In a nutshell
- Honestly, it’s hard to single out specific things to do in Positano — the entire town is one big highlight. Every alleyway, every staircase, every view is worth seeing on the Amalfi Coast.
- Hotels in Positano are seriously pricey. For the best value for money, we’d go with Il Barilotto, which sits just outside of town and is a bit more affordable.
- Positano gets really crowded in peak season. Visit in April to May or in October for a much more relaxed experience.
What You Should Know About Positano
- Positano is a place most people visit for a maximum of two to three days, if they stay overnight at all. It’s very small, and it’s very expensive.
- Positano is incredibly crowded from June through September. We recommend visiting in April to May or in October. In winter, almost everything in Positano is closed.
- Positano is very steep — be prepared for a lot of stairs.
- The nearest airport is Naples. From there, you can reach Positano by minibus, rental car, or ferry from the harbor. Keep in mind that parking in Positano is limited and expensive.
- Spiaggia Grande beach is one of the top highlights in Positano. Beach umbrellas and loungers cost around €45 per person. It’s cheaper at Fornillo Beach.
Getting to Positano
The nearest airport is Naples. From there, you can get to Positano in several ways:
by private minibus
by rental car
by ferry (from the port of Naples)
Note: From May through September, there are direct flights from Berlin to the small airport in Salerno, in the southern part of the Amalfi Coast. From there, you can reach Positano by bus and ferry.
For the journey from Naples Airport to Positano, we recommend taking a private minibus.
It’s not cheap, but it’s the most comfortable way to get directly from the terminal to Positano in about an hour and a half.
Just make sure to book your minibus ticket in advance — they fill up quickly during peak season.
Book the Minibus Ticket to Positano
If you want to spend a few days exploring Naples beforehand, we’d suggest continuing on to Positano by ferry. It runs several times a day across the Gulf of Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
From the port of Naples — specifically the Beverello dock — you’ll reach Positano by ferry in about an hour and a half.
Lies auch:
Parking in Positano
Parking is expensive all along the Amalfi Coast, and Positano is no exception. There’s no free parking, and you should expect to pay around €10 to €15 per hour.
Note: You must always leave your keys in the car, as vehicles sometimes need to be rearranged.
These are the parking lots we recommend in Positano:
Parcheggio Migliaccio: Right at the start of the pedestrian zone.
Parcheggio Mandara: The largest parking lot in Positano and hard to miss.
Parcheggio Russo: The best-reviewed parking lot on Google, but also the most expensive.
Important: Reserve a parking spot in advance. During peak season, the lots fill up early in the morning.
Positano Attractions You Should Visit
When you’re in Positano, you quickly realize how strange it sounds to talk about specific things to do there.
The real question is: What isn’t a highlight in Positano? The whole town is one big must-see.
Wander through the alleyways, climb some stairs, and make sure to see Positano from above.
No matter where you are or which direction you look, the view up or down is always stunning.
But if you’re short on time and want to head straight for the standout sights, here’s our rundown of the top things to do in Positano:
Spiaggia Grande
Positano’s main beach, Spiaggia Grande, is a true icon of the Amalfi Coast. From here you get a spectacular view of the town’s pastel-colored houses climbing up the hillside.
Because Positano is synonymous with luxury, the beach loungers are pricey too. A sun umbrella with a lounger costs €45 per person — though there is a free section as well.
Of course, you can also just head down to the beach and stroll along the promenade.
Li Galli Islands
According to legend, this small group of islands off the coast of Positano is the home of the Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey.
The three islands are privately owned, but boat tours for snorkeling and swimming in the species-rich waters depart daily.
At the harbor in Positano, there are several info desks where you can ask about the next boat tour.
Path of the Gods
Attention hikers: The Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods, is one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Italy.
It connects Positano — or more precisely, the small neighboring village of Nocelle — with the village of Bomerano and is eight kilometers long.
The trail passes through lemon groves and the evergreen scrubland of the Amalfi Coast, with gorgeous views of the sea.
Our tip: If you start the trail from Positano, you’ll be going uphill the whole way. We’d recommend starting from Bomerano instead — it’s much less strenuous. To do so, travel from Positano to Amalfi and take the bus from Amalfi to Bomerano.
Lies auch:
Chiesa Santa Maria Assunta
The church’s colorful dome, covered in majolica tiles, is the landmark of Positano.
Inside, you can see a 13th-century Black Madonna icon surrounded by various legends.
Among other stories, Arab pirates are said to have stolen it from Byzantium — the former Istanbul — and brought it to Positano.
Entry is free, and you can simply walk right in.
Positano Hotels: Where to Stay in Positano
Hotels in Positano are on average more expensive than other places to stay on the Amalfi Coast.
A good room in a mid-range hotel starts at €400 per night.
If you stay outside of Positano or travel in April or October, you can save quite a bit.
Note: In winter, many restaurants and hotels in Positano are closed. Things gradually start reopening from mid- to late March.
These hotels in Positano aren’t cheap either, but in our opinion they offer good value for the money:
Il Barilotto: Just outside of Positano and therefore a bit more affordable.
Hotel Posa Posa: With a rooftop pool and a wonderful breakfast terrace overlooking Positano.
Hotel Conca d’Oro: A luxury hotel with great prices in April and October.
Hitting the Beach in Positano
Besides Positano’s famous main beach, Spiaggia Grande, there are a few smaller beaches you can reach on foot or by boat.
Fornillo Beach
A quieter, 200-meter-long pebble beach accessible via a coastal path from the main beach.
Lounger prices here are lower (€20–30 per person) and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
Walk all the way to the back and you’ll reach the free section of the beach.
Arienzo Beach
Also called the “300-step beach,” since you have to descend a long staircase to get there. This beach gets the most sun of all the beaches in Positano.
There’s the Arienzo Beach Club here — a luxury beach club with prices in the triple digits. Right next to it, though, there’s a free section.
Laurito Beach
A small, secluded beach accessible only by boat or via a steep path.
Here you’ll find the excellent restaurant Da Adolfo, which is much more affordable than the restaurants right in Positano.
Perfect for enjoying a plate of Fritto Misto right after a day at the beach — that’s fried calamari, shrimp, and anchovies. It’s something you absolutely have to try at the beaches of Italy!
Positano Restaurants: Where to Eat?
Restaurants in Positano are always packed — so make sure to book a table in advance!
For a plate of pasta, expect to pay at least €20.
Da Adolfo: A beach restaurant you can only reach by boat. Super reasonable prices for Positano!
Chez Black: A cult restaurant right on Positano’s beach — high prices, but a seriously great view.
Da Vincenzo: A really delicious trattoria with a small outdoor terrace. We’d order the spaghetti alle vongole without hesitation!
Positano or Amalfi?
It’s both a matter of taste and budget. Restaurants and accommodation are cheaper in Amalfi, while Positano is more picturesque. Here are the pros and cons of each:
Positano
More picturesque, with the classic pastel-colored houses on the cliffs
More stylish and perfect for photos
But also:
Significantly more expensive for accommodation
Very touristy and often overcrowded
Lots of stairs throughout town (challenging with luggage)
Amalfi
More central location for day trips along the coast
More historical, with a significant cathedral
Slightly more affordable accommodation
Flatter and more compact
But also:
Smaller beach
Fewer viewpoints
Less stylish
If you’re staying three to four nights or more on the Amalfi Coast, base yourself in Amalfi. It’s better connected, making it easy to take day trips by bus or boat, and it generally offers better value for the money.
But if you want a romantic weekend on the Amalfi Coast and feel like treating yourself, Positano is the one.
