Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Positano
Plans to visit Positano? You have come to the right place! If you follow me on Instagram then you already know that Positano Italy on the Amalfi Coast is my favorite place in the entire world. I refuse to stop professing my love for it.
My love affair with Positano started in the summer of 2014 while three girl friends and I were on a month long Europe trip. As we sailed up to Positano via ferry I remember feeling an overwhelming sensation that I had found my place. I couldn’t believe that what I was seeing was real. No photos, no matter how good, can do this place justice — it is truly something you have to see for yourself.
I have since visited numerous times and try to get back as often as I possibly can. Along the way I have met and become good friends with many locals born and raised in Positano. During my visits they have helped me uncover the very best things to see and do, places to eat and drink, and hotels to stay at. And now I am sharing them with you!
So if you are looking for the very best Positano recommendations, here is everything you need to know:
BEFORE YOU GO, DON'T MISS MY LIST OF 8 THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS IN POSITANO AND AMALFI COAST MAP AND TOP TOWNS TO VISIT!
HOW TO GET TO POSITANO
I’m going to be totally honest with you — Positano is a bit of a pain to get to. Where is Positano Italy? It’s on the coast of Italy, the Amalfi Coast to be exact, and is quite remote. You can’t just hop on a train and magically end up there, unfortunately, nor can you fly in. The good news is it is totally worth it and I have done all of the research for you!
MY RECOMMENDATION:
If you are coming to the Amalfi Coast via train (i.e. not flying in), you should take a train to Salerno and then arrive in Positano via ferry. It is truly magical and a great way to start your trip. On the way out, depending on where you are heading, you can go the cab route to either Naples or Salerno.
Salerno to Positano ferry: The ferry takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, leaving every hour or two (changes based on time of year). Check the schedule here to be sure. It makes a stop at Amalfi on the way (good photo opp) and they serve drinks and snacks on board.
You can also take a cab if you want. A cab from Positano to Salerno will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes and goes along the coast. It cost us €130.
If you are flying in, your only option is from Naples. My recommendation in this case is that you hire a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Click here to see the latest prices for a shared transfer and click here to see the latest prices for a private transfer. There is no Uber in this area.
Since getting to Positano and the Amalfi Coast can be a bit confusing, I have an entire post dedicated to it! Click here for how to get to Positano.
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE PLANS TO VISIT OTHER AREAS OF ITALY DURING YOUR TRIP, CHECK OUT MY ITALY VACATIONS: THE BEST ONE TO THREE WEEK ITALY ITINERARY POST FOR PLANNING HELP!
The Best Tools for Traveling Italy
As a full time traveler with a LOT of experience planning trips, I have a handful of sites and tools that I cannot live without. They save me money, time, and frustration - all of which are very important for me and should be to you, too.
For flights, I use Skyscanner. Skyscanner is great because they find you the cheapest flights by comparing millions of options from airlines and travel agents. Click here to find the best flight deal!
For hotels I always use HotelsCombined, as you will notice in my specific recommendations below. I love them because they compare all of the top travel sites in one spot - with no booking fee and no markup. Click here to search HotelsCombined.
When I'm not staying at a hotel, I love Airbnb. When chosen right, it provides a more local experience and you can often get a lot more space for less money. Click here to get $40 off your first stay.
To get from city to city while in Europe, I usually either fly or take a train. For train travel I recommend using Rail Europe, the #1 distributor for European train tickets and rail passes. I like that you can create an account with them which helps keep all of your tickets and info in one central location. Click here to search Rail Europe.
To get around while in city, I recommend walking, using public transit, or Uber if it's available. In many places, like Lisbon for example, Uber is dirt cheap. If you are new to Uber, use code "kbae3" to get your first ride for free. You can also use it on Uber Eats!
For tours, museum tickets, and other activities, I recommend GetYourGuide. They are a trusted site and have lots of unique things to do along with all of the standard touristy activites. Booking everything individually can be a bit of nightmare to keep track of. With GetYourGuide you can create an account to book and manage all of your tickets in one central location. Click here to search GetYourGuide.
