Amalfi Coast by bike

Day 1: Salerno – Cetara/Vietri (8 – 10 km)
Individual arrival at Salerno Train Station and private transfer to one of the most eastern villages of the Amalfi Coast, Vietri sul Mare, renowned for its colorful table ware ceramics or the nearby fishermen’s village of Cetara. Hotel check-in and bicycles delivery. In the evening you may go for a stroll through the historical centre and have dinner in a nearby restaurant. In case you arrive early you can take your bicycles for a short ride either to Vietri or Cetara.

Day 2: Cetara/Vietri – Minori – Atrani – Ravello – Amalfi (25 – 35 km)
On the first day of your trip on the Amalfi Coast, you will head to the splendid medieval Amalfi, following the beautiful winding coastal road, defined by some as ‘the most scenic ride in the world’. In case you did not visit it the day before, your first stop may be in the idyllic village of Cetara, named after the Roman ‘cetus’, tuna fish. Take your time for a cup of coffee or a cappuccino at the little bar near the tiny port overlooking the colorful fishermen’s boats lying on the white sandy beach. The itinerary then continues towards Capo d’Orso, the highest point of the road, and a wonderful outlook on the whole of the Amalfi Coast and Capri. After admiring the view, you continue downhill on a beautiful winding road through lemon groves, forests and dramatic cliffs, until you arrive at Maiori, the biggest town on the coast. A short stretch around the headland brings you to Minori, with its nice little centre and a beautiful seaside boulevard.  Then you continue with a short climb towards Castiglione, once part of the defense system of the Amalfi Republic. Here you have the choice if cycling up to Ravello, which is quite a climb, or continuing to Amalfi where you can leave your bicycles at the hotel and then take a bus to Ravello. After passing Castiglione you will cycle through the little village of Atrani, with its whitewashed houses and arrive in Amalfi itself, your base for the night. In the evening a private boat will bring you to a nice restaurant located in a beautiful little bay.

Day 3: Amalfi – Praiano – Positano – Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi (32 km)
Today you will explore the second half of the dramatic ‘Strada Amalfitana’ from Amalfi to the town of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, located on the very ridge of the peninsula and offering wide views both on the Amalfitan and Sorrentine coasts. You start with a short ride from Amalfi to Positano, easily the most scenic – and mundane – of the towns of the Amalfi Coast. Shortly after Amalfi you will pass by the scenic Grotta Azzurra and the spectacular fjord of Furore, a deep canyon opening up to the sea in which a small fishermen’s villages clings to the rocky cliffs. When arriving in Positano, make sure you cycle down into town towards the beach from where you can explore its scenic and colorful alleys on foot. After Positano the scenery becomes wilder and more rugged and there is a good climb to reach the Colli di San Pietro, beautifully located on the ridge separating the Amalfi Coast from the rest of the Sorrentine Peninsula. A short flat stretch then brings you to your hotel in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. After settling at the hotel you can relax and enjoy a hearty meal in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 4: Sant’Agata – Positano (37 – 48 km)
On the first stretch of the road after leaving your hotel this morning you can admire not only the wonderful panorama over the coast towards Capri, but also enjoy the view of the plain stretching out towards Naples, dominated by Mount Vesuvius. You now cycle on the plateau high above the coast towards the very end of the peninsula, Punta Campanella. From the very last village, Termini, you have a great view on the island of Capri. For those who feel like it there is the possibility to descend towards the delightful beach of Marina del Cantone and up again. A stop in Nerano to visit the beautiful Baia di Ieranto is highly recommended. You then return along the northern coast, with wonderful views of the Bay of Naples and again Mount Vesuvius, through the charming village of Massa Lubrense. For those who want it is possible to make a detour to the seaside resort of Sorrento, perched on high vertical limestone cliffs above the sea, and visit its city walls and the old town centre with its wonderful gardens and villas. Alternatively you turn inland again shortly before reaching Sorrento and climb slowly up to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi again. From Sant’Agata it is then only a short flat ride to the Colle di San Pietro and then all the way down again to Positano. Whizzing down this part of the road just before sunset, looking out over splendid Positano is a wonderful experience, definitely one of the nicest stretches to do on a bike worldwide! Once arrived at your hotel in Positano, you can relax and settle in before heading into town for dinner. Dinner is on your own tonight, you have the choice of several different pizzerias and restaurants catering for the most diverse budgets.

Day 5: Positano – Vietri – Salerno (40 km)
On your last cycling day you head back in the opposite direction from Positano to Salerno. You have the opportunity to admire once more the nature, culture and atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast’s most famous settings. Take your time for a last look at the Duomo di Amalfi, stop for a coffee in Atrani’s marvellous town square, have a pastry at one of Minori’s bakeries or stop for a cold drink on a terrace overlooking Maiori’s ample seaside boulevard. Savor the amazing scenery while cycling towards Cetara and stop for a closer look at Vietri’s colourful table ware ceramics. Then you have the choice to either end the ride in Cetara – and spend a last afternoon on the beach – or to cycle down into the city of Salerno. Here you may climb up to the medieval castle overlooking it or just explore the maze of little alleys of the historical centre, dotted with many little artisanal shops, visit its surprising Botanical Garden, or simply have an ice cream on the town’s “lungomare”. In the evening you are free to go out and find a suitable restaurant to end your wonderful trip through one of Italy’s most delightful coastal areas.

Day 6: Salerno/Vietri/Cetara
End of services after breakfast.