Positano

Positano is a cliffside village in southern Italy, known for its beautiful coastline, elegant fashion and colorful buildings. Located in the region of Campania, Positano’s unspoiled beauty offers numerous things to do and see.

On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see locations, beaches, local delicacies and ferries to Positano. Read below our travel tips and available routes, and book cheap ferry tickets at no extra cost!

A colorful alley with picturesque buildings in Positano

Vacation in Positano

In Positano, you don’t have to choose between the mountains and the sea. Here, scenic beaches and views of the Lattari Mountains come together to create an otherworldly atmosphere. Apart from its natural wonders and beautiful surroundings, the village of Positano is known for its traditional, colorful architecture.

Only 20 minutes from the town of Sorrento, Positano is a must-see location if you’re interested in touring around the Amalfi Coast. Every year, millions of visitors come to enjoy its stunning beaches, local fashion scene and delicious cuisine. It’s also a popular destination for hiking and diving.

Holidays in Positano are perfect for couples, nature lovers and travelers who want a taste of the village’s vibrant and elegant nightlife.

How to get to Positano?

You can reach Positano by bus, car and ferry, our personal favorite. Traveling to Positano by ferry is a great way to avoid traffic and the curvy roads of the Amalfi Coast, all while overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Ferry connections to Positano are usually available from April to October. You can catch a ferry to Positano from neighboring cities of the Amalfi Coast, the islands of the Gulf of Naples and the cities of Naples, Salerno and Sorrento. Here, you can find more detailed information about ferries to Positano.

Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Sorrento or Salerno, though they tend to fill up quickly in summer. If you wish to get to Positano by car, keep in mind that there are limited parking spots and plenty of narrow streets and alleys.

Narrow roads among impressive cliffs leading to Positano

What to do in Positano

Getaways to Positano are all about relaxing and reconnecting with nature. One-day trips are most likely not enough to explore the village’s beaches, hiking trails and historic center.

Due to its topography and easily accessible coves, Positano attracts many sports enthusiasts who are interested in climbing and water sports, such as diving. Boat tours around the coast of Positano are also available, which is a great way to sit back and enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Amalfi Coast.

If you want to explore Positano without getting your feet wet, consider the Path of the Gods, a popular hiking trail that connects Positano to nearby villages and cities.

As you take a break from uncovering Positano’s hidden gems, head over to the village’s boutiques and browse hand-made clothes and souvenirs! For more ideas, discover the best of Positano below, including the top beaches, attractions, dishes and more!

Beaches in Positano

In Positano, you can find mostly rocky beaches, though there are a few sandy stretches as well. Either way, relaxing at the beaches of Positano is the best way to recharge your batteries and try out water sports on the Amalfi Coast.

Here, you can find the best beaches in Positano:

• Marina Grande: it’s the most famous beach of Positano, favored by locals, tourists and celebrities. There are 2 bathing establishments, restaurants and a nightclub. From here, you can explore nearby coves. This is one of the easiest beaches to access, as there are buses for people with disabilities.
• Laurito: this is a much smaller and natural beach, surrounded by cliffs. To get there, you have to go down a few stairs close to the Hotel San Pietro. Apart from the free area, there are 2 restaurants and a private area managed by the hotel.
• Arienzo: this is a sandy cove with great views and turquoise waters. To access it, you have to go down about 300 steps.
• Fornillo: this is one of the most popular beaches in Positano, with both pebbles and sand. This convenient location is accessible by bus and includes bars, umbrella rentals, restaurants and hotels nearby. This is also a great spot for trying out snorkeling in Positano.
• Tordigliano: it’s one of Positano’s hidden gems. After following a scenic path to the beach, you get to enjoy the unspoiled, natural beauty of the archipelagos of Gallos.

The charming beach of Arienzo with its 300 steps

Sightseeing in Positano

You can find natural and cultural wonders in every corner of Positano. Here are the top attractions in Positano that you should not miss:

• La Grotta di Fornillo: this is a wonderful cement artwork full of miniatures that represents the village and inhabitants of Positano.
• Church of Santa Maria Teresa dell’Assunta: a famous church in the historic center of Positano, known for its Black Madonna that dates to the Byzantine era.
• The Medieval Crypt: here, you can find beautiful structures and treasures from the 11th century CE.
• Torre Sponda: this is the oldest watchtower of Positano.
• Lattari Mountains: this is a great location for hiking. Popular areas include Montepertuso, with its natural caves, and Punta San Pietro, where you can find a small church overlooking the sea.

Tip: in the village of Positano, you can wander through its numerous scenic alleys and discover local shops, bars and colorful buildings.

Breathtaking panoramic view of the sea from the Path of the Gods

Nightlife in Positano

Positano perfectly encapsulates the worldly nightlife of the Amalfi Coast. Thanks to its numerous bars and restaurants, you get to admire views of the sea while enjoying cocktails and local aperitifs.

For those interested in hitting the dance floor, Music on the Rocks, the famous nightclub of Positano, is the place to be. It’s located on the beach of Marina Grande, with popular DJs hosting parties every year.

Food in Positano

The region of Campania excels in traditional cuisine, and Positano is no exception. Here, you can find a luscious mix of seafood, fresh pasta, citrus fruits and herbs.

