Amalfi Coast: Private Day Trip from Sorrento or Naples

Summary

Positano’s colors, Amalfi’s old streets, Ravello views in one relaxed day

You’ll ride along the winding Amalfi Drive with a local guide who knows every curve and story. Wander Positano’s colorful alleys, taste real lemon granita in Amalfi, breathe Ravello’s hilltop air. This private day tour lets you set your own pace — so you can linger where it feels right and leave with memories that stick around long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I booked this private Amalfi Coast day trip mostly because I was tired of figuring out buses and ferries. But the first thing that hit me wasn’t relief, it was just… curiosity. Our driver, Salvatore (born in Sorrento, quick to laugh), picked us up right at our hotel in Naples and within minutes we were winding along that famous Amalfi Drive. The sea kept flashing between lemon groves and those pastel houses stacked like someone forgot to finish their puzzle. I remember rolling down the window near Positano — you get this salty air mixed with something sweet, maybe jasmine? Or maybe it was just someone’s breakfast pastry drifting up from below.

We stopped in Positano first. Salvatore pointed out where his cousin makes sandals (“best price if you say you know me!”). I wandered down those steep lanes past linen shops and little ceramic stores — honestly, my legs still feel it. There was this moment on the beach where I just sat with a gelato (hazelnut, obviously) and watched kids chase pigeons by the water. It felt slow in a good way. The main keyword here is “private Amalfi Coast day tour” but what sticks is how nobody rushed us; we could linger as long as we wanted before heading off again.

Amalfi itself was busier but still had these pockets of quiet — like inside the cathedral, cool stone underfoot and candles flickering everywhere. Salvatore translated a bit of the plaque outside for us (“for Amalfitans who go to heaven…” — he grinned, “it’s always paradise here”). We skipped the museum but grabbed lemon granita from a street cart, which turned my tongue yellow for an hour. Then came Ravello up in the hills; cooler air, fewer people, gardens that smelled like wet earth after last night’s rain. Villa Rufolo’s view made my friend go silent for once — she just stood there squinting at the blue horizon until I nudged her to move on.

The whole drive back felt quieter somehow. Maybe it was just tiredness or maybe all those little moments settling in — laughter about my terrible Italian accent (Salvatore tried not to wince), sunlight flickering through olive branches near Conca dei Marini, that sense of being looked after without feeling smothered. So yeah, if you want a day trip from Sorrento or Naples that doesn’t feel like ticking boxes but more like slipping into someone else’s rhythm for a while… this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private Amalfi Coast Day Tour

• Pick up from hotel in Sorrento or Naples
• Drive along Amalfi Drive with photo stops
• Explore Positano: stroll streets and visit church
• Pass fishing villages Praiano, Furore, Conca Dei Marini
• Optional stop at Emerald Grotto for boat ride
• Visit Amalfi: walk Piazza Duomo and cathedral
• Relax and enjoy waterfront views in Amalfi
• Drive through Dragon Torrent Valley
• Stop in Ravello: visit gardens and villas

Top questions

How long does the private Amalfi Coast day trip last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours including all stops along the coast.

Is pickup included from hotels in Sorrento or Naples?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from both Sorrento and Naples areas.

Which towns are visited during this private tour?

You’ll visit Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello with options to stop at Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, and Atrani if you wish.

Is lunch included on this Amalfi Coast day trip?

No lunch is included but your driver can recommend restaurants based on your preference.

Are the vehicles air-conditioned?

Yes, all vehicles are Mercedes cars with air conditioning.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Are there any extra fees for tolls or parking?

No extra fees; all tolls, parking costs, petrol and taxes are included.

Can infants or small children join the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; specialized seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your private day includes hotel pickup from Sorrento or Naples in an air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle with an English-speaking driver native to the area; bottled water throughout; plus all tolls, parking fees, petrol costs and taxes covered—so you can just focus on soaking up each stop along the coast before returning comfortably at day’s end.