Best Things to do in Positano

There are so many things to see and do in Positano that it is impossible to do them all. And if you're not careful, it's easy to spend all your time eating ice cream and doing nothing else. That's why in this post you'll find those activities and places you can't miss in your itinerary.

Whether you decide to relax in its coves, go trekking following the Path of the Gods or visit the small Pompeii of Positano, beyond the places flooded by tourists, contrast the hidden but equally beautiful sides so you can savor its nuances and enjoy the eternal Italian nativity scene. Write it all down for your next visit to the Amalfi Coast.

When you visit the beaches of Positano, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Italy, therefore, of the Amalfi Coast.

Spiaggia Grande, located in the center of town, its views are beautiful. It is undoubtedly the most famous and visited. For a more authentic experience, I recommend taking the Sentiero degli Innamorati**(Path of the Lovers**), which starts at the port and skirts a rock before reaching Fornillo beach. This beach is popular with locals because it is quieter than Spiaggia Grande and easier to reach by sea or on foot.

You can reach Fornillo by boat from Bagni d'Arienzo if you book sun loungers and umbrellas there or have lunch at its restaurant. You can also walk along the road (about 15 minutes) and climb the stairs to reach the beach.

If you feel like kayaking, you can rent a kayak in Spiaggia Grande or Fornillo and reach smaller resorts that can only be reached by sea such as the beaches of La Porta, Arienzo and San Pietro Laurito. I leave you more information about excursions to the Amalfi Coast from Positano.

Positano boat tours allow you to explore this dream destination by sailing through its marine treasures. Knowing that this town on the Amalfi Coast is well known for its beaches, coves, grottoes and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, can you think of a better way to visit it?

The boat trips are really special. You can get to know the surroundings and the coast itself privately or in a group from the comfort of a boat, with time to snorkel, swim or just enjoy a prosecco or limoncello on deck. The perspective from the sea is completely different, plus it is one of the most popular things to do in Positano.

There are boat trips to suit all tastes. The most popular excursions are the ones to Amalfi and Capri, although you also have some that take you to Naples from Positano. And you can choose from:

• Day trips and see Positano, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast or relax in a single destination like the coast.
• Midday excursions, to explore directly an area like Capri.
• Sunset excursions, ideal to let yourself be infected by the romanticism of the Italian south.

Positano is a jewel of the Amalfi Coast, and its beauty is worth enjoying with one of the city tours. As a good seaside town, the port is a good starting point to begin the tour through the network of narrow streets and its stairways branching off in all directions.

In front of the port, after seeing the competition in number of boats and umbrellas, you will see the dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta below the multicolored houses distributed on the cliffs. The view is a real postcard image!

Then you can continue along Cristoforo Colombo to the main square along a path where handicraft stores, handmade ceramics, linen clothes, boutiques and souvenirs of all kinds are placed all along the way.

Then you can start climbing the stairs and ramps that connect overlapping streets while the scent of flowers and citrus fruits reminds you of the essence of the town.

You then stroll through the liveliest areas of Positano, crossing the Chiesa Nuova neighborhood towards the main square, Piazza dei Mulini, where most of the restaurants and cozy cafes overlooking the coast are located. From here you can admire Playa Grande, bathed by the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea next to the sweet lemon slush kiosks.

Carla's Tip

There is no tourist bus in Positano, however, minibuses run every hour (in summer every 30 minutes) so you can tour the 12 districts for about €2 which you can pay when you get on the bus.

With its Byzantine dome, ancient history and imposing structure, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is undoubtedly the most famous building in Positano. The majolica tiles of its exterior stand out in such a way that the common imagination can easily picture what Positano looks like. However, inside lies the true beauty of the church: the winged cherubs and the columns with gold-covered Ionic capitals are nothing to envy.

Although popular belief links the birth of this church to a miracle related to an icon from Byzantium, historically it is closely linked to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Assunta. The abbey enjoyed a golden age until around the 15th century, when it was abandoned. Finally, in 1783, after many years closed, it was reopened again to the faithful.

Today, this church is divided into three naves with five arches along each aisle, a total of ten arches! Along one side there are several chapels: the Chapel of San Nicola di Bari, where you can see an 18th century crib with shepherds; the Chapel of San Vito, which houses an important 16th century reliquary from Naples; and other chapels, such as the Annunciation and the Crucifix.

Details of interest

• Address: Piazza Flavio Gioia, Positano SA.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

If you visit Positano in 3 days or more, there is one thing you can't miss: the Path of the Gods. This route was once the only way to move between the villages of the Amalfi Coast.

The Path of the Gods is steeped in mythological history. It is named after Ulysses, who made it his mission to escape the Sirens with the help of the Greek deities who caught up with him along the way (and turned into rocks when they were no longer needed).

The path runs from Positano to Agerola, specifically from Nocelle di Positano to Bomerano. It stretches for 9 kilometers and the route is of medium-low difficulty level, it takes about 4-5 hours to walk it, depending on the breaks.

