A day in Positano: What to do in Positano in a day

Are you planning a trip to Italy and want to know how to spend a day in Positano?

We have visited Positano twice in recent years and it is our favourite place to take a day trip to when exploring the Amalfi Coast. This guide will cover everything you need to spend a day in Positano: including where to stay, best things to do and the best bars and restaurants in Positano.

Positano is renowned for being one of the most picturesque places in Europe, perfect for a romantic summer getaway. With its iconic pastel houses built into the steep mountainside backdrop and winding clifftop roads, Positano epitomises the la dolce vita lifestyle.

How to get to Positano

Naples airport to Positano

The main airport you will use to get to your final destination on the Amalfi Coast is in Naples. Naples is around 50-60km North and the most straightforward way to get to Positano is by Ferry. There are two main operators of ferries for this route, Lucibello, which has a high speed ferry that takes around an hour and NGL, whose options typically take 1.5 hours.

Prices for the ferries vary based on the demand and time of the year but usually cost around €30pp each way. The Positano Jet services numerous other options throughout the coast including ferries to Capri so you will likely use their ferries at some point on your trip.

There is no direct bus/train from Naples to Positano but you can still make it to Positano using connecting routes through Sorrento.

Sorrento to Positano

The bus from Naples to Sorrento is run by Curreri Viaggi and is the easiest way to get to Sorrento from Naples Airport. The journey takes around 90 minutes total and costs €13pp for a return ticket. The bus can be a little bit tricky to find when you leave the terminal but you can get instructions here. This journey also has some stunning views of the coast, as well as phone charging ports on board. You can get tickets for this bus service here.

From Sorrento, you can get the local bus (SITA) to Positano. You can purchase bus tickets in any of the ‘tabbaceria’ shops nearby. We would advise arriving for this bus well in advance of the departure time as it is often very busy.

Private Transfer

Naturally, a private transfer is more expensive but saves a lot of the hassle of navigating public transport etc. If you do want to arrange a transfer, we would suggest Welcome Pickups, who have really strong reviews for reliability online.

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Is a day in Positano enough time?

While you could easily spend your entire holiday here, if you only have one day in Positano you will still see everything. That being said, if you want to experience the Amalfi Coast as a whole, we would recommend spending at least one week in the region.

Positano itself is quite small so a day is enough time to see the area without feeling like you have missed too much. As Positano is the most renowned town along the coast, there is a cost premium to goods here, as well as accommodation if you choose to book a hotel in Positano.

If you plan to explore the region as well, we have put together this guide to the Amalfi Coast, as well as a 3 day in Sorrento itinerary to help you plan your stay.

Where to stay in Positano?

Hotels in Positano are notoriously expensive and come with a premium due to exclusivity of the area. The hotels in Positano recommended below are based on off peak prices (excluding June-August) but prices can be much more depending on when you intend to visit.

A Day in Positano – Itinerary

Morning – Breakfast and the Old Town

Once you arrive in Positano, our suggestion would be get some breakfast to set yourself up for the day. There is a beautiful place just as you arrive in Positano called Casa e Bottega, this place is such a nice way to start your day in Positano. This is a really beautiful setting for breakfast and we stopped here every time we visited Positano. As well as being a bistrot, they also have a great shop selling ceramics and homewares all made in Italy so you can pick up a nice souvenir here as well.

After breakfast, it’s time to take a walk through the old town of Positano and admire the boutique shops. The streets in Positano are quite narrow and winding, much like the roads leading to Positano from the North. That being said, it’s a really nice way to familiarise yourself with the area and grab a drink before making your way down to the famous beach.

Afternoon – Lunch at Le Tre Sorelle and Marina Grande

If you are making your way down to the beach and want to get lunch along the way, you could try out Ristorante Le Tre Sorelle Positano, which has some great seafood options as well as pizza and pasta etc.

The main beach in Positano is called Marina Grande and you will naturally make your way down here as you make your way down the narrow streets of the town. Marina Grande is where you will get to see beautiful views of the pastel houses built into the mountains behind and it is one of the best photo spots in Positano. The beach has both a free part and an area for beach clubs which require paid entry but you can enjoy the surroundings just as much at both options.

Evening – Dinner and Sunset Views

One of the great things about Positano, is that a lot of the bars and restaurants that line the hilltop streets have picture perfect views of the pastel houses perched over the seafront. This means that not only will you get to enjoy a beautiful meal, you can combine that with one of the best sunset views in all of Europe.

For dinner, we would suggest trying either La Scogliera or else Bruno’s, which has incredible views overlooking the water. Where possible, try to book your table in advance to make sure you can go there at the best time in the evening.

If you would prefer to have dinner earlier and then enjoy the amazing sunset with a drink, we would really recommend Franco’s Bar. This bar does not take reservations so there is likely to be a queue but if you only have one day in Positano, it is worth the wait.

Alternative Option – Hike the Path of the Gods

We didn’t include this as the main itinerary option as not everyone loves a hike, especially on their holiday. But if you enjoy the outdoors and want to get a spectacular view overlooking Positano, the ‘Path of the Gods’ is a must. This hike has some of the best views you will find anywhere in the region and is definitely worth adding to your day in Positano. We would recommend starting early if you plan to do this to avoid being out when the sun is at its peak.