Ride the Most Beautiful Coastline in the World

Yes. In Italy, a valid Category B car driving licence allows you to ride scooters and motorcycles up to 125cc. This covers the most popular rental models including the Vespa Primavera 125 and Honda SH 125, which are more than powerful enough for the Amalfi Coast roads. EU licences are accepted directly. If your licence was issued outside the EU, you will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you should obtain in your home country before travelling. For scooters above 125cc or motorcycles, you need a dedicated Category A motorcycle licence.

Traffic levels vary dramatically by season and time of day. In July and August, the SS163 between Positano and Amalfi can be gridlocked from 10:00 to 16:00, with tour buses, taxis, and rental cars creating long queues at the narrowest points. A scooter can filter through much of this traffic, but it is still significantly slower than off-peak riding. In May, June, September, and October, traffic is much lighter and the riding experience is vastly more enjoyable. Regardless of season, the best strategy is to ride early: leaving by 08:00 gives you near-empty roads and the most beautiful morning light. The section east of Amalfi (towards Minori, Maiori, and Vietri sul Mare) is noticeably quieter than the western section at all times of year.

The SS163 Amalfi Drive is ridden daily by thousands of locals on scooters and motorcycles, and it is safe provided you ride sensibly. The road surface is well-maintained and barriers are in place on the most exposed sections. The main hazards are blind corners (use your horn before each one), tour buses that swing wide on bends, and the occasional loose gravel on the inside of turns. Ride at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see ahead, stay in your lane, and never overtake on blind corners. If you are not comfortable with mountain riding, start with the easier eastern section between Amalfi and Minori to build confidence before tackling the more demanding Positano stretch. Italian drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with scooters and will generally give you room.

Scooter parking is available in all major towns along the coast, and it is dramatically easier and cheaper than car parking. Look for designated "motocicli" bays marked with a motorcycle symbol on the ground or signpost. In Positano, free scooter parking is available near the upper road (Via Guglielmo Marconi) and in small bays near the Chiesa Nuova bus stop. In Amalfi, scooter bays are available near the harbour and along Via Lungomare dei Cavalieri. In Ravello, park near the tunnel entrance to Piazza Duomo. Never block pedestrian walkways, doorways, or disabled access ramps. While enforcement can be inconsistent, fines for illegal parking start at €42 and your scooter may be towed.

Absolutely. The distance from Amalfi to Positano is only about 18 kilometres along the SS163, which takes roughly 40 minutes of riding time without stops. A comfortable day trip would be: leave Amalfi by 09:00, stop at the Fiordo di Furore viewpoint, arrive in Positano by 10:00, spend two to three hours exploring the town and beaches, have lunch, then ride back via Praiano with a stop for coffee. You will be back in Amalfi by late afternoon with energy to spare. In fact, the short distances on the Amalfi Coast mean you could easily visit three or four towns in a single day on a scooter — something that would be extremely difficult by bus or car.

A 125cc scooter is the sweet spot for most riders on the Amalfi Coast. It has enough power to handle the steep gradients (some climbs to Ravello and Agerola are 15–20% grade) while remaining light and manoeuvrable in the tight corners and narrow streets. The Vespa Primavera 125 and Honda PCX 125 are popular choices. A 50cc scooter is fine for short, flat rides between adjacent towns (Amalfi to Atrani, for example) but will struggle on steep hills, especially with two riders. If you are riding as a pair with luggage or plan to take the mountain roads to Agerola, consider a 150cc or 300cc model for the extra torque. All of these options are available through Holidayscoot starting from €25/day.

Summer riding on the Amalfi Coast is perfectly doable but requires some planning. The biggest challenges are heat (35°C+ in July and August, with road surface temperatures much higher) and traffic congestion on the SS163. To manage both, ride early in the morning when temperatures are comfortable and roads are clear. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing that still covers your skin from the sun, apply SPF 50 sunscreen to exposed areas, and carry at least one litre of water. Take shade breaks every 60–90 minutes. In terms of traffic, the stretch between Positano and Amalfi is worst between 10:00 and 16:00; plan your route to ride this section early or late. The eastern half of the coast (Amalfi to Vietri sul Mare) remains relatively uncrowded even in peak summer.

