Are you looking for the best things to do in Positano ? The village with pastel-colored houses clinging to the cliff is one of the postcard images of the Amalfi Coast. It is also a seaside destination with its large sandy beach where you can enjoy the sun while tasting a few Italian specialties. There aren’t many things to see in Positano, but it’s best to plan your visit so you don’t miss the most beautiful viewpoints.
What to do in Positano in one day ? How do you get there and get around ? Where should you park if you come by car ? Where to stay in Positano ? I answer all your questions in this travel guide. Find our complete itinerary in the Amalfi Coast road trip article.
What to do and see in Positano ?
Before setting out to explore the village perched on the rock, you need to understand how it is laid out. A one-way road forms a loop from the SS163, goes down toward the beach, and climbs back up on the other side to return to the SS163. This is the road you will use to arrive by bus or car. For those visiting Positano by boat, the landing pier is next to the beach. To walk through the streets, you’ll need to take a large number of stairways, so it’s best not to have sore knees ! 🙂
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
The collegiate church, whose dome of glazed tiles can be seen from many viewpoints, is the only historical and cultural site to visit in Positano. It houses a 13th-century Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna and Child placed above the altar. It is said to have been brought back by Benedictine monks who traveled the trade routes of southern Italy. The church was founded in the 10th century but was completely remodeled in the 18th century, as evidenced by its Baroque style.
The small terrace in front of the church does not provide enough distance for a beautiful overall view (or a photo). To discover the best panorama of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, you need to take this staircase or go back up to the road at these coordinates.
Spiaggia Grande
This is the main beach in Positano, located at the foot of the village. Its sand is not golden but gray in color—don’t forget that you are in a volcanic region with Mount Vesuvius nearby. During our stay at the beginning of April, it was still deserted, but in season it is covered with sunbeds and umbrellas. Like most Italian beaches, the vast majority of the space is occupied by a private establishment (expect to pay €30 per person for a sunbed). There is still a section of the beach on the west side that is free.
Even if you don’t want to swim, the beach offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Positano. Another reason to include it in your village itinerary. For photos, you absolutely need to come in the morning to have the sun lighting up the façades of the houses.
The most beautiful viewpoints in Positano
With its postcard scenery, all you want to do is take countless photos of the pastel-colored houses. I’ve just revealed two viewpoints (the one overlooking the church and the one at the end of the beach), but there is another that attracts all the Instagrammers. It is the panorama from Via Cristoforo Colombo (the road you take by car to leave Positano). You have certainly already seen it on social media, the small wall with house numbers (48, 50, 52, 54) and the plunging view over the village and the beach. You need to go to these coordinates to enjoy it (in the morning to have the sun behind you).
Further down the road (toward the beach), if you manage to enter Le Sirenuse Hotel, you can enjoy another beautiful panorama. It offers a view with the bell tower of Santa Maria Assunta church in the foreground. Unfortunately, you cannot see this viewpoint from the road. Daniela pleaded with the receptionist to let us go take the photo from their terrace.
There is a third viewpoint on Viale Pasitea on the other side of the village that I really like (coordinates). Here, you should come in the afternoon so you don’t have the sun in front of you.
Stroll through the streets
To visit Positano, you will have no choice but to wander through the streets and climb (or descend) stairways. It’s an opportunity to discover a viewpoint around a corner, a shop, a pizza vendor, or a terrace for a drink. The most touristy area is around the beach, so don’t hesitate to venture farther away, especially uphill.
Go shopping
As a tourist destination, Positano has no shortage of shops. You’ll find the classics of seaside resorts, including beach dress stores (like in Ibiza), as well as souvenir shops mainly centered around lemons. This citrus fruit has been cultivated on the Amalfi Coast since the 11th century and has become one of its emblems. It comes in many forms, the most famous being limoncello. The other specialty is ceramics, which mainly come from the town of Vietri sul Mare (that’s where we bought ours).
What to do in the surrounding area ?
Boat tour on the Amalfi Coast
Do you have a free day and are wondering what to do in Positano ? Why not enjoy a beautiful boat trip to see the Amalfi Coast from the sea. The itinerary passes through the Fjord of Furore, the Emerald Grotto, the village of Conca dei Marini, and Amalfi. The excursion includes snorkeling equipment to observe Mediterranean marine life as well as snacks and drinks. You’ll find all the information on this page (free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance).
