Positano Travelers Recommend

Whether you’re making your way along the Amalfi Coast or visiting on a day trip from nearby Naples, the colorful seaside town of Positano promises to enchant you. One day is just enough time to explore the town, sample local cuisine, and admire the coastal views. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Positano.

Morning: Strolling and Shopping

Positano’s cobbled streets lend themselves well to walking tours, which help you navigate the maze of lanes and provide tailored tips on where to eat, drink. Most tours follow the main street of Viale Pasitea as it winds up the hillside and visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta

After your tour, spend an hour browsing boutiques, art galleries, and cafés before heading down to the seaside, where the Spiaggia Grande beach is the ideal spot to cool off with a swim; this is also a great spot to photograph the town from below.

Afternoon: A Taste of Positano

The Amalfi Coast and the neighboring Sorrento Peninsula are both renowned for their cuisine, so it’s worth devoting an afternoon to regional produce. Whether you join a food tasting tour, take a cooking class, or enjoy wine tasting at a local winery, food lovers will find plenty to get excited about in Positano. Must-try dishes include fresh seafood, ndunderi (a local variety of gnocchi), and Treccia mozzarella, which is best accompanied by a glass of Tramonti wine and followed by delizia al limone, a dessert made with lemons from Sorrento. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of limoncello (lemon liqueur) as a souvenir.

Night: Sunset Cruise

You can’t visit Positano without admiring the Amalfi Coast from afar; for time-pressed travelers, a boat cruise is the best way to get unobstructed views of the UNESCO-listed landscapes. Views of Positano, Amalfi, and the Li Galli islands are most magical during sunset, when numerous evening cruises set sail from Positano Port. Opt for a romantic Champagne cruise on a private boat or join a lively catamaran excursion.

Back in Positano, there’s still time for a cocktail at one of the beachside bars, or you could head to Music On The Rocks, a nightclub that’s carved into the rocks on the seafront.

Located on the UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast, Positano is an ideal base for discovering coastal villages, the Bay of Naples and the Sorrento Peninsula. Three days gives you time to take it all in, especially if you use tours and day trips to help maximize your time. Here’s how.

Day 1: A Perfect Day in Positano

Positano is best explored on foot, so spend the morning strolling around on a walking tour; peek inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and browse shops, art galleries, and cafés. Then, check out the town’s main beach Spiaggia Grande, where you’ll find the most impressive views of the town from below.

For lunch, head to a beachside restaurants to sample the region’s renowned seafood. Afterwards, cool off with a swim in the Mediterranean Sea or rent a kayak or paddleboard. 

Alternatively, foodies can opt for a gastronomic tour of the neighboring Sorrento Peninsula, a culinary hotspot famous for its lemons, mozzarella, and limoncello. As well as tasting locally produced cheeses and olive oils, you’ll get to feast on homemade Italian pizza. 

Day 2: Explore the Amalfi Coast

Hailed as one of Italy’s most impressive coastlines, the Amalfi Coast warrants an entire day of exploration. Set sail on a full-day cruise, which tend to stop at the coastal villages of  Amalfi and Ravello, home to medieval buildings and handicraft shops. You’ll also pass natural wonders such as the cliffs of Fiordo di Furore; visit the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo); and stop at beaches and coves that are only accessible by boat. 

Alternatively, adventurous travelers can hike the dramatic Path of the Gods route on a hiking tour that reveals some of the area’s best coastal views. 

Back in Positano, head to Music On The Rocks on Spiaggia Grande beach to drink and dance the night away. Carved into cliffs overlooking the ocean, it’s the most famous nightclub on the Amalfi Coast.

Day 3: Visit Ancient Pompeii

Spend your final day visiting the archaeological site of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. For the best value, choose a day trip that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and visits to other nearby sights. 

Most tours begin with a walk around the Pompeii ruins— highlights of which include the petrified Forum, Thermal Baths, and Teatro Grande amphitheater—and then visit the nearby Herculaneum archaeological site. Some also take in the views of Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano responsible for Pompeii’s demise. 

Another popular addition to a day tour is a boat cruise along the Sorrento Coast, which features swimming and snorkeling stops. 

Two days in Positano give you enough time to explore the coastal town, sample local cuisine, and soak up the scenery along the Amalfi Coast. Plan ahead and book tours and tickets in advance to maximize your time. Here’s how to spend two days in Positano.

Day 1: Sightseeing & Sunset Cruise

Morning: The best way to discover Positano’s cobbled lanes and brightly-painted buildings is on foot; a walking tour takes you to the best viewpoints and offers cultural insight you may otherwise miss. Most tours stop at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and give you time to browse boutique shops, art galleries, and cafés.

Afternoon: Join a food tasting tour to sample local specialties such as ndunderi (a local variety of gnocchi) and delizia al limone, a dessert made with lemons from the Sorrento Peninsula. Alternatively, book a wine tasting tour to sample the region’s renowned Tramonti wine; don’t forget to pick up a bottle of limoncello (lemon liqueur) as a souvenir.

Night: The best views of Positano, Amalfi, and the Li Galli islands are undoubtedly from the water, so set sail on an evening cruise along the UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast. Watch the sunset with a glass of champagne on a romantic private tour or join a catamaran cruise.

Day 2: Explore the Amalfi Coast

Morning: Half-day Amalfi Coast tours are popular with visitors who want to avoid the stress of car hire, and tend to cover the villages of Ravello and Amalfi. Alternatively, adventurous travellers can walk along coastal cliffs on the Path of the Gods on a half-day hiking tour.

Afternoon: Back in Positano, spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach. Spiaggia Grande beach is the most popular, but boats run regularly to the less-crowded Laurito Beach, where you can rent a paddleboard or kayak, or just enjoy swimming and sunbathing.

Night: Party the night away at the most famous nightclub on the Amalfi Coast—Music On The Rocks. Built into coastal cliffs and looking out over Spiaggia Grande beach, it’s an atmospheric spot to drink, dance, and toast your final night in Positano.