10 Best Things to Do in Positano, Italy You Can’t Miss

Positano was the stop I looked forward to most on my Amalfi Coast trip, and it didn’t disappoint! The pastel houses stack up the cliffside, the streets are steep enough to make your legs burn, and the beach clubs line up along the water like they’re posing for a postcard.

It’s exactly as photogenic in person as it looks online, but there’s a lot more to do here than just snap a few photos.

Below, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Positano, the ones actually worth your time, not just the obvious photo-ops, plus where to eat and where to stay so you can plan your own Positano itinerary from start to finish.

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Best Things to Do in Positano, Italy

1. Spiaggia Grande

Spiaggia Grande is the main beach in Positano, and it’s the one you’ll see in basically every photo of the town. It sits right at the bottom of the village, surrounded by the colorful houses climbing up the hillside, with the harbor and a row of beach clubs lining the shore.

You’ve got two options here: pay for a spot at one of the beach clubs, which gets you a lounger, umbrella, and usually a bar right there, or stick to the free public section.

Both work, but if you want to actually relax instead of constantly shifting your towel around, I’d say the beach club is worth it for at least one day. Although be warned, it’s pretty expensive! We’re talking around €90-100 for a day for two people expensive.

Beyond the beach itself, this is also where you’ll find boats heading out for day trips to Capri, Amalfi, or along the coast, so it’s worth getting familiar with the area even if you’re not planning to sunbathe.

2. Cristoforo Colombo

This is the most famous viewpoint in Positano, and once you see it, you’ll understand why it ends up on everyone’s camera roll! From here, you get that classic shot looking down over the rooftops, the dome of Santa Maria Assunta, and the beach below, all framed against the sea.

This spot gets busy, and people usually end up lining up to get their photo without anyone else photobombing it. If you want to skip the wait, go earlier in the day rather than late morning or afternoon.

It’s also very close to the Positano (Sponda) bus stop, so if you’re arriving by bus, this is an easy one to tackle first before heading further into town.

3. Church of Santa Maria Assunta

You can’t miss this one, literally. The church’s majolica dome is one of the most recognizable parts of Positano’s skyline, covered in green, yellow, and blue tiles that catch the light all day long.

Inside, the highlight is a Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna with Child, believed to date back to the 12th or 13th century. Legend has it that the painting was being transported by ship when a storm hit, and a voice told the crew to “posa, posa” (set it down), which is how the town supposedly got its name.

The church sits right in the center of town, just steps from Spiaggia Grande, so it’s an easy stop to fold into a beach day. Entry is free, and it only takes about 15-20 minutes to walk through, but it’s worth the short detour for the dome alone.

4. Boat trip along the Amalfi Coast

Seeing the coastline from the water completely changes how you experience Positano! The cliffside towns, hidden coves, and beaches that look impressive from land look even better once you’re out on the sea looking back at them.

You’ve got a few ways to do this. Some boats run short hour-long loops along the coast near Positano, while others go further, stopping at spots like Praiano or Amalfi.

You can also rent a private boat for the day if you want more flexibility to stop and swim wherever you like instead of following a set route.

Either way, this is one of those things to do in Positano that’s worth building time for, since it gives you a totally different perspective on the coastline you’ve been looking at from the shore.

5. Ceramics shopping

Positano is known for its colorful ceramics, and you’ll see them everywhere, from shop windows to table settings at restaurants. Hand-painted plates, bowls, tiles, and lemon-printed everything line the streets, especially along Via dei Mulini and Via Pasitea.

The most famous spot, the one you’ve probably seen in a million photos with the lemon trees and the blue tiled tables, is Delicatessen S.N.C. It’s on the same road as the Cristoforo Colombo viewpoint, just a few minutes’ walk up, so it’s easy to combine the two.

Prices and quality vary a lot from shop to shop, so it’s worth browsing a few before buying. Some pieces are made locally, while others are imported, so if that matters to you, it’s worth asking before you commit to anything.

Shipping is usually available too, which helps if you fall in love with a full dinner set and don’t want to carry it home in your suitcase.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s a nice way to spend an hour wandering and window shopping through town.

6. Day trip to Capri

Capri is one of the most popular day trips from Positano, and honestly, it earns the hype! The cliffs, the turquoise water, the whole island just feels a notch more glamorous than the mainland.

The easiest way to get there is with an organized boat tour, which usually covers round-trip transport, a stop at the Blue Grotto, and free time to explore the town.

The Blue Grotto is the main draw, a sea cave where the water glows an almost electric blue. You’ll wait in line for a small rowboat to take you inside, but I highly recommend doing it anyway, it’s one of those things you have to see to believe. Once you’re back on solid ground, the town of Capri is great for wandering, and the Gardens of Augustus are a must for the view over the Faraglioni rocks.

If you’d rather skip the tour and go on your own, ferries do run from Positano’s harbor, but the schedule is limited, so you’ll need to plan around it. Booking a guided tour just takes the guesswork out of it.

7. Drinks in a rooftop bar

After a day of beach clubs and walking up and down Positano’s stairs, a rooftop bar is exactly what you need! The views here do most of the work, with the houses cascading down to the sea and the water turning gold as the sun sets.

Most of the rooftop bars are attached to hotels, but you don’t usually need to be a guest to grab a drink, just a reservation, especially during peak season. One of the most popular spots, Franco’s Bar, doesn’t take reservations though, so if you want a table, show up about 10-15 minutes before they open to secure a spot.

Expect to pay more than you would at a regular bar, but you’re paying for the view as much as the cocktail.

