Positano

Travel Guide

Positano
Positano which includes a coastal town and a sandy beach
Positano which includes a coastal town
Positano
Positano featuring a coastal town and general coastal views

This colorful enclave in the hills is a maze of narrow streets and gardens renowned for its craftsmanship and beautiful facades. 

Positano is a collection of pastel colored houses clinging to the slopes of a deep ravine that leads down to the Mediterranean. The picturesque spot is set amidst gardens of oranges, lemons and bougainvillea. 

Positano is primarily a pedestrianized zone and steep sets of stairs and passages between buildings replace streets. There is only one road through the town that allows vehicle traffic. 

Meander through narrow passageways lined with stores selling locally made crafts and produce. For centuries Positano’s artisans have produced silk and linen clothing and accessories. Today their workshops continue to supply the resort’s high-end fashion boutiques that can be found on almost every street.

As you walk around observe the domes on the roofs of many of the houses. They are filled with sand that keeps buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Head for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of Positano’s most prominent sights. It features a majolica-tiled dome and houses a 12th century icon of the Black Madonna. 

Stretch out on the beach of Spiaggia Grande at the foot of the town. This is Positano’s main beach and it can get crowded in summer. You may find there’s more room on the quieter Fornillo Beach. This secluded cove is just beyond the watchtower, close to where the boats dock. It’s accessible by a stone staircase from the road above.

Rent a boat from the harbor and explore the coves and sea caves of Positano, or embark on a hiking trail. One of the most popular trails is the ‘Path of the Gods’, a picturesque mountain trail up to the village of Bomerano 2,083 feet (635 meters) above sea level. Walk up mountains, across a gorge, pass herds of sheep and goats, with dramatic views at every turn.

The quickest and most convenient way to get to Positano is by bus. There are frequent SITA bus services from Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi and other towns along the coast. In the spring and summer Positano is served by ferries and hydrofoil from Naples, Salerno, Amalfi and other harbors in the region.

Where to stay in Positano

Positano City Centre featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and landscape views

Positano City Centre

5/5(31 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
Positano featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and a hotel

Upper Positano

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

Upper Positano
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Fornillo

Though Fornillo might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Fornillo Beach and Positano Town Hall.

Fornillo
The gorgeous town of Positano on the Amalfi coast just as the sun was setting. Positano is not somewhere to go if you are afraid of a lot of walking up and down steep stairs!

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
Visited the Amalfi coast Italy today.. Absolutely beautiful...

Arienzo

5/5(2 area reviews)

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

Arienzo
Laid back beach club and restaurant accessible by water taxi from positano.  Nice swimming for kids.  One of the best lunches I've ever had: mussel soup, homemade spaghetti with pesto, marinated anchovies.  And don't forget the chilled peach  wine!  Come for a great day.

Laurito

5/5(2 area reviews)

Beaches and restaurants are just a few things travelers like about Laurito. A stop by San Pietro is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Laurito
Hotel Royal Positano
Hotel Royal Positano
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea, 344, Positano, SA
The price is CA $391 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
CA $391
CA $443 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Positano. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (762 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Hotel Royal Positano
Hotel Savoia
Hotel Savoia
4 out of 5
Via Cristoforo Colombo 73, Positano, SA
The price is CA $386 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
CA $386
CA $437 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
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! (887 reviews)
"Very clean and great service"

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2025

Hotel Savoia
Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea 207, Positano, SA
The price is CA $575 per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
CA $575
CA $645 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"The staff were phenomenal. Extremely welcoming and helpful from the second we got there. They provided recommendations for food, maps to help navigate the city. They really went above and beyond to even decorate our room as we were there staying for our honeymoon. We could not recommend this hotel ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
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.
Villa Flavio Gioia
Villa Flavio Gioia
3 out of 5
Piazza Flavio Gioia 2, Positano, SA
Stay at this 3-star residence in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, airport pick-up service (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (189 reviews)
"We booked the top floor and it’s severely underrated. It was amazing! Beautiful room, friendly staff and an amazing terrace. The location could not be better and the staff went out of their way to make the visit exceptional. The closest hotel to the ferry dock and a treasure."

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2025

Villa Flavio Gioia
Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
Viale Pasitea 123, 3, Positano, SA
Stay at this villa in Positano. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Positano Ferry Landing ...
9/10 Wonderful! (10 reviews)
"The location is amazing - close to so many fun spots and easy to navigate to. The panoramic suite we stayed in was spectacular. The pool and hot tub got used by us quite a bit, and they were nice to have access to, amd they were spotless. The best part was the service. Claudio and Antonio helped ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
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 Piazza Tasso and Positano Ferry ...
7.4/10 Good! (180 reviews)
"Rosa was a great hostess. The location is phenomenal and close to everything."

Reviewed on May 17, 2025

La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
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

Things to do

Reviews of Positano

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
67
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
19
4 - Good 21%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Positano is a sleepy, quaint beach town with breathtaking scenery. If you want time to relax and soak it all in, Positano is a great place to do it. You WILL need reasonably deep pockets but there are more affordable options IF you're willing to hunt

4/5 - Good

LB

Spectacular views!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Positano is a very expensive and touristy place. We spent 3 weeks in Italy and would not go back. It is very scenic but those stairs and crowds are enough to drive us away!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Loved Positano for its charming shops and sea views-great place to stay and then go to Capri or Amalfi by boat. As expected it was pricier than other parts of Italy.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Positano has a lovely natural beauty with great restaurants. Even in October it is still very very busy. Still a must go location when traveling to the Almafi coast.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The ferry services were outstanding. We went to Capri,Amalfi and Salerno for the day.

Cities near Positano