Positano is a popular resort town on the Amalfi Coast, along with Amalfi, Maiori, Ravello and some others. In Positano the location is considered to be very picturesque because the town is hidden in the Lattari Mountains, with scenic groves blooming around and the blue sea splashing along the steep rocks. Just like other towns on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is built on rocky terraces that descend steeply to the sea, with small sandy and pebble areas suitable for swimming. There are different ways of how to get to Positano, but the main starting points are usually Rome or Naples.
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When to travel to Positano
Positano is a colorful town with its houses painted in unimaginable colors. Built on top of each other, the houses in Positano will surprise you with their construction. Gardens laid out on the roofs of the houses is a purely Positano feature.
The local climate on the Amalfi Coast is quite mild and windless. It means you can visit Positano and other nearby resorts all year round. The swimming season lasts from May to October though. During the off-season tourists can visit numerous historical monuments as well as enjoy enchanting scenery.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Positano. I figured out how to get to Positano, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to this fascinating sea resort located not far from Rome and Naples.
How to get to Positano
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Where do you fly into to get to Positano? You can get to Positano from Rome or Naples, because the closest international airports are located exactly there. Both direct and connecting flights land in Rome as well as in Naples. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I often use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options at the same time.
How to get to Positano from Rome
Positano, like other Amalfi Coast cities, does not have its own train station; the closest one is in Salerno. No matter what Italian city you arrive in, be it Rome, or Naples, you need to take a train, and then change it to a local bus. These buses run along the entire Amalfi Coast, including Positano. Another option is to take a taxi or rent a car at the airport.
How to get to Positano from Rome by public transport
On average, the travel time from Rome to Positano takes about 4 hours. As I mentioned before, at the beginning you need to take a train to Naples. The travel time varies from 55 minutes to almost 1 hour 15 minutes. The duration depends on the type of a train – high-speed or regional. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope online service.
Then in Naples you need to make a change to a bus to Amalfi town. The travel time is about 2 hours. Buses depart from Naples 3 times a day – at 9.00, 14.30 and 17.30. On Saturday they also depart at 14.30. Then in Amalfi you need one more change to a bus leading directly to Positano. The travel time is about 40-50 minutes. You can check the accurate bus timetable at the Sita Sud company website. In my point of view, getting to Positano by public transport is not easy, but it’s possible if you travel light.
How to get to Positano from Rome by taxi
You can get from Rome to Positano without any changes on the route in case you choose private transport – a taxi or a private transfer service. You can find a taxi upon arrival at Rome airport. Up-to-date information for private transfer services can be found on the several online booking services such as Intui.Travel, Kiwitaxi and others. According to my research, both online services mentioned above have a lot of positive reviews so I can totally recommend them. The travel time by taxi or a private transfer is approximately 3.5 hours.
How to get to Positano from Rome by car
An excellent alternative to public transport is to rent a car in Rome. You can rent a car either at the airport or in city center offices. Rome is connected to Positano mostly by high-speed highway, but there are some serpentines too. They are connected by the route # E45 (see on the map). The travel time from Rome is about 3.5 hours.
You can view different car rental offers on various international booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Based on my experience, both online services have a decent search. I would recommend comparing their results to find out the best available option. Anyway, a car is one of the most convenient ways of how to get to Positano from Rome.
How to get to Positano from Naples
Positano, like other Amalfi Coast cities, does not have its own train station; the closest one is in Salerno. No matter what Italian city you arrive in, be it Rome, or Naples, you need to combine different types of public transport to reach your destination. Another option is to take a taxi or rent a car at the airport.
How to get to Positano from Naples by public transport
Overall, the travel time from Naples to Positano takes about 2.5-3 hours. As I found out, at the beginning you need to take a bus from Naples to Amalfi town. The travel time is about 2 hours. Buses depart from Naples 3 times a day – at 9.00, 14.30 and 17.30. On Saturday they also depart at 14.30. Then in Amalfi town you need to make a change to a local bus leading directly to Positano. The travel time is also about 40-50 minutes.
You can check the accurate bus timetable at the Sita Sud company website. If you travel light, it will be no problem for you to get to Positano, but you will need to check bus timetables accurately and plan your trip correctly.
How to get to Positano from Naples by taxi
You can get from Rome to Positano without any changes on the route in case you choose private transport. It can be a taxi or a private transfer service. You can find a taxi upon arrival at Naples airport or you can book private transfer services in advance via different online services, for instance, via Intui.Travel, Kiwitaxi and some others. I can recommend both services as they have a lot of positive reviews. The travel time by taxi or a private transfer is approximately 1.5 hours.
How to get to Positano from Naples by car
As an option, tourists can rent a car at the airport of Naples or in offices in the city center. It is a nice way of how to get to Positano as well as of how to travel around the Amalfi Coast. Naples and Positano are connected by # E45 and SS145 roads (see on the map). The duration of trip from Naples to Positano usually takes 1.5 hours. You can view various car rental offers via international booking services Discover Cars, Economybookings and others.
