Positano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Positano
Positano which includes a beach and a coastal town
Positano which includes a coastal town
Positano
Positano featuring a coastal town and general coastal views

It's hard to find the right words to describe the Amalfi Coast. Only a holiday in Positano will convey its unique charm, although trying to capture the beauty of this place in words is no simple feat. Take advantage of the holiday packages to Positano and discover why throughout the years writers, poets, directors and film actors have loved it, making it one of Italy's most famous destinations.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, Positano is rich in history, including its celebrated churches. The most important is S. Maria Assunta Church, built in Baroque style, which houses the ancient Byzantine Tablet of the Black Madonna with child. Its majolica-tiled mosaic cupola, with yellow and green tiles, overlooks Piazza Flavio Gioia, where a Roman villa was uncovered. The villa was built for a prominent figure in the Roman senatorial class who had made a home for himself in Positano.

Other interesting places include local villas like Palazzo Murat, Villa Sersale and Villa Stella Romana, which still preserve their ancient splendour and stand as evidence of the importance of this area in the past. Another important piece of Positano's history is the guard towers, which bear witness to the frequent danger posed by pirates, Saracens and looters in centuries gone by. Torre della Sponda, in the beach area of the town, was one of the last towers to be used, while Torre di Fornillo was the residence of Gilbert Clavel.

The maze of narrow streets under the shadow of the majolica-tiled cupola of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta will lead you on a voyage of discovery through local crafts and traditions. The original "Moda Positano" store is the pride of a town which has based most of its economy on traditional crafts. Strictly hand-sewn and dyed clothes and accessories, but also made-to-measure genuine leather sandals, are the ultimate souvenirs you'll always find in the tourist's suitcase upon his or her unfortunate departure.

Positano has different souls and faces, in the form of its surrounding villages, which make it unique. Montepertuso is the largest of Positano's mountain villages and together with Nocelle forms the high part of the city. Laurito is Positano's oldest village, thus named for the wild laurels that used to grow there.

For beach lovers, in addition to Grande Beach, Positano also has Fornillo Beach. "Li Galli" stands three miles off the coast. This small archipelago is composed of three tiny islands: Gallo Lungo, Rotonda and Castelluccio. While no one can set foot on the islands, nothing can stop you admiring them in all their glory from the sea, particularly on a mini-cruise, when you will be dazzled by the seabed all around the islands. Another absolutely unmissable itinerary is the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), one of the most beautiful and evocative trails in the whole of Positano. The trail goes from the State Forestry Corps barracks to Capo Muro, where you can admire a famous rock called "The Mushroom". The path then unwinds down the slope before going back up and then down again towards Crocella.

There are countless itineraries around Positano that will lead you to discover the Amalfi Coast. Capri, Amalfi, Ravello, the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum will fill your days, which will never seem long enough to savour everything properly.

There is plenty to do even after the sun goes down. For couples, after a pleasant stroll down the narrow roads of the city centre and a barefoot stop at Grande Beach, a romantic candlelit dinner in one of the restaurants right along the sandy shore is a must. If it's night-life you're after —especially during the summer— you can stay up till the wee hours of the night, enjoying a drink and a fresh fish dinner in one of the seaside restaurants before hitting the dance floor at Music on the Rocks, the historic discotheque at Grande Beach in Positano.

History, seaside and fun… a holiday in Positano has all the right ingredients for an event to be remembered.

Where to stay in Positano

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Positano City Centre

5/5(19 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
Positano which includes a coastal town, general coastal views and a hotel

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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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

5/5(1 area review)

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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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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Laurito

5/5(1 area review)

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 £238 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
£238
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Positano. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (755 reviews)
"Nice hotel large room close to town beach etc.."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Hotel Royal Positano
Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
4 out of 5
Via Pasitea 207, Positano, SA
The price is £388 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£388
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (468 reviews)
Excellent stay
"Great view, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
Hotel Savoia
Hotel Savoia
4 out of 5
Via Cristoforo Colombo 73, Positano, SA
The price is £274 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£274
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Positano. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (874 reviews)
"The property was even better than the pictures showed. I stayed in a single room and it was more spacious than I was expecting. Staff went above and beyond to support and ensure my stay was comfortable (they even arranged a little snack box for me when I went on a tour they helped arrange). The location ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

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 Wi-Fi, airport pick-up service (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (187 reviews)
"We booked the top floor and it’s severely underrated. It was amazing! Beautiful room, friendly staff and an amazing terrace. The location could not be better and the staff went out of their way to make the visit exceptional. The closest hotel to the ferry dock and a treasure."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Villa Flavio Gioia
Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
Viale Pasitea 123, 3, Positano, SA
Stay at this villa in Positano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Positano Ferry Landing ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"Wonderful property! We loved our room and it's location. The staff was so friendly and helpful. We look forward to coming back for another stay. Would absolutely recommend"

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2025

Villa Dei Principi Luxury Suites
La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
La Caravella Positano Beach, Residence
Via Rampa Teglia, 23, Positano, SA
Stay at this beach residence in Positano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a private beach and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Positano Ferry Landing ...
7.4/10 Good! (180 reviews)
"Rosa was a great hostess. The location is phenomenal and close to everything."

Reviewed on 17 May 2025

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

Things to do

Reviews of Positano

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
41
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 22%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Need to be fit !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful ancient port town, oozing charm and character.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Positano is extremely picturesque but be prepared for endless steps. I would recommend staying at least one night as all the tourists make the town busy in the day but in the evening everything becomes relaxed. Parking is very difficult and expensive

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

If planning do hike the Path of the Gods, please bear in mind that it is in no way an easy or moderate walk. We are in our 60's and experienced hikers. Rocky terrain with a sheer drop on one side.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Went there to celebrate a friends special birthday. Took them out for a wonderful evening to a Champagne bar followed by a special dinner under the starts with a view across the bay. Next day took a boat trip down the coast for a swim. Perfect!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

August is very busy in Positano, lovely town but it was nice to come back to Montepertuso to chill!

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