I just returned from the Amalfi Coast in May, and I must say that this is the best time to visit, along with September. The weather is pleasant – not too hot, not too humid. You can walk and visit the sights, enjoying all the beauty of the coast without getting tired of the heat.
You can also enjoy the many spa complexes between Naples and Sorrento, including Ischia. Here you will find natural complexes and many hotels with spas. May is definitely the best time because in summer it is too hot for thermal springs.
How to Avoid Crowds and Traffic
I advise you to avoid traveling along the Amalfi Coast on weekends, such as Saturdays and Sundays, as the traffic on these days is much heavier than on weekdays. There are always a lot of tourists here, because this place has become famous all over the world and there are always a lot of people.
Why a Motorcycle Is the Best Way to See the Coast
In my opinion, the best way to see the Amalfi Coast is on a motorcycle. First of all, because of parking: as those who have been here know, parking is always a problem, there are few free spaces, and paid spaces are often occupied. There is always a space for motorcycles (often free or paid, but no problem); in addition, a motorcycle pays less for parking, and parking here is quite expensive.
But it’s not just about parking, but also about traffic jams: cars are often stuck in traffic jams, especially in the area of Vico Equense, Piano di Sorrento and Sorrento (and further), where there are especially many cars. On a motorcycle, you can travel with greater maneuverability, even observing traffic rules, weaving a little between cars and, of course, reducing travel time. In addition, the pleasant climate allows you to travel on a motorcycle with maximum pleasure.
Advantages of Organized Motorcycle Tours
If you are short on time, be sure to take an organized tour. I recommend this because there is so much to do here that you can miss without a good knowledge of the area – you may not know where to stay, what the must-sees are, and what the most interesting routes are. Of course, we do motorcycle tours, this is our specialty in Italy.
Amalfi Coast Tour from Italy Moto Tours
Our organized tour of the Amalfi Coast this year was great, every place was taken. We combine this tour with several other destinations, making it truly unforgettable.
1. Naples: a day of history and culture
The first stop is Naples, a fantastic city that is worth seeing at least once in a lifetime: rich history, beautiful monuments and art finds, and a colorful historic center with streets opening up to views of the waterfront and Vesuvius. We dedicate a whole day to exploring Naples.
2. Ischia: the island of thermal bliss
Another place that we do not miss in our tours is the island of Ischia, which Leisure and Travel magazine (I think in 2021 or 2022) called the most beautiful island in the world. It is a fantastic, small island that you can drive around in one day. The same goes for the Amalfi Coast: it is a must to drive it by motorbike because of the parking problems, traffic jams and narrow roads; it is also easier and cheaper to load a motorbike on the ferry.
The ferry leaves from Naples (from the Beverello pier) or from Pozzuoli, a beautiful town on the outskirts of Naples, where there are fewer people. In an hour or so you will reach Ischia, where you can start with a visit to the beautiful Aragonese Castle near the port, and then go around the island on a motorbike, enjoying the fantastic landscapes and excellent roads, stopping at one of the thermal complexes for which Ischia is famous, for example, the Poseidon Gardens with a dozen thermal pools of different temperatures, as well as a natural sauna in a cave with natural heat. The complex is located on the seashore, and the entrance gives access to sun loungers and umbrellas. I recommend spending at least half a day there.
3. Sorrento and the Sorrento Coast
After Ischia, we go to the Sorrento Coast: returning to the mainland, we drive along the beautiful coastal road to Sorrento. The landscapes along the way are unforgettable. Sorrento is definitely worth a visit: it is a beautiful and picturesque town with a view of the sea, a rocky cliff and a mountain, and a historic center with many shops and restaurants.
4. Riding the Amalfi Coast
From Sorrento, we go to the Amalfi Coast: it is a lot of fun to ride a motorcycle, and the roads with many turns are perfect for motorcyclists. The whole coast is a spectacle, starting from Positano, whose historic center is famous all over the world (Angela Merkel and other celebrities often came here), with many tourists wanting to see the old town and the beautiful beach.
Then there is a series of wonderful places: Amalfi with a magnificent cathedral full of historical and artistic treasures, then Ravello, located higher up the mountain, famous for its gardens with an unforgettable view of the entire coast. Continuing, you will pass through towns such as Maiori and Minori, until you reach Vietri sul Mare: about sixty kilometers of beautiful coastline with fantastic views.
Logistics and Local Experts
Our organized motorcycle tour includes a support vehicle, a van, where all the riders can load their luggage and indulge in anything – you can take as many bags as you like: the van follows the tour from hotel to hotel (the tour is nomadic, with overnight stays in different places), allowing the riders to travel light and enjoy the trip, as well as buy souvenirs and bring back everything they need.
Our guides know the area very well, having led many tours here, and they know which roads are best to take: for example, there is a beautiful road crossing the mountains, very interesting for bikers, allowing you to reduce travel time and add variety to the route. It is important to know where you can safely overtake a convoy of cars, and where you should not: there are dangerous sections with blind turns, where oncoming buses can appear unexpectedly; the roads are narrow, so extra care is required.
In addition, our guides know the most picturesque places to stop and visit, the best hotels with the best value for money, and the best restaurants. An organized tour is a completely different experience, especially for those who are short on time and want to get the most out of their trip.
Summary of the Main Tips
I want to summarize the tips from this article:
- The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is spring or late summer and early autumn: from late March to late May and from late September to late October.
- If possible, avoid weekends; travel on weekdays to avoid traffic jams.
- Include in your itinerary, if you have not been there, Naples, the Sorrentine coast and the city of Sorrento. These places are a must-see because they are beautiful.
- If possible (even in one day, with one night), be sure to visit the island of Ischia, famous for its thermal springs – in my opinion, some of the best in the world.
- Travel the Amalfi Coast by motorbike – it’s the best way: less stress, excellent roads for motorcyclists.
- If you decide to go on your own, especially on your own motorbike, be careful when overtaking, as there are dangerous sections with blind corners and suddenly buses arrive: it is not always possible to return to the convoy safely.
So again, I advise you to take an organized tour, which will allow you to get the most out of it, avoid stress and loss of time, not worry about hotels, restaurants, traffic jams, parking and attractions – everything is organized at the highest level, and the costs are not much different from traveling on your own, because you save time and money.Join our September tour
I hope you can sign up for one of our tours of the Amalfi Coast (including Naples, Ischia and Sorrento): there is still an available tour on the September tour (last week of September). Visit our website to sign up or find out more.
