2 Days in Positano: Itinerary for a Perfect Amalfi Getaway

There’s a reason why Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s poster child. Pastel houses spill down the cliffs toward the coast, lemon trees dot the terraced hillside, the turquoise sea gleams almost anywhere you are in the town, and every corner seems perfectly engineered for a photograph. I mean, come on.

I’ve visited Positano in both low season (March) and high season, and while the vibes (and crowds and prices) shift , the charm always delivers. Whether you’re coming for the views, the food, or the sea, Positano delivers an unforgettable experience.

While some people come for just a day trip, I think 2 days in Positano is the ideal way to experience its best without rushing — and while saving you some money on your Italy trip, because I won’t lie, Positano is pricy, definitely the most expensive place to stay on the Amalfi Coast.

Two days in Positano gives you enough time to wander around the narrow alleys, relax on the beach, try the delicious cuisine at gorgeous restaurants overlooking the sea, and go for a hike for even more sweeping coastal views. 

I’ve laid out this Positano itinerary day-by-day to ensure you don’t miss anything worth including on your Amalfi Coast trip. Enjoy!

How to Get to Positano

By Rental Car

Renting a car in Italy is the generally the easiest way to get to Positano, particularly if your trip starts with you flying into the airport in Naples. As a bonus, renting a car in Naples is usually rather inexpensive, and it can be very convenient for getting around the Amalfi Coast area, such as visiting its beaches and other small coastal towns like Minori, Maiori, Amalfi, Ravello, etc.

That said, driving through the Amalfi Coast can also present some challenges, particularly the difficulty of parking in Positano (see the photo below for the crazy parking structure in town!) as well as dealing with traffic along the coastal road.

Also note that parking in Positano is pricy — typically around 8-10 Euros per hour to park in a parking garage.

That said, in certain cases, the benefits of renting a car for Positano outweigh the drawbacks, such as if you’re doing a longer Amalfi Coast road trip and plan to visit other places like Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, etc.

Generally speaking, you can get the best price on your car rental at the Naples airport. I recommend using Discover Cars to compare prices as they search 500+ rental agencies (including small, local Italian companies) to get you the best deal, finding companies many other search engines miss.

By Bus and/or Train

If you won’t be renting a car for your Amalfi coast itinerary, you can reach Positano by bus from Sorrento. Bus Number 5070 (see schedule here) departs from in front of the Circumvesuviana station, the train line connecting the city to Naples.

The SITA bus schedule can be — to put it mildly — a bit of a headache. I feel like I practically need a PhD to decode it, compared to Italy’s train system, which is extremely easy to figure out.

That said, after studying this bus schedule, I’ve managed to suss out that buses usually run about once an hour, and the ride takes roughly an hour. In high season, you may struggle to get on the first bus you want… so be patient if you’re coming by bus.

If you prefer not to deal with buses or trains, but also don’t want the headache of renting a car, you can skip all that with an airport transfer from Welcome Pickups, where you pre-book an airport taxi and the driver will greet you and help with your luggage.

Check out prices from Welcome Pickups

By Boat

Since Positano is a coastal town, if you prefer the scenic route, there’s the nautical option if you’re traveling in the high season. You can catch a boat to Positano from Naples, Salerno, and Sorrento, as well as between other Amalfi Coast towns.

While the coastal journey offers gorgeous views, it can be a bit of a challenge for those suffering from motion sickness (I wrote about my terrible experience traveling between Naples and Capri by hydrofoil here; be warned, especially if you’re emetophobic!)

There are also ferries that run directly from Capri to Positano, so you can spend a day in Capri before your Positano itinerary, which I highly recommend as it’s one of my favorite places in all of Southern Italy.

Positano Itinerary: Day 1

Explore Positano by foot

What better way to start your first day in Positano than with a coffee by the beach? At Positano Paradise Lounge Bar, you can find exactly that. After enjoying the delicious coffee and beautiful scenery, it’s time to explore the town.

The best thing to do in Positano is also the simplest: just walk around and find gorgeous points to enjoy scenic views overlooking the coast.

From the beach, walk uphill through the narrow alleys, past shops selling handmade sandals, citrusy ceramics, and linen everything. And honestly, you simply can’t go to Positano and not take the chance to admire the ceramics.