Read below some delicacies to try out during your stay in Positano:

• Vermicelli di Positano: fresh pasta, vegetables and herbs.
• Fried fish
• Onion soup with saffron
• La zuppa di cozze: mussels prepared with tomato sauce.
• Il totano imbottito: squid, usually stuffed with nuts, cheese, eggs and herbs.
• Seasoned olives

Delicious fried fish, a popular delicacy of Positano

Villages close to Positano

Positano is not only a good representation of the Amalfi Coast, but also a convenient spot to visit nearby villages and cities.

Some of the best places to visit during or after your vacation in Positano are: Amalfi, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Ravello, Atrani, Praiano and Conca dei Marini. Then, you can visit Sorrento and Vico Equense, located on the northwestern side of the Amalfi Coast.

Reminder: you can move around the Amalfi Coast by car or bus, though our suggestion is to travel by ferry!

Tips for your holidays in Positano

Read below our top tips for your stay in Positano:

• Holidays on the Amalfi Coast tend to be a bit pricey, especially during high season. If you want to stay several days in Positano, make sure to plan your trip early in advance to find better offers.
• Sightseeing in Positano requires a lot of walking through steep alleys and steps. Using a moped or public transport is highly recommended.
• After your vacation in Positano, you can discover the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia. Take a look at the Positano - Capri and Positano - Ischia ferry routes!

Useful information for Positano

Positano comes to life every summer, during high season. If you prefer more relaxation and tranquility, however, you can always plan a winter trip to Positano and enjoy its cozy atmosphere. 

In any case, Positano has everything you need. In the center of the village, you can find supermarkets, restaurants, banks, 3 pharmacies and medical services. The closest hospital is located in the neighboring town of Sorrento.

When it comes to accommodation, the list of hotels, apartments and Bed & Breakfasts in Positano is endless. As most options tend to be a bit pricey, we recommend staying outside the center. If you arrive in Positano by ferry, staying close to the port is more convenient.

As for shopping, Positano is known for its local crafts, including hand-made fabrics, shoes and ceramics. During your stay there, don’t miss out on the popular Positano swimwear!

Important phone numbers for your stay in Positano

Here are some useful numbers for your holidays in Positano:

• Tourist Office: +39089857657
• Emergency medical services: +390898122059
• Municipality of Positano: +39089871205
• Municipal police: +390898752775
• Carabinieri (military force for public safety): +39089811666 
• Roadside assistance: 116
• Sea rescue: 1530
• European emergency number: 112

Terraces decorated with flowers in Positano

Transportation in Positano

Getting around Positano on foot is easy and convenient. Alternatively, you can use a moped or the village’s bus lines, which are also connected to its historic center.

Good-to-know: as Positano is a cliffside village with lots of steep alleys and steps, moving around with a stroller or wheelchair is challenging.

Getting around Positano by car

If you wish to bring along your car to Positano, keep in mind that the only free parking lots are in Nocelle and Montepertuso, since most places are reserved for pedestrians. This means that most areas might be inaccessible or pricey when it comes to parking.

Ports in Positano

The port of Positano is located close to the beach of Marina Grande. Due to its convenient location, visiting the rest of the Amalfi Coast and exploring the Gulf of Naples by ferry is easier than ever.

Tip: close to the port of Positano, you can find hotels, bars, restaurants, local shops and rental services.

Positano ferry: schedules and tickets

Interested in traveling to Positano by ferry? There are several daily sailings from the rest of the Amalfi Coast, the islands of the Gulf of Naples and the cities of Naples, Sorrento and Salerno.

The ferry routes are usually active from April to October, operated by 4 companies: Alilauro, NLG, Positano Jet and Travelmar. Depending on your point of departure, you can travel either by ferry or hydrofoil.

Here, you can read more information about the available ferry connections to Positano:

• Amalfi - Positano ferry: the Amalfi to Positano ferry route is available from April to October with about 10 daily crossings that last 15-25 minutes.
• Capri - Positano ferry: the itinerary from Capri to Positano is active from April to October. There are about 40 weekly trips that last about 30-40 minutes.
• Ischia - Positano ferry: the connection from Ischia to Positano is seasonal, with about 7 weekly sailings. The duration of the route is about 2 hours.
• Naples - Positano ferry: the route from Naples to Positano is available with about 16 weekly crossings from May to October. The ride usually lasts about 2 hours at most.
• Salerno - Positano ferry: there are about 20 weekly connections from Salerno to Positano that last around 1 hour. The route is active from April to October.
• Sorrento - Positano ferry: there are about 40 weekly departures from Sorrento to Positano. The route is active from May until the end of October and lasts about 30-45 minutes.
• Castellammare di Stabia - Positano ferry: the route from Castellammare di Stabia to Positano is available with 7 weekly crossings that last about 2 hours.
• Vietri sul Mare - Positano ferry: there are about 5 daily connections from Vietri sul Mare to Positano that last about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Tip: take a look at our Map of ferries, discover all ferry crossings to Positano and start planning your trip easily and quickly!

The stunning port of Positano

Where to book ferry tickets to Positano online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all crossings to Positano, compare prices and timetables, and book your ferry tickets online with ease. Your vacation in Positano, with its beautiful landscapes and local delicacies, is just a few clicks away!