Sorrento to Valletta Road Trip: Italian Coast to Maltese Shores

The 1982 eruption of Mount Vesuvius was the last major one, but its shadow still looms over Sorrento. Today, you'll leave that volcanic soil behind, heading south on the A3/E45 highway toward the tip of Italy's boot.

From Sorrento to Valletta, the total driving distance is about 300 miles (480 km), but the journey includes a crucial ferry crossing from Reggio Calabria to Messina (Sicily) and another from Pozzallo to Valletta. The pure road portion takes roughly 5 hours, but with ferries and stops, allocate a full day.

The route is a study in contrasts: the lush Amalfi lemon groves, the stark Sila mountains, and the baroque cities of Sicily. Before you drive, consider our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities to enrich your journey.

The A3 (now A2) runs from Salerno to Reggio Calabria, a modern autostrada with tolls (€0.08/km). Expect light traffic except around Naples. Fill up in Salerno: fuel is cheaper on the mainland than in Sicily or Malta.

Ferries from Reggio Calabria to Messina depart every 30 minutes (€30 for a car). Book ahead in summer. From Pozzallo to Valletta, Virtu Ferries runs 2 daily crossings (€160 for car + driver).

• Toll cost: ~€40 total for the A2.
• Fuel cost: ~€70 for a full tank.
• Ferry Sicily-Malta: book at least 2 weeks ahead.

Speed cameras are common on the A2, so obey the 130 km/h limit. In Sicily, roads are well-maintained but narrow in hill towns. Use rest areas every 2 hours: the Autogrill at Lauria (exit Laino Borgo) has a park and clean toilets.

For families, the Parco Nazionale del Pollino offers easy trails. Pets are welcome in most agriturismi; the Villa San Giovanni ferry permits dogs on leash.

Hidden off-route spots: the Byzantine village of Gerace (near Locri) and the Alcantara Gorge near Messina. To avoid fatigue, plan overnight stops at Salerno (Hotel Cilento) and Catania (Hotel Excelsior).

From Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast offers terraced lemon groves and turquoise coves. The A2 then cuts through the Pollino National Park, where dramatic limestone peaks rise above oak forests.

In Sicily, the Ionian coast is lined with olive groves and palm trees. Stop at Taormina (€10 entrance to the Greek Theatre) for a view of Mount Etna.

UNESCO sites abound: the Historic Centre of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, the Sassi di Matera (a slight detour), and the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.

Local commerce thrives on the roadside: agriturismi selling mozzarella di bufala, and Sicilian ceramic workshops in Caltagirone.