Winding coastal roads, the scent of lemons and views of colourful villages perched on the cliffs. There’s no better way to explore Italy’s Amalfi Coast than on a classic (red) Vespa. For three days, we rode with the wind in our hair, passing highlights such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Expect panoramic viewpoints, delicious food and the ultimate freedom on two wheels. Curious what a Vespa road trip along the Amalfi Coast is really like? In this article, we share our day-by-day itinerary, practical tips and honest experience!
How does the Vespa Trip work?
If you want to explore the Amalfi Coast, you could of course rent a scooter yourself and arrange everything independently. We opted for an organised road trip with Travelbase: The Vespa Trip. The concept is simple: enjoy the ultimate freedom of an independent road trip on a classic Italian Vespa, without spending hours planning and organising everything yourself. Travelbase takes care of the Vespa, hotel accommodation with breakfast and carefully planned routes to inspire your journey. You can access these routes through their handy app, which also features tips for local hotspots, secluded coves and scenic viewpoints along the way.
Explore at your own pace
The Vespa Trip isn’t a group tour where you’re required to ride together for three days. Although you set off on the same day as other travellers, you follow the routes entirely at your own pace. You decide when to hop on your Vespa in the morning, where to stop for a cappuccino or a photo, and how long to spend at each spot. If you’re feeling a little nervous about riding independently, you can also join the trip leaders and explore the different routes together.
Six iconic Vespa routes across Italy
The Amalfi Coast isn’t the only place where you can hop on a scooter with Travelbase. In total, they offer no fewer than six different Vespa trips in Italy: the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sardinia, Tuscany, the Dolomites, and Sicily. We chose the Amalfi Coast because of its iconic coastal route, but no matter which area you choose, the concept is the same for every trip.
Why did we choose The Vespa Trip Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast had been on our bucket list for a long time, so when we had the chance to explore Italy on a Vespa, there was only one destination that stood out: the Amalfi Coast! And a Vespa turns out to be the perfect way to discover this beautiful region. The coastal roads can get incredibly busy, especially with tour buses. By car, you’re likely to get stuck in traffic, whereas on a scooter, you can often weave your way through much more easily. And parking costs? They’re actually quite reasonable, especially if you know where to go. Our decision was an easy one, and we haven’t regretted it for a second. What an unforgettable Italian adventure!
What's included in The Vespa Trip?
A major advantage of The Vespa Trip is that all the essentials are taken care of for you. No hassle with separate hotel bookings or complicated rental agreements on arrival. Prices for The Vespa Trip Amalfi Coast start at €640 per person.
This is included as standard in your travel package:
- Rental of a 125cc Vespa (includes helmet and lock)
- Four nights in a charming place to stay
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Parking at the hotel
- On-site tour guidance
- Pre-planned itineraries and access to the Travelbase app
Flights and other transport to your destination are not included. We recommend booking a return flight to Naples, which is the nearest major airport for this trip. You can compare flight options and find the best fares using Skyscanner. When booking The Vespa Trip, you can choose to add an airport transfer and other optional extras for an additional fee. Keep in mind that lunches, dinners, excursions and fuel are also not included in the package price.
Optional extras to add to your booking
When booking your trip, you can customize it with a number of useful options:
- A ‘Start-to-Vespa’ lesson if you’ve never ridden a scooter before. It’s also highly recommended for experienced riders, as riding in Italy can be quite different!
- Early and late pickup of your Vespa.
- A GPS: we highly recommend adding this to your booking!
- Vespa Waiver: a damage waiver that automatically sets your liability to €0 and requires no deposit.
- The Lemon Tour in Sorrento.
Our Experience: The Day-to-Day Program
For three days, we rode our red Vespa along the iconic cliff roads of the Amalfi Coast, past lemon groves and right through picturesque villages. To give you a good idea of what to expect, we’ll walk you through the day-by-day itinerary below.
Day 1: Along the coast to Ravello
In the morning, we fastened our helmets, set up our GPS and were ready to hit the road. The Italian driving style took a little getting used to during the first few kilometres, but we soon found our rhythm. Within half an hour, we were navigating the first winding coastal roads. It immediately became clear why the Amalfi Coast is so captivating. The scent of lemons, panoramic views of the deep blue sea and rugged mountains, and picturesque villages clinging to the cliffs created an absolutely breathtaking scene.