Sunset is the obvious time to go, but it’s also the busiest, so if you want a quieter moment, an earlier evening drink can be just as nice without the crowd.

8. Cooking class

A cooking class is one of the more hands-on things to do in Positano, and a nice break if you’ve been sightseeing non-stop. Most classes focus on making pasta from scratch, think gnocchi or ravioli, sometimes paired with a tiramisu lesson for dessert, and usually come with wine or other drinks along the way.

Some classes take place in a private home or a small family-run kitchen, which adds a nice personal touch, while others happen at restaurants or dedicated cooking schools with a bit more structure. Either way, you usually get to sit down and eat what you made afterward.

It’s a fun way to spend a few hours, and a memorable one if you want a more interactive experience than just sightseeing.

9. Day trip to Amalfi and Ravello

If you have an extra day, both Amalfi and Ravello are easy to combine into one trip from Positano, and they each bring something different to the table.

Amalfi is the larger of the two, with a lively waterfront, the striking Amalfi Cathedral, and plenty of shops and restaurants to wander through. Ravello, on the other hand, is quieter and sits higher up in the hills, known for its gardens and views, especially from Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, both of which look straight out over the coastline.

Ferries connect Positano to Amalfi pretty easily, and from there, a local bus takes you up to Ravello in about 25 minutes. If you start early enough, you can easily visit both towns in one day!

If you’d rather not organize all the ferries and buses yourself, you can also book a boat tour that stops in Amalfi for a few hours along the way. Another option is to book an Amalfi & Ravello tour from Positano where you’ll be visiting the towns with a minivan.

10. Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods is one of the best hikes on the entire Amalfi Coast, and it’s easy to see how it got its name. The trail runs along the cliffs between Bomerano and Nocelle, with sweeping views over the coastline the whole way, the kind of views that make you stop every few minutes just to take it in.

The hike itself takes around 2-3 hours depending on your pace, and while it’s not technically difficult, there are some uneven, rocky sections, so proper shoes make a real difference.

Most people start from Bomerano and end in Nocelle, since it’s mostly downhill that way, then take a short walk or local bus down into Positano to finish.

Booking a guided tour is the best way to do this hike, especially if it’s your first time. You’ll have a guide who knows the trail and the best photo stops along the way, so you don’t have to worry about navigation, though you’ll still need to sort out your own transport to the starting point.

Where to Stay in Positano

Positano is a small town with limited rooms, and demand far outpaces supply, especially from May through September. If you’ve got dates in mind, it’s worth booking as early as possible, since popular properties can sell out months in advance for peak season!

It’s also worth knowing that Positano is one of the more expensive towns on the Amalfi Coast, and even simple guesthouses come with a premium price tag because you’re paying for the view as much as the room itself. If budget is a bigger concern, staying in a neighboring town like Praiano and visiting Positano for the day can be a reasonable workaround.

This is also a vertical town, and getting to and from your hotel often means tackling a fair number of stairs. It’s worth checking a hotel’s exact location and how many steps are involved before booking, especially if mobility is a concern.

Here are a few of the best hotels to check out, listed from the most luxurious to the most budget-friendly:

• Le Sirenuse: A legendary 5-star hotel right in the heart of Positano. Expect antique-filled rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, an oyster bar, and a pool terrace with sweeping sea views.
• Hotel Conca d’Oro: A 4-star option with some of the best panoramic views in town, plus a sun terrace with a hot tub and a restaurant serving Campania cuisine. It’s a bit of a walk from the center, but the views and quiet more than make up for it!
• Villa Principe Giovanni: A charming boutique B&B with hand-painted majolica floors and sea-view balconies, located in the Fornillo district. It’s part of the same family as Hotel Conca d’Oro and offers a more intimate, slower-paced stay.
• Casa Teresa: A family-run guesthouse with antique-style rooms and a terrace where breakfast comes with sea views. It’s one of the more budget-friendly picks in Positano without skipping out on the views the town is known for.

Where to Eat & Drink in Positano

Positano has no shortage of good food, but reservations matter here more than in most places, especially for dinner with a view. Booking ahead, sometimes weeks ahead in peak season, will save you a lot of frustration.

Here are a few of the best spots to check out, from casual cafes to sit-down dinners with a view:

• Franco’s Bar: One of the most popular rooftop bars in town for sunset drinks, with views that stretch over the rooftops and out to the sea. They don’t take reservations, so arrive 10-15 minutes before opening if you want a table.
• Terrazza Celè: A romantic, fine-dining spot with a garden terrace overlooking the bay, known for its creative seafood-forward menu and one of the best views in Positano. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s the kind of place worth saving for a special dinner.
• Angelo Cafe: A relaxed, family-run cafe on Via Cristoforo Colombo, great for breakfast, a quick lunch, or an afternoon coffee and pastry. The outdoor seating has lovely views, and it’s a nice, more affordable alternative to the upscale spots nearby.
• Posides: A tiny, family-run restaurant known for homemade dishes like gnocchi and tiramisu, plus a balcony view over Positano. It’s walk-in only and the place is small, so be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table.
• Ristorante Don Giovanni: A terrace restaurant near the ferry port with sweeping views of the coastline, known for fresh seafood and homemade pasta like ravioli caprese. Reservations are recommended, especially for a sunset table.
• Ristorante Bruno: A long-running, family-owned restaurant along Via Cristoforo Colombo, known for classic pasta dishes like spaghetti alle vongole and a great view over Positano’s rooftops. It gets busy, so going early or booking ahead is the way to go.