Positano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Expedia
This charming enclave of houses, situated on narrow streets on the side of a hill, are known for their dramatic coastal beauty and architectural craftsmanship.

Positano is a charming village notable for its dramatic coastal scenery and the coloured houses built into the side of a mountain that descends into the Mediterranean Sea. With houses surrounded by gardens of bougainvillea and orchards of orange and lemon trees, Positano makes for a picturesque holiday destination.

One road leads into Positano and the village itself is primarily pedestrianised. Wander through the narrow passageways and cobblestone streets and notice the domed roofs on the houses. These are filled with sand to keep the buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. See the majolica-tiled dome and the 12th-century Black Madonna at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Browse through shops that sell local produce and handmade crafts. Artisans in Positano are renowned for the production of silk and linen clothing. You can see their products in many of the town’s high-end fashion boutiques.

Enjoy a day on the water and rent a boat to explore the sea caves and coves, or relax on the main beach, Spiaggia Grande, located at the bottom of town. If you are looking for somewhere quieter during the summer months, head to the secluded Fornillo Beach. To get there, walk past the watchtower where the boats dock and walk down the stone staircase from the road above it.

Put your hiking shoes on and explore the countryside by foot. The “Path of the Gods” is one of the most popular and picturesque hiking trails. This scenic trail crosses gorges and mountains, passes sheep and goats and leads to Bomerano, a village 635 metres (2,083 feet) above sea level.

The easiest way to travel to Positano is by bus. The SITA bus has services that run between Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi as well as other towns on the coast. During the summer months ferries operate to Naples, Sorrento and other ports in the area.

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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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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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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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 Royal Positano
Hotel Royal Positano
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea, 344, Positano, SA
The price is NZ$813 per night from 26 May to 27 May
NZ$813
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Positano. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
7/10 Good! (604 reviews)
"First thing I noticed was we had help getting our luggage to our room. Amazing friendly staff, was my first time in Positano, the town is gorgeous I would stay here again. No complaints of the hotel. 5 stars"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2024

Hotel Royal Positano
Hotel Posa Posa
Hotel Posa Posa
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea 165, Positano, SA
The price is NZ$949 per night from 28 May to 29 May
NZ$949
per night
28 May - 29 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (390 reviews)
"Excellent stay in Positano. Up near the top of the hill so a bit out of the heavy tourist area. But a relatively easy walk back up the road from the beach. Staff is helpful and friendly. Breakfast was great! We stayed in a family room which was plenty big enough for the four of us. Lovely balcony ..."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Hotel Posa Posa
Hotel Savoia
Hotel Savoia
4 out of 5
Via Cristoforo Colombo 73, Positano, SA
The price is NZ$1,475 per night from 31 May to 1 Jun
NZ$1,475
per night
31 May - 1 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (780 reviews)
"Loved the location, views and staff. The room was amazing. It’s located in a busy area, but we had no issues with noise in the room."

Reviewed on 23 May 2024

Hotel Savoia
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. Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (149 reviews)
"Probably our favourite stay in Italy. Wonderful hotel staff. Would come again!"

Reviewed on 17 May 2024

Villa Flavio Gioia
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! (221 reviews)
"Great location and amazing view from wonderful private balcony!! Room was large, bathroom great with rain shower."

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 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 Piazza Tasso and Positano Ferry ...
7.2/10 Good! (154 reviews)
"We were pleasantly surprised with this location especially given the terrible reviews that it has. I can’t speak for the other rooms but we booked a “double partial sea view” and it was great! Room was decently clean, amazing location, and bed was comfy! Check in was a little confusing but if you ..."

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

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

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
17 Jan 2020

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
24 Oct 2019

Positano is great.but extremely hilly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
1 Sep 2019

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
10 Aug 2019

Wonder spot in the corner of the earth

5/5 - Excellent

Renee
30 Jul 2019

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
29 Jul 2019

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.

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