The Ultimate Italy Travel Guide
Italy is truly a must-visit country, and one of the most-traveled destinations in Europe. There are so many highlights from Venice to Rome to Florence.
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Italy’s Amalfi Coast is easily one of the most naturally beautiful places in the entire world, and Positano is no exception. It features iconic cliff sides and sparkling beaches, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene and some amazing restaurants. It’s well-known as being a sophisticated resort town and luxury honeymoon destination, due to its seaside location and all the charming boutiques, homes, and cafés built into the cliffside. A visit to Positano can include hiking, beautiful views, relaxing on the beaches, and more — all while soaking in the exceptional beauty of this Mediterranean paradise.
Language: As it’s a part of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, you’ll find that most people in Positano speak Italian and English. There are some places like certain restaurants that might actually use English as the default language.
Currency: The Euro (€)
Credit Cards and Banks: You’ll have access to ATMs while you’re traveling through Positano if you would like to withdraw cash, although these will likely come with some fees for using an ATM not run by your bank. You’ll also be able to use your credit card at many places in Positano, but it’s best to keep cash on hand as much as you can. If you’re stopping by a market or venturing out to the more remote areas of the Amalfi Coast, you might not be able to use a credit card easily.
Climate: Positano has warm summers and relatively mild winters thanks to its Mediterranean climate. The fall is always beautiful here, and you can still enjoy the beach as late in the year as November. December through February is the winter season in Positano, but that mostly is seen in the increased amount of rain during this time of year.
Helpful Tip: When it comes to packing for your trip to Positano, you will want to make sure you bring durable walking shoes and a light jacket, even if you’re going during the hottest part of the year. It can get chilly at night, so having the option to put on a jacket or even a sweater or cardigan will help keep you warm.
It’s not the most cost-effective decision to rent a car in Positano, so here are some tips for traveling around the hilly, beautiful coastal town.
Positano is definitely on the smaller side, but there are still plenty of places to stay. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly hotels or luxury options, you’ll find some of the best places to stay in Positano on the list below.
Read More: The Best Hotels to Stay at on the Amalfi Coast
Le Sirenuse is defined by its crimson exterior adorned with jewel-like bougainvillea, flower-filled archways with picture-perfect ocean views, and meals featuring freshly-caught seafood. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most romantic hotels in Positano – if not the entire world! It’s an amazing choice for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon – or even an elopement!
This hotel is a pricey option, but you definitely get your money’s worth! Known for its resort amenities like a private beach club and the bright orange umbrellas that dot the landscape, Il San Pietro definitely won’t disappoint.
Hotel Palazzo Murat offers a variety of accommodations, which means a variety of pricing as well. No matter what room you choose to stay in, you’ll get to experience some of the amazing amenities at this Positano hotel such as a gorgeous garden and a sparkling pool!
Hostel Brikette is the best choice if you’re on a tight budget but still want to enjoy all that Positano has to offer. It has a lovely outdoor terrace and is ideally positioned close to public transportation, making it a great location for college students and backpackers.
Imagine dining on some of the world’s best Italian cuisine and seafood meals while also enjoying unparalleled views of the ocean and the rest of the picturesque coastline – that dream comes true when you’re dining in Positano!
Read on for a guide to the best restaurants and best food in Positano:
This place is about both the journey and the destination! Start your experience in Positano and hop on a little boat leaving the main port – the boat has a flag with a big red fish on it. The boat drops people off between 10:00 AM to 1:00PM, and brings them back to Positano around 4:00 PM.
Once you arrive at Da Adolfo in Positano, sample the ultra-fresh catch of the day while you take in the beauty of the seaside locale. It’s such an incredible destination, you can make a day of it. Pack your towel and plan a chill lunch and drinks on the beach. When you book your table, you can also reserve a beach lounger so plan ahead to create a perfect afternoon out.
