The 13 essential things to do in Positano

Traveling on the Amalfi Coast in South Italy? Discover the must-see to visit Positano in Campania.

Perched on an Italian hill not far from Naples Positano attracts travellers for its colorful houses on the cliffside. This magnificent entanglement has been even classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. If you are visiting Positano you will also discover the beaches to the turquoise water of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the sloped alleys with sea view.

Between farniente, boat trip, local gastronomy and hiking, Positano promises you a beautiful Italian holiday. Over the years, this resort becomes one of the most important places of the jet set and foreign tourists. It therefore attracts a large crowd of tourists during the summer season.

Wanderlix has selected for you the must-see in Positano during your stay. To you dolce vita !

1. The church of Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale

The imposing church of Santa Maria Assunta marks all the tourist photos of Positano. Throughout the city, you can see its majolic dome proudly throne among the colorful houses on the cliffside. It shines under the rays of the sun oscillating between yellow and green. From its presenter, the church offers a magnificent view of the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean.

This architectural wonder passes through the centuries and times since its construction in the 10th century. The interior of this place of worship has simply sumptuous gold and white colours. The Virgin Mary, this Byzantine icon about her, stands behind the hotel as the custodian of the places. You can visit it for free throughout the year according to the opening hours.

Intriguing fact: under the cathedral, archaeologists found remains of a Roman villa entered by the ashes of the Vesuvius of 79 BC. The excavations visit the Roman archaeological museum of Positano.

2. The beaches of the Amalfi Coast

The seaside resort of Positano has several beaches for sunbathing or refreshing in turquoise water. However, most of the sandy areas have a relatively small public space and a private space with pay transat and parasol. Watch your towel!

3. Spiaggia Grande

The beach Spiaggia Grande is the most popular holiday spot in Positano. Make a few lengths and turn around to admire the show taking place under your eyes! The Positanian houses mix in a wonderful colorful entanglement on the cliff side to the coast. For more tranquility, rent a parasol and a long chair for a fierce day under the sun. However, the price is relatively high, especially in the middle of the season.

The beach has excellent bars and restaurants to eat and drink a drink throughout the walk. Nightlife enthusiasts will even recognize the city's famous nightclub. In addition, its location a few minutes walk from downtown makes it easy to access. Do not forget your flip flops, because the beach contains rough pebbles on the shore.

4. Spiaggia di Arienzo

Do you want to escape the horde of tourists during your visit to Positano? Get away from the centre to the beach of Arienzo. If she has nothing to envy her neighbor, go down to that cove, it deserves. 300 steps vertiginous between two cliffs covered with vegetation later and you are here.

A magnificent panorama is finally drawn in front of you, a subtle mix of black sand, pebbles (do not forget your shoes) and turquoise water. For lunch of fresh fish or seafood between two lengths, go to the Arienzo beach club .

5. The beach of Fornillo

A little less known than the first two, the beach of Fornillo is still worth a visit. His advantage? It is a little more hidden and promises you a nice quiet day under the sun. In addition, this bay represents one of the wildest frames of the vertical city and one of the most preserved. The little ones and the big ones are quietly swimming in a postcard setting.

This beach also attracts snorkeling enthusiasts. These seabeds are among the most beautiful to explore because of the absence of the traffic of the boats. To your masks and tubas!

6. Hiking on the path of the Gods

The hiking path of the Gods takes you to 600 m altitude above the villages of the Amalfi Coast. According to legend, this path allowed Olympus gods to listen to the song of the Mermaids of the Li Galli Islands off Positano. This long path of about 8 km connects Positano to Agerola. Count to approximately 3:30 hiking for the most athletic through the Mediterranean maquis.

Before you stretches a lush vegetation with lemon trees on one side and the crystalline sea on the other. Through your trek, admire the contours of the island of Capri , the Lattari Mountain and the Amalfi Coast. A trip worthy of the greatest gods, right? We recommend you take good walking shoes, water, sun cream and sunglasses.

7. MAR: Museo Archeologico Romano Positano

Among the must-sees to visit in Positano, you will find the Roman Archaeological Museum under the cathedral. Like archaeologists, you will discover a Roman villa buried after the eruption of the Vesuvius in 79 AD. Observe the magnificent ancient frescoes in a state of extraordinary conservation for centuries.

Visit also the Roman crypt and the ruins of the deadly madness of this volcano still active today. We recommend that you use a guide to capture all the history of this historic site.

