Positano Itinerary One Day
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The cliffside village of Positano Italy is an unforgettable Amalfi Coast day trip. The town is built into the slopes of two steep hills. Its colorful villas make a stunning backdrop to the vivid blues of the Mediterranean Sea. If you only have a few hours to explore, use our Positano Itinerary to make the most of your day.
Arranged as a one day walk, our Positano itinerary will help you spend less time hiking up and down stairs and more time enjoying the sights. Beautiful Positano, Italy is celebrated for its cultural heritage and exceptional natural beauty. The best things to do in Positano are the simplest; eating, drinking, shopping, and discovering the amazing views. Our itinerary hits all four.
For more information on the weather, hotels, and restaurants read our Positano Italy Travel Guide. To learn more about area experiences and attractions read our Things to do in Positano Italy article.
Amalfi Coast Tours
If you only have one day on the Amalfi Coast, consider combining land and sea sightseeing, and bundling locations that are close together. Here is a sampling of well-reviewed Positano and Amalfi Coast tours.
GETTING TO POSITANO
Positano is located in southern Italy on the Amalfi Coast Drive (SS163). The famous highway runs between Naples and Salerno. It is known for its hairpin turns, spectacular cliffs, and remarkable land- and seascapes. A few of the most common ways to arrive in Positano Italy include Sita Bus, Positano ferries, private transfers, rental car, and day excursions and tours. Click the following links to see transportation schedules and pricing.
POSITANO ITINERARY ONE DAY
Arranged as a walking tour, our one day Positano itinerary begins at Chiesa di Santo Maria Assunta. From the church, you will explore Positano Spiaggia (beach). Then, walk under a wisteria covered lane to Piazzi dei Mulini (Positano’s famed pedestrian shopping lane).
Reaching the upper part of town, the route then follows the Viale Pasitea past some of Positano’s most beautiful hotels and restaurants. Descending downward, next comes a trek on a gorgeous coastal path to Fornillo Beach. The remainder of the day can be spent at Fornillo Beach, or back at Positano Spiaggia.
POSITANO MAP OF WALKING ROUTE
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7kms)
Time to Complete: 2 hours. Add on extra time for shopping, eating, and drinking.
GETTING AROUND POSITANO
Positano is a small town. The beach sits at the bottom of town with a ferry pier, marina, free beach, and two beach clubs. Next to the beach is a church, Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, and the waterfront neighborhood. From here, a series of stepped alleys lead to the upper part of town. These steep, zigzagging staircases link the successive rows of shops, hotels, and eateries to one another. Hence, the best way to navigate Positano Town is to walk it. Flat shoes are a must.
In upper-town, there are a few one way roads that connect with the Amalfi Coast Drive (SS163). These roads are narrow and there are few sidewalks. The roadways abut outdoors seating for restaurants and shop displays that are often only a few feet from passing cars and buses. Extreme care should be taken when navigating these streets.
POSITANO ACCESSIBILITY
Mobility impaired visitors will face significant accessibility issues for many in-town locations. A large number of businesses are located on pedestrian alleys with stairs, not on paved streets. Some sightseeing is possible around the waterfront and the upper end of town (with the most paved roadways). However, even in these areas there would be uneven surfaces and changes in grade.
POSITANO ONE DAY WALK
Our walk will begin at Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. If you arrive in Positano via boat, you will see the Moorish tiled dome of the church in front of you. If you arrive in town on the Amalfi Coast Drive, you can walk downhill to the church or simply pick up the walking route in upper town (and use this location as the loop's starting point).
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is a lovely neighborhood church with a bell tower. It is free to enter and open daily. Please remember to cover knees and shoulders before entering the church. At the alter look for the XIII century Byzantine statue of Mary. When you are done in the church, explore the surrounding area. You will discover a charming array of shops and piazzas.
Next, walk down to the 300-meter beach that borders the waterfront. Beside the ferry pier and marina docks, there are colorful kiosks selling boat trips and renting paddle boards and kayaks. There is a small section of free beach where you can relax on pebbly sand. There are also two Positano beach clubs where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas, and have use of the changing rooms, restrooms, showers, and bar.
After walking the length of Positano Harbor, take an alley to the backside of Chiesa Santa Maria Assunta. You should end up on Via dei Mulini. The pedestrian lane is Positano’s unofficial main street. Follow the lane until you reach Piazza dei Mulini. For a distance, you will walk under a pergola covered with vines and flowers. Along the route, enjoy the many galleries, boutiques, and courtyards that border the walkway.
POSITANO HOTELS
Albergo Miramare Positano: We stayed at the lovely 1930s Albergo Miramare Positano Hotel. We enjoyed the central location, exceptional restaurant, gorgeous balcony overlooking the harbor, and moderate price.
Casa Buonocore: The Casa Buonocore is a boutique hotel with a central location. Locally owned and operated.
Hotel Palazzo Murat: A classic Italian luxury inn, the Hotel Palazzo Murat is located in town close to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. There is a pool onsite and outdoor dining and lounge in a gorgeous garden.
In Piazza dei Mulini look for Chiesa Santa Maria del Rosario and visit if the church if it is open. Also, notice that this is a drop off and pick up point along the Sita bus route. From the piazza, take Viale Pasitea and continue on to the upper part of town. On this section of the route, you will see some of Positano’s luxury hotels and have fantastic views of the lower town and the Mediterranean Sea.
Stay on Viale Pasitea as you pass Hotel Poseidon (home to the elegant Il Tridente Restaurant). Later, trek past the Da Gabrisi Restaurant with its fabulous outdoor dining. As you continue on Viale Pasitea, you will eventually begin a downward descent. Follow the road until you have a good view of the waterfront. Then, use whatever staircases you encounter to work your way back down to the sea.
At the edge of the waterfront locate the ferry pier and walk to it. Eventually, the spacious open area narrows into a stone walkway. Moving away from town, follow the cliffside Sentiero degli Innamorati pathway along the coast.
Trekking beside the old city walls, eventually you will come to the Torre Trasita watchtower (now a hotel). A bit further down the path, you will encounter the entrance to Lo Guarracino. If you are hungry stop for a pizza, seafood, or some pasta at this amazing “tree house” restaurant.
If you follow the walkway to its end, you will find the stairs to hidden Fornillo Beach. This small laidback patch of pebble beach is home to the Pupetto Beach Club where you can rent a sunbed, and have access to the club’s amenities.
Spend the remainder of your time at serene Fornillo Beach, or walk back over to Positano Spiaggia and enjoy the action there.
Goditi la passeggiata (Enjoy the walk), Laura and Randy
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