While breathtaking views are a dime a dozen along the Amalfi Coast, this chic Michelin-star restaurant is on another level. Lost in a sea of vibrant bougainvillea, Zass Restaurant is serving up seasonal local ingredients in a way you’ve never seen them before.
Ristorante Casa Mele is one of the best places to treat yourself to a fancy meal in Positano. It’s a smart-casual vibe with some of the best Italian food you can find, but the atmosphere isn’t pretentious. The waitstaff is warm and friendly, and can help guide you through the tasting menu for an unparalleled dinner experience.
La Taverna Del Leone is a historical Mediterranean family restaurant that first opened in 1965. The menu tends to feature pricier options, but you can be assured that everything you’re ordering is made with the highest quality and freshest local ingredients.
Il Tridente is popular — which means that firstly, you need to make reservations well in advance, and secondly, that you can be assured that you’re going to have a great experience when you’re there. The food here is excellent, and you can enjoy it while admiring the beautiful surroundings. If you can, opt for dining on the terrace for the best view.
The Amalfi Coast has no shortage of seafood options, but you might be wondering where you can find a bite to eat if you’re sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet, or have some other dietary restriction. That’s where Casa e Bottega comes in!
Fresh and healthy selections are available for breakfast and lunch, along with handcrafted cakes, all-natural ice cream, smoothies, and fruit juice.
You can read about Da Vincenzo in the Michelin guide, which should tell you what an amazing restaurant it is! It was started over 50 years ago and is still owned and operated by the family. You’ll find that the menu may vary because they specifically opt for the freshest seasonal ingredients and locally sourced meat and seafood.
Ristorante Da Costantino offers up some of the best food in Positano, as well as some of the best views. Try to visit on a clear day and sit by a window to take full advantage of the restaurants location.
La Tagliata is a family restaurant that offers a tasting menu, so when you eat here you know you’re getting a carefully curated dining experience! The restaurant also offers cooking classes, so if one is available during your visit to Positano, you should definitely take advantage of this unique opportunity.
The coastal village of Positano is perfect for a go-with-the-flow kind of vacation, but there’s still so much you can spend your time doing! Learn about the culture of the region by admiring the handmade ceramics or visiting famous historic sites like Pompeii. You can’t go wrong with hanging out on the beach, but this list of the top things to do in Positano will help you figure out what else you can do during your trip.
Read More: The Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
You can’t go to the Amalfi Coast without relaxing on the beach! Positano has some beautiful sparkling sand beaches where you can sunbathe or swim.
Be prepared to pay anywhere from seven to 20 euros for a beach chair…but it’s so worth it! Forget sandy stretches near the sea—the majority of the beaches are rocky and bringing along a towel just isn’t going to cut it. Be aware that most of the beaches operate on a first-come, first-serve basis so you’ll have to plan on getting there early to have enough space.
When it comes to things to do in Positano and along the Amalfi Coast as a whole, you’ll want to put the Path of the Gods (or Sentiero Degli Dei in Italian) at the very top of your list. The views are truly unforgettable so bring your camera, along with a good pair of walking shoes. You’ll get to experience truly remarkable views of the Amalfi Coast.
The route takes roughly three hours and it’s a pretty mild hike so you don’t have to worry about extreme inclines, for example. I’d recommend bringing a picnic and eating during your hike, while taking in the views.
Pompeii is a simple day trip on the Amalfi Coast because it’s only about an hour away from Positano. Herculaneum is around 11 miles away from Pompeii, making the two sites a perfect pair.
While Pompeii frequently gets all the attention (it’s the larger of the two ruins), Herculaneum is a fantastic place for art history enthusiasts as more of the mosaics are preserved.
When traveling alone, it’s simple to overlook poorly marked locations and lose out on some of the experience’s best parts. I highly recommend hiring a tour guide who can provide some background knowledge and provide some important depth to the experience.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – there is no better souvenir than an authentic recipe! Bringing age-old traditions home with you will give you a deeper connection to the culture and will keep the memories.