What to Pack for Positano
Having the right travel gear is incredibly important for any trip, especially if you are visiting Europe from a different continent. Save yourself time and money by getting all of the necessary items prior to arriving at your destination. Some of the items I consider non-negotiable:
COMFORTABLE SHOES — I consider proper walking shoes to be the most important packing item for Europe. The last thing you want is to be mid-trip, with torn up feet, and out of options. Trust me, I’ve been there. My shoe recommendation is not the least expensive option on the market, but it’s definitely the best. You can wear them all day everyday for weeks straight and not once will your feet hurt. They are the only shoes I have ever found that are this way (and trust me, I have tested out a lot). Just imagine being on your once in a lifetime trip, able to run around from sun up to sun down without a worry. That alone makes them worth every penny! I also love them because of their versatility. You can wear them with anything — jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses, anything! If they’re in stock in your size, get them while you still can. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
For more shoe recommendations, click here for my current favorites (updated weekly).
BODYSUITS — If you haven’t already given into the bodysuit craze, now is the time! They are so comfortable, easy to throw on, and so perfect for travel because you don’t have to worry about adjusting your clothes ever while wearing one. There’s currently nothing I love wearing more. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
DRESSES — I love dresses for travel because you can so quickly throw it on and go. And if there’s one thing that screams Positano to me, it is sundresses! My favorite places to shop for dresses are here, here, here, and here. For cheaper options, I like here, and here. The cheaper sites can take a little more digging to find the good quality stuff, but sometimes it's worth it!
I also really love skirts, especially the current midi skirt trend. Click here to see my current favorites.
LIGHTWEIGHT TRAVEL CARDIGAN — This circle cardigan is honestly one of the best travel-related purchases you can make. It is so warm and soft; I’ve brought mine on every single trip since purchasing my first (I now own many). It's fantastic for literally everything: you can wear it during the day, out to dinner, on transit days, while hotel lounging, anywhere and everywhere! This is the number one top seller on my site every single month because it is truly the best. Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
CASHMERE WRAP — Another top seller on ckanani.com every single month is this oversized cashmere wrap. It’s something I personally carry in my bag every single day, whether I’m on the road or back at home in San Francisco. If you haven’t already noticed, I love versatility. I’d rather pay a little more for something high quality that’ll last a little longer and also work in a few different ways. I bet you’re a bit like me, so this is a must. You can wear it as a scarf, as a wrap when you find yourself at a surprisingly cold restaurant or flight, as a blanket, and more. I can’t tell you how many times this thing has saved me. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
SUNGLASSES — Of course! I cannot believe I am about to say this but I’ve found a very cheap brand I recommend. Why is that shocking? Because I absolutely hate cheap sunglasses. I used to be a total sunglass snob and only buy $400 Saint Laurent, Dior, or Chanel sunglasses because the cheap ones feel horrible and don’t actually protect. Until now!! This brand I found on Amazon is under $15/pair and is shockingly impressive. I’ve bought four pairs so far. Click here for my favorite all black aviators, here for my rimless aviators, and here for my square ones.
LEATHER TOTE — I never, ever, ever travel without my leather zipper tote. It holds so much yet never feels as heavy as other bags! I even like it more than my Louis Vuitton Neverfull which cost 5X as much. There are a handful of popular bags that look similar to this one but the quality of this is unmatched. I’ve used mine every single day for 3+ years and it still looks perfect. Click here to check it out.
Traveling with a camera? Click here for the most stylish camera bags for women!
For nighttime or if you’re light traveler during the day too, I highly recommend this convertible clutch. It can be used as a wallet, a clutch, a crossbody bag, or a belt bag. The versatility is huge and it’s such a beautiful piece. I also love the design because unlike most similar bags, your cards and money won’t be loosely placed inside the bag, but actually attached to it. How’s that for secure?! Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
SKINCARE — Do not neglect your skin while traveling! I still can’t believe this exists, but Dermstore has a set with over $200 of professional skincare products for $49.99. I have purchased four so far, that’s how good it is. It contains every single step of a proper skincare routine: cleanser, exfoliant (2), antioxidant serum, hyaluronic acid serum, eye cream, SPF, and face oil. The oil alone costs $80 in the same size if bought individually. Mind blowing! They mentioned to me that there’s only a small number of the sets left so stock up if you find it’s still in stock. It’s great not just for travel but for at home too! Click here to check availability.
