Check out the best things to do in Positano + the best day trips to other towns in the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and more in this guide written by an Italian.
Positano is the most stereotypical town of the Amalfi Coast, combining all the elements that this beloved destination is known for. Cliffside houses, sweeping views, narrow alleys, and pebble beaches are some of the many attractions that Positano offers.
Settled on an enclave in the hills, Positano stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way up the hill, gaining the elevation that rewards it with such celebrated views. For this reason, it’s not exactly easy to get around town, so you might need to plan your itinerary per area to avoid going up and down all day.
The streets are charming but quite hilly, and there are a lot of stairs, so you should still be prepared to do some exercise while in town. Now that you know there’s a way to counteract all the pasta you’ll be eating, read on to find out all the other amazing things to do in Positano.
Why should you trust my recommendations? I’m an Italian native, born and raised in Bologna, and have had the privilege to explore Italy extensively. While I had never visited the Amalfi Coast until a few years ago (can you believe it?!), I can absolutely understand why everyone falls in love with this region. You can rely on my choices to make your time in Positano truly special.
Table of Contents
UNMISSABLE THINGS TO DO IN POSITANO, ITALY
Take a Boat Tour of the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast offers magnificent viewpoints, but the coast itself is a staggering landscape worth admiring. And the only place from where you can capture its true grandeur is the water, so I recommend going on a boat tour to enjoy the views of Positano from the sea.
➤ This Amalfi Coast Boat Excursion is a private experience. You and your group will be joined by a skipper who’ll take you sailing around Positano and along the coast. You’ll even get to choose which towns you want to explore and where to stop for a swim. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ With this Amalfi Coast Day Cruise, you’ll see Positano from the sea and sail past the best spots in the peninsula, including stops for swimming and exploring. The tour lasts a full day. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Spend the Day at the Beach
This region of Italy is not particularly known for its beaches, which are mainly made of pebbles. As an Italian, I always say there are MUCH better beaches in my country (think Puglia or Sardinia if you’re looking for white, paradisiac beaches).
However, Positano features some of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast, where you can spend the day sunbathing, swimming in the sea, and reading with a drink in hand.
▶️ Spiaggia Grande (Marina Grande Beach) is the main beach in Positano. It stretches for 1,000 feet and features both a free area and a paid one with sun loungers and umbrellas. Showers and changing cabins are available.
▶️ Fornillo Beach is a lovely Positano beach that can only be reached from Spiaggia Grande, either by foot or by boat. Located on an inlet, it features fine pebbles, turquoise water, and a few beach resorts along with a free section.
▶️ Arienzo Beach Club offers orange sun loungers and umbrellas in front of the sea, a shaded terrace where you can enjoy lunch, a great selection of drinks, and a cliff jumping platform. It also has a complimentary shuttle service from La Banchina Pier.
Enjoy an Aperitivo with a View
Having aperitivo is pretty much a ritual for Italians, one you should definitely try. But what’s better than enjoying an aperitivo is doing so with jaw-dropping views of the Amalfi Coast.
▶️ Le Sirunese’s Aldo’s Bar is located in a beautiful setting and features a patio with astounding views of the colorful, cliff-perched houses of Positano. The menu boasts fantastic signature cocktails, and there’s also a raw bar onsite.
▶️ Hotel Covo dei Saraceni is near the main beach of Positano, so it overlooks the spiaggia as well as the east part of town. Both the bar and the restaurant offer a privileged panorama, so you can either go at aperitivo time or for an early dinner.
▶️ Ristorante Bruno is a small, charming restaurant with one of the best views in Positano. It’s a great place to have a drink at sunset, or grab a quick bite to eat while staring at the beautiful scenery.
Take a Day Trip to Capri
Capri is the most fashionable island in Italy, famous for its grottoes, viewpoints, and astounding villas. You can’t go to Positano and not visit Capri, which also offers a very lively social scene, great shopping opportunities, and mouthwatering cuisine.
Getting there is fairly easy, which makes it a great destination for a day trip from Positano. The ferry ride takes 40 minutes, and they’re very frequent in the summer.