Capri
The island of Capri, one of the jewels of the Bay of Naples, is one of the must-see destinations in the region. The most practical and fastest way to get there from Positano is to join an excursion (otherwise you need to go to Sorrento and then take a ferry). This activity will take you to Capri on a cruise, followed by 4 hours of free time on the island.
Pompeii Ruins
It is possible to visit the ruins of Pompeii, the famous Roman city buried by the volcano Mount Vesuvius, with this excursion departing from Positano. This is the best solution because on your own you would need to take a bus to Sorrento and then a train to Pompeii. The activity includes a guided tour in english and round-trip transportation.
Where to stay in Positano ?
Positano is a good base for discovering the whole region. The setting is idyllic, transportation (bus and boat) is easily accessible, and the beach allows you to enjoy relaxing downtime. But it is also a chic destination, and accommodation prices are very high. If you want to stay in Positano, book several months in advance. The high season runs from April (from Easter) until the end of September. With a small budget, it’s better to stay in another village. For our part, we stayed in this apartment above Furore (€150 per night at the beginning of April).
- 159 € : Le Ghiande, the cheapest accommodation for staying in Positano, located on the heights after climbing many steps. Breakfast included and a magnificent view of the coast.
- 221 € : Sweet Home Positano, this 55 m² apartment accommodating up to 3 people is located above the village. The big advantage is the presence of a private indoor parking space included, ideal if you are on a road trip in Positano.
- 280 € : Ludovica Apartment Type B, convenient for a couple with a child, this apartment for 3 people has a sea view from the small balcony. The beach is not far away down the stairs.
- 285 € : La Borragine Rooms, this double room with sea view is superb for couples on vacation in Positano. The terrace with a sunbed offers a charming setting to enjoy the breakfast included in the rate.
- 400 € : Casa Maresca Residence, for a treat when you have a good budget, this studio with a terrace and a view of the village is superb. Also offers cheaper double rooms.
Travel tips for visiting Positano
How to get to Positano ?
We came to Positano by car. At the beginning of April, traffic is not very heavy. However, the road is quite narrow and you don’t drive fast (it’s not uncommon to stop to let another car pass). Positano is 15 km from Sorrento and 19 km from Amalfi.
If you don’t have a vehicle, you can reach Positano by bus with the company SITA Sud. You’ll find bus schedules on the company’s official website. Select the departure and arrival cities, then open the PDF file.
To reach Positano from Naples, you need to take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, then the bus to Positano. More convenient (but more expensive), there is a fast ferry line between Naples and Positano. You can compare companies and prices on this site.
The last option is to join an excursion that tours several villages on the Amalfi Coast. It’s the best if you only have one free day. You can visit Positano with this excursion departing from Naples or this one departing from Sorrento.
Where to park in Positano ?
Parking is a real issue on the Amalfi Coast. The narrow roads do not allow for large parking areas, and spaces are scarce. In Positano, there is no public parking other than the spaces along Viale Pasitea that lead down to the beach. Paid parking is marked with blue lines. Spaces with yellow lines are reserved for residents, do not park there.
You need a bit of luck to find a space, but it is still possible. We managed to park there during our second visit to Positano. The rate is €3 per hour, payable at a parking meter. It’s the cheapest you will find.
Apart from these spaces, there are several private parking lots. These do not have a good reputation because scams sometimes occur (prices may vary depending on the customer). They are located along Viale Pasitea. We tried Parcheggio Russo because it had good reviews on Google and is the closest to the beach. You have to leave your keys with the attendant, who moves the cars depending on arrivals and departures to fit in as many vehicles as possible. The guy was nice, he charged us the minimum rate (€8 per hour) even though we stayed longer. But since Daniela is Neapolitan, that helps quite a bit. In high season, the rate is €10 per hour for cars and €5 for scooters and motorcycles.
How much time to spend in Positano ?
As mentioned in the introduction to this guide, there are not many historical monuments or museums to see in Positano. If you want to visit the church, the beach, the different viewpoints, and include a lunch break in the village, you should allow half a day to visit Positano. The fastest visitors can even see everything in just 2 hours. But it is also possible to spend several days there enjoying the beach and activities in the surrounding area.
Rent a boat in Positano
To discover the surroundings and explore the small coves along the coast, the ideal option is to rent a boat. For this, I recommend using Click&Boat. This leading online boat rental company for sailboats, catamarans, or motorboats offers the best prices and a wide selection of boats from both private owners and professionals. You can choose a boat with or without a license and with or without a professional skipper—the options are numerous for spending one or more days at sea.
These are the best things to do in Positano on the Amalfi Coast. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the blog’s comment section.