I've been daydreaming about a trip to this stunning town on the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, in the Campania region for so many years and finally this year my dream came true.
I'll cover in this article how we got there. Where we'd stayed, and what we could cover in this charming town for a day.
How to get to Amalfi Coast
We landed in Naples then we headed to Positano by a car that we'd rented at the airport (around $30 per day).
You can also catch a train from Naples to the station Vietri Sul Mare, which is linked with the stations of Naples and Salerno.
Or you can seal from Naples to Capri Island and catch a ferry to Positano. It takes about 25 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Positano
We went in May and the weather was so pleasant. Being cool around 20-23 degrees Celcius and with a breeze in the evenings and early mornings made it so easy for us to visit tons of places.
Another thing that is really important to us is that this time of the year the region is not crowded at all. I understand that some travelers can not travel on shoulder seasons and can visit only in summer, therefore, you need to book your hotels, restaurants, and tours a few months in advance and try to get up early to explore Positano.
Where to stay in Positano
Since this was our first visit. We thought that Positano should be our base since it's known to be the gem of the region and luckily we did. As it turned out to be our favorite town on the Amalfi coast.
There are tons of hotels, Airbnbs, and villas available in Positano. It all depends on your budget and how early you book your trip. Also, it depends on how many steps you can climb per day and where will you be able to hike up and down downtown. We stayed in Villa Flavio Gioia which was perfectly located in the heart of the downtown area.
Day 1: What to do in Positano
-The Church of Santa Maria Assunta:
Since our hotel is right at the center. We started our morning walk by checking out this church. It's a lovely setting right in the center of Positano, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most important symbols of the city's cultural, religious, and architectural landscape. At 5 in the morning, you'll notice many couples and newlyweds coming for some photo shootings.
-Spiaggia Grande Beach:
We then headed to Spiaggia Grande beach. The famous black sand beach where the stunning colorful Positano houses sit on hills as the backdrop. It's half public and half private. We went there at 5 in the morning and it was all for ourselves as you can see.
-Walk the 300 steps up:
From Spiaggia Grande beach. Behind the kiosks that sell boat tickets, find the steps up to the path and head north to Arienzo beach. From there, you can hike 300 steps up and enjoy the spectacular views of the town.
Make sure you have your most comfortable shoes on and carry some water with you. We stopped many times to catch our breath but it was all worth it.
- Explore the town:
If you don't go hiking the 300 steps. You can walk from Spiaggia Grande Beach making your way up. This requires some hiking as there is a lot of climbing. The linen and ceramic shops and restaurants do not open before 9 am.
So if you want to stop shopping, you should probably consider doing that after 10 am.
-Piazza Dei Mulini:
Piazza dei mulini is a bus station in Positano. And as close to the beach as vehicles can get. It is situated close to Collina Positano Bakery. Once you arrive here, stop for a coffee and Sfogilliatelle. Or continue to Posides Cafe and enjoy a good breakfast with a view.
Where to eat in Positano
La Sponda:
This restaurant is inside the iconic Le Sirenuse hotel which was beautiful. It is amazingly beautiful. We went to this place at lunchtime. It has the most stunning views of the town, I bet it must be outstanding at the sunset. The staff is very welcoming and hospitable.
My favorite plate was Eggplant Parmigiana, we even ordered it twice. The anchovies were good too. I had tiramisu for a dessert which was very moist and tasty. My husband had the famous lemon pie which was so good. Complimentary cookies were offered and were so delicious too. We would love to go again but for a romantic dinner next time.
Don Giovanni:
We walked in into this restaurant without a reservation. We were welcomed and had one of the best dinners in Positano with a great view.
Ravioli stuffed with eggplant and cheese, the homemade spaghetti with clams and lemon, the lemon delight were all so delicious and not overpriced.
We definitely recommend this place but make a reservation to get the best tables!
La Zagara Bakery:
It's the cafe where we stopped for our first cafe in Italy and Sfogiliatelle, the famous Napolitan shell pastry. It opens at 8:30 am and it's the only place that is open at this time in Positano.
What to pack for Positano in May:
It depends on what activities are you planning to do, but these items should be included in your packing list:
Comfortable walking-hiking shoes.
A hat
Sunscreen
sunglasses
A light jacket (springtime).
European phone charger.
Comfortable sandals or flats for a night out. (You'll never need heels in this town).
Bathing suit.
Toiletry bag (stocked with all your needs).
light jeans
a dress
shorts
T-shirts (including long sleeves).
Here's a little tour around Positano
Buon viaggio!
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