Photo: Ryan Ancill / Unsplash
About This Route
The SS163 Amalfitana follows the cliff-bound coast through Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori and Vietri sul Mare. The scenery is exceptional, but this is a slow shared road where buses, scooters, delivery vehicles and village traffic matter more than outright cornering speed.
Route plan
- Meta to PositanoApproach the SS163 from the Sorrento peninsula and cross the ridge toward Positano. The road narrows quickly; use signed parking rather than attempting to stop on the carriageway.
- Positano to AmalfiThis is the signature cliff section through Praiano and Conca dei Marini. Expect blind bends, short tunnels and buses that need most of the road on tight corners.
- Amalfi to MaioriContinue east through Atrani, Minori and Maiori. Settlements come close together, so the ride becomes urban and pedestrian-heavy despite the coastal setting.
- Maiori to Vietri sul MareThe eastern section is less famous but still exposed and curving. Vietri provides a logical finish with onward access toward Salerno; returning the same way can double the traffic workload.
What the road is really like
The SS163 is technically demanding at low speed. Rock walls, balconies and buildings restrict visibility, while scooters filter through queues and coaches may stop both directions. It rewards smooth throttle control and patience, not a fast pace.
Surface quality varies around repairs and villages, and wet limestone sections can feel polished. Viewpoints are scarce relative to demand, so decide where to stop before riding. Looking for an improvised pull-off while moving is one of the route's avoidable risks.
Planning the day
Ride on a weekday shortly after sunrise in spring or autumn. Fifty kilometres can take several hours once traffic and stops are included. A useful alternative is to ride one way and check whether a suitable seasonal ferry can handle your onward plan; never assume motorcycles are accepted without confirming with the operator.
Access measures on the SS163 are issued seasonally and can include alternate-number-plate days, time windows and local exemptions. The rules can change year to year, so check the current ordinance rather than relying on an older travel article.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Sorrento, Amalfi. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Positano, Ravello are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Tour buses; Scooter traffic; Tight corners.
- Extremely narrow
- Tour bus traffic
- Sheer drops
- The Amalfi coast road (SS163) has seasonal alternate-plate traffic limits in peak season (motorcycles are currently exempt, but rules are set yearly) and severe summer gridlock — check current conditions.
Who this route suits
Amalfi Coast Cliffside Ride works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Touring, Adventure, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Ride early morning or evening
- Visit Positano and Ravello
- Take the ferry one way