10 Things to do in Positano, Italy

Europe, Italy, Travel Guides, Where to Stay

There are few places quite as dreamy as Positano. It is the perfect romantic getaway, honeymoon destination, and summer vacay spot. From the stunning views to the delicious food and the most picturesque shops, Positano is truly a bucket list destination. It’s one of those places that you might be afraid won’t live up to the hype, but we promise, it does. It’s truly breathtaking and so unique that even with the crowds of people, it’s definitely worth visiting.

John Steinbeck said it best when he said, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Here are 10 things to do while you’re in Positano:

10 Things to do in Positano:

1. Go to Spiaggia Grande Beach

This might seem like the most obvious thing to do in Positano, but spending a day in the sun at the main beach in Positano is honestly a must. Relaxing and taking in the views of the city and the perfectly blue sea is a day you’ll remember forever. The beach is divided into two sections. There is a free section and then a roped-off, private section. In the private section, there are chairs and umbrellas you can rent for around €25 per day. If you want a chair in the front so you get the best ocean views, get there earlier in the day. Also, the sand at Positano Beach isn’t your typical sand, but it’s more like tiny black pebbles, so be sure to wear shoes, because it hurts to walk around barefoot.

*Also, be prepared to walk down a lot of steps to get to the beach and then, walk back up them to get back to your hotel. Bring snacks or get lunch from one of the restaurants on the beach, so you don’t have to go back and forth up the stairs over and over again during the day.

2. Relax in the sun on fornillo BEACH

If the main Positano Beach is a bit too crowded for you, walk a few minutes around the corner to Fornillo Beach. This beach isn’t quite as popular with tourists, so it’s less crowded, a bit quieter, and easier to get a chair. There are a few different beach bars, so grab a snack or some drinks and relax in the Italian sun.

3. Take a boat ride

This is one of our favorite things to do when we travel. Boat tours give you a whole different perspective and getting to see the coast from the water is always such a fun experience. We weren’t able to do this while we were there because the waters were too rough, so the boats weren’t going out, but we’ve heard great things about tours with Blue Star Positano. Make sure you make your reservations in advance, because they book up quickly.

4. Visit the famous fruit stand

This fruit stand is on the side of the road a little south of Positano, but before Praiano. It’s probably the most photogenic fruit stand in the world. We’ve heard some mixed reviews about people’s experiences here, but when we were there, the man who owns the stand was so kind to us and even offered to take our photo! He had us posing in some pretty hilarious ways, but he was seriously so nice and fun and wanted to make sure we got all the pictures we wanted. It also has the most beautiful view of Positano, so don’t forget to bring your camera. If you’re going to take pictures here, make sure you buy some fruit and support this local vendor.

5. Hike the path of the gods

If you’re looking for a little adventure while still enjoying the incredible coastal views, take a few hours to hike the Path of the Gods. It’s not an easy hike and it’s about 7 km, so be prepared with good shoes and lots of water. Give yourself about 3-4 hours to do the whole hike, but the views from the top are absolutely stunning. Bring some local bread and cheese to have a little picnic once you get to the top, because well, you’re in Italy and you can never have enough bread and cheese in Italy.

6. Take a day trip to capri

The entire Amalfi Coast is absolutely stunning, but Capri is the perfect luxurious island escape. There are ferries that run from Positano to Capri every day (with the exception of days when weather conditions make the waters too rough), and it takes about 30 minutes to get to Capri from Positano. The ferry costs around $30-50 USD per person depending on the time of year you’re going and which company you book with. Once you get to Capri, take a boat tour to see the Blue Grotto.

7. Rent a scooter and take in the views

Be extra careful driving the coast, because the roads are so small and windy, but if you do, we definitely suggest renting a scooter instead of a car, because the stress of trying to navigate past the giant tour buses in a car easily shaved 10 years off of my life (and I wasn’t even the one driving). Take your scooter and visit the famous Fiordo di Furore. (When we were there the beach was closed, but we were told that it would probably open up to the public again soon.) Or ride all the way down to Amalfi and spend some time on the beaches there.

Riding a scooter along the Italian coast is really such an iconic experience, so it doesn’t really matter where you go, you’ll feel like you’re in your very own rom-com movie just driving along the coast. Scooter rental costs about €65 per day or €300 for the week. You’ll also need a driver’s license that allows you to drive a motorcycle in order to rent one.

8. Get gelato or a lemon granita from collina bakery

Positano is famous for its lemons, which is why you’ll see them everywhere. They’re the largest lemons I’ve ever seen in my life but they smell and taste amazing! One of Positano’s local treats is called a lemon granita, which is basically their version of a lemon slushie and it’s delicious! Collina Bakery also has the best gelato we ate while we were there. The dark chocolate is absolutely divine. And Ryan loved the orange gelato. Plus, there’s no such thing as too much gelato when you’re in Italy, so we suggest going at least twice a day.

9. Buy yourself a pair of local sandals

Positano is known for its shopping and the local shops carry absolutely beautiful, handmade items. There are a lot of different artisans who make leather sandals and will make them for you right in their store as you wait. They’re the perfect custom-made souvenir.

10. Watch sunset from the beach

The way the sun is positioned, it sets behind the mountain, so you can’t really watch it set fully over the ocean, but staying on the beach til sunset was still one of my favorite experiences from the entire year. The private beach area and rented chairs close around 6 pm, so pretty much everyone had left the beach and we were able to just sit in the chairs (free of charge), and watch the sunset and the lights sparkle as they came on and lit up the city on the mountainside. It was truly so beautiful and one of those “I can’t believe I’m really here” moments.

A Few Things to Note About Visiting Positano:

Positano is very popular and for good reason, but as a result, it’s also very touristy. Even during low-season, Positano can get pretty crowded. It’s also not a budget destination, but it’s definitely a bucket-list destination.

Don’t let the crowds or cost scare you away. Positano is truly one of the most uniquely beautiful places on earth, so make sure to take some time to slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment while you’re there.

Where to Stay:

Luxury: Le Sirenuse

Le Sirenuse is one of the Leading Hotels of the World and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re looking for ultimate luxury and you’re willing to splurge, Le Sirenuse is definitely the place to stay.

Mid-Range: Villa Rosa

Villa Rosa is located on the hill right across from Le Sirenuse, so you still get the most incredible views while being right in the heart of Positano at a fraction of the cost. We stayed here and absolutely loved waking up and eating breakfast on our private balcony overlooking the city every morning.

Budget: Hotel Torre Saracena

If you want to experience Positano, but you’re on a budget, we suggest staying in Praiano instead of Positano. Then, from Praiano, you can take the local bus into Positano. The bus is about $2 per person each way. Check out Hotel Torre Saracena in Praiano.

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Brittney Gage says:

January 11, 2020 at 4:06 am

Unreal!!! That nighttime shot is fire! Italy is high on my list and I’ll admit I’ve always been a bit intimidated on how to get here to this spot (cost, transportation, etc) but this was so helpful!

Samantha Looney says:

January 15, 2020 at 3:04 am

Positano at night is SO magical! Yeah unfortunately Positano isn’t easy to get to, but once you’re there, it’s incredible!

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