For more skincare and beauty recommendations, click here to follow me on Instagram @skincarethatilike.
GOLD LAYERING JEWELRY — Layering jewelry from SHOP CKANANI specifically. It’s my own shop so I'm a bit biased, of course, but hear me out. I’ve always loved jewelry but was tired of spending $60 on a necklace that would tarnish after 2-3 wears so I started making my own. I hand make them in my San Francisco apartment of incredibly high quality, primarily gold filled materials.
Gold filled items are great because they contain 100+ times (!) more real gold than gold plated items. An item being gold filled means that there is an actual layer of gold pressure bonded to another metal, making it much more valuable, durable, and tarnish resistant. This means it’s also perfect for everyday wear and for travel! Because who wants to spend their trip taking their jewelry on and off constantly? Not me!
After sharing pictures of necklaces and bracelets on my Instagram story, I finally gave in to the requests asking me to start selling my creations. And that’s how SHOP CKANANI was born! I’d really love and appreciate your support, especially if you’ve found the info in this post helpful :) Click here to see current availability.
For Italy I especially recommend the CIAO necklace, the Global Citizen necklace (our best selling item), and the Evil Eye necklace. Plus an arm full of various gold chain bracelets, of course! And as a special treat from me to you, use code “POSITANO10” for 10% off.
HAIR ACCESSORIES — The easiest way to spice up a look with very minimal effort! Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
HATS — Another great way to spice up a look, plus it’s a fantastic photo prop and can cover up a bad hair day. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
For a full list of Italy packing recommendations, click here for what to pack for Italy!
WHERE TO STAY IN POSITANO
As soon as you know what dates you will be visiting, you must book accommodations! The best places to stay in Positano sell out months in advance and, during peak tourist season, it’s possible for every single place to be booked (really).
While there are endless amounts of places to stay in Positano, I very highly and confidently recommend the following Positano Italy hotels:
DIMORA DEL PODESTA — An absolutely wonderful b&b ran by the sweetest local family. It is incredibly reasonably priced and the location is absolutely perfect. From the main beach/center of town it’s about a 15 minute walk (uphill but very doable) or you can take a bus or cab there if need be. Staying here will make you feel like a resident of Positano, not a tourist surrounded by huge crowds of people.
Each morning they serve you breakfast on the terrace overlooking town which is MAGICAL. Also some of my favorite Positano memories were while sitting on the balcony, drinking wine, listening to music (often live music from the street below) and people watching.
I have had numerous friends, blog readers, and Instagram followers stay here at my recommendation over the years and they've all loved it as well. Tell them I sent you and please let me know if you stay here! I’d love to hear how you liked it.
Click here to see the latest prices.
HOTEL POSEIDON — A stunning, family-run, 4-star hotel in the heart of Positano. They have the most beautiful view, the most beautiful space, and the kindest, sweetest employees you could ever imagine. If you meet Marco or Liliana, say hi for me :)
Click here to see the latest prices.
Sidenote: if you end up not being able to stay here, make sure to still visit. More on that later!
Want to check out other accommodation options? Airbnb more your style? Click here for where to stay in Amalfi Coast - the best hotels, villas, and Airbnbs.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER TOWNS? DO YOU HAVE TO STAY IN POSITANO? YES. You have to stay in Positano. I tell everyone this but a few times people have chosen to stay in Sorrento or Capri instead for whatever reason. They always regret it and tell me I was right. You’ve gotta stay in Positano.
If you do want to stay on Capri or elsewhere, add on additional days to your trip to do it. Transportation around the coast is not fantastic so wherever you stay is where you will spend most of your time. Trust me on this one.
Click here to search all Positano hotels.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK
Positano, Italy is full of so many amazing places to eat and drink. When picking out a restaurant I am primarily interested in finding delicious, fresh, healthy food ideally made with local ingredients, served in a beautiful, preferably photogenic space. Bonus points if the owners and staff are fantastic as well.
If that lines up with what you are looking for, here are the best spots:
SARACENA D’ORO (Via Pasitea #254) — A casual Italian food restaurant right below Dimora del Podesta and owned by the same wonderful family. Get the pizza! Make reservations and you MUST eat outside on the street.
