Positano packs more into its vertical footprint than towns ten times its size. Every activity here involves either the sea or the stairs, and usually both. The town’s geography, a cascade of pastel buildings tumbling down limestone cliffs to the Tyrrhenian Sea, creates a natural amphitheater where boat trips, beach days, hiking trails, and culinary experiences all compete for your attention. Most attractions cluster around the two main beaches (Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo) and the pedestrian lanes branching upward from the waterfront. Here are the essential things to do, with exact locations, hours, and prices where applicable. For more detailed information, see our travel tips faq guide.
Things to Do in Positano: Beaches and Water Activities
Spiaggia Grande
The main beach of Positano is a 300-meter stretch of dark volcanic sand and pebbles directly in front of the town’s iconic cliffside backdrop. Half of the beach is free public access; the other half is divided into private stabilimenti (beach clubs) where you rent a sunbed and umbrella. L’Incanto beach club charges €25 to €35 per sunbed per day in high season (June to September), €15 to €20 in shoulder months. The water is clean, calm, and deepens quickly within 5 to 10 meters of shore. Boats to Capri, Amalfi, and the Grotta dello Smeraldo depart from the pier at the southern end. The beach opens year-round but sunbed rental operates April through October. Arrive before 09:00 in July and August to claim a free spot on the public section. For more detailed information, see our where to stay guide.
Fornillo Beach
A 10-minute walk west from Spiaggia Grande along a scenic cliffside path (starting from the bottom of Via Positanesi d’America), Fornillo is Positano’s quieter second beach. Smaller at roughly 200 meters, it faces southwest and catches afternoon sun. Two beach clubs operate here: Da Ferdinando (€20 per sunbed) and Pupetto (€15 to €20). The path from the main town involves about 200 steps down; the reward is a more local crowd and water that’s slightly clearer without the constant ferry wake. Fornillo is backed by a handful of casual restaurants including Il Covo dei Saraceni for seafood pasta. The beach is accessible year-round but facilities close November through March. For more detailed information, see our neighborhoods guide.
Arienzo Beach (Spiaggia di Arienzo)
Reached by descending roughly 300 steps from the Arienzo bus stop on the SS163 Amalfi coastal road (or by shuttle boat from the main pier, €5 each way in summer), Arienzo is a long, narrow pebble beach that gets direct sun from late morning through sunset. It’s less crowded than the in-town beaches and has a single beach club, Arienzo Beach Club, which runs a restaurant and rents sunbeds at €20 to €30. The water here is exceptionally clear because boats don’t dock directly. The stairs back up are a serious workout: bring water and take breaks. The beach club operates May through mid-October. For more detailed information, see our events festivals guide.
Boat Tour to Capri
Capri is visible from Positano’s main beach on clear days, and the boat trip takes 40 to 50 minutes by fast ferry or 25 minutes by private speedboat. Ferries run from Positano’s main pier to Capri’s Marina Grande from April through October (€23 to €25 one-way per person, 3 to 4 daily departures with Travelmar or Alicost). Private boat hire costs €400 to €800 for a half-day (4 hours), accommodating up to 6 to 8 people, and typically includes a stop at the Blue Grotto and a swim off the Faraglioni rocks. Book private boats at the pier or through Positano Boat Tour (Via Regina Giovanna 5). The last ferry back from Capri to Positano departs around 17:00 to 18:00 depending on the season, so plan accordingly. For more detailed information, see our best time to visit guide.
Things to Do in Positano: Hiking and Outdoors
Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)
The most famous hike on the Amalfi Coast runs 7.8 km (4.8 miles) from Bomerano (a frazione of Agerola) to Nocelle (a hamlet above Positano). The trail follows the ridge of the Lattari Mountains at roughly 500 to 630 meters above sea level, delivering panoramic views of the entire Amalfi Coast, Capri, and on very clear days, the island of Ischia. From Nocelle, you can descend approximately 1,700 steps to Positano’s center (about 40 minutes downhill). Total hiking time: 3 to 3.5 hours at a moderate pace. The trail is well-marked with red-and-white CAI signs and is doable for anyone with average fitness, though there are exposed sections with steep drop-offs. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person (there are no fountains on the trail), wear hiking shoes or sturdy trainers (the limestone scree is slippery), and start before 10:00 in summer to avoid midday heat. Free access. Take the SITA bus from Positano to Amalfi (20 minutes, €1.30), then connect to an Agerola-bound bus to Bomerano (30 minutes, €2.40) to reach the trailhead. For more detailed information, see our weather by month guide.
Montepertuso and the ‘Hole in the Rock’
Montepertuso is a small village perched 350 meters above Positano, named for a natural rock arch (‘pertuso’ in dialect) punched through the limestone by erosion. The 1.5 km (0.9 mile) climb from Positano up the staircase path takes about 45 to 60 minutes and gains roughly 350 meters of elevation. The path starts at Via Montepertuso, off Via Cristoforo Colombo near the upper part of town. At the top, the Trattoria La Tagliata serves a fixed-price farm-to-table meal (€45 per person for the full experience including unlimited wine) with vegetables from their garden and meat grilled over an open fire. The hike is free; the restaurant requires reservations 1 to 2 days ahead in summer. The view from the piazza looks straight down the cleft of Positano to the sea.
Things to Do in Positano: Culture and Landmarks
Church of Santa Maria Assunta
Positano’s landmark church, recognizable by its majolica-tiled dome in green, yellow, and blue, sits just back from Spiaggia Grande in Piazza Flavio Gioia. The church dates to the 10th century but was rebuilt in the 18th century in Baroque style. Inside, above the main altar, is the 13th-century Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna, brought to Positano, according to local legend, by sailors who heard the painting whisper ‘posa, posa’ (‘put me down, put me down’) when their ship stalled in the bay. The church is open daily from 08:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. Entry is free. The crypt contains Roman archaeological remains. Mass is held Sundays at 10:30 and 18:00.
MAR Positano (Roman Archaeological Museum)
Located beneath the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, this small museum displays the remains of a 1st-century AD Roman villa buried by the same 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii. The excavated rooms include frescoed walls and a triclinium (dining room). Entry is €5 for adults, free for children under 12. Hours: 09:00 to 19:00 daily from April through October; reduced hours (10:00 to 16:00, closed Mondays) November through March. The museum is small (allow 30 to 45 minutes) and entirely underground, so it stays cool even in August.
Things to Do in Positano: Shopping and Food
Positano Moda and Handmade Sandals
Positano is known for handmade leather sandals, and several shops will make a custom pair while you wait. Safari Sandals (Via della Tartana 2) has been in business since the 1960s and charges €50 to €120 depending on leather type and embellishments. La Botteguccia di Positano (Via dei Mulini 10) makes sandals in 20 to 30 minutes while you watch. For the linen tunic-and-pants sets that Positano made famous in the 1960s, visit Brunella (Via Pasitea 72) where tunics start at €120 and dresses at €180. Most shops close for siesta from 13:00 to 16:00 and reopen until 20:00 or 21:00 in summer.
Limoncello Tasting
The Amalfi Coast’s signature lemon liqueur is made from sfusato amalfitano lemons, which are twice the size of supermarket lemons and have thick, aromatic peel. Several shops along Via dei Mulini and Via Pasitea offer free tastings. Valenti (Via dei Mulini 7) produces small-batch limoncello and sells bottles from €12 for 500ml. For a more immersive experience, the Lemon Tour Positano (€35 per person, book at lemon tour positano dot com) takes you through terraced lemon groves on the hillsides with a tasting of limoncello, lemon marmalade, and lemon granita. Tours run April through October and last 90 minutes.
