If you plan to do a day trip to Positano or consider a longer stay, then this is the perfect travel guide for you including all the best things to see and do in Positano!
Positano is a place that will immediately bedazzle you, once you catch a first glimpse of the colorful houses adorning the jagged hills that flow into the glistening turquoise sea. This picturesque town is all about la dolce vita; enjoying the sweet life to the fullest in all its splendor. You can find some of the finest hotels and restaurants in Positano. So it is the perfect place for self-indulgence!
If you are looking for more information about places in this region of Italy make sure to also check out my Amalfi Coast itinerary and my travel guides to Ravello and Procida!
One day in Positano: things to see & do
TABLE OF CONTENT
- One day in Positano: things to see & do
- Where to eat in Positano?
- Book a hotel for your day trip to Positano
- Pin this post to plan your one day in Positano for later
Why you should visit Positano
Positano is the most famous and iconic place of the entire Amalfi Coast. It has a very catchy atmosphere that, once you arrive, will never let you go. The view of the majolica tiled dome of the Santa Maria Assunta church surrounded by the rainbow of houses covering the hills and the shimmering azure sea is simply magical!
Positano has everything you need for a day trip: adorable tiny boutiques, excellent restaurants and bars, a gorgeous beach and quaint narrow streets. There are even a couple of hikes you can do from there! So let’s start planning that one day in Positano!
Where is Positano and how can you get there?
Positano is situated at the Amalfi Coast in Italy, about 58 kilometers/1.5 hours driving from Naples and 16 kilometers/35 minutes from Sorrento. The route leading along the Amalfi Coast consists of one narrow mountain road. Which is why it takes longer than usual to drive these distances.
If you are planning your one day in Positano from Sorrento or Amalfi, you can take the ferry with Alilauro or Traghettilines. That way you can enjoy the marvelous views of the Amalfi Coast from the sea! You can also take the SITA bus or rent a transfer. From Ravello this is the best option, since this town is situated in the mountains.
I firmly advise against coming to Positano by car since even local cars are already parked 2 kilometers outside of town. It is extremely difficult to find parking space. On top of that; free parking in the town center is only for residents (white and yellow lines) and the few free public parking spaces (blue lines) are always taken. If you do find a parking space, you will pay A LOT. In the street you pay 3€/hour, but like I said, these spots are always taken. So you will end up parking at the paid parking lots at a rate of 8 to 10€/hour.
When should you go to Positano?
The best time to go on a day trip to Positano is spring and autumn (May/June and September/October preferably). Temperatures are bearable and you avoid the summer crowds. From April to June you will be able to enjoy the flowers the most.
Make sure to arrive early in the morning. This is the best time to take photos without the crowds and, in case you would like to spend some time at the beach, you can reserve a good seat at the beach! If you are able to stay for dinner; do it! You will love the sky when the sun sets here!
How to make the most of your one day in Positano?
Like I wrote before; when you decide to spend one day in Positano come early in the morning when the town awakens and you can take photos without hundreds of people ruining your photos of the cute narrow streets. After that you can enjoy the boutiques and everything Positano has to offer at your own pace.
Positano consists of steep winding streets and a lot of stairs. By a lot I mean hundreds to thousands without exaggerating. So wear comfortable shoes (no heels) and always take enough water with you. In the evening a Limoncello Spritz made these heavy walks back up a little more bearable!
Positano is all about enjoying life to the fullest in all luxury. You can find some of the finest (and most expensive) hotels and restaurants here of the Amalfi Coast. If you are on a budget, you will not be able to experience Positano at its best. This is a place to spoil yourself with everything this beautiful place has to offer! So make sure to be prepared and save up some extra money to fully enjoy Positano.
What are the best things to see and do on a day trip to Positano?
Vintage Fiat 500 tour & the famous fruit stand
A day trip to Positano is not about rushing from one place to another. It is a day of indulgence, relaxing, enjoying the good life! So I started my day with an experience I had been dreaming of for years! I got to drive around in a vintage Fiat 500 car! I did not drive myself (luckily, because it seemed hard to start the engine at times), but was accompanied by Luciano, the father of the owner of Italy Vintage Tours. He drove me along the coast of Positano and assisted me with taking photos. I felt like I had been transported back in time. Driving on these twisting tiny roads with open roof, the wind in my hair and all the magnificent views felt like absolute bliss!
I experienced some hilarious moments at Salvatore Milano’s notorious fruit stand. He sells fruit and fresh juices at a viewpoint near the famous Il San Pietro di Positano Hotel and is already well-versed in photography and social media! Upon arrival he made everyone step aside as if I was a famous movie star, so we were able to park the Fiat 500 next to the fruit stand to snap some photos. He even hung fruits on the car, took my camera from my tripod and showed me how to pose. It was both funny and sweet. If you are one day in Positano, make sure to give him a visit and make sure to book a trip with Luciano and Giuseppe of Italy Vintage Tours! You will have a lovely time with the sweetest local people sharing some nice information about the area as well!
Shopping
Positano is a little town, yet it is a veritable shopping paradise! On your day trip to Positano treat yourself to some exquisite ceramics or indulge in some local fashion at Antica Sartoria. There are numerous stores from which to pick. Ceramica Assunta and Delicatessen di Cinque were two of my favorite stores for ceramics, where I purchased a lovely ceramic dome diffuser. However, they also sell local delicacies that you can sample!