I wrote a whole post on how to get to Capri and also selected the very best tours to Capri from Positano. If you’re short on time, these are my favorites:
➤ Join the Boat Excursion to Capri for an organized, full-day tour to the famous island. You’ll sail along its magnificent coastline, get up close to the Faraglioni, visit the grottoes, and enjoy free time to wander around Capri. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you’re traveling with a group, you may prefer the Private Capri Boat Tour. You’ll cruise to the island in your own boat, stop for swimming and snorkeling in gorgeous locations, visit the grottoes, and indulge in onboard snacks and prosecco. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Go Shopping in Positano
Positano is one of the best places to go shopping in the area, as shops and boutiques of all sorts line its streets.
From luxurious accessories, clothes, and jewelry to handicraft souvenirs, ceramics, leather jackets, and lemon-themed articles, the variety is wide, making going shopping a must do in Positano.
Head to Via Cristoforo Colombo for the fancy brands, while on Via Pasitena you can browse more affordable stores and shop for shoes. You’ll also find great art galleries in Positano to browse for some art.
Visit Amalfi & Other Towns along the Amalfi Coast
▶️ Amalfi is a charming town in the heart of the Amalfi Coast, quieter than Positano and much more historical.
You can take the SITA bus from Positano to Amalfi, rent a scooter, or join the Amalfi Coast Vespa Tour to go on a day trip to Amalfi.
➤ This tour is the ultimate way to explore the coastline, as you’ll be zipping along the villages while enjoying uninterrupted, jaw-dropping scenery. You’ll drive to the towns of Ravello and Amalfi, and have free time there to explore them. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The tour is only for people who know how to ride a scooter, though. I do NOT recommend renting a scooter if you aren’t an experienced driver, and you should also check if your travel insurance covers it.
Amalfi is a picturesque village perched on the cliffs, featuring a pebble beach, stunning views of the coastline, and very historic buildings that date back to Medieval times. The port is a bustling attraction that played an important role in Italy’s trading history, and there are also great restaurants and shops in town.
▶️ Ravello is a very pretty Amalfi Coast town near Amalfi, and it’s worth the visit. Its beautiful gardens overlooking the bay and incredible villas are the town’s main attractions, along with Piazza Duomo and the maze of streets fringed by cafés.
➤ An alternative if you don’t drive scooters is joining the Amalfi and Ravello Tour. This guided trip includes transfers in a minivan and a visit to both towns. There you’ll discover their history and main attractions, and get to explore them at your leisure. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Otherwise, you could take one of the boat tours I suggested in the boat tours section!
Join a Cooking Class in Positano
Looking for the best things to do in town? In my opinion, visiting Italy without attending a cooking class should be prohibited, so make sure to try your hand at making the local specialties in Positano!
Besides relishing the delicious dishes, you’ll learn the secrets behind them so you can recreate them again and again back home.
➤ This Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class is the ultimate foodie experience. You’ll roll up your sleeves and get to work to make these traditional dishes from scratch. You’ll then enjoy a family-style dinner to taste your creations. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
I’ve written a full post abut the best cooking classes in town – check it out for other authentic experiences.
Go Hiking in the Amalfi Coast
One of the most exciting things to do in Positano is to see the coast from its spectacular hiking trails while getting some exercise. These hikes will take you at least half a day and it’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods is the most popular hike on the Amalfi Coast. It connects the towns of Bomerano and Nocelle, and offers incredibly scenic views along the way. You’ll also pass by old shepherd’s houses and villages, walking on the path that was formerly the only way to travel along the Amalfi Coast.
The trail is 5 miles long, and is of moderate difficulty, taking anywhere between 2 and 4 hours depending on your pace. After you arrive in Nocelle, you can get to Positano by foot going down almost 2,000 steps.
➤ If you’d rather do the hike with a guide, and benefit from the optional pick-up in Positano to save you the transfer arrangements, you can join the Path of the Gods Private Tour, which lasts around 4 hours. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Path of Lemons
Path of Lemons is another picturesque trail on the coast that connects the villages of Maiori and Minori. It’s called after all the citrus groves lining the trail, so you know it’s going to be a very attractive walk.
The path is actually an old mule route that connected the hillside towns before the state road was built, and it offers astounding views along the way.
Lemons & Farm Experience in Sorrento
Sorrento is widely known for its lemon groves and trees, the town’s biggest pride. Visiting a farm and learning about the cultivation of Femminello, the famous Sorrentine lemon, is a great experience. Especially if you get to try limoncello after!
The trip to Sorrento can be made via land on the Sita bus, which takes around 2 hours, or by ferry. This is the most convenient option, as it only takes 30 minutes.