Some of Positano’s most renowned ceramics shops are Ceramica Assunta, Emporio della Ceramica, and The Art of Ceramics. Whether you just want to admire the beautiful vases and crockery or buy some souvenirs to take home, it’s worth checking out some (or, if you’re ambitious, all!) of these shops.

It’s hard to look anywhere in one of these souvenir shops without seeing the lemon figuring prominently as a symbol of the Amalfi Coast, and for good reason; the region’s lemons are of a specific variety called Sfusato d’Amalfi, known for their sweet taste, unlike other lemon varieties.

While shopping around Positano, don’t forget to buy some limoncello and lemon candy to take home so you can recreate this flavor at home!

Or be sure to try delicious lemon-themed pastries and delicacies, like the Delezia al Limone, a sponge cake shaped like a dome, filled with pastry cream and covered in a tangy but sweet lemon glaze. I recommend the one at Buca di Bacco, which is 6 Euros for a small cake and absolutely delicious.

Visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta

In the lower part of Positano, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. This is the most important church in town, famous for its Byzantine icon (with a wild shipwreck legend attached) and colorful majolica dome.

As you see it nowadays, this church is the product of a restoration that happened in the late 18th century, renovating what used to be a 10th-century monastery.

Few relics of this previous life of the church remain, but some do: for example, above the bell tower door, you can see a bas-relief that depicts a creature with a dragon-like form.

Discover Roman ruins at MAR (Museo Archeologico Romano)

Next to the church, you can visit the Roman Archaeological Museum, or “MAR” as it’s known locally. Drop in to join a guided tour descending beneath the church where you can explore the ruins of a Roman villa (called Villa d’Ozio) — and hear the story of how it was buried in ash during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD!

If you’re surprised that the Vesuvius eruption impacted the Amalfi Coast, you’re not alone, actually. The fact that the famous eruption that destroyed Pompeii reached as far as the Amalfi Coast is a relatively recent discovery: the first excavation of the villa only began in 2004.

Although the eruption didn’t devastate the Amalfi Coast to the same extent as Pompeii, it did reach Positano — ironically destroying the area while still preserving the villa beneath two meters of volcanic debris.

What was once destructive ash eventually hardened into a rock called “tuff,” sealing in and protecting the vibrant Pompeian-style murals for centuries.In addition to the murals, you can also examine several objects uncovered in the excavations, as well as some Roman crypts!

Tickets cost 15 Euros and can be purchased online here in advance to reserve your space, as spaces are limited on each time slot. 

Have a lunch break.

Positano offers numerous opportunities to enjoy lunch with a gorgeous view, but these restaurants are quite expensive by Italian standards — after all, you are also paying for the view.

If you want a nice meal at a decent price, try the delightful fresh pasta and pizza at Saraceno d’Oro. For delicious seafood, head to Il Grottino Azzurro.

If you just want to have a quick bite and save your time for more sightseeing, try the flavorful sandwiches at Simone’s Sandwiches, though note that this place is usually just open seasonally, from late spring to early fall.

Note: The next part of this Positano itinerary depends a bit on the season, the weather, but mostly your travel style — in other words, whether you’re more into getting active for an epic view or taking it easy in the sun. You can either set off on a scenic hike or opt to unwind with a few laid-back hours at the beach.

Option One: Go hiking

If you want to go hiking, the Belvedere Trail is a difficult trail that pays off dividends. The path starts in Positano and ends at Belvedere Santa Maria Del Castello, where you’ll see that stunning view you see above!

The hike takes about 3-4 hours roundtrip, and on the longer end if you stop frequently for breaks — and I mean, with those views everywhere you look, you probably will be!

This is a less-crowded alternative to the typical Path of the Gods that everyone hikes, so if you prefer a hike away from people, this is a good choice… but it will be more difficult in comparison.

From this viewpoint, descend back to Positano and treat yourself to a refreshing granita (similar to a lemon sorbet) or gelato. My pick? Try the granita inside an Amalfi lemon at Collina Positano Bakery for a delightfully citrusy twist on the classic dessert!

Relax at the beach.

If going on a 3+ hour hike sounds like a bit more work than you’d like on a relaxing vacation (I get it — I’m not much of a hiker myself these days), you can spend a few hours just kicking back at the beach and enjoying the lido culture — the typical Italian beach club.

