Ultimate 7-Day Coastal Road Trip Through Italy

From Cinque Terre to the Amalfi Coast: Beaches, Cliffs, and Culture

Italy’s dramatic coastline offers one of Europe’s most scenic road trip experiences — think colorful cliffside villages, turquoise bays, fresh seafood, and centuries of culture. This 7-day itinerary takes you from the Italian Riviera in the north all the way to the Amalfi Coast, passing through stunning coastal regions like Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania.

Total distance: ±950 km

Recommended travel season: May to September

Road Trip Overview

Day	Route	Distance	Drive Time
1	Genoa → Cinque Terre	90 km	1.5 hrs
2	Explore Cinque Terre	–	Local train or ferry
3	Cinque Terre → Pisa → Livorno	110 km	2 hrs
4	Livorno → Orbetello (Tuscany coast)	170 km	2.5 hrs
5	Orbetello → Rome (via Anzio)	160 km	3 hrs
6	Rome → Naples → Sorrento	250 km	3.5 hrs
7	Amalfi Coast loop (Positano, Ravello, Amalfi)

Day 1 – Start in Genoa & Drive to Cinque Terre

Distance: 90 km

Drive Time: 1.5 hours

Start your adventure in Genoa, the capital of Liguria. Wander through the historical port area, try focaccia Genovese, and visit the impressive Palazzo Reale or Aquarium of Genoa.

Suggested Hotel:

https://trip.tpo.lu/yQP1wSbp

Amazing view

Cars are not allowed in the villages, so park in La Spezia or Levanto and use the train or ferry.

Day 2 – Explore the Cinque Terre

No driving today — enjoy Italy’s most iconic coastal region.

Highlights:

Riomaggiore: colorful harbor & Via dell’Amore
Manarola: sunset views, wine tasting
Corniglia: panoramic views & fewer tourists
Vernazza: castle ruins and beach
Monterosso: the only village with a proper sandy beach

Excursion:

Hike the Sentiero Azzurro trail between villages (requires a pass)
Take a GetYourGuide boat tour along the coast
Try a pesto cooking class in Monterosso

Day 3 – Cinque Terre → Pisa → Livorno

Distance: 110 km

Drive Time: 2 hours

Head south along the Tuscany coast.

Stop 1: Pisa

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Campo dei Miracoli
Grab lunch in the old town or riverside

Stop 2: Livorno

Stroll through the Venezia Nuova canals
Dine on cacciucco (Tuscan seafood stew)
Catch sunset at Terrazza Mascagni

Excursion:

https://trip.tpo.lu/O8Aqrgw3

Book hotel with pool and beautifull view

Day 4 – Livorno → Orbetello (Southern Tuscany)

Distance: 170 km

Drive Time: 2.5 hours

Today you’ll drive past sunflower fields, pine forests, and coastal vineyards en route to the Maremma coast — a lesser-known gem of Tuscany.

Stop en route:

Castiglione della Pescaia: charming fishing town with a medieval castle

Final Destination:

Orbetello

Set on a lagoon between two coastlines, near Monte Argentario peninsula.

What to Do:

Swim or kayak in Feniglia Beach
Visit Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano
Hike Forte Filippo for panoramic views

Stay:

https://trip.tpo.lu/7iws7ybn

Day 5 – Orbetello → Anzio → Rome

Distance: 160 km

Drive Time: ±3 hours

Continue south along the Tyrrhenian coast, passing natural parks and beach towns.

Stop:

Anzio

WWII history (Allied landing site)
Fish lunch by the marina
Visit Villa Nero or relax on Grotte di Nerone beach

Final stop:

Rome

(Optional: stay on the beach in

Lido di Ostia

if you prefer coast over city)

Hotel in Rome:

Suite met Jacuzzi

https://trip.tpo.lu/CWDimwza

Optional Excursions:

Day 6 – Rome → Naples → Sorrento

Distance: 250 km

Drive Time: ±3.5 hours

Take the scenic drive south to Campania, Italy’s region of volcanoes, pizza and seaside towns.

Stop:

Naples

Try authentic Neapolitan pizza at Da Michele or Sorbillo
Visit Castel dell’Ovo or the Underground Naples tour
Optional: Pompeii visit en route

Final destination:

Sorrento

Cliffside town overlooking the Bay of Naples
Gateway to the Amalfi Coast

Hotel Tip:

https://trip.tpo.lu/iPBp7ddB

sea view + pool

Day 7 – Amalfi Coast Drive (Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello)

Distance: 70 km

Drive Time: ±2.5 hours (without stops — expect traffic)

A winding cliffside road connects the world-famous villages of the Costiera Amalfitana.