Italy has some of the best food in Europe, and the Amalfi Coast is no exception. And, like much of Italy, cooking classes abound here—from antipasto to tiramisu, fill up your recipe box here. Check out some of the best food tours and cooking classes here.
Capri is only a short ferry ride away…so you might as well explore all its magnificence!
Famed for its rugged landscape and gorgeous hotels, you’ve definitely got to check out the Blue Grotto while you’re here. It’s a beautiful sea cave where the sunlight reflects in a way that makes the water look like it’s glowing. You have to take a guided boat tour to see inside, but the guides for these tours are worth the money as they can provide information and insight along the way.
The Amalfi is famous for its handmade ceramics, and you’ll see plenty of examples of exquisite pottery in Positano. The ceramic shops in the area are a riot of gorgeous colors—bright blues, vivid turquoise, and striking lemon yellow hues are frequently used. You may even see actual lemons painted on some of the ceramics, which is a nod to the limoncello production in the region.
Each shop you enter may feel like a little museum, and your jaw will drop at all the handcrafted beauty. Browse the endless varieties of coffee mugs, pitchers, plates, and bowls then snag the perfect one to bring home.
A lot of local shops offer international shipping so check in on the options if you’re nervous to pack up your new treasure.
The Arienzo Beach Club is truly a gem of Positano – this gorgeous beach shouldn’t be missed! You’ll feel like you’re stepping straight into an Aperol ad as soon as you set foot into this Mediterranean paradise.
Enjoy a quintessential Amalfi Coast experience with traditional Positanese cuisine, crystal clear waters, waiters, signature cocktails, music, and cliff jumping action.
A complimentary boat service is available to and from the main pier “La Banchina” in Positano every day.
Fiordo di Furore is a magnificent hidden beach with stunning views – and that’s not even including the amazing bridge that allows you to look out above the ocean and down at the beach below.
This cozy little fjord along the Mediterranean Sea is a renowned geological feature of the region.
The beach is stunning but plan ahead before you go. Due to the risk of falling rocks, the beach does sometimes close. Bring good shoes to explore the rocky area and see how close you can get (it’s worth visiting even if you don’t do a beach day).
Due to a maritime history rivaling that of Venice, Pisa, and Genoa, Amalfi is one of the most historic towns in the region. Along the water’s edge, there’s a pretty promenade and then a marina docked full of colorful boats.
Plan a morning stroll around the town, see the cathedral, then have brunch in the picturesque square overlooking the church.
You can’t miss the Piazza del Duomo, with the cathedral looming overhead. The picturesque square is dotted with sidewalk cafes and boutiques, so you can enjoy an afternoon eating while soaking in the sun and the atmosphere.
For a unique look at the history, culture, architecture, and art of Positano, head to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta e Cripta Medievale. It’s a 12th century cathedral that is filled with exquisite art so you can learn a lot about Italian history and culture when you visit.
Note that it’s located slightly above the beach, so be prepared to climb at least a few stairs on your way to or from the cathedral.
One of the highlights of this Italian landmark is the crypt, which was carefully restored in 1984. You can see two frescoes inside and a wooden bust of Saint John. This historic space at the heart of the church includes a museum and a chance to see what the structure may have looked like when it was first built.
If you’re flying into Italy, you’ll want to land at the Naples International Airport for the quickest route to Positano. Once you land, you can choose to take a taxi or private car, drive yourself, or take public transportation. The public transit option is fairly manageable, especially for those on a budget. It involves taking two separate buses but the cost is low. For a more scenic route, you can take a ferry from Naples to Positano! Catch a bus at the airport to the Sorrento Pier and hop on one of the ferries that travel that route throughout the day. It’s definitely less convenient and the cost can be higher than just taking a bus route, but it’s a fantastic way to arrive in Positano on your vacation - especially if it’s your first visit!
Italy is truly a must-visit country, and one of the most-traveled destinations in Europe. There are so many highlights from Venice to Rome to Florence.
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