Where to stay in Positano
After you have already decided how to get to Positano, it is the time to figure out accommodation options. In Positano you can stay in hotels, apartments, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and holiday homes. For a holiday in Positano during the summer season, I would recommend booking accommodation in advance, as the resort is really popular, and not only among tourists, but also among Italians, who choose the Amalfi Coast as a holiday destination.
3-star hotels
Albergo California 3* has a convenient location. Tourists can easily walk to the beach. They also can get to the neighboring towns of Amalfi and Sorrento by bus, as a bus stop is located right outside the hotel. Besides, guests can enjoy a terrace with panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding area. There is a private parking on the hotel, which is available for an additional fee and upon prior reservation. It is important to have a parking place in case you choose a car as a way of how to get to Positano.
The hotel has rooms of various capacities. All of them are equipped with a telephone, satellite TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, minibar and wireless Internet. Buffet breakfasts are included in the price. It also offers a luggage storage room. The reception is open 24 hours a day.
No-star hotels
L’Uliveto B&B hotel is located in the mountains, in a village next to Positano. Guests are provided with free Wi-Fi and free parking. The beaches can be reached by public transport or by car. The hotel offers double rooms with a balcony, satellite TV, air conditioning, hairdryer, mini-fridge and wireless Internet. Buffet breakfasts are included in the price, and there is also the possibility to use a common kitchen area. It also has a luggage storage room. According to my research, check-in is from 14.00 and check-out is until 10.30.
Casa Fortunata B&B hotel is located a 10-minute drive from the center of Positano. The nearest beach is 500 meters away. Guests are provided with free Wi-Fi. Private parking is available nearby, for an additional fee. Guests can stay in double rooms equipped with a terrace with sea views, air conditioning, TV, safe, hairdryer and wireless Internet. Breakfast is included in the price.
Le Nereidi B&B hotel is located in the mountains and has excellent panoramic views of the surrounding area and the sea. Guests can enjoy the views on the furnished terrace. Free Wi-Fi is available. Parking can be found nearby for an extra fee and upon prior reservation. Guests are provided with 1-bedroom apartments. Inside you can find a balcony, TV, air conditioning, hairdryer, kettle and mini-fridge. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Holiday Homes
Villa Maria Antonietta is located 600 meters from the beach and has its own garden with a sun terrace, plus free Wi-Fi and fully equipped rooms. You can stay in double rooms equipped with everything you need. If desired, you can order an Italian breakfast on the outdoor terrace. As I found out, check-in is from 13.00 and check-out is until 10.30.
What to see in Positano
The main attraction of Positano is its gorgeous natural views. The Amalfi Coast is the place where steep cliffs and blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea meet. But unlike the Ligurian coast, the local cliffs do not go straight into the water, but expose small gulfs suitable for swimming. The local beaches, although small in size, are very popular. In my opinion, Positano and the surrounding area are great for walking.
Historic Center
A nice idea is to start exploring Positano from its historic center. In the main square of the city called Flavio Gioia you can find the magnificent temple of Santa Maria Assunta, which was constructed back in the 13th century. This cathedral can easily compete with the Byzantine cathedral in neighboring Amalfi town for the title of the most recognizable religious building on the coast. The majolica in the exterior decoration and mosaics in the interior give the temple of Santa Maria Assunta a special charm.
- It opens from 09.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Natural Views
The central square of the town offers a good view of the Li Galli Islands, located near the shore of Positano. To my mind, it is definitely worth visiting the islands with a boat tour, if you have a free time.
You can walk around Positano and see the surrounding area with lemon groves and panoramic views of the sea along a special route that called “Path of the Gods”. It is not always easy to walk along it, because in some places you need to overcome a certain number of steps, but the mesmerizing views of the local countryside are worth it. The path rises 300 meters from the shore. Along the way you can see various architectural monuments hidden from the eyes of most tourists. I would definitely recommend taking a walk along the path.
Positano Beaches
Travelers traditionally associate holidays in Positano with the sea, and beaches. The beaches in Positano have a sandy surface, but the sand here is not golden, but rather dark gray or ash-colored. Narrow strips of beaches in the center of Positano are paid, but walking a little further along the shore, you can find free areas for sunbathing and swimming. The paid beaches in Positano are equipped with everything you need, i.e., by paying for entry, you get the right to use sun loungers, chaise lounges and umbrellas.
The largest beach in Positano, La Grande Beach, is only 300 meters wide. Knowing this, it is easy to imagine how tiny all the other beaches in the area are. However, in the summer, the beaches of Positano are extremely popular with tourists who are not put off by the high cost of accommodation at the resort or the limited amount of beach space.
In conclusion
Anyway, Positano has an absolutely charming atmosphere, so tourists often choose exactly this sea resort to get acquainted with the Amalfi Coast. There are different ways of how to get to Positano, but the most popular are car rental or taking a taxi as public transport is not very well-developed here.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Rafael Hoyos Weht
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…