In high season (June through September), advance booking is strongly recommended. The most popular models — particularly 125cc Vespas — sell out days or even weeks ahead in Positano and Amalfi town, and walking into a rental shop without a reservation often means accepting a less suitable scooter or paying a premium. Through Holidayscoot you can compare availability across 122+ rental partners, lock in your dates at the best price, and guarantee your preferred pickup location and scooter type. In shoulder season (April–May and October), same-day rentals are usually possible but booking 2–3 days ahead still gives you the best selection and pricing.

Scooter rental prices on the Amalfi Coast start from €25 per day for a 50cc model and €30–45 per day for a 125cc Vespa or equivalent, depending on the season and rental duration. Multi-day rentals (3+ days) typically come with a 10–20% discount. All rentals through Holidayscoot include third-party liability insurance and two helmets. Optional extras include collision damage waiver (€5–10/day), phone mounts (€2–3/day), and top cases for luggage (€3–5/day). Fuel is your responsibility but costs very little — expect to spend €5–8 on petrol per day even with extensive riding. Compared to car rental (€60–100/day plus €30–50/day for parking), a scooter is significantly more economical while offering a far better experience on these roads.

All rental partners listed on Holidayscoot provide a 24-hour emergency contact number for breakdowns. In most cases, the rental shop will either send a mechanic to your location or arrange a replacement scooter within a few hours. The main towns (Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Maiori) all have motorcycle repair workshops. For a flat tyre or minor issue, roadside assistance is usually free of charge. For accidents, call 112 (the European emergency number) first if anyone is injured, then contact the rental shop. Make sure you photograph any damage and get a police report if another vehicle is involved. Having the rental shop’s number saved in your phone and a backup written copy means you are never stranded — even in the more remote sections between villages, you are never more than 10–15 minutes from the nearest town.

The Amalfi Coast riding season runs from April through October, but the best months for scooter rental are May, June, September, and early October. These shoulder-season windows give you warm weather (22–28°C), manageable traffic, and lower rental prices. July and August bring peak tourist crowds, heavy traffic on the SS163 (especially between 10:00 and 16:00), and temperatures above 35°C that make riding in direct sun uncomfortable. If you do visit in high summer, ride early — leaving by 07:30 means you will have the roads largely to yourself until mid-morning. April can be slightly cool in the mornings and occasional rain is possible, but the wildflowers are spectacular and accommodation prices are at their lowest. The coast effectively shuts down from November through March, with many rental shops, restaurants, and hotels closed for the winter.

For scooters up to 125cc, a standard car driving licence (Category B) from any EU country is sufficient. Non-EU visitors need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their home licence. For motorcycles above 125cc, you need a Category A licence. You must be at least 18 to rent a scooter in Italy, and most rental partners require riders to be at least 21 for larger displacement bikes. The roads on the Amalfi Coast are well-maintained but extremely winding, with blind corners, narrow sections, and occasional rockfall debris. Ride defensively: SITA buses take up most of the road width on corners, and some local drivers treat the centre line as a suggestion rather than a boundary. Always use your horn before blind bends — this is standard practice on the coast, not aggressive driving. Speed limits are typically 30–50 km/h through villages and 50–70 km/h on open road sections, but the corners will naturally keep your speed in check.

Parking is one of the biggest advantages of renting a scooter on the Amalfi Coast instead of a car. In Positano, car parking fills up by 09:00 in summer and costs €6–8 per hour in the main lots near Spiaggia Grande. Scooters can park in designated motorcycle bays for free or for a nominal fee (€1–2). In Amalfi town, the main Piazza Flavio Gioia car park charges €5 per hour for cars, while scooters park in the adjacent two-wheeler area for much less. Ravello has limited parking at the top of the hill; scooters can usually find a spot near Piazza Duomo when car drivers are being turned away. As a general rule, look for the designated “motocicli” parking areas marked with a motorcycle silhouette. Never park on pavements or in front of doorways — Italian traffic police (Vigili Urbani) do issue fines, and towing a scooter is quicker than towing a car.

