How to Spend A Day in Positano (Perfect One Day Itinerary)
If you find yourself with the chance to spend a day in Positano, read on. This beautiful town is a top destination on the Amalfi Coast and offers colorful cliffside homes that blend perfectly with the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
This guide will give you an unforgettable one-day itinerary, making sure you experience all of Positano’s charm and beauty on a quick schedule. See what I recommend from my own short time there and what I wish I’d done instead.
Of course, you won’t be able to see or do everything but you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground. Let’s get planning your day trip then, shall we? 😎
Is it Worth Going to Positano for a Day?
I hate yes and no answers, but I will say that it does depend for this one. If you’re nearby and you’ve never been before, then yes! From Rome would be a definite no for me, but Naples would be a maybe.
Positano is a small town and you can cover a lot of ground in a day trip or a quick overnight trip.
While it’s definitely on the more expensive side, I say that visiting Positano for at least a day is more than worth it, especially if you’re a ferry or bus ride away.
Taking several trains, a private car, or a ferry for only a day seems like a lot of work for me. I know I felt that way when I went recently, so I don’t recommend it.
✈️ Need an Itinerary Planned to Positano or Italy? Hire me!
Send me a message, and I can help craft the perfect itinerary for whatever upcoming trip you have scheduled. I’ve been to Italy and many other places around the world, and I love planning trips for others to enjoy their favorite destinations!
Positano One Day Itinerary
This itinerary assumes you’ll have the full day in Positano. If you don’t, just adjust based on the time you’ll be in the area.
🌅 Morning
Make sure you get to Positano for an early morning if you can. If it’s during peak season, the crowds and heat can get pretty intense. The earlier you get out, the better.
Grab Breakfast
When I went to Positano, we went to breakfast at this cute cafe called Casa e Bottega. It was incredible!
To say that this way my favorite breakfast in all of Italy? Well, it’s true. So make sure if you’re looking to grab breakfast here you give this place a shot.
It’s a beautiful spot with lots of greenery and even better food. They had so many healthy options and many of your standard sweet/savory breakfast items as well.
I ended up ordering avocado toast with a juice and coffee. My one regret was not making it back there the next day to try out the brunch cocktails they had!
Tip: Another popular spot to check out is Collina Positano Bakery.
Mid-Morning Option 1: Go for a Hike
For the more adventurous and those who want a good workout, head out early for a hike as a great way to start the day.
The Path of the Gods (known in Italian as Il Sentiero degli Dei) is a 5.8 mile journey along rugged cliffs where every step has amazing views of the coast at over 2,000 feet above sea level. This is the one thing that I really wish I’d been able to do while in Positano and it’s on my list for next time!
Experience level is ‘slightly’ subjective in my opinion because some people who workout a lot have told me it was a hard hike, but others have said it was just very long. Most say it is easy-moderate and it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on how often you stop.
I think it also depends on your starting point of the trail. Many hikers suggest starting the trail at the Bomerano end as the hike from there is more downhill and plus you end in Positano city center rather than the other way around.
Tip: Make sure you bring enough water and food to last through a late lunch!
Mid-Morning Option 2: Explore the Town
The other option for your mid-morning activity, and one I did myself, is to walk around the town center. We walked along Via Cristoforo Colombo which is part of the main strip and has most of the boutique shops and major restaurants in town (the other road being Viale Pasitea).
I will say that there are so many shops it’s actually pretty overwhelming.
Find yourself a lemon patterned souvenir or even hand made leather sandals which are a great keepsake from Positano. There’s even a spot further down this road that has the most beautiful view of the water (my favorite) and all of the homes on the hill.
Walk down towards the water and you’ll find the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. While I didn’t get to visit this church, it looks absolutely stunning. It’s on my list for next time!
This church is an iconic gem known for its dome and the legendary Black Madonna. Make sure to add this one to your list and check out the Mass schedule and hours before you head there.
🌞Afternoon
Eat Lunch
Grab some lunch before you get ready for the afternoon. Here are some of the best places that I wish I could have visited while I was there:
- Il Tridente
- Saraceno d’Oro
- Lo Guarracino
- Ristorante Don Giovanni
Post-Lunch Option 1: Head to the Beach
One of the best options that you can do for the afternoon (and I think somewhat the easiest) is to find a beach or beach club and relax.
Heads up! The beaches of Positano are rocky and not really comfortable to lay down on. Most people rent chairs and an umbrella at one of the beach clubs, and I highly recommend this.
