Things To Do In Positano

Written By Gi Shieh
Sunset view over Positano beach with golden light reflecting on the water. Colorful cliffside buildings rise above the shoreline on the Amalfi Coast surrounded by green trees and bright pink flowers.

Positano is world-famous for those iconic colorful houses impossibly built into steep limestone cliffs and glamorous beach clubs highlighted in every Instagrammer's reels, but to be honest, it's not my favorite place.

It's a little too commercial for me, but if it's your first time visiting, you should still check it out and see for yourself.

I believe that travel should be slow and savored and the best part about Positano is lowkey the atmosphere.

So, I've curated this simple list of things to see (and do) with plenty of room so you can be as spontaneous as you'd like.

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Essential Tools For Your Italy Trip

  • Accommodations: I use Booking.Com to reserve rooms 2-3 months ahead of time during high season

  • Transport: use Omio for bus/train tickets & FerryScanner for ferry tickets (skip the SITA bus and book a ferry to get around instead. You’ll save yourself the headache.)

  • Tours: use GetYourGuide to book a sunset tour around the coast!

  • Esim: I used Holafly during this trip (because I needed unlimited data for work 🥲)

  • Insurance: the world is kinda insane right now so use SafetyWing to make sure you’re covered

Gi Shieh, travel blogger smiling in front of Positano’s pastel hillside buildings and the blue Mediterranean Sea. Mountains and scattered clouds create a dramatic backdrop along the Amalfi Coast.
Narrow stone walkway in Positano framed by historic buildings and opening to a bright view of the sparkling sea. Visitors stroll through the sunlit passage toward the waterfront.

1. Memorialize Your Trip In Your Camera Roll

Whether you’re taking photos for the gram or simply for the mems, the one thing that Positano has going for it is that it's beeauutttiful.

Take the SITA bus from your accommodations in Amalfi and get off at the first stop as it approaches town (Positano - Sponda). The second you hop off, you'll find yourself at the most incredible photo spot.

Now, the photo I took was definitely not the best, but if you're traveling with a partner or have better self portrait skills than me, you can image how stunning it must be.

Spend your time wandering the alleys, snapping photos of the adorable shops, lemon trees, and bougainvillea.

Here are some of my favorite spots for photo ops (Google Maps links):

  • Positano - Sponda: view of the buildings and coastline

  • Milano Vito: adorable fruit stand for local vibes! Buy some spices to share with loved ones back home

  • Fotopoint Positano: famous observation deck with coastal views

  • Town View From The Boat: you'll have to book a boat tour for this, but Positano is best seen from the sea!

  • Ceramica Assunta: colorful ceramics shop! Might be a little rude to just take photos outside so take a step inside. The pottery is truly so beautiful.

If you're serious about photos, it might be worth booking a private photographer to memorialize your trip.

Pedestrian walkway in Positano covered with blooming pink bougainvillea vines overhead. Visitors walk beneath the shaded pergola lined with flowers and small local shops.
Curving coastal road in Positano lined with colorful cliffside homes, stone walls, and flowering plants. The quiet street winds through the hillside town at sunset.

2. Wander Positano Town

As I mentioned earlier, Positano is a vibe. So just get lost and wander.

The best way to do this is to begin from the highest point in town and make your way down towards the coast.

As you walk through town, take your time to browse local ceramics shops, stop by curated art galleries, grab a bite of gelato and maybe invest in some leather sandals.

Don't worry about having a final destination. The point is to get lost in the experience and just clear your mind.

⭐️ Tip: Positano's stairs are no joke. I'm an avid hiker and even for me, treking up and down those roads were exhausting! Leave the heels at home and pack something comfortable. 

White church facade in Positano photographed against a deep blue sky. Two people walk up the staircase toward the entrance beneath the large cross and circular window.

3. Visit The Church of Santa Maria Assunta

It wouldn’t be Italy without a visit to the church.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the late 1700s and is famous for its majolica-tiled dome and the 12th century Byzantine Black Madonna that adorns its main altar.

Legend has it that Saracen pirates stole the icon from Byzantium. As they sailed past the town, a violent storm broke out and a voice from the painting commanded, 'Posa, posa!' (Put me down, put me down!). The sailors obeyed, and from that moment on, the town had its name and the relic had its forever home

I personally didn’t get to step inside, but it was beautiful from the facade.

