All About Positano
Positano in the south of Italy is arguably the most famous village on the Amalfi Coast. A settlement dating back to the pre-historic era, it is home to Roman archaeological remains from the 1st century BC. A popular fishing trade port from the 15th to 17th century, Positano is today an integral part of the coast as a top tourist destination.
Praised for its inherent beauty by author John Steinbeck, Positano often leaves first-time visitors in awe of its colorful splendor. Furthermore, the city’s traditional tavernas, glamourous beaches, and luxurious boutiques are unique in their disposition, attracting curious travelers in the thousands every year. Therefore, a vacation in Positano makes for a memorable experience, made all the more exclusive thanks to its dramatic cliffside background.
Routes and Ferries to Positano
The most convenient and scenic route to Positano is by sea. The city has excellent ferry connections from Capri, Amalfi, Naples, Salerno, and Sorrento. Operated by Navigazione Libera del Golfo, the boats travel between these major tourist destinations in the Gulf of Naples multiple times during the day.
Ferry tickets to Positano are easy to book through Ferryscanner at excellent prices. A seat for the two-hour journey from Naples costs €27.50 per adult. At the same time, ferry tickets to Positano from Capri are for around €22. Amalfi to Positano is a popular 25-minute ferry route, with tickets costing €10 one-way.
The closest airstrip to Amalfi Coast is at Naples International Airport. Tourists landing here can take an hour-long bus or taxi to Positano. At the same time, the nearest train station to the city is in Sorrento. You must transfer to a SITA bus or taxi for the remaining 30-minute drive to Positano. Alternatively, one can rent a car from Naples, but remember that you will have to drive on twisting roads and park outside of the city.
Port of Positano
The Port of Positano has a central location, next to the city and Marina Grande beach. A simple dock, the port primarily stays busy during the summer from April to October. Upon arriving, passengers traveling with ferry tickets to Positano have access to bars, transport, and hotels within walking distance of the pier. Luggage porters usually standby at the dock to assist tourists booked into hotels higher up the cliff.
Best Beaches of Positano
The city’s hilly landscape doesn’t stop it from being a beach hotspot on the Amalfi Coast. Quintessentially Italian in character, the beaches of Positano are forever high in demand, be it among tourists, locals, or celebrities from across the globe.
Positano Spiaggia
Also known as Marina Grande, Positano Beach is a 300-meter-long strand offering unmatched views of the settlement. The gravel beach acts as the main waterfront activity center of the village, with both paid and free designated areas. L’Incanto is the primary lido that provides beach services, from loungers starting at €25 to kayak rentals. The beach also hosts plenty of bars and restaurants, along with Music on the Rocks, a legendary disco known for late-night parties.
Fornillo Beach
A scenic 15-minute walk from the center is all it takes to reach Fornillo, a laidback beach with an uncrowded character. The black gravel strip has a rocky seabed, but the water is calm, cold, and clean for swimming. Along with Marina Grande, this is one of the first beaches visitors see when they arrive with ferry tickets to Positano. Furthermore, Fornillo has several restaurants and clubs on-site, as well as a small free section. Renting a pair of sunbeds usually costs between €15 to €25, depending on the season and proximity to the water.
Arienzo Beach
The black sand and pebble Arienzo Beach is a favorite among locals due to its southwest direction, which results in more sun during the day. The beach requires going down, and eventually up, 300 steps. However, the route passes through some of the most luxurious villas in the area. Half of the beach is free, whereas Arienzo Beach Club manages the rest. A pair of chairs and umbrella rents for €25, but if you book a spot in advance, the club will pick and drop you off via boat for free.
Spiaggia di Tordigliano
Tordigliano is a lesser-known wild gravel beach a couple of kilometers west of Positano. Accessible by boat or a 20-odd minute walk, not recommended for children and the elderly, the beach is raw with no services. Since not many tourists come here, it has an isolated serene vibe enhanced by the clear blue water, which is perfect for swimming.
