I showed up on the Amalfi Coast expecting limoncello, lemon groves, and enough pasta to fuel a week of stair climbing. What I didn’t expect was a cheese trail that would reshape my entire understanding of this stretch of coastline. Tramonti, a town perched in the hills above Amalfi, is where it happens — and it’s worth giving a full day to, no question.
If you love cheese, wine, and want one day on the Amalfi Coast that feels nothing like the crowded waterfront, this vintage car tour into Tramonti is it. Book it, plan around it, and don’t rush the day.
Food lovers
Couples
Solo travelers who want a small group
The green soul of the Amalfi Coast
Tramonti sits inland from Amalfi, and most visitors miss it entirely. That’s sort of the point. Locals call it the “green soul” of the Amalfi Coast — lush, agricultural, and quiet in a way the coastal towns simply aren’t. The tour starts at Gran Caffè in Amalfi at 9:00 AM, and from there you’re driven up into the hills in a vintage car. The whole experience runs about 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on the day.
What the tour actually looks like
You get two core tastings, each about an hour, plus the drive itself, which is a highlight on its own.
The first stop is at a local dairy, Azienda Agricola Antonia Rastelli, for a one-hour cheese tasting. You sample regional cheeses including creamy mozzarella and tangy pecorino, and the staff walks you through the production process — centuries-old recipes, the terroir of the hills, the whole thing. It’s not a quick sample-and-go setup. You sit, you taste, you ask questions.
If you have dietary restrictions, vegan or lactose-free options are available on request. Mention it when you book.
From there, the tour continues to Cantina Tagliafierro for a one-hour wine tasting focused on Tintore wine, a local varietal you don’t find much outside this area. You try three distinct Tintore wines — a robust red with berry notes, a crisp white with citrus and floral aromas, and a lightly sparkling rosé. Each is paired with local delicacies that shift with the season.
The vintage car ride itself is part of the draw. The driver navigates narrow, winding mountain roads, and the views open up over the Tyrrhenian Sea, Naples, and Mount Vesuvius. You get photo stops on the return to Amalfi. The group size is capped at three participants, so it stays personal — you’re not piled into a van with strangers.
What to know before you book
A few practical details matter here more than usual because of the vintage car and the terrain.
The tour costs roughly $230 to $244 per person. It includes the vintage car ride, the cheese tasting, the wine tasting, and admission to both the dairy and the winery. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, but the booking itself is non-refundable outside that window. If weather forces cancellation, you get a full refund or can reschedule.
This tour is not suitable for travelers with mobility issues. The vintage car is small, and the terrain in Tramonti is mountainous with uneven surfaces at the dairy and winery. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.
You don’t need cash for the tour itself — the price covers the main activities — but it’s a good idea to bring some for any local purchases along the way. The tour is hosted in English and Spanish, and the meeting point at Gran Caffè in Amalfi is easy to reach by bus or ferry. Most guests book about 52 days in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute if you have a specific date in mind.
Arrive at Gran Caffè a little early. Grab a coffee, watch the morning activity on the square, and settle in before the vintage car pulls up. It sets a relaxed tone for the day.
How does this compare to other Amalfi Coast food tours?
Most food tours on the coast stick to the waterfront — limoncello tastings, seafood lunches, maybe a cooking class. This one goes inland, which changes everything. You get the agricultural side of the region instead of the tourist side.
If you’ve done a standard Amalfi food tour before, this won’t feel like a repeat. It’s a different landscape, different products, and a much smaller group.
Can I bring my kids?
The tour doesn’t have age restrictions, but the small vintage car and wine-focused tasting make it a better fit for adults. If you’re traveling with kids, consider whether they’ll sit through a one-hour wine pairing. My kids would not have lasted.
That said, the cheese tasting is more kid-friendly — mozzarella and pecorino are easy sells — so if your children are older and curious, it could work. Check with the provider directly.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, the provider will cancel and offer a full refund or an alternative date. Since the vintage car is open to the elements and the tastings are at outdoor-adjacent venues, rain genuinely affects the experience.
Check the forecast before you book, and don’t plan this as a rainproof backup day. It’s best in clear weather when the views from the mountain roads are unobstructed.
Is this really worth a full day?
The tour itself runs 4.5 to 5 hours. But I’d argue the full day is what you should give it — and here’s why. You start in Amalfi, which you’ll want to explore a bit before the tour. Then after you return, you’re back in Amalfi with the afternoon and evening ahead of you. That’s time for the cathedral, a walk along the waterfront, a relaxed dinner.
Trying to cram this into a half-day and then race somewhere else defeats the point. Let the tour be the spine of your day, and let the rest fill in naturally around it.
- Book the vintage tour from Amalfi to Tramonti for cheese and wine tastings — it’s a 4.5-5 hour small-group experience capped at 3 people.
- Plan a full day around it: morning in Amalfi, the tour midday, and the afternoon/evening back in Amalfi at a relaxed pace.
- Not suitable for mobility issues due to the small vintage car and uneven terrain at the dairy and winery.
- Book about 52 days in advance and check the weather — the tour is best in clear conditions and cancellations due to weather are fully refundable.
Why this day changed how I see the Amalfi Coast
I came to the Amalfi Coast expecting to spend my days shoulder-to-shoulder with crowds at the waterfront. Instead, I spent one of my best days in the hills, eating cheese at a family dairy and drinking wine I’d never heard of, driven around by someone who clearly loved the landscape. That’s the version of the coast I’ll remember. If you’re planning your own trip and want more ideas for building a slower, more personal itinerary, take a look at this Amalfi Coast road trip guide — it pairs well with a day like this one.
Sources and further reading
The Abroad Guide. “Amalfi Coast Vintage Tour with Cheese and Wine Tastings.” 🔗
World Tourism. “Amalfi Coast Vintage Tour with Cheese and Wine Tastings.” 🔗
Power Traveller. “Amalfi Coast Vintage Tour with Cheese and Wine Tastings.” 🔗
Flipflops Included. “One Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Salerno: Your Quieter Amalfi Coast Escape — A practical guide to using Salerno as a less crowded base for exploring the coast, with transport tips and local spots.
Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast: Which Italian Hike is Better? — A direct comparison of hiking on both coasts to help you decide which fits your travel style.
Vettica Maggiore’s Church Steps Frame the Coast Better Than Any Postcard — A short walk from Amalfi to a viewpoint that rivals the classic postcard shots, with fewer people.
San Cosma e Damiano’s Hilltop Chapel Rewards Every Step of the Climb — A hilltop chapel near Amalfi with panoramic views and a quiet atmosphere far from the main crowds.