Our first stop was the charming village of Positano, where colourful houses cascade down the steep hillsides towards the sea. After wandering through its atmospheric little streets and enjoying a refreshing lemon sorbet, we continued along the coast to the lively town of Amalfi. Here, we strolled along the waterfront before sitting down for lunch in the heart of town. We ended the day in Ravello, perched high in the hills. This peaceful mountain village is home to famous gardens offering some of the most spectacular views across the entire Gulf of Salerno.
Day 2: Visit to Pompeii
This day was all about culture and relaxation. After breakfast, we got ready for a fairly long drive to Pompeii, where we explored the impressive ruins on our own. It’s incredible to wander through the maze of ancient streets and see just how well history has been preserved here.
After spending hours exploring the ancient ruins under the Italian sun, we hopped back on our Vespa and headed towards our base in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. Along the way, we were more than ready for a refreshing dip in the sea. We decided to stop at Bagni della Regina Giovanna near Sorrento, a natural swimming spot tucked between rocky cliffs and ancient Roman ruins. True hidden gems are hard to come by in a popular destination like the Amalfi Coast, so this cove is no longer much of a secret. Still, it turned out to be the perfect place to end the afternoon. We found a spot on the rocks, soaked up the views and enjoyed a refreshing swim in the sea before riding the final stretch uphill back to Sant’Agata.
Day 3: Up to Monte Faito
Our final day on the Vespa was a completely different experience from the previous two. We left the coastline behind and ventured into the rugged countryside, winding our way through authentic Italian villages as we climbed towards Monte Faito. Once at the top, we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. On one side, we could see Sorrento and the iconic Mount Vesuvius, while the other revealed the stunning Amalfi Coast and the sparkling sea beyond.
In the afternoon, we made our way down to Sorrento, where you have the option to join the Lemon Tour. During this experience, you’ll wander through traditional lemon groves, learn all about local lemon cultivation and, of course, sample some locally crafted limoncello.
The hotel during the Vespa trip: Hotel ‘O Sole Mio’
One of the biggest advantages of The Vespa Trip along the Amalfi Coast is its convenient base. You’ll stay in the same place throughout the trip: Hotel ‘O Sole Mio in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. Located on a ridge between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, it’s an ideal base for exploring the region. From here, you can easily ride your Vespa to Pompeii and Sorrento, as well as along the Amalfi Coast itself.
The hotel has a lovely swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing dip after a day on the scooter under the warm Italian sun. Just a 10-minute walk away, you’ll find a small but charming town centre with several lovely restaurants to choose from.
Our favourite spots during the Vespa trip
Riding an iconic Vespa is reason enough to take this trip, but the delicious local cuisine is just as much a highlight. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its sweet Sfusato Amalfitano lemons, but the pasta and pizza are equally irresistible. Here are our favourite restaurants and food spots during The Vespa Trip along the Amalfi Coast:
- Yummy Positano: for a delicious lemon sorbet (there are two locations; go to the one on Viale Pasitea for the best view)
- Racy Bar & Cocktails In the village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi: delicious, freshly made pasta and a friendly owner
- Taverna Masaniello In Amalfi: a nice, affordable little restaurant in Amalfi—recommended: the lasagna!
- Trattoria da Luciano in Priora: Just a 15-minute scooter ride from the hotel, you'll find the authentic Italian experience
- Tana Kiosk: a simple but charming kiosk serving delicious sandwiches near the little cove at Bagni della Regina Giovanna
Practical Tips for a Vespa Trip Along the Amalfi Coast
To help you get the most out of your Vespa trip, we have a few helpful tips we'd like to share with you:
- Leave early in the morning: around 8:30–9:00 a.m., the coastal roads are still wonderfully quiet, and you’ll beat the tour buses to the popular photo spots.
- Bring a light jacket and put it in your backpack. It can get a little chilly along the coast or in the mountains.
- Be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen (especially on your neck and arms) and wear sunglasses under your helmet to protect against bright sunlight and flies.
- Wear closed-toe shoes (such as sneakers) while riding; this provides much more support and gives you better traction on the pavement. It’s also a lot safer.
