Positano Travel Guide

Overview and Things to Consider

Positano is a tiny village on the Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy, built straight down steep cliffs to a small beach. The pastel-colored buildings are the scenery. There are no cars - the narrow streets are pedestrian only.

You can walk through the whole village in 30 minutes. There's little to do beyond the scenery, swimming and eating. And it's expensive - accommodation and food cost significantly more than in inland towns.

Come for the view and the slow pace, not for sightseeing. Most visitors spend 1-2 days. In peak season the village gets extremely crowded.

Getting There and Around

Positano is accessible by bus or ferry from larger towns like Salerno (1.5 hours by bus) or Naples (3 hours by bus). There's no train station. Ferries connect to nearby villages.

Inside the village you walk everywhere, mostly up and down steep staircases. The beach is at the bottom, and ferries go to nearby villages.

What's Changed Since 2016

Positano is more touristy than it was and packed in peak season. Prices have gone up significantly, and more restaurants and hotels have opened. It's still beautiful, just less quiet.

The scenery hasn't changed, the streets are still pedestrian-only and the swimming is still excellent. It's more commercial now but hasn't lost its charm.

Ideas to Consider for Your Visit

Swim at the beach - the water is beautiful. Walk the village and photograph the colorful buildings, sit in a cafe with a view, and eat seafood. Take a ferry to nearby villages like Amalfi or Ravello.

Relax on the beach, walk the steep streets with your camera, and slow down. People come here for the view and the pace, not a list of activities.

Realities to Be Aware Of

Positano is expensive - meals cost 20-40 euros at decent restaurants, and rooms aren't cheap either. There's little to do in a village this small. The stairs are steep, which makes it hard going if you have knee problems.

Peak season crowds are heavy, so arrive early or come off-season. Getting here means figuring out the buses - there's no easy transport. The water is cold for swimming in winter.

If Positano Is Part of a Longer Trip

Positano is part of the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi town is 30 minutes away by ferry, and Ravello, higher up, has a different character. Naples is 3 hours northwest. Many people pair Positano with Amalfi or Ravello, or make it one stop on a wider tour of the coast.

One to two days is typical because the village is small. Most people spend extra time on the rest of the coast. Positano works better as a stopover than a main destination.

Yearly Things to Consider

April through May and September through October are ideal - warm but not scorching. June through August is hot and extremely crowded. November through March is mild, but the water is cold for swimming.

In summer the village is packed. The shoulder seasons balance good weather with fewer tourists. Winter is quiet, though the water is cold.

Ideas for Itineraries

Day 1 - Arrival and Beach (afternoon/evening)

Arrive and walk the village, which takes about 30 minutes end to end. Swim if there's time, then have dinner at a waterfront restaurant with a view.

Day 2 - Beach and Relaxation (full day)

Spend the day at the beach swimming and sunbathing, with lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Take an afternoon siesta, then walk the village at sunset with your camera and eat dinner late.

Day 3 - Alternative Activities (if staying longer)

Take a ferry to Amalfi or Ravello to see the coast from another angle. There are trails if you want to hike. Or keep swimming, and photograph the village at different times of day.

Alternative: Ferry Tour Along Coast (full day)

Hop between neighboring villages: Amalfi (30 min) by ferry, Ravello by bus, and smaller coves. Have lunch in a different village and be back in Positano for the evening.