Stop 1:

Positano

Colorful vertical village
Stylish boutiques & famous Spiaggia Grande beach
Grab breakfast and coffee by the sea

Stop 2:

Amalfi

Historic center with Duomo di Amalfi
Try local limoncello
Ferry rides available back to Sorrento

Stop 3:

Ravello

Elevated terrace town with epic views
Visit Villa Cimbrone Gardens and Villa Rufolo
Classical concerts in summer

Overnight Suggestion:

https://trip.tpo.lu/O9c2g6ug

– infinity pool with panoramic view

Optional Add-ons (Extra Days)

Capri Island – Day trip from Sorrento (ferry)
Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius – Historical & volcano experience
Calabria extension – Continue road trip to Tropea for untouched beaches

Road Trip Tips

Avoid driving in central cities: Use hotels with parking just outside the city center
ZTL zones: Don’t enter unless you have permission (Italy fines heavily)
Download offline Google Maps + Waze
Toll Roads (Autostrade): Expect about €40–€60 in total
Fuel Costs: Around €1.85–2.05 per liter in 2025

What to Pack

Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
Breathable summer clothing
Beachwear + flip flops
Water shoes (for rocky coves)
Lightweight daypack for hikes
Driving license + insurance
Total Trip Summary
MetricTotal Total Distance±950 km Total Drive Time~15–17 hours Overnights6 unique coastal regions Top ExperiencesCinque Terre hike, Pisa tower, Amalfi sunset, Vesuvius, Positano beach Final ThoughtsItaly’s coastline is a masterpiece — and a road trip is the ultimate way to enjoy it. From Riviera cliffs to Amalfi lemon groves, each turn reveals a postcard-perfect view, a secret cove, or a hilltop town waiting to be explored.So grab your keys, open the windows, turn on an Italian playlist, and let the coast lead you.

Ultimate 7-Day Coastal Road Trip Through Italy

<img decoding="async" alt="🚘" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f698/72.png"> Road Trip Overview

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 1 – Start in Genoa & Drive to Cinque Terre

<img decoding="async" alt="🏨" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3e8/72.png"> Suggested Hotel:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 2 – Explore the Cinque Terre

<img decoding="async" alt="🏞" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3de/72.png"> Highlights:

<img decoding="async" alt="🚶‍♂️" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6b6_200d_2642_fe0f/72.png"> Excursion:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 3 – Cinque Terre → Pisa → Livorno

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop 1: Pisa

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop 2: Livorno

<img decoding="async" alt="🎟" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f39f/72.png"> Excursion:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 4 – Livorno → Orbetello (Southern Tuscany)

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop en route:

<img decoding="async" alt="🌊" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f30a/72.png"> Final Destination:

Orbetello

<img decoding="async" alt="🏖" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3d6/72.png"> What to Do:

<img decoding="async" alt="🏨" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3e8/72.png"> Stay:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 5 – Orbetello → Anzio → Rome

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop:

Anzio

Final stop:

Rome

(Optional: stay on the beach in

Lido di Ostia

if you prefer coast over city)

<img decoding="async" alt="🏨" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3e8/72.png"> Hotel in Rome:

Optional Excursions:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 6 – Rome → Naples → Sorrento

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop:

Naples

Final destination:

Sorrento

<img decoding="async" alt="🏨" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3e8/72.png"> Hotel Tip:

<img decoding="async" alt="🗓" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f5d3/72.png"> Day 7 – Amalfi Coast Drive (Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello)

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop 1:

Positano

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop 2:

Amalfi

<img decoding="async" alt="🛑" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f6d1/72.png"> Stop 3:

Ravello

<img decoding="async" alt="🏨" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f3e8/72.png"> Overnight Suggestion:

<img decoding="async" alt="📌" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f4cc/72.png"> Optional Add-ons (Extra Days)

<img decoding="async" alt="🚗" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f697/72.png"> Road Trip Tips

<img decoding="async" alt="📦" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f4e6/72.png"> What to Pack

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Road Trip Overview

Day 1 – Start in Genoa & Drive to Cinque Terre

Suggested Hotel:

Day 2 – Explore the Cinque Terre

Highlights:

Excursion:

Day 3 – Cinque Terre → Pisa → Livorno

Stop 1: Pisa

Stop 2: Livorno

Excursion:

Day 4 – Livorno → Orbetello (Southern Tuscany)

Stop en route:

Final Destination:

What to Do:

Stay:

Day 5 – Orbetello → Anzio → Rome

Stop:

Hotel in Rome:

Day 6 – Rome → Naples → Sorrento

Stop:

Hotel Tip:

Day 7 – Amalfi Coast Drive (Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello)

Stop 1:

Stop 2:

Stop 3:

Overnight Suggestion:

Optional Add-ons (Extra Days)

Road Trip Tips

What to Pack