Positano is one of the most romantic vacation spots in Italy and one of the main cities on the Amalfi Coast to visit. Built vertically on the face of a cliff, it began as a fishing village and became popular with writers and artists in the 1950s. Today it is a fashionable resort but still retains its charm. Positano is a pedestrianized town (with many stairs) and its pretty houses and pastel colored flowers make it very picturesque. Due to its mild climate, it can be visited throughout the year, although the high season is from April to October.
Positano Location
Positano is in the center of the famous Amalfi Coast, south of Naples. Just opposite the city are the Le Galli Islands, three islets believed to be the residence of the mythical mermaids from Homer’s Odyssey .
Get to Positano
The closest airport is Naples. The best ways to get to Positano are by boat or bus. The road leading to Positano is difficult to drive and parking, available above the city, is very limited, although some hotels offer parking. Positano can be reached by bus from Sorrento or Salerno, which can be reached by train from Naples.
Ferries to Positano depart from Sorrento, Amalfi and Salerno, although less frequently outside of the summer season.
Where to stay in Positano
- Palazzo Murat Hotel, one of the most romantic hotels in Positano, is a 4-star hotel in a historic building in the city center with views of the city and the sea.
- Villa Mary Suites, a bed and breakfast in a restored 19th-century building, offers rooms with views and outdoor breakfast in good weather.
- Villa Rosa Inn is located in a 150-year-old villa with sea views built into the cliff, a 10-minute walk downhill from the Sponda bus stop.
Orientation Positano
The best way to get around is on foot, as most of the city is a pedestrian zone. If you arrive by bus, you will be close to Chiesa Nuova at the top of Positano. Winding stairs called Thousand Steps, and the main street leads from town to the beach. There is a bus along the main street that you can go up or down the hill. Chargers are available at the beginning of the pedestrian zone to help with luggage. From Positano, it is possible to visit some villages, beaches and landscapes on foot. There are also water taxis and cars for transportation to nearby towns and beaches.
What to see and do
- Swimming in the crystal clear waters and sunbathing on the beaches, both pebble and sandy, are high on Positano’s to-do list.
- By the sea, you can shop or enjoy a fantastic seafood meal along Spiaggia Grande .
- Stroll down Via Cristoforo Colombo and enjoy the shops, luxury hotels, cafes and fantastic views. The Scalinatella connects Punta Reginella on the coast with the highest part of Positano.
- The Church of Santa Maria Assunta has a beautiful majolica dome, visible from many places. Inside there is an icon of the Black Madonna, painted in the 13th century in Byzantine style. Positano has many beautiful villas and palatial buildings and eight defense towers built in the 16th century.
- Visit the island of Capri by ferry or on a tourist boat.
- The Grotta la Porta cave, where prehistoric remains were found, is near Positano.
- There are good hiking opportunities from Positano, both along the coast and inland.
- From Positano, you can visit other cities along the Amalfi Coast on the narrow but very scenic Amalfi Drive. Take a bus or a taxi. Or take a boat ride along the coast if you prefer to travel by water.
- Positano is a good starting point for many guided tours of the Amalfi Coast, including boat trips, car tours, and visits to archaeological sites.
Purchases
Positano has many high-end fashion boutiques and Moda Positano is a well-known fashion brand. It is also a great place to buy sandals and footwear. Shoemakers can make shoes to order while you wait. Limoncello , an alcoholic lemon drink, is popular throughout the Amalfi Coast. As there are many lemon trees on the Amalfi Coast, you will find many things with lemons, including pottery decorated with lemons.
