The Ultimate Guide to Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Welcome to the dreamy wonderland of Positano, nestled along the jaw-dropping Amalfi Coast. Sun-soaked cliffs, colorful villas, and mouthwatering food make this Italian gem one of a kind and the ultimate location for a relaxing vacation.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up our favorite activities and restaurants, as well as our recommended and bucket list hotels, to help you plan for dream trip.

Do:

• Visit Spiaggia Grande Beach: Sink your toes into the sand and relax on Positano’s main beach, located right in the center of town, and surrounded by some of Positano’s most famous restaurants and beach clubs.
• Take a sunset cruise or boat tour: What’s more romantic than a sunset boat ride for 2 along the stunning Amalfi Coast, complete with prosecco and snacks? This was my favorite part of my honeymoon trip, and we booked Blue Star Tours through TripAdvisor. Here’s what looks like an updated link to that tour option. Another (less romantic) option that’s high on my list for a return trip would be a boat tour to the Blue Grotto on Capri. There appear to be plenty of options leaving right from Positano.
• Make a day trip to Capri, or another nearby town or island: The Amalfi Coast is filled with places to see, all accessible by ferry, and many accessible by road. For us, a day trip to Capri was a highlight of our trip. When there, be sure to stop by Capri Rooftop for idyllic views and/or Fontelina for a paradise beach club experience.
• Explore the shops: Wander through the charming boutiques in town, where you’ll find unique treasures, clothing, and souvenirs.
• Take a cooking class: One of my biggest regrets is not taking a cooking class when in Italy, and there are multiple options in Positano. A cooking class at La Tagliata would be high on my list for a return trip.
• Hike Path of the Gods: Admittedly, we almost started this hike until my fear of heights took over and we just went back to the beach. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But this hike promises breathtaking views and should be considered if the weather is right and you’re a hiker.
• Drink a limoncello spritz: This one deserves a special call out because of how much I loved a limoncello spritz. When on the Amalfi Coast, you must (if you drink alcohol) enjoy a local limoncello spritz. My favorite was at the Tulip Bar at Hotel de Gabriza.

Eat & Drink

• La Sponda (at Le Sirenuse Hotel): Unparalleled views of Positano, candlelit dinner with sprawling greenery, soft live music that plays specially for your table, and mouthwatering food. La Sponda is an absolute must, and the most romantic restaurant I’ve ever been to. This restaurant books up months in advance, so plan far ahead to get a reservation.
• Aldo’s (at Le Sirenuse Hotel): With those same unparalleled views of Positano as La Sponda, Aldo’s is the perfect place to stop for a drink to soak in Positano’s beauty. If you are unable to visit La Sponda, you should definitely visit this less formal bar right outside. If you are able to visit La Sponda, it makes the perfect drink before dinner location.
• Adamo ed Eva: Another place serving idyllic Positano views and local cuisine, this is a fantastic place for lunch.
• Il Tridente: This cliffside restaurant is known for its fantastic food and a great view. Unfortunately, it rained the night we visited, so we sat inside, but the food did not disappoint.
• Tulip Bar (at Hotel de Gabriza): Located on the cliffside of Positano, visit here for delectable bites and my absolute favorite, freshly made limoncello spritz. The main restaurant in Hotel de Gabriza was also fantastic.
• Il Fornillo: Another cliffside restaurant with serving fantastic local fare.
• Chez Black: Located right on Spiaggia Grande Beach, Chez Black is a Positano staple and was a great lunch option.
• Faro Bar at Hotel Montemarre: On this cliffside terrace, you can enjoy unparalleled ocean views with lovely drinks, including my favorite espresso martini.

Stay:

There are many stay options in Positano. We’ve stayed only at Villa Yiara, but we’ve provided a few other bucketlist options here:

• Villa Yiara: Located in an 18th century building built into the cliff, Villa Yiara has a B&B feel with lovely rooms, some of which have terraces available, and fantastic service. My favorite part was the terrace and breakfast. (PS, Google lists it as a 1-star hotel, which did worry me. But after seeing multiple blogs recommend it, we decided to give it a try and it was great. My least favorite parts were concrete-like floors and somewhat dated bathrooms. But, we also got an entire terrace for an affordable price – be sure to choose a room with one. See pictures below!)
• Le Sirenuse: Le Sirenuse is a bucket list hotel that stands out for its timeless elegance, world-class service, and stunning vistas, ensuring a luxurious stay in the heart of Positano.
• Hotel Eden Roc: Another bucket list hotel that I would love to stay at.
• Hotel Montemare: In this cliffside hotel, you will feel like you are staying directly above the ocean. Our friends stayed here and loved it.

Thank you for visiting our site! We may make commission off affiliate links (at no further cost to you), but we would never recommend a place we don’t genuinely want to recommend.

Finally, one of the biggest tips I can share: ask your hotel to book transportation from the train station or airport for you… we did so, and it made our lives so much easier!

– Kasey