Petrol stations on the Amalfi Coast itself are few and far between. There is a reliable station at Maiori (Esso, on the SS163 near the seafront), one at Amalfi town (on the eastern approach), and another at Positano (near the upper road junction). The largest and cheapest stations are in Sorrento, Vietri sul Mare, and Salerno — at the eastern and western extremes of the coast road. A typical 125cc scooter has a 7–8 litre tank and gets roughly 35–40 km per litre, meaning a full tank will comfortably cover the entire coast and back with fuel to spare. Still, it is wise to top up whenever you pass a station rather than risk running low on a stretch with no facilities. Most stations accept credit cards, but carry some cash as a backup — the self-service pumps (open 24/7) at smaller stations sometimes only accept Italian bank cards.

All scooter rentals booked through Holidayscoot include mandatory third-party liability insurance as required by Italian law. This covers damage you cause to other people or property. It does not cover damage to the scooter itself or your personal injuries. Most rental partners offer optional collision damage waiver (CDW) for an additional €5–10 per day, which reduces or eliminates your liability for scooter damage. We strongly recommend taking the CDW, especially if you are riding the Amalfi Coast for the first time — scratches from tight manoeuvres and mirror clips from passing vehicles are not uncommon on these narrow roads. All rentals include two helmets. Italian law requires helmet use for all riders and passengers regardless of engine size, and police do enforce this rule with on-the-spot fines of €83 or more. Wearing closed-toe shoes, long trousers, and gloves is not legally required but strongly advised.

The most popular pickup locations for Amalfi Coast scooter rental are Sorrento, Amalfi town, and Positano. Sorrento is the most common starting point because it has excellent transport links — the Circumvesuviana train from Naples/Pompeii terminates here, and several ferry lines connect to Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Picking up in Sorrento lets you ride the full SS163 from west to east. Amalfi town is a good central base with a ferry terminal and bus connections, and is ideal if you want to explore in both directions along the coast. Positano pickups are available but slightly more limited due to the town’s steep terrain and restricted vehicle access. For visitors arriving at Naples airport (Capodichino), some rental partners offer delivery to your hotel or the Sorrento ferry port. Arrange pickup timing carefully: rental shops typically open at 08:30–09:00 and close by 18:00–19:00, and some close for lunch between 13:00 and 15:00.

The Amalfi Coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. From June through September, rain is rare — you might see one or two brief afternoon showers per month. The main weather concern in summer is heat: asphalt temperatures can exceed 50°C, making stops in the shade essential for both rider comfort and tyre grip. In spring and autumn, conditions are generally excellent for riding but you should carry a light waterproof layer. When it does rain on the coast, the roads become slippery quickly because diesel residue and limestone dust mix with the water, particularly on the first rain after a dry spell. If caught in rain, reduce speed significantly, avoid painted road markings (they become ice-like when wet), and be extra cautious on corners. Morning mist occasionally reduces visibility on the higher mountain roads above Ravello and Agerola, usually burning off by 10:00.

Your rental includes helmets, but everything else is your responsibility. Bring or wear: sunscreen (SPF 50 — the reflected sun off the sea is intense), wraparound sunglasses or a helmet visor that blocks UV, closed-toe shoes with ankle support, lightweight long trousers, and a thin wind-resistant jacket for the mountain roads where temperatures drop at altitude. A small daypack or bum bag is useful for carrying a water bottle, phone, wallet, and camera — most scooters have limited under-seat storage. If you plan to take photographs (and you will), bring a phone mount or GoPro chest mount rather than trying to hold a phone while riding. A microfibre towel is handy if you plan to stop at beaches along the way. For security, carry a photocopy of your passport and driving licence separately from the originals, and note down the rental shop’s emergency phone number in case of breakdown.