The trail is not too demanding. You can go at your own pace and stop whenever you want to enjoy the views of the coast and Capri, they are amazing!

Carla's Tip

If you do the route from Agerola to Positano you will go down the slope. In addition, you will be facing the views of the Amalfi coast and Capri.

Most people know or have heard of Pompeii, on the shores of the Gulf of Naples, but did you know that in Positano there is a small Pompeii?

It is MAR, the Roman Archaeological Museum of Positano, better known as the Roman Villa of Positano is a kind of small Pompeii. It rests at the foot of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and is the most recent treasure of the place.

It was discovered by Karl Weber in 1758, who referred to the exquisite frescoes of the villa since then, however, no one knew that the paintings were just below the main church of Positano How could it have gone unnoticed?

The village was buried after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The eruptive plume rose to an incredible height, overtopping the Lattari mountain range. The eruption was followed by a torrent of rain and mudslides that covered the Roman Villa of Positano. Roofs and attics collapsed and columns shifted, while mud filled every space until it was buried 11 meters underground.

After ten years of excavation and restoration, the villa was reopened to visitors in 2010. The excavation is still partial, but many objects have already been found at this depth, and more may be discovered over time!

Details of interest

• Address: Piazza Flavio Gioia, 7, Positano, SA.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday

Between April and October from 09:00 to 21:00. Between November and March from 10:00 to 16:00.

When you think of Positano, you picture its beautiful beaches, cafes and breathtaking views, the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine, limoncello and some seafood. But what if I told you that at sunset it transforms and presents two interesting and extremely different versions?

If you visit the town during the day, you enjoy the panoramic views that make this Amalfi Coast town such a beautiful place. The town's breathtaking scenery draws an incredible crowd of people and fascinates with its natural beauty.

But if you visit Positano at night, something magical happens. The lights start to turn on, and the urban nativity scene comes to life, magic floats in the air and presents a playful imprint that seduces visitors with its new atmosphere. It's as if you were in a completely different country.

The best way to experience this magical city at night is to have an aperitif from one of its most beautiful rooftops like those offered at the famous Music on the Rocks Club (literally carved into the rock overlooking the sea). These are just some of the ways to enjoy Positano's unique nightlife.

Positano is a town that has always been famous for its unique style, beautiful scenery and charming people. But did you know that shopping in Positano is also quite an experience?

The town is known for its high quality linen clothing, geometric plays, use of vibrant colors and contemporary combinations. This is home to some of Italy's best stores such as La Bottega di Brunella, Ceramica Casola and CeramicaAssunta.

Theodora is another great option if you're looking for linen clothing and scarves. And if you're looking for unique custom-made sandals? You've come to the right place: Positano is known for its sandal stores. Always different and unique designs that allow you to make particular combinations according to your personal taste!

And don't forget the handmade ceramics. It is one of the oldest art forms in Positano, and there are many stores selling vases, lamps, plate sets.... anything you can think of! To finish, remember to bring authentic limoncello (a traditional lemon liqueur).

It's hard to resist the charms of the humble lemon. No wonder this little fruit has become a symbol of the Amalfi coast. Lemon trees have been grown here since the Middle Ages, when monasteries were built and monks began creating terraces to gain farmland.

And when you visit this region in southern Italy, you will know that their importance lies not only in the colorfulness of their plantations but in their constant presence in Positano cuisine.

The lemons grown in the area are special: large and thick-skinned, they can be eaten raw as a refreshing summer snack - yes, lemon peels are edible! - or used for treats and desserts such as lemon delights or your typical**"granita al limone**" or lemon granita. But the best known is limoncello, a sweet liqueur made with lemon peels with export quality. To taste this or other typical liqueurs of the region you can also sign up for one of the city's wine tours.

In Positano, as part of the Amalfi Coast, you will find the**"limoneti" - the lemon terraces -**distributed throughout the area. Welcome to the paradise of lemons!

When in Positano, it's not enough to just stroll through the center of town. The best way to experience the true beauty of this place is to get away from the city chaos. Explore its surroundings, stroll through an ancient landscape untouched by modern development, and you get that right above the town, trekking in Montepertuso and Nocelle, the two fractions of Positano.

Trekking lovers will find several options among which stand out:

• In Montepertuso. The path to "il buco", the great natural hollow of the mountain that gives its name to this hamlet. This is a medium level trekking route.
• In Nocelle. A place so peaceful and dazzling that it enters the top of the best places in the world to practice yoga according to National Geographic.

In addition to doing yoga or following the Path of the Gods, regular trekkers can do the Monte Catiello - Paipo route. From the Crucifix, along the road to Paipo you go up Monte Tre Calli, to Capo Muro, the starting point to Monte Catiello or Caldara, a high level trekking route that includes climbing rocks. At the top, the prize is the best views of the two gulfs of Naples and Salerno with the coast of Sorrento and Capri.

Sounds good, doesn't it? Don't wait any longer, book your flight, check airport transfers so you don't waste time and enjoy the beautiful town of Positano.