8. The caves of Positano

La Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Cave)

A few kilometers from Positano, discover the magnificent cave of Émeraude. This enchanting natural formation create a natural indoor pool on the Amalfi Coast. Many tourists flock by boat in search of the most beautiful spot.

The Emerald Cave is home to rare and protected marine species. So you can't swim and disturb their natural state. When you arrive at the scene, what jumps in your eyes is all this green light that is reflected in the turquoise water.

The stalactites and stalagmites give a mystical atmosphere to this "blue temple on the sea. » Organize your visit to the best hours of sunlight for an explosion of light.

Di Fornillo Cave

Fornillo Cave has been home to a miniature village created in a natural cave by the Positanians for over 30 years. It represents Positano, its houses, its boats and alleys. You can see it from the side of the main road of Positano.

9. Savour positanian gastronomy

Visiting Positano without tasting local dishes would be like a tiramisu without coffee. That would be cruelly lacking in flavor! The Amalfi Coast has a gastronomy rich in incomparable flavours and aromas. This part of Italy sublimates the lemon in such delicious achievements for the view as for the taste buds. Enjoy the unmissable lemon spaghetti or lemon seafood salad.

Another speciality of Campania: the mozzarella in calèche and the shrimp pancakes. If you enjoy seafood, we recommend the succulent soup of mussels with garlic and tomato. The streets of Positano are full of restaurants and trattoria for all lovers of the Italian tradition.

10. Folding in the streets of Positano

The paved alleys of Positano invite you to the strolling and the sweet dreaming under the Italian heat. Prepare your shoes well, here the streets go up and down along the mountain like a labyrinth between the colored houses.

The ceramic shops leave room for the main colourful clothing witnesses of the famous "Positano" fashion in the world. If you are a fan of shopping, you will find your happiness in the many fashion shops along the Via Dei Mulini .

The city houses various local creators and craftsmen with ancestral know-how. Handmade copper sandals are their speciality and one of the wonderful memories to bring back to your suitcase or feet. Moreover, some workshops even allow you to design your customised Franciscan-style sandal yourself.

11. Boat ride on the Amalfi Coast

Do you want a unique view of the perched village of Positano? Take a boat from the port of the city for a trip on the Amalfi Coast. In a group or in a private visit, you will be spoiled for choice according to your desires. You can visit the nearby island of Capri or take a walk between Sorrento , Amalfi and Positano. If you like scuba diving, enjoy it to admire the Italian seabed.

For water sports enthusiasts, rent kayaks to discover another facet of Positano freely.

12. Take cooking classes

Your aprons! Italy would not be what it is without its incredible gastronomy with enchanting flavours. During your stay in Positano, put your hand in the dough during cooking workshops surrounded by Italian chefs or passionate local families. Learn to prepare gnocchis, pasta dishes, traditional pizzas and tiramisus.

Promised, you can enjoy your achievements after hours at the stoves!

13. What to do about Positano?

• The islands of Li Galli or the islands of the sirens;
• Capritake the boat from Positano for a day trip on the island of Capri;
• Visit the tourist resorts near Positano: Amalfi, Sorrento, Praiano, Furore, Ravello, Sorrento and Minori;
• Naples is only 1h30 from Positano. Enjoy a day to taste at the dolce vita and eat its famous pizzas;
• Pompeidiscovers the historic site of this legendary volcano;
• Lattari Mountains Regional Park.

How to get to Positano?

Positano does not have an airport and therefore direct flight from the airport France . If you fly, fly to Naples airport to 75 minutes road via the A3. Do not hesitate to visit a Compare flights to find your tickets. Then several solutions exist to reach the Italian city. Car, bus or train choose the most suitable mode of transport for your holidays in Italy.

Why not the seaway? Hop in a ferry from the bay of Naples to the port of Positano. According to the periods of the year, several ferries carry out numerous connections per day operated by different companies.

Where to sleep in Positano?

Before you book your night in Positano, keep in mind that prices remain rather high especially during the summer season. Multiple luxury establishments make the city sloping and increase the average price of the night.

However, you will still find more affordable prices in different hotels and apartments in Airbnb downtown. For smaller budgets, don’t hesitate to get away from the city to reach it with public transport.

Do you want to compare prices? Launch a search on a Compare hotels to find the accommodation of your choice.

How to move to Positano?

You don’t need your car to walk in Positano. We recommend leaving it in one of the city's parking lots and walking. If you want to join other villages on the Amalfit Coast, the car, scooter or public transport will lead you to good port. Attention in summer the city overflows with tourists and so caps on the main road.

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