IL TRIDENTE (Via Pasitea 140) — This is the restaurant at Hotel Poseidon. The view from the terrace where this is located is one of the most amazing views in Positano! It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner using only local ingredients. It’s also the most perfect place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset.
DA VINCENZO (Via Pasitea 172/178) — One of the oldest restaurants in Positano, I believe. Local cuisine and very good!
LA SPONDA (Via San Sebastiano 2) — Mediterranean cuisine at Le Sirenuse using fresh, local ingredients in the most beautiful venue. You’ve seen this one on Instagram, I’m sure. Expensive and hard to get into but allegedly worth it (I haven’t actually dined here). Now Michelin-starred, too!
CHAMPAGNE BAR & GRILL (Via San Sebastiano 2) — A champagne and oyster bar at Le Sirenuse. Very pricey (I think one drink was €22) but worth it for the view!
RISTORANTE MEDITERRANEO (Via Pasitea 236 - 238) — Great seafood and often live music! Very friendly staff, too.
FRANCO’S BAR (Via Cristoforo Colombo 30) — A beautiful bar with an old-fashioned, quality-first drinks menu and the best view in town! No food. This spot is so lovely that I see it via Instagram almost every day because my local friends go here what feels like every night.
DA ADOLFO (Via Laurito 40) — Fresh seafood on the beach! Only reachable by boat (free for restaurant guests). You must make reservations by phone at +39 089875022. Very cool experience.
LA TAGLIATA (Via Tagliata 32b) — I have not been here but it was highly recommended to me by a friend. They pick you up from your hotel and shuttle you to their restaurant in Montepertuso. There's no menu, you pay ~40 Euros for all you can drink wine and a many course meal. The views are unreal.
DA FERDINANDO (Spaggia di Fornillo) — For lunch while at Fornillo beach! Excellent.
CHEZ BLACK (Via del Brigantino 19) — Another great Mediterranean restaurant, ran by the same folks that own Music on the Rocks!
WHAT TO DO IN POSITANO
I get more questions about Positano from blog readers and Instagram followers than almost anywhere else. One of the most common being: is X days too many? I have personally been numerous times and have yet to be bored for even a second. In fact, it’s the only place I have ever cried when leaving. To me, no amount of time here is too long.
Of course, it depends on what you are looking for and what type of traveler you are. When I visit most places I try to cram as much as humanly possible into each and every day, never taking a second to relax. But something about Positano makes me behave differently; I can actually spend a carefree day here at the beach or lounging at Hotel Poseidon’s pool.
As with most great places, there are usually too many things to do in too little time, so be sure to check out my list of 8 THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS IN POSITANO to help you narrow it down.
VISIT THE OTHER AMALFI COAST TOWNS. If you have listened to me (and you should) then you have decided to stay in Positano. If you have the time and the emotional capacity to leave Positano for the day, you should visit the other Amalfi Coast towns.
My favorite way to do so is via scooter. It is magic; there is nothing like zipping around the world’s most beautiful coastline without windows, a car frame, or anything else blocking your view. Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot!
I spent years (literally) looking for a good scooter tour option to recommend for you guys. When I came across the company that offers that one on Get Your Guide and read their unanimous amazing reviews, I reached out to them directly, asking them to add a scooter tour option that specifically starts in Positano. They were kind enough to do so, so now there’s a scooter tour that goes to all of my recommended places! Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot.
After your tour, please come back and comment, DM me on Instagram @ckanani, or tag me in your Instagram stories or posts @ckanani to let me know how it goes! I’m dying to hear about it.
The day I spent zipping around the coast on the back of a scooter was truly one of the best days of my life and one that I will remember forever. Here is my photo recap of that day to hopefully inspire you to do this, plus my guide to all of the Amalfi Coast towns I recommend you visit!
PS. scooter not really your thing or looking for something less expensive? You can also do this via vintage ’50s Ape Calessino. Click here to see the latest prices. Note that although the tour says it starts in Ravello, you are able to start it in Positano instead (I confirmed). Just book it and then let them know you need to be picked up in Positano. Also note that it sells out extremely early — book it ASAP.