What I’d personally do is get to Sorrento on my own and then I’d book a farm and limoncello tour. Sorrento is the perfect place for this type of experience (and then spend some time visiting Sorrento as well).
➤ The Sorrento Farm Experience takes place on a family-run farm, where you’ll get to wander around the olive and lemon groves, learn about their cultivation, and enjoy tastings of wine, olive oil, and limoncello. Lunch is also included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Visit the Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius
If you plan on staying more than one day in Positano, visiting Pompeii is pretty much a requirement, as the city is fascinating and only a short ride from town.
To get there you’ll have to either take the SITA bus or the ferry to Sorrento, and from there catch the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. The ferry ride is much faster, so I recommend that option for both leaving and coming back to Positano.
Make sure to book your Pompeii tickets in advance so you can get right in when you arrive. ➥ BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
Otherwise, you can go on a tour such as these ones below:
➤ With the Pompeii Guided Tour you’ll spend a day enjoying a very comprehensive visit of the site with a knowledgeable guide. It includes the transfers from Positano. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ This Pompeii and Vesuvius Day Trip starts with a visit to the ancient city, before you go hiking up Mt. Vesuvius. You’ll then enjoy a scrumptious lunch and wine tasting at a winery. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Eat at These Restaurants in Positano
If you were wondering where to eat in Positano, you have the answer right here. Check out the best eats in town!
▶️ Ristorante Casa Mele specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and features a great seafood menu. There’s an open kitchen that allows you to watch your meal in the making, and the dishes are beautifully presented as well as delicious!
▶️ Pizzeria Ai Galli is one of the best places on the coast to get your pizza fix. The pizzas are homemade with the freshest ingredients, and there’s a great variety of flavors. The service is also fantastic.
▶️ Il Ritrovo is one of the best restaurants in Positano with a view. Serving both Italian and International fare, it also has a full bar, an outdoor seating area, and great vegetarian options on the menu.
▶️ Latteria is a small wine and cheese shop, one of the best places to eat a quick bite. It sells sandwiches, fruits and veggies, cheese, and some deli-style meals as well as drinks and wine bottles.
Check Out the Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the main attractions in the town of Positano. It was part of the Monastery of St. Mary, which was built around the 10th century to honor a Byzantine icon of the Virgin, which is still featured in the church.
The Chiesa went through its last restoration in the 18th century, and it boasts a multicolored tile dome and a very trending architectural design. The bell tower, built in the early 18th century, is located a few steps from the church, also in the center of Positano.
WHERE TO STAY IN POSITANO
Read on to find the best places to stay in Positano for all budgets.
LUXURY: Il San Pietro di Positano is a grand hotel in Positano with an outdoor swimming pool, private beach area, fully-equipped fitness center, spa, and a Michelin-star restaurant. The rooms are very spacious and luminous, some including a terrace and sea views.
LUXURY: Le Sirenuse is a beautiful 5-star hotel with elegant rooms, an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Positano, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a full-service spa with a sauna, Hamman, and a gym.
BOUTIQUE: Maison Liparlati offers air-conditioned rooms with sea views, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a minibar. The hotel is within walking distance of the town’s center and has a terrace with a splendid view of Positano.
ON A BUDGET: Hostel Brikette offers mixed and female dorms with shared bathrooms, and a terrace overlooking the sea.
Hostel Brikette is the closest thing to budget accommodation in Positano, although there is no such thing if you travel in the high season. If you’re on a budget you’re better off staying in Sorrento.
WHAT TO DO IN POSITANO FAQs
Positano is famous for its scenic views, colorful cliffside houses, and charming shops and cafes.
Positano vs. Amalfi is a recurring question, and the truth is that they offer different attractions, so one is better than the other depending on your interests. If you want lively nightlife, a great variety of eateries and shops, and jaw-dropping scenery, Positano is nicer. If you’re after a more relaxing vibe, or traveling with kids, Amalfi is a better option. I’ve written an article that compares Positano, Amalfi, and Sorrento.
Positano is the perfect place to base yourself to visit the Amalfi Coast, so if that’s your plan I recommend staying 3 days minimum. If you just want to visit Positano, 1 or 2 nights are enough.
The busiest time in Positano is July and August, and it’s also when it’s the most expensive. March to May and September through November are the best months to visit Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