Laurito Beach
Hidden in plain sight, Laurito is a tiny pebble beach ideal for a sunbathing session. Named due to the abundance of laurel in the area, the beach has a rustic appeal. Even though it’s situated close to the Positano center, Laurito stays quiet most days. Moreover, while it has a small free section, visitors typically prefer to rent a lounger and umbrella from the hotel and family-run café that manage the strip. Closed from October to April, the beach’s picturesque cliffside location is another of its draws. You can take the steps or a water shuttle to reach here. Diners booking a table at the Da Adolfo café get a free boat transfer.
Things To Do in Positano
Spending the entire day chilling on the beach is undeniably a favorite pastime among visitors to the city. However, this vertical village on the Amalfi Coast holds many wonders worth exploring along its winding streets. The best things to do in Positano are both touristic and cultural, forming the right balance to entice travelers with varied interests.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Nightlife in Positano is diverse and never short of excitement. Bars around town stay open till late and are ideal for having drinks, meeting fellow tourists, and listening to music. However, the hottest night-time destination in Positano remains Music on the Rocks. Located inside a cave on the main beach, the club has been a magnet for partygoers and celebrities since 1972. Open till early in the morning, it regularly hosts theme nights and invites international DJs for some of the best dance parties on the coast.
Visit Fiordo di Furore
A 25-minute, €2 bus ride from Positano takes you to one of the most photo-worthy spots in the region. Fiordo di Furore is a ria, similar to a fjord, except it’s not glacial, and its depth increases towards the sea. Adding to the already panoramic landscape is a bridge connecting the two towering cliffs on both sides, with a small pebble beach at their base. Free and open at all times, the views at Fiordo di Furore are spectacular whether you stand on the cliffs or come down to the water. Furthermore, try to set aside some time to explore the quaint fishing village of Furore when planning a visit here.
Take a Full Day Vespa Tour
Unquestionably, the hippest way to explore the Amalfi Coast is on a classic Vespa. However, not everyone can easily ride one, especially on winding roads. A full-day Vespa tour is thus a great chance to sightsee and simultaneously experience the thrill of a scooter ride. The private trip includes a rider who is also your guide. Stops range from beaches and scenic points to shops and a coffee break while exploring Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. With pickup from your hotel also included, a seven-hour tour costs roughly €300 per person.
Stop by Saint Mary of the Assumption
As one of the city’s main religious centers, visiting Saint Mary of the Assumption church is among the essential things to do in Positano. Situated near Marina Grande, the church is famous for its architecture, which includes a Majolica tiled mosaic on its dome. The 10th-century building was initially an abbey, converted into a church after the placement of a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary in the 12th century. Restored in the 18th century, that church now has a Neoclassical design with white and gold interiors. Locals celebrate the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Virgin on 15th August. The event consists of fireworks and festivities outside and inside the church.
Shop Till You Drop
Positano is certainly the best place to shop on the Amalfi Coast. It might not have the cheapest stores, but the variety and quality of goods are top-notch. Among the shops in Positano are several art galleries from where you can purchase paintings by local artists. Not to miss are clothes that fall into the iconic Moda Positano fashion style. Via Pasitea is a street known for its footwear stores. Stop by Nànà here to buy their famous handmade sandals. Similarly, Sapori e Profumi di Positano has the best lemon products like soap and perfume. Lastly, Positano ceramics make for a vibrant souvenir. Ceramiche Casola on Via Laurito is an almost 100-year-old shop with one of the city’s most extensive ceramic collections.
Transportation Around Positano
Travelers have access to various local modes of transport once they arrive using ferry tickets to Positano. SITA bus service covers the entire Amalfi Coast departing every half hour. Tickets costing roughly €1.20 per trip are available at newsstands and not on the bus. On the other hand, taxis are expensive, with a trip to Amalfi from Positano costing close to €70.
Renting a moped is fun and allows you to explore offbeat locales along the coast. However, the hilly roads in the region can be very steep and have hairpin bends. Therefore, reserve this option only if you are a confident rider with prior experience on such terrain. Moreover, the entire Amalfi Coast suffers from long traffic jams during summers. Thus, travel by road can be tiresome and frustrating.
A water taxi or ferry is the most suitable way to visit nearby beaches and towns. They are cheap and quick. Furthermore, some beach clubs provide free transfers if you book a table at their establishment. When staying within Positano, it’s easy to travel by foot, even if it includes a fair amount of going up and down hundreds of stairs.
Map of Positano
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