You’ll have your choice between the main beach, Spiaggia di Positano Marina Grande, or walking for about ten minutes to check out Fornillo Beach. Of course, the main beach tends to be more crowded… and it can be quite pricy. Generally, you pay for a pair of sunbeds and an umbrella. A first row, beachfront location will set you back about €90, and other rows about €70-80.

Although Fornillo Beach may not have the same picturesque background, it’s a delightful little beach and it’s a lot cheaper to get a sunbed pair here — more in the €30-40 range. Da Ferdinando is a crowd favorite.

Have dinner in Positano.

As the sun sets, it’s time for dinner at one of the many restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea. Luna is a charming option if you are looking for a more refined location (and are okay with paying the accompanying higher prices).

For a more casual trattoria-style dining, head to the historic Da Vincenzo Positano 1958. Although it doesn’t have a view, it serves some of the best pasta dishes in town!

Positano Itinerary: Day 2

Catch a boat and explore the coastline

One of the best ways to experience the Amalfi Coast is by sea. You’ll find many day cruise options from Positano which visit a variety of different places in the area — I’ll share my two recommendations: the Amalfi Coast and also Capri.

1. This small-group Amalfi Coast day cruise is one of the best options from Positano. The small group size allows you to really enjoy the trip and get a more personal experience. The cruise sets sail in the morning from the main beach of Positano, Spiaggia Grande and passes the picturesque village of Praiano and the stunning Furore fjord, as well as Conca dei Marini and some time in either Ravello or Amalfi.

2. This Capri day trip by boat is the perfect way to explore the island of Capri and its stunning coastline and sea stacks — without the hassle of planning. You’ll cruise past the Sirenuses before arriving at Capri’s Marina Grande, then stop at the famous Blue Grotto (optional, with an extra fee). From there, you’ll enjoy views of Punta Carena Lighthouse and the Grotta Verde before docking for about 4 hours of free time on Capri. On the way back, the boat loops around the island, passing the iconic Faraglioni rocks and Grotta Bianca, with a swim stop (optional) before a final scenic ride past Punta Campanella and return to Positano.

Walk around Positano one last time and have dinner

Once you’re back in Positano, spend the rest of the afternoon checking out other lovely viewpoints and getting lost through the narrow alleyways.

For your last dinner in town, I suggest you treat yourself to a delicious meal with a view at Orama Restaurant or La Sponda.

Where to Stay in Positano

Budget

The Relais Il Sogno de Positano provides a relatively cheaper option for accommodation in Positano, although the term “budget” can be subjective in this town! You can indulge in spacious and colorful rooms that offer scenic views of the sea, although the location is a bit further away from the main town area.

Nonetheless, considering the considerable difference in pricing with other options in Positano, the distance is a reasonable trade-off, especially with the picturesque environment to walk around in.

Check prices, availability, and reviews here!

Mid-Range

Looking for a sweet spot to stay in Positano without breaking the bank? Look no further than Hotel Conca d’Oro! This mid-range gem is located right in the heart of town and features chic minimalist rooms with a few elegant Amalfi touches.

Most of the rooms feature stunning views of the sea, though if you don’t have your own balcony, the terrace is the perfect spot to catch a sunset.

Check prices, availability, and reviews here!

Luxury

Hotel Villa Franca is the real deal when it comes to luxury on the Amalfi Coast. But buckle up, because the price tag might make you shed a tear or two.

That being said, you’re in for a treat with two fine dining restaurants and a jaw-dropping rooftop pool with views that will leave you speechless. There’s also swanky O’Spa Wellness Center that features a Turkish-style hammam.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the stunningly designed rooms that offer mind-blowing views of the sea!

Check prices, availability, and reviews here!

Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast

Having explored Positano in both low season and high season, both are lovely. In March and in the beginning of April, you’ll find Positano nearly empty, which is lovely.

In summer, on the other hand, expect the town to be packed with travelers, influencers, and day trippers. It can be chaotic, to put it mildly. If you want to find a spot to settle in on the beach, you’ll have to get there early. 

Summer travel to Positano isn’t all bad, though! The town is way livelier in summer, and you’ll find more restaurants, cafés, and bars open — since many of them are only open seasonally.

To strike a balance between gorgeous weather and smaller crowds, try to schedule your trip around April or October. If you get lucky with the weather, you may even get some beach time!

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.