If you're driving from the west, Positano is the first town you'll come across on the Amalfi Coast.
The town is approximately a 75-minute drive from Naples and 20 minutes from Sorrento. You can also get to Positano via one of the buses run by the Sita coach company, and in the summer months, by boat.

For more detailed information: How to get to the Amalfi Coast

The ancient Romans built a number of sumptuous villas on the coast of Positano, the ruins of which can be seen in the vicinity of the Church dell'Assunta.
It is believed that the town was founded in the 9th century around a Benedictine abbey.
The town grew considerably following the arrival of inhabitants from Paestum, who were fleeing Saracen incursions.

After it was pillaged by Pisa in 1268, Positano increased its defenses, becoming similar to its powerful neighbor, Amalfi, with steep narrow roads, massive fortified walls, and a series of all-important watch towers.

The majolica-tiled dome of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta can be seen from every corner of the town. A Byzantine-inspired icon of a Black Madonna dating back to the 18th century is conserved inside the church.

The name Positano is linked to a legend
In ancient times, a Turkish boat became beached just off the shores of what has since come to be known as Positano. Aboard the ship was a painting of the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that the captain heard the painting whisper "posa, posa" ('set me down, set me down') and he obediently threw the image into the sea. Miraculously, the grounded ship floated free and was saved. The locals built a church on the spot where the painting washed ashore, interpreting the episode as a sign that the Virgin had chosen their town as a resting place.

The fortunes of Positano, like its roads, have continually risen and fallen. In 1343 the town was destroyed by a terrible tsunami, and in the 15th century it was victim to continual attacks by Ottoman pirates.
In the 18th century, Positano enjoyed a period of prosperity as a major port and trading hub. Following the unification of Italy and the opening of a number of new commercial routes, the town's importance began to decline. In just a few decades it was reduced to little more than a humble fishing village, and many of the inhabitants decided to emigrate to the United States.

Multi-Day Tours of the Amalfi Coast

Discover the ancient history of Positano by visiting the local Museo Archeologico Romano. It was recently inaugurated on the site where an ancient Roman villa once stood, beneath the oratory of the Church of the SS. Maria Assunta in Piazza Flavio Gioia 7. Visitors can admire fragments of the original architecture and decorations to learn about Positano's Roman history, with the help of multimedia displays that explain the ruins more in depth. Seasonally the museum is open from 9 am to 8:30 pm April 11 to October 31, and from 10 am to 4 pm November 1 to April 10. You can also take a 30-minute guided tour for groups of up to 10. Tickets cost 15 euros per person and payment is by credit or debit card only.

Positano once more began to flourish with the construction of the SS163 road, a much-needed alternative to the mountain paths that had until then formed the only link between the Amalfi Coast and the rest of Italy.

The new road united the town with Sorrento and Naples and allowed the first tourists to reach Positano. These were no ordinary tourists, but rather an elite group of travelers comprised of intellectuals, artists, and celebrities who, from the early 20th century onwards, elected Positano and Ravello as their preferred holiday resorts.

Escher, Steinbeck, Picasso, Klee, Zeffirelli and Liz Taylor: the list of artists who have fallen helplessly in love with the beauty of Positano's land and seascapes is endless. "Willing prisoners of a legendary landscape," as they used to define themselves.

Spiaggia Grande is the heart of Positano's waterfront. Spanning 300 meters, this beach is one of the largest on the Amalfi Coast, as well as one of the most glamorous, attracting a fashionable crowd of artists, actors, and celebrities.
Those looking for a more peaceful spot in which to bask in the Mediterranean sun will love Positano's Fornillo beach, which can be reached via a footpath that sets off from Spiaggia Grande.

Take a dip in the sea, far from everything and everyone
Based on the beach of Marina Grande, Positano's "sea taxi service" operates a fleet of small boats transporting visitors to the paradisiacal little bays, such as Remmese, Clavel, and Cavone, which can only be accessed from the sea.

After a swim, holidaymakers who would like to enjoy some of the Amalfi Coast's delicious fish should ask to be taken to Laurito beach, home of the waterfront "Da Adolfo" restaurant.

All about beaches in Positano

Legend has it that the three islets of Li Galli, set just off the shores of Positano and often referred to as the "Sirenuse," were inhabited by Sirens who attempted to seduce with their song all those who sailed nearby.

Perhaps the most famous of those to have been enchanted by the islets' mysterious beauty is the ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who spent the last years of his life here.

The Li Galli Islets

• Try limoncello liqueur made with Amalfi Coast lemons.

• Purchase a pair of the most beautiful sandals in the world from one of the many artisan workshops lining the streets of the center. The craftsperson will measure your foot and you can choose the style and decorations for a custom pair of sandals made in half an hour.

• Buy an authentic pezza di Positano, traditional garments made from cotton, linen, and silk, perfect for exploring the coastline.

Shopping on the Amalfi Coast

If you'd like to explore further afield after a few hours lazing in the sun, shopping in Positano's colorful boutiques, and enjoying delizia al limone on the terrace of the Zagara restaurant, then you should take one of the paths leading to the tiny mountain outposts above Positano.

Montepertuso

A seemingly endless flight of steps and a small road that winds its way up the hill unite Positano with Montepertuso, in the Monti Lattari. Legend has it that the hole in the mountain was created by the Virgin's index finger. You can get there by the footpath leading to the Oasis of Vallone Porto, which has numerous waterfalls and species of rare plants and animals. One of the Amalfi Coast's most spectacular religious festivals is held here on the 2nd of July in the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie.

Make sure you stop off at the Fontana Vecchia for a glass of wonderfully fresh drinking water.

The hamlet of Nocelle
Just beneath the summit of Montepertuso is the tiny hamlet of Nocelle, a fraction of Positano that until recently could only be reached via a pathway winding its way around the mountain or a flight of 1,500 steps starting on the beach of Arienzo.

Nocelle is at the end of the Sentiero degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods, the mountain trail which traverses the Monti Lattari from Agerola.
One of the most beautiful views on the Amalfi Coast, extending as far as the island of Capri and the Faraglioni rocks, can be seen from the hamlet's main square.

• For a light, healthy lunch: Casa e Bottega, a unique bistrot serving healthy salads, avocado toast, and fresh juices and smoothies. You can also purchase anything you see in the dining room, including the table settings!

• For a romantic dinner: Rada, a terrace on the coastal cliff overlooking the sea and the colorful houses in Positano.

• For dessert or a lemonade: Zagara, the most famous (and best) pastry shop in Positano. Try the delizia al limone and relax at a table in the garden.

• Il San Pietro: This five-star hotel is set on the clifftop and its numerous levels descend along the rocks to the sea in a series of gardens and terraces.

• Casa Buonocore: An intimate boutique hotel in the center of Positano with refined interiors decorated by the hosts in an eclectic style, as well as private terraces overlooking the sea.

• Villa Oliviero: A private villa in the hills of Positano with a pool and hotel-style services.