POSITANO TRAVEL GUIDE
Positano is one of my favorite places in the world, especially since I got married there! It’s the most popular town to visit along the Amalfi Coast, with stunning coastlines, colorful houses, cute shops, and some of the best restaurants & beaches in Italy! When visiting the Amalfi Coast I do recommend spending a week exploring other towns but if you’re only planning to explore Positano here’s my Positano Travel Guide on everything you need to know.
The best time to visit Positano is between May and September. Summer can be the busiest time and the most expensive while May and September are great times to visit. The weather is great with some showers and hotel prices are relatively cheaper. Most places accept credit cards but I recommend carrying Euros. I recommend at least a minimum of 4-5 nights in Positano.
HOW TO GET TO POSITANO
Positano is not the easiest to get to but it’s worth visiting! I’ve visited Positano twice and will be visiting for years to celebrate future wedding anniversaries! To get to Positano, you will need to fly into either Rome or Naples Airport, or if by train you will arrive at Naples Centrale Train Station.
Private Car: I recommend this option. I’ve done this every time and it’s worth it. It’s typically €100+ Euros each way. I usually email the hotel to book my transfer.
Rent a Car: You can rent a car and drive into Positano. It’s great if you plan to explore the Amalfi Coast but parking is not the easiest and the roads are quite narrow.
Train: There’s no direct train to Positano, the closest station is Sorrento and from there you can take a taxi.
Ferry: The ferry takes about an hour from Sorrento & has additional costs for luggage.
Bus: You can check the bus schedule and purchase tickets here. It takes about an hour and a half from Naples.
WHERE TO STAY
Here’s my list of additional affordable & luxury hotels in Positano.
HOTEL MARINCANTO: My first time in Positano, I stayed here and we ended up getting married at Hotel Marincanto two years later. The property is stunning and has the best view of the town. The prices are relatively cheaper for one of the most stunning hotels and centrally located. Averages from 450 euros (depending on the season).
LE SIRENUSE is a charming and elegant boutique hotel that overlooks the bay of Positano. If you’re looking to splurge this is the hotel to do it! The hotel is centrally located in Positano and is close to the beautiful beaches on the Amalfi coast. This is one of the best hotels in Positano, centrally located and worth the splurge especially if you’re celebrating something special.
THINGS TO DO IN POSITANO
BEACHES
Positano beaches are some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, with warm and crystal-clear waters. Positano beaches aren’t your typical stretch of soft sandy beaches, but rather a rocky platform of pebbles since it is beneath the cliffs. The beaches are some of the most Instagrammable spots in Positano! Known for its crystal clear waters and picturesque beaches, here’s a list of the best beaches in Positano:
- One Fire Beach: For our wedding, we reserved this beach club for the day for everyone to meet and have a good time! It’s located in Priano, a short boat ride
- Arienzo Beach Club: If you’re looking for a beach club in Positano to escape the busy beaches this is where you want to go
- La Scogliera: This area is cute for a drink and photos
- Fornillo Beach: cozy beach with stones instead of sand, but offers beautiful scenic views and clear waters
- Spiagga Grande: beautiful and lively beach – the main beach
One Fire Beach One Fire Beach Spiagga Grande Spiagga Grande
POSITANO BOAT TOURS
We were supposed to do a sunset cruise with family and friends the day after our wedding but it was raining so it was canceled. But a Positano boat tour should be on your list! It is a great way to enjoy swimming, drinks and limoncello, and of course a beautiful sunset with Positano. A few options: Blue Star Positano, Princess Positano, and Positano Boats.
SHOPPING & WANDER THE TOWN
Shop until you drop in Positano! There are a variety of things here that are beautifully made locally and around the world. You can find artwork, crafts, jewelry, ceramics, limoncello, food items, and many more leaving you to need a whole new suitcase! I always enjoy buying handmade sandals while in Positano.
GO DANCING AT MUSIC ON THE ROCKS
If you like to go out at night and dance then Music on the Rocks is where you want to go! It’s located in a cave below Rada Restaurant and is probably the best club in Positano.
FIORDO DI FURORE
Located 4 miles southwest of Amalfi and is best to visit by car. I’ve heard that the beach was shut down but it could have been re-opened now. It’s free & one of the most Insta-worthy photo opportunities!
ENJOY GRANITA LIMONE
Italian lemon ice that you will absolutely be addicted to! It’s sold pretty much everywhere and you will be eating this daily.
WHERE TO EAT
RADA RESTAURANT: We wanted to go somewhere special since Ryan and my family were meeting each other for the first time. The restaurant was the perfect place with the most breathtaking view, exceptional service, and phenomenal presentation, and the food was great! It’s located on top of a cave and overlooks the town.