Outdoor café seating in Positano surrounded by lush green trees and filtered sunlight. Patterned tables and red cushioned benches create a peaceful terrace atmosphere.
Small espresso cup on a hand painted ceramic table featuring a colorful Positano coastal scene. A silver spoon and sugar packet rest beside the coffee during a relaxing café break on the Amalfi Coast.

4. Go Cafe Hopping

Italy has a famous al banco coffee culture (drinking coffee at the bar instead of at a table) but since you're on the slow coast, why not enjoy your time with cafe hopping?

Here are some of my favorite cafes in Positano:

  • La Zagara: cute little cafe in the heart of town with a beautiful, vine-covered pergola

  • Angelo Cafe: one of the most iconic establishments in Positano. Incredible sea views and desserts

  • Posides: intimate cozy cafe with a open-kitchen spot and friendly service

  • Il Tridente Positano: romantic restaurant, cafe, and bar with panoramic views

  • Bar Buca di Bacco: beach-side bar and cafe ideal for people watching

Wide view of Positano beach with colorful cliffside homes rising above the shoreline along the Amalfi Coast. Calm blue water and dramatic clouds surround the seaside town on a sunny afternoon.
Stone walkway beside the beach in Positano with people strolling toward the sea at sunset. Elegant waterfront buildings and vintage street lamps line the coastal promenade on the Amalfi Coast.

5. Beach Day!

You can probably tell that I'm not a beach club kind of person, but I do love (free) beaches...

So, spend an afternoon at the Spiaggia Grande (heads up, it's really crowded) or the quieter Fornillo Beach just a few minutes away.

Or if you're a beach club type of person, book a lounge chair or umbrella at Da Ferdinando or Arienzo Beach Club and spend the day sunning out.

⭐️ Tip: most Amalfi beaches are rocky and not sandy, so make sure that you bring appropriate shoes! I always wear my trusty Tevas when water activities are involved.

Display of colorful ceramic souvenirs and lemon themed decorations in a Positano shop. Hand painted bowls, candle holders, and pottery capture the bright coastal style of the Amalfi Coast.

6. Shop Artisinal Goods

There's a lot of mass-produced crap in the alleys of Positano, but there are also high-quality, handmade artisinal goods!

The Amalfi Coast is famous for its leatherwork, ceramics, and linen, so if you're looing for a thoughtful souvenir to remember your trip by (or to share with someone you're thinking about), look for small, family-run shops where you can see the work being made on-site.

The seller should be able to tell you exactly how and where it was made.

⭐️ Tip: look for the words like "fatto a mano" (handmade) or "artigianale" (artisanal) 

Close view of Positano’s pastel buildings stacked along steep cliffs covered in greenery. Sunlight highlights the colorful hillside homes overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Scenic overlook in Positano featuring winding roads, hillside buildings, and a church dome with the sea in the background. Puffy white clouds stretch across the bright blue sky above the Amalfi Coast.

7. Hike The Path of the Gods

Last but not least, if you’ve seen enough of the Amalfi towns and need a quick break into nature, consider hiking the Path of the Gods!

The Path of the Gods is one of Italy's most famous hikes. It starts in Nocelle, just above Positano, and ends in Bomerano (in Agerola) offering sweeping views of the coastline along the way.

It should take 2.5 - 3 hours the entire way and is fairly sunny, so make sure to bring lots of water, reapply sunscreen, and wear protective clothing!

Panoramic view of Positano beach and colorful cliffside homes beside the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Mountain peaks rise above the town under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Positano is one of those places that I have mixed feelings about.

Yes, it's crowded and expensive, but there's something so magical about wandering through sun-drenched alleyways, eating lemon sorbet by the sea, and watching the pastel-colored buildings glow at golden hour... it's like I just took a screenshot of my Pinterest board and projected it onto my real life!

Reflecting on it now, the key really is to just experience it slowly. Rather than pack in an itinerary and squeeze with other tourists to all the hottest checkpoints, give yourself plenty of space to explore on a whim.

And if you’re still deciding where to base yourself, I'd recommend deciding between Amalfi and Positano. For more transportation tips, itinerary ideas, and practical advice, don’t miss this complete Amalfi Coast travel guide before you go! 

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