Positano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Positano
Buy locally made silk and linen and explore orange groves and narrow passageways lined with pastel-coloured houses in this hillside town along the coast.

There are no cars in the small town of Positano. The yellow, pink, green and blue houses look as though they have been thrown together on the slopes of a ravine and only steep steps and narrow passageways run between them. The picturesque town leads down to the shores of the Mediterranean and is set amongst orange groves and bougainvillea gardens.

One road lets vehicles in and out of the town, so be prepared to park the car and tread the streets on foot. Discover boutiques selling handmade goods tucked away on almost every street. Positano is famous for its linen and silk that has been made here for centuries. Buy silk scarves and linen shirts among other luxury clothes and accessories.

Positano is hot in summer and cool in winter. To regulate the temperature in their houses locals fill their roofs with sand. Look for the domes in the roofs of many of the buildings.

Stand on the beach in Positano and your eyes will be drawn to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The church stands out with its green, gold and blue majolica-tiled dome. Go inside to see an icon of the Black Madonna from the 12th century.

Spiaggia Grande is the main beach in the town. When the beach gets crowded in summer, make your way past the watchtower and you’ll discover Fornillo Beach. This little cove is accessible by a stone staircase and is generally quieter during the busy tourist season.

Take a tour or rent your own boat to explore the sea caves and coves around Positano. Discover the landscape on foot on the famous “Path of the Gods”, a trail that runs up to the village of Bomerano 635 metres (2,083 feet) above the sea. The mountain trail leads past grazing goats and sheep, across a gorge and to the top of the hill, with sweeping vistas along the way.

Get to Positano by bus from Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento and other nearby towns. Ferries and boats service Positano from ports along the Amalfi Coast in spring and summer.

Where to stay in Positano

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Positano City Centre

5/5(24 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Positano City Centre. A stop by Church of Santa Maria Assunta or Spiaggia Grande might round out your trip.

Positano City Centre
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Upper Positano

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Upper Positano and surrounding area, you can visit Positano Town Hall and Fornillo Beach.

Upper Positano
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Fornillo

Fornillo might not have many top sights, but Fornillo Beach and Positano Town Hall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fornillo
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Montepertuso

Montepertuso is well liked for its gardens. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Piazza dei Mulini and Palazzo Murat.

Montepertuso
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Arienzo

Seaside views and restaurants are notable features of Arienzo. You might consider stopping by Spiaggia d'Arienzo while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Arienzo
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Laurito

Travellers enjoy Laurito for its beaches and restaurants. Consider checking out San Pietro while you're in the area.

Laurito
Hotel Posa Posa
Hotel Posa Posa
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea 165, Positano, SA
The price is AU$279 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$279
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (427 reviews)
"Great hotel. Good location. Recommend getting a room with a sea view - it is spectacular! Staff at reception and in the restaurant were lovely. I would absolutely stay here again."

Reviewed on 27 Oct. 2024

Hotel Posa Posa
Hotel Villa Gabrisa
Hotel Villa Gabrisa
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea, 219/227, Positano, SA
The price is AU$529 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
AU$529
includes taxes & fees
8 Nov - 9 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (593 reviews)
"Loved every bit of the experience. Felt home, special, got what I intended to do and much more. Claudia, Conny had added so much to my needs to live a real experience of my Positano visit and to have the inspiration needed to continue writing my coming book. Thank you so much and highly recommended ..."

Reviewed on 25 Oct. 2024

Hotel Villa Gabrisa
Hotel Eden Roc
Hotel Eden Roc
4 out of 5
Via G. Marconi 110, Positano, SA
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (650 reviews)
Absolutely top shelf!
"Hotel was perfectly located in Poisitano, not far of a walk down to the beach and stores. Hotel staff could not have been more accomodating whether it be suggestions or directions, would stay there again withput hesitation."

Reviewed on 13 Oct. 2024

Hotel Eden Roc
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Alcione Residence
Alcione Residence
Via Cristoforo Colombo 135, Positano, SA
Stay at this residence in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, valet parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (247 reviews)
"Amazing stay."

Reviewed on 20 Oct. 2024

Alcione Residence
La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
Via Rampa Teglia, 23, Positano, SA
Book a stay at this beach residence in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, a private beach, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Positano Ferry Landing and Corso ...
7.4/10 Good! (176 reviews)
"Very nice people"

Reviewed on 15 Oct. 2024

La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
Palazzo Santa Croce in Positano
Palazzo Santa Croce in Positano
Positano
Book a stay at this spa villa in Positano. Enjoy a full-service spa, a sauna, and a garden. Popular attractions Positano Ferry Landing and Corso Italia are located ...
Palazzo Santa Croce in Positano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Positano

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
47
" "5 - Excellent 77.04918032786885%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 19.672131147540984%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 3.278688524590164%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I’m sure it would be even more amazing in the summer, or really any other time we could have gone there. It was explained as the lowest season. The time when they recover and reset for the next season. We were there in mid Jan.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Positano is great.but extremely hilly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Great views, but not much else, all restaurants overcharge tourists, need private vehicle if you dont want to be drained going up and down hundreds of steep steps each day.

5/5 - Excellent

Ross

Wonder spot in the corner of the earth

5/5 - Excellent

Renee

Use the porter service for bags and watch for heat exhaustion on the steps in and out. Stay near the beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Positano has become a key tourist attraction for the day tripper, which causes a lot of people to traffic through in the day, it quiets down to a very nice level at night.

Cities near Positano