CARLINO AT IL SAN PIETRO: The food here is amazing! I had the pasta dish with lemon and chili and recommend it! I think it was the best Positano pasta I had! It’s also located at the stunning hotel at Il San Pietro which offers stunning views of Positano for beautiful photos.
RISTORANTE LA SPONDA is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in Le Sirenuse Hotel. La Sponda serves light Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Each night they light 400 candles in their dining room, giving the most romantic atmosphere. Their creations are also sourced from fresh local ingredients. I highly recommend making reservations in advance.
CHAMPAGNE BAR & GRILL is a champagne and oyster bar at Le Sirenuse. The restaurant is outdoors and has stunning views overlooking the town.
FRANCO’S BAR: I highly recommend visiting this bar! It’s located at Le Sirenuse and has delicious drinks! There’s no food but the view is one of the best while enjoying a cocktail.
CHEZ BLACK: Touristy but still worth dining for lunch or dinner for views on the beach.
RISTORANTE IL CAPITANO: I love restaurants with a view so this spot has stunning views and is great for lunch.
RESTAURANT DON GIOVANNI: I haven’t been here but the views look amazing and it’s centrally located in town.
IL TRIDENTE: Located at Hotel Poseidon, this restaurant has amazing views for lunch or dinner. I loved exploring the property for photos too.
RISTORANTE L’ANCORA: Located right next to Le Sirenuse so you know the views will be amazing!
VILLA TREVILLE RESTAURANT: Come here for the views and the best Positano pizza! It’s located at one of the best hotels in Positano, Villa Treville. This was one of the properties I wanted to get married. There’s also plenty of photo opportunities here.
TERRAZZA CELE: This restaurant has beautiful views overlooking Positano and is located at the Hotel Marincanto where we had our reception dinner.
COVO DEI SARACHENI: The Brasserie is right by the sea with little outdoor tables that let you relax and enjoy its best pasta and pizzas.
LI GALLI BISTRO: This restaurant is located on the main road. This is a great lunch spot with tables along the sidewalk and views of Positano as the backdrop.
LI GALLI RESTAURANT: Another Michelin restaurant with sea views.
Rada Restaurant
Villa Treville Villa Treville
DAY TRIPS
SORRENTO
Sorrento is a charming town of lemons overlooking the sea on the Amalfi Peninsula and can be visited by ferry from Positano. Sorrento has a long history of tourism with a lot to see and experience. Walk the narrow roads of the historic center and find your way to the center of Sorrento, Piazzo Tasso. You’ll find that this lively area is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops.
AMALFI
You can take the ferry, SITA bus, or tourist bus to get you from Positano to Amalfi. Amalfi is a town known for its beautiful scenery, coastal walks, and magnificent buildings. As you stroll through the town, you can see that lemons are a product of the area and it’s known to be best for Limoncello. I highly recommend spending a day around Amalfi.
RAVELLO
Just a quick bus ride above Amalfi is Ravello, a hidden treasure of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello’s beauty consists of stunning villas and cliff-edge gardens that have attracted artists from all over the world to this peaceful and charming resort. If you have time, I recommend making reservations at Belvedere Restaurant, located at the Belmond Hotel for stunning views!
CAPRI
Easily accessible by ferry from Positano or Sorrento, the island of Capri is famed for its natural beauty, amazing cuisine, shopping, and history. There’s a lot to see and do! Whether you’re taking a stroll through town, shopping, enjoying a glass of wine, hiking the Pizzolungo, or dancing the night away, Capri has so much to offer. If there is one town you should visit then it’s to Capri!
While in Capri, visit La Fontelina Beach Club or go on a boat ride and visit the Blue Grotto.
POMPEI
Pompei is where you’ll find the ruins of Pompei, the most visited archaeological site in the world, which can be visited by train from Sorrento or Naples. It is a very big place to visit so to ensure that you’re using your time wisely, I recommend taking a guided tour.
After 4 days in Positano, Ryan and I traveled through Puglia for 3 days and loved it! There’s so much to do in Italy and I hope this Positano travel guide helps you plan your next trip to Positano & don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to see more of my travels.
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Comments (4)
Meggie Francisco
April 23, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Love this post! I wish we’d spent more time in Positano the last time we visited. Hotel Marincanto looks so cute – I’m for sure adding that to my list for our next trip.
Tour de Lust
April 23, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Yes! You can always go back in the near future =)
Kate
August 5, 2021 at 5:59 am
Love this posts, thank you for sharing such a wonderful trip with us. Love all the pictures.
I do have one question, do you still have the private car company that you used? Or any recommendations for a car ride from Rome to Positano?
Thank you. 💕
Tour de Lust
August 6, 2021 at 1:03 am
Hi – check one of these: https://www.luxurylimopositano.com/en/transfers or https://www.joebananalimos.net/
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