and the restrictions matter less.

ZTL Zones — Don’t Get a Surprise Fine at Home

Most towns on the Amalfi Coast have ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas) in their historic centers. Cameras photograph every plate that enters without a permit, and fines arrive by mail months later — sometimes after you’re already home. If you’re staying at a hotel inside a ZTL zone, your hotel can register your plate. Do not follow Google Maps blindly — it will route you into ZTL zones without warning.

The Drive Itself

They drive on the right side of the road in Italy. Italian drivers are aggressive, fast, loud, and they love the horn. There will be hand gestures. Some friendly, some not. I loved every bit of it. Once you’re out of the big cities, the pace slows down and the scenery takes over. If you can handle a confident drive on a narrow, cliff-hugging road, it is absolutely worth it.

If you can’t drive stick, request an automatic — and then request it again.

2. Where to Stay: Positano (And Points Options!)

Stay in Positano. I know Sorrento is cheaper and a little less touristy, but you have to experience Positano at least once. The views from virtually anywhere in town — day or night — are just breathtaking. The pathways winding down through the cliffs, the pastel buildings, the boats bobbing below — it really is as beautiful as the pictures suggest.

Points Hotel Options Near the Amalfi Coast

Here’s the honest truth about points hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Positano itself has very few chain hotel redemption options. The coast is dominated by small independent boutique properties and luxury family-run hotels — which are wonderful but not bookable with points. However, here are your best strategies:

Option A: Hilton Sorrento Palace (Best Points Value — Hilton Honors) The Hilton Sorrento Palace is the best points redemption in the area. It sits on a hillside above Sorrento overlooking the Bay of Naples, about 30 minutes from the Amalfi Coast by car or ferry. It has six outdoor pools, stunning Bay of Naples views, multiple restaurants, a kids’ club, and tennis courts — and it’s bookable with Hilton Honors points. A Hilton card sign-up bonus can easily cover multiple nights here. From the port of Sorrento (just a 5-minute drive), you can catch ferries directly to Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. This is a smart base for families especially — you get the full-service resort experience and easy access to everything on the coast.

Option B: Use Capital One Miles as a Travel Eraser If you want to stay in a boutique Positano hotel (like we did) and don’t want to compromise on the experience, use Capital One Venture or Venture X miles to erase the hotel charge from your statement at 1 cent per mile. Book the hotel directly, pay with your Capital One card, then use the Purchase Eraser to offset the cost. The Venture X sign-up bonus alone (75,000 miles) can erase $750 off a Positano hotel stay — a meaningful chunk in a destination where boutique hotels can run $300–$600/night in peak season.

Option C: Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel For a truly bucket-list splurge, this is a 13th-century monastery built into the cliffs above Amalfi’s harbor — stunning doesn’t even cover it. It’s not bookable with traditional hotel points, but you can use Capital One miles as a travel eraser here too. Worth knowing about if you want one special-occasion night.

3. Have a Drink at the San Pietro di Positano Hotel

This is one of the most glamorous hotels on the entire Amalfi Coast — very pricey to stay in, but absolutely worth a stop even if you’re not a guest. Walk onto their scenic terrace for a morning coffee or afternoon drink and take in the view. The setting is extraordinary.

Here’s a link to the hotel website if you want to check it out.

4. Drink Wine and Eat loads of Carbs in the Amalfi Coast!

I’m probably going to catch heat from some judgy people for this, but I have to be honest. I had a very occasional glass of red wine while in Positano — yes, I was 5 months pregnant with Jimmie at the time, but he is now a very happy and healthy kid, so I can say with confidence it was absolutely worth it. I mean, I was in Italy. The guilt-free carb binge, though, completely made up for holding back on the wine. 😄 As they say — when in Rome! (Or, in our case, Positano.)

The food on the Amalfi Coast is spectacular. Fresh seafood, house-made pasta, local tomatoes, and lemons the size of softballs. Don’t rush meals here. Sit outside, order a second pasta, and stay for the view.