SPEND A DAY RELAXING AT THE BEACH. Many people don’t know this, but the main beach in Positano is not the only beach. The beach you see in everyone’s photos and the one you arrive at if you come by ferry, Marina Grande, can become a bit of a tourist nightmare depending on time of year.
A short walk away is a much lesser known beach, Fornillo Beach, where locals and wanna-be locals like myself hang out instead. It’s a bit smaller but still easy to get a spot at even in July during peak tourist season. The beach is lined with many restaurants and beach bars like Da Ferdinando so you can grab a meal or drink between lounge sessions. I always spend at least one full day here while visiting!
OTHER GREAT OPTIONS:
One Fire Beach Club in Praiano
Treville Beach Club
Arienzo Beach Club
SPEND A DAY RELAXING AT HOTEL POSEIDON’S POOL. If you need to escape the crowds or need a beach alternative, this is it! The view from the Hotel Poseidon’s terrace is one of the most amazing views in Positano, I can never get enough. Pool access is free for hotel guests but as a non-guest you can pay a fee to access. I often find myself spending the day here, going home to shower and change, and heading right back over for sunset drinks next to the pool at Il Tridente.
TAKE A BOAT TO CAPRI FOR THE DAY. You absolutely cannot visit the Amalfi Coast without seeing it from the water at least once. Most would also argue that you can’t visit without stopping by Capri, so let’s kill two birds with one stone for this item. Click here for a popular tour option.
La Fontelina is a jaw-dropping, iconic beach club located on the island of Capri. If you’re a fan of Gray Malin, you will recognize this spot from his La Dolce Vita series. While I happen to have the unpopular opinion that the island in general is nothing to write home about (at least not in July), La Fontelina is a different story. It’s an absolute dream.
The Blue Grotto? Skip it.
SHOP. I’m not normally big a on shopping while on holiday but Positano is different. I love to roam around the little shops on the main street while walking to and from wherever I am staying.
One thing in particular that you should buy is local, handmade, custom sandals which the Amalfi Coast is known for. Positano is filled with dozens of stores that will make you sandals by hand while you wait, fit perfectly to your foot! You simply pick the style, the color, the size, and within around 15 minutes you have your own pair of fully custom sandals. I had mine made during a power outage (very impressive!) and still love them four years later.
WANDER AROUND TOWN. If shopping isn’t your thing, you should still spend time walking all over Positano. Walk down to Fornillo Beach, from Fornillo over to Marina Grande, up and down Via Pasitea, etc. Just don’t forget your camera!
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT MUSIC ON THE ROCKS. Any of you that know me in real life will likely be a bit surprised by this one since I almost always prefer a night in and rarely will you ever find me at a club. Unless in Positano, that is!
Music on the Rocks is a club in a cave and it is so. much. fun.! I don’t know what it is exactly that makes me love this place despite not being a club person, but you’ll catch me here until it closes down at 4am most nights I am in town. Don’t miss it and make sure not to show up before 1am or you’ll be the only one there, literally!
OTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO:
Other Helpful Amalfi Coast Information
Assuming you are reading this because you are planning on visiting the Amalfi Coast, I have a ton of other helpful content to ease your planning woes!
FOR WHAT TO PACK… click here.
FOR WHERE TO STAY… click here for the best hotels, villas, and Airbnbs.
FOR THE 8 THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS WHILE VISITING… click here!
FOR THE PERFECT AMALFI COAST ITINERARY… click here for a detailed Amalfi Coast itinerary.
FOR A BROADER ITALY ITINERARY… click here.
FOR HOW TO ACTUALLY GET TO POSITANO… click here.
FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE AMALFI COAST TOWNS… click here.
FOR SOME PHOTO INSPIRATION… click here!
Also, subscribe below to get our free downloadable guide and we’ll also send you some step-by-step help to plan the Amalfi Coast trip of your dreams!
And that's that! If you're reading this because you're debating visiting - I really cannot say enough how wonderful it is. Of course it's a popular destination for couples, as it should be, but I went with three girl friends and also had the time of my life. Do yourself a favor and book it immediately.
If you have any questions not answered above, drop them below!
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