Beach
If you want to relax during your day trip in Positano, then I recommend renting a lounge chair at the beach. I prefered the first row for 30€ (other rows are 25€), not only because I wanted to be close to the water. But also because I travel solo and that way I could always see my stuff, if I decided to go for a swim.
I could order drinks and food from my chair using a QR code attached to the umbrella. The prices were a little high (15€ for a Margherita pizza), but for once I did not mind. What a treat it was to lie in the sun and order drinks and food with just a few clicks. Also, the people were quite pleasant. An Italian family sat next to me, helping me with rubbing sunscreen on my back and even sharing snacks!
Remember that the Amalfi coast’s beaches are volcanic and made up of pebbles rather than sand. So acquire some water sandals if you want to spare your feet. Because walking on them can be really painful.
Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The brilliant majolica tiled cupola of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta glitters in the midst of all the stacked brightly colored houses along the cliff side. The church may not be the most beautiful in the world (in fact, its walls might use a fresh coat of paint), but its famous dome with its intricate pattern of green, yellow and blue tiles gleaming against the blue sky and sea, is a sight to behold! A Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, previously part of a monastery, can be admired inside.
Boat tour
I regret not doing a boat tour down the Amalfi Coast. A day cruise, as well as a private sunset trip, were recommended to me. The views from the sea are said to be breathtaking! But now I have a good reason to return!
Hiking
I did not go hiking since it was too hot, but if you are visiting the Amalfi Coast during spring or autumn, I really recommend hiking Il Sentiero dei Dei. Starting from Bomerano to Nocelle is the best option because the path runs downhill in that direction.
The hike to Montepertuso is another great hike I would love to try. Montepertuso is called after the massive natural hole in the rock that can be seen from the village, meaning “pierced rock”.
Where to eat in Positano?
Positano offers a wide range of possibilities for a pleasant aperitivo or a delicious lunch. Whether you want to sip a Limoncello Spritz near the beach or treat yourself to an exquisite meal with a view on the bay, you will always find a place to your liking. However, they are all more expensive than other places at the Amalfi Coast. But having a meal at one of these restaurants definitely belongs in the list of the best things to see and do in Positano! I would have gone to places like the fancy Bar Franco and Terrazza Cele if I had remained longer and made reservations in time. So those will be saved for the future. These are the ones I did go to:
I had lunch twice at Li Galli. First, because of the delicious meals, second, because of the beautiful scenery, and third, because of the pleasant wait staff. I had fallen on my knee just before my first visit. So I started cleaning my knee and the small wound, while I was seated. When one of the waiters noticed it, he appeared concerned and asked if I needed any ice. That was so kind! Fortunately, I did not need it!
Chez Black is arguably one of Positano’s most well-known restaurants. It is impossible to acquire a table without a reservation! The restaurant is decorated to look like the interior of a ship, with images of celebrities that have visited on its walls. Their seafood meals are delicious, but the staff (who are dressed in sailor garb, by the way) seemed less welcoming than at other restaurants I’ve visited. It was probably due to the fact that it was extremely busy, with the majority of the people being tourists.
I had the greatest fiori di zucca (fried zucchini flowers) and lemon risotto at Buca di Bacco. The servers are quite pleasant and the restaurant has a large terrace with cozy lighting, where you can enjoy the view of the beach and the sky changing colors from orange to pink to purple as the sun sets.
Book a hotel for your day trip to Positano
To say that hotels on the Amalfi Coast, particularly in Positano, are pricey is an understatement. The closer you get to the beach and the city center, the more expensive it is. In addition, hotels with pools are significantly more expensive than those without. I decided to treat myself to something extra in Positano, because I had not been able to travel for a year and wanted to experience the “real Positano” which is the more opulent version.
Villa Giusy
For two nights, I stayed at Villa Giusy. This small boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Positano, just a few steps from the Santa Maria Assunta church and the sea. Its large terrace has the greatest view of the town! Even its 5-star neighbour, Le Sirenuse, has shown interest in purchasing the property! Every morning, I awoke to the sight of the dome twinkling in the morning light and the sound of the waves in my room, which had a tiny terrace! A big breakfast is provided on the lovely tiled terrace, so you can eat while taking in the sights!
Price for a standard double room with sea view in September: 261€/night, breakfast included. Book your stay at Villa Giusy here!
Villa Mary Suites
I regret staying only one night at Villa Mary Suites! I received the warmest welcome from Tiziana, the owner. She explained everything about the B&B, which route to walk to get to the town center easily and everything you can do at Positano. I absolutely loved her positive vibes and charm and felt like I could talk to her for hours.
I stayed at The Calipso room, which was fully decorated in blue. Breakfast was served on my own private patio with views of the bay and the lush mountains. It was one of the best breakfasts I had during my three week trip, including pancakes and eggs! Villa Mary also boasts a lovely pool with yet another spectacular view of the bay! Despite the fact that this lovely B&B is a little higher uphill, I appreciated the fact that it took me to a more local section of Positano. The number of stairs I had to climb every time I wanted to go to the center and back, was a struggle, but it was a great workout!
Price for a junior suite with terrace and partial sea view in September: 327€/night breakfast included. Book your stay at Villa Mary Suites here!
Pin this post to plan your one day in Positano for later
So that is it! I hope you enjoyed this “One day in Positano guide” and that it will help to plan all the best things to see and do in Positano. Do not hesitate to leave your comments or questions down below! That way I can add more information if necessary!
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It’s so Beautiful!! Next June we will be on a cruise and stopping to visit Positano!! I can’t wait. Your day tour was very informative.
Thank you 🙂