5. Hike the Path of the Gods Trail

The Sentiero degli Dei — “Path of the Gods” — is arguably one of the best hikes in the entire world. The trail runs from Nocelle to Bomerano (about 3.5 miles one way) and takes up to 3 hours. The views over the coast and the Tyrrhenian Sea are absolutely unreal. I loved this hike so much I wrote a separate post about it — click here for my full Path of the Gods guide, including tips on where to start, what to wear, and what to expect.

Tips for Hiking the Path of the Gods in 2025

Start early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds — this trail has become much more popular in recent years and can get busy by mid-morning in peak season. Most people hike east to west (Bomerano to Nocelle) since the trailhead at Bomerano is accessible by bus from Amalfi. Wear proper hiking shoes — not flip flops — the terrain is rocky and uneven in places. Bring more water than you think you need.

6. Drive (or Ferry) to Ravello

Ravello is a quiet hilltop resort town about an hour east of Positano, perched dramatically above the coast. It’s known for its cliff-side gardens and outdoor concerts in the summer. We explored it one evening and stumbled on a resort with a pool overlooking the ocean, live music, food, and drinks for sunset. Pure magic.

Worth knowing: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are Ravello’s famous historic gardens — both offer incredible views and are worth the small entrance fee. The Ravello Festival runs through the summer with classical music and performances set against the clifftop backdrop.

7. Walk the Marina in the town of Amalfi

You have to visit the actual town of Amalfi — it’s one of the most historic towns on the coast and sits much closer to the water than the clifftop towns surrounding it. Finding parking can take a minute, but once you do, stroll the marina before heading inland. You’ll find sidewalk cafés, locals selling fresh lemons for limoncello, and the stunning 9th-century Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea towering over the main piazza. Don’t miss it.

💡 Tip: The town of Amalfi also has a ferry dock — if you’re dealing with driving restrictions, you can leave your car in Sorrento or Positano and hop a ferry to Amalfi for the day. It’s a beautiful ride and way less stressful than navigating the SS163 in peak season.

8. Have lunch at the Foreigner’s Club in Srrento

This was a tip from a close family friend, and it did not disappoint. After wandering through Sorrento’s back alley streets, we finally found this restaurant with a view that knocked us flat. The terrace is huge with 180-degree views — most of it showcasing Vesuvius in the distance. The food and live entertainment made it one of the best lunches of the trip.

9. Explore the town of Positano

Even if you’re just passing through and not staying, spend real time in Positano. All the pathways from the main road at the top of the hill wind down (in some variation) to the beach. Getting lost among the miniature walkways, tiny boutiques, and cliffside restaurants is the whole point. The town is small enough that there’s no wrong turn — just keep following the stairs down toward the water.

10. Take a day trip to Capri or Pompei

I desperately wanted to take a boat from Positano to Capri for the day — but the seas were too rough the day we planned it. We went to Pompeii instead and, despite the initial disappointment, I’m really glad we went. The ancient ruins of Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE, are genuinely one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Allow at least 3–4 hours to walk the site properly.

Capri Day Trip Tips (Updated 2025)

If the weather cooperates, do not skip Capri. The boat from Positano takes about 40 minutes. Once on the island, take the funicular up to Capri town, wander the boutiques and piazzas, and if you can swing it, book a boat tour of the Blue Grotto (book in advance — it sells out). Capri is touristy but absolutely worth it. Go early to beat the day-tripper crowds that arrive around midday. The island genuinely gets quieter and more magical in the late afternoon once day visitors start heading back.

In my opinion, the Amalfi Coast belongs on everyone’s bucket list. The views, the culture, the food, the history — there is just so much to appreciate in such a small stretch of coastline. Have you been? What was your favorite stop? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to know!

Happy Travels! ✈️

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About the Author

Lauren is a CPA and former Controller with nearly 20 years of experience in the points & miles world. She discovered early on that travel rewards is really just a math problem in disguise — and she’s been quietly turning everyday spending into nearly-free bucket list vacations for her family of 4 ever since. No gimmicks, no debt, just a simple and sustainable system. Start here to learn how she does it, or browse her free guides & resources to get started today.