Positano
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Latest page update: 1 February 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Positano is the most popular of all the towns along the Amalfi Coast with visitors drawn by its picturesque buildings clinging to the rock overlooking its beaches.
The town has the feel of a natural amphitheatre with the thousands of windows of the houses resembling crowds looking down into the arena. Some of the best views of Positano can be had from the main road above it; there are various places along the road where you can stop and appreciate the full dramatic effect of the picturesque layout of the coastline. |
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Positano: jewel of the Amalfi Coast
Positano is the westernmost town on the Amalfi Coast and therefore the first that most visitors to the region arrive at first if coming from Sorrento. Legend has it that the town's name comes from an incident at the end of the first millennium when some Saracen pirates stole the "Black Madonna", a valuable Byzantine icon which is these days housed in Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, Positano's main church with its beautiful dome.
The story goes that the pirates were fleeing with their bounty when a terrible storm whipped up from nowhere and a mysterious voice called out to them "posa posa" which more or less translates as "put it down". The fearful pirates returned the icon to the nearest port and as soon as they had the storm abated and they wisely left empty-handed.
The story goes that the pirates were fleeing with their bounty when a terrible storm whipped up from nowhere and a mysterious voice called out to them "posa posa" which more or less translates as "put it down". The fearful pirates returned the icon to the nearest port and as soon as they had the storm abated and they wisely left empty-handed.
Apart from the church, the main features of the town are its two beaches. Just behind the long sandy beaches there's the amazing sight of the multi-coloured little buildings that rise up above the town. During the summer the area is thriving with visitors who spend their time sunbathing, eating and drinking at the many restaurants clustered around the beach or shopping in Positano's narrow alleyways.
Shoppers will find a good selection of boutiques and no shortage of shoe shops with hand-made shoes a local tradition along with clothes items made from cotton. Of the two beaches, the first one that most visitors see is called Spiaggia Grande but if you walk around the path that hugs the cliff you arrive at a larger beach known as Spiaggia del Fornillo.
Shoppers will find a good selection of boutiques and no shortage of shoe shops with hand-made shoes a local tradition along with clothes items made from cotton. Of the two beaches, the first one that most visitors see is called Spiaggia Grande but if you walk around the path that hugs the cliff you arrive at a larger beach known as Spiaggia del Fornillo.
Comune di Positano
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Province: Salerno
Region: Campania Population: 3,719 (2024 - source) Size: 9 km² Highlights: Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, beaches, shops Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2024 - 2025 Close by: Amalfi, Ravello, Sorrento, Cetara, Naples, Salerno By car: Sorrento - 36 mins, Amalfi - 44 mins, Ravello - 1 hr 3 mins Fly to: Naples International Airport - 1 hour 16 mins by car (61 km) Nearest train station: Sorrento (15 km) Recommended accommodation: Hotel Savoia |
What are the best hotels in Positano?
- Il San Pietro di Positano: This luxurious hotel offers private balconies in every room, providing stunning Mediterranean Sea views. Guests appreciate its impeccable service and familial atmosphere.
- Le Sirenuse: A historic boutique hotel, once the summer residence of King Joachim Murat, featuring rooms with private balconies overlooking lush gardens or the sea. Its central location allows easy exploration of Positano.
- Villa Treville: Formerly the home of director Franco Zeffirelli, this opulent hotel offers suites with gilded bed frames, marble floors, and private plunge pools, ensuring a luxurious stay.
- Hotel Poseidon: A traditional Mediterranean villa hotel in central Positano, overlooking the beach and coastline. It features 50 rooms and suites, each with a private terrace or balcony, tiled floors, and whitewashed walls.
- Hotel Palazzo Murat: Set in an 18th-century building surrounded by botanical gardens, this hotel offers elegantly furnished rooms with balconies overlooking the sea or garden. Its on-site restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.
What's the best way to reach Positano?
There are a number of ways to reach Positano. Perhaps the most romantic is to drive along the Amalfi Coast Road and stop at one of the car parks at the top of the village before walking down. Alternatively there are buses that will take you to the edge of the main town and these buses will take you to all of the other main destinations along the Amalfi Coast.
The majority of bus visitors come from nearby locations such as Praiano or Amalfi or from Sorrento which is further afield and just outside the Amalfi Coast. Positano also receives a large amount of its visitors by sea with the town connected by hydrofoil to Amalfi, Capri and Salerno.
The majority of bus visitors come from nearby locations such as Praiano or Amalfi or from Sorrento which is further afield and just outside the Amalfi Coast. Positano also receives a large amount of its visitors by sea with the town connected by hydrofoil to Amalfi, Capri and Salerno.
Positano Gallery
Where are the best places to eat in Positano?
- La Sponda: Located within Le Sirenuse Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant setting with panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- Da Vincenzo: A family-run establishment since 1958, known for its authentic Italian dishes and warm hospitality, offering a cozy atmosphere with views of the coastline.
- Chez Black: Situated along the beachfront, this iconic restaurant is famous for its seafood dishes and lively ambiance, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
- La Tagliata: Perched above Positano, this family-owned restaurant offers a farm-to-table experience with homegrown produce and meats, serving traditional Italian fare in a rustic setting.
- Next2: Known for its stylish and modern ambiance, this restaurant offers a contemporary take on Italian cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and local ingredients.
