When I first saw a photo of Positano on the internet a few years ago, I was immediately drawn to this place. Beautiful turquoise sea, cliffs and this incredible architecture. In February 2019, I visited Positano on the Amalfi Coast for the first time together with my grandmother and sister. Outside the summer season, it was empty and had a completely different atmosphere. This time Juraj and I were planning to fly to Iceland with a transfer in Naples. Unfortunately, our first flight was late, so we didn’t make it. We spent a day in Naples and a day on the Amalfi Coast instead. Let me tell you, it’s completely different in the summer. Keep reading to learn more about top things to do in Positano.
How to get to Positano
By car
If you go to Positano by car, you can park right along the main road that passes above Positano. It is free. But buses also go here and the road is narrow. If you have a bigger car, be careful. Parking is more difficult in the town and its center. In summer, everything is almost always full. Prices there range from €3-€8/hour. You can also find all information about parking on the Amalfi Coast HERE.
By train or bus
By public transport it is best to get to Sorrento or Salerno first. If you go from Naples to Sorrento, there is a Circumvesuviana train. The ticket costs €3.6 and you can find the times HERE. It takes over an hour. A SITA SUD bus runs from both Sorrento and Salerno to Positano. Due to long queues, especially in summer, it is better to buy a bus ticket immediately upon arrival in Sorrento. There is a small window in the corner in front of the train station. If you plan to travel by bus more often, buy a 24-hour ticket for €10. You can find the schedule of departures on the website sorrentoinsider.com. You can get off above Positano at the Chiesa Nuova stop or in the center at the Sponda stop. The bus ride takes about an hour and is beautiful. The whole time you go along the coast on high cliffs. Definitely sit on the right side of the bus.
By ferry
Another option is a boat trip. From Naples you can get directly to Positano in about 1:45 by the fastest ferry. Ticket prices range from €18 – €28. The disadvantage is that the ships sail only until 16-17 in the evening. In the evening you will find only a few connections. You can find more information on websites like ferryhopper.com or naplesbyferry.com.
Travel vlog from Naples and Positano
with English subtitles
The best time to visit Positano
The best time if you want to swim and enjoy the sea is of course summer. Warm sunny days await you on the beach along the turquoise sea. You also have a choice of many other boat trips, e.g. to Capri. The downside of this period is that it is also the most popular time to visit the Amalfi Coast. Prepare for crowds not only on the beaches but also in public transport and city streets. Prices are also higher.
If you want to come and see it here and you don’t need to swim in the sea, it’s better to go here in autumn or spring. Almost no one comes here during this period. We were here in February, we were the only people on the beach. This is a great time to admire the architecture and local streets. You can’t even normally walk along them in the summer because of the crowds. The prices are also lower.
Top things to do in Positano
1. Enjoy summer on the beach
As usual, the first item on this list has to be relaxing on the beach. Unfortunately, your options are somewhat limited in Positano. The beach is divided into three parts – public, paid and for locals. The public beach is free. However, it is only a few meters wide. There is very little space and it will probably be crowded. If you are willing to pay extra for a deck chair under the umbrellas, there is a third part of the beach. But the entrance here costs a dizzying 35€/person/day. The sea here is beautiful, but expect a lot of boats parked here and there in front of the coast.
2. Discover narrow streets of Positano
And there are certainly plenty of them here. Positano is full of various interesting corners. Every street has something special. Spend some time here and lose yourself in this Mediterranean architecture. Since the city is built on a hill, be prepared for a lot of stairs. In the summer, the streets are full. However, this applies mainly to the main streets down near the beach. If you want to escape the crowds, go a little further and you will find the peaceful and quiet Positano.
3. Enjoy the views
In Positano, every single view will enchant you to the maximum. Whether you look at the city from above from the road or below from the beach, it is simply breathtaking. You have views here at every turn. Take advantage of it and take some nice photos.
4. Buy some souvenirs
As a well-known tourist destination, Positano boasts a decent number of souvenir shops. You can find everything possible here – clothes, paintings, ceramics, sandals, jewelry… Anything you can think of. The entire Amalfi Coast is known for its beautiful colorful patterns, which you can find on dresses, skirts, trousers and T-shirts. You can also see them in the photo on the side. Patterns with lemons are also popular here. Something will surely catch your eye here.
5. Visit other towns on Amalfi coast
The entire Amalfi Coast is like a fairy tale. And at every step there is a beautiful view or a breathtaking town. Sorrento, Amalfi and Salerno are definitely among the best cities. It is very easy to get around the coast thanks to the excellent bus service.
6. Go visit Capri island
The islands of Capri and Procida can only be reached by boat from Positano. You will find beautiful beaches with clear turquoise water, steep rocky cliffs jutting out of the sea and lots of good bars and restaurants. There is also a great website capri.com where you can find all the information about visiting the island.
7. Visit Pompei and Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii should be a mandatory stop when visiting Naples or the Amalfi Coast. I (Nika) was here in 2019 together with my grandmother and sister. I decided to share my experience and all the advice and tips with you. Read about how to visit Vesuvius and Pompei.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Positano in the summer is not a cheap affair at all. And actually not even during other periods. I think the prices start around 200-300€ per night for two people. However, they can easily climb to €2,000-3,000. It is extremely expensive in Positano even outside of high season. And don’t forget that availability is also very limited in the summer. Book your accommodation well in advance.
If you want to save money, it is best to stay elsewhere. The city of Sorrento is a bit cheaper. Well, it’s not much a win there either. The cheapest option (apart from sleeping on the street :D) is clearly the city of Naples. There you can choose from many hotels in different price ranges.
How much time do you need
How much time to spend in Positano is very individual. Outside of summer, you only need a few hours to visit it. We visited Popmei, Vesuvius and Positano in one day. However, you will definitely want to stay longer in the summer. If you have time, definitely spend at least one whole day here. Of course, it depends only on you whether you come here for one day or for a week’s vacation. But definitely don’t miss the surrounding towns on the Amalfi Coast.
