Beautiful Positano in Italy is a picturesque cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast that has attracted visitors for decades. With its colorful buildings, stunning beaches, and delicious food, it’s no wonder why Positano has become a popular destination for travelers worldwide.
From views to food to shopping to seafood to boat trips to more food there are some fantastic and tasty things to do in Positano.
1. Take in the View
One of the top things to do in Positano Italy is marvel at the views. The view from Positano over the Amalfi Coast is spectacular and the view of Positano from the water is also wonderful. You must experience both of these views multiple times and then try to choose a favorite.
If you have not been to Positano before, I must warn you that this town is steep. The city climbs a hill, and you must do that too to get from the water to the main road. If you have issues with mobility, I would think twice about staying in Positano – you may be more comfortable in nearby Sorrento.
If you choose to stay in Positano, take the time to really explore where your hotel is located in the town. On a map, it may look like your hotel is quite close to the water. However, you may well discover that the path to the water is extremely steep. Many of the hotels do sit higher up in the town as this affords them a great view of the town and the water.
And do remember that Positano is on Italy’s west coast, so you will likely experience some fantastic sunsets during your visit.
My favorite views of Positano:
-From my balcony at my hotel Conca D’Oro (more about the hotel later in this article)
-Next to Latteria – this great little store is ideal for picking up some wine and snacks and next to it is also a fantastic view of Positano and the water. This view includes the beautiful tiled dome of the Santa Maria Assunta church. It is great for sunset and in the evening and really most times of the day
-from a boat leaving the dock at Positano. This view takes the entire town from the bottom up and generally includes some aquamarine blue water in the foreground.
2. Take the boat to Da Adolfo for lunch
Ristorante Da Adolfo is only minutes from the Positano dock and you will see its complimentary boat arriving regularly. The restaurant is located on the small pebble-filled Laurito Beach. It is the perfect spot for a long lazy lunch on a sunny day and you can swim before or after your meal.
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The restaurant is casual in appearance and very comfortable with wooden seats and large wooden tables. The food is heavy on pasta and seafood, unsurprisingly. Its signature dishes include mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves, mussel soup, fresh octopus, and anchovies. Try the spaghetti with pepper pesto sauce, a specialty of the area.
3. Eat Lemon Sorbet in a Lemon
Covo dei Saraceni is a hotel that sits virtually on the beach in Positano. It is one of the most upmarket hotels in town. And it has a fantastic gelato shop next door that sells an outstanding lemon sorbet served in an actual lemon. This is not the only place in town to sell lemon sorbet in a lemon, but it may well be the tastiest version. There are also plenty of other flavors on offer for non-lemon lovers.
4. Go Shopping
There are a lot of stores in Positano to suit every taste. The town is known for its handmade leather sandals and you will see several stores advertising these. Nana has a good name and a good range. There are also numerous stores selling beach and resort wares.
In addition to being next door to a great view, Latteria has been selling wine, cheese and tasty snacks since 1955 and is the perfect place to grab some things for pre-dinner drinks on the balcony.
Unsurprisingly there are numerous souvenir shops selling all types of ceramics and items featuring the cheerful colors of Positano.
5. Take a boat trip to Capri
Driving from Positano to Capri (including a boat ride at the end) takes over three hours. But a fast boat from Positano to Capri takes just 40 minutes. However, I wouldn’t recommend taking a super fast boat to Capri as you would miss the stunning Amalfi coastline and its grottos and small statues keeping sailors safe.
There are multiple places along the way (weather dependent) where your boat can lay anchor and you can jump in and enjoy the water.
Capri can be a great day trip from Positano. Spend the day in the luxurious town of Capri. Or do what we did: take a slow sail to the island and then pull in for lunch at Bagni Tiberio. This beach club is located on the former site of Palazzo a Mare, Emperor Tiberius’summer villa. It is possible to see the ruins of the imperial villa overlooking the bay.
Established in 1926, Bagni Tiberio was Capri’s first beach club. Chairs and boats can be hired or head straight to the club’s charming seaside restaurant. The restaurant is famous for its seafood pastas and with good reason. The spaghetti with clams (vongole) is perhaps its most well known dish. It goes very well with the restaurant’s signature drink, white wine with soaked peaches.
We were a big group, so I think I managed to try most things on the menu. The fresh grilled fish was as good as you would expect and I was also a big fan of everything I ate with courgettes. The restaurant is comfortable and buzzy with friendly staff and feels like the place to be!