🌊 Spiaggia Grande
One of the most famous beaches in Positano is Spiaggia Grande. This is the most well-known (and to be honest) the most touristy of beaches. Since it’s so busy you should get there as early as possible if you want a decent spot.
This is where the ferries and other boats drop off thousands of tourists everyday so it’s not a quiet, relaxing beach by any means but if you want to see this famous spot might be worth it.
Note: Check out Lido L’incanto Beach Club with rates from €60-80 depending on the row.
🌊 Fornillo Beach
For a quieter and more local spot, head to Fornillo Beach which can be reached via a short walk (10ish minutes) from Spiaggia Grande. Personally I think this beach is a more enjoyable option than Spiaggia Grande if you are looking to relax.
Note: Check out Da Ferdinando Beach Club with rates from €40-50 euros depending on the row.
Post-Lunch Option 2: Visit Nearby Amalfi Coast Towns
While I don’t necessarily recommend visiting other Amalfi towns if you only have a day in Positano, if you really want to try and cram multiple places in, keep reading.
Some of the most popular spots nearby to visit include Ravello, a town perched high in the hills with stunning views, and Amalfi, a larger town with a beautiful cathedral and scenic streets. If you have time, you can also take a short boat ride to the island of Capri (and the Blue Grotto!) or hire a private boat for the day to explore the coastline.
Tip: Another option would be to take the ferry just for the sake of taking the ferry and seeing the coast from the water. It’s a cheaper way than taking a boat tour, but also a more crowded and less enjoyable option.
Here are some options for some top-rated boat tours if you’d prefer that route:
Post-Lunch Option 3: Take a Cooking Class
A popular activity in this area is to take a cooking class. I really wish I had time for one of these when I was visiting! It’s such a great way to get a taste for the local foods and also to meet locals in the process.
Make traditional dishes like pasta, pizza, or seafood using fresh ingredients from the area. You’ll eat great foods and also take home new recipes and skills.
Cooking class recommendations:
🌃 Evening
Grab Sunset Cocktails
A great way to see a new area is to grab a drink at sunset somewhere. Even better if it has a great view, which is actually the only way I’d recommend it here.
There are so many bars and restaurants with stunning views of the coast, you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere for this. Just note that while Positano has plenty of options, it can be hard to find a good spot that isn’t too crowded or booked.
Tip: Many of the most popular or well known spots fill up quickly so get there as soon as you can or when it opens to make sure you snag a good spot.
Some top picks for sunset cocktails:
- Franco’s Bar
- Il Tridente Cocktail Bar
- Hotel Villa Franca Pool Bar
- Ristorante Bruno
- Chez Black
Alternative: A Sunset Cruise
Instead of a rooftop cocktail, you might want to look into a sunset cruise. You’ll have two things in one here: the chance to admire the scenery from the water and also to enjoy a well-deserved cocktail after a day spent outside or walking (those stairs though!)
Some top recommendations for a sunset cruise include:
Dinner with a View
Of course one of the best ways to enjoy Positano is through its incredible food. I enjoyed one of the best meat sauces I’ve ever had in my life here (not kidding).
Quick tip: Make sure that you book a reservation ahead of time if you can, especially if it’s a well known spot.
Some recommendations for dinner with a view include:
- Mediterraneo: Recommended to us by a local with the best meat sauce.
- Da Gabrisa Restaurant: I passed this one on the way to our dinner spot and I wish we’d gone here!
- Da Vincenzo Positano 1958
- Il Tridente Positano: Probably one of the most popular dinner spots (and for good reason with the incredible view!)
Head to Music on the Rocks
After a full day exploring the city, it’s time to relax. One of the coolest places in town is called Music on the Rocks, located near the main beach Spiaggio Grande.
This is definitely one of the most popular spots in town for live music so make sure to plan ahead and get there early enough for a good spot.
This becomes more of a club environment as the night goes on so definitely take note of that if you’re just looking for a chill night.
Where to Stay in Positano
If you’re taking a quick day trip to Positano you can skip past this section, but I highly recommend that you stay in Positano if you can. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than the surrounding towns, but if most of what you want to do is in Positano, it’s worth it for convenience.
The ferries and bus system can be a pain and very crowded. Hiring a private driver has to be done in advance. There are plenty of reasons that it feels so difficult to get around the coast making it a good deal to stay here instead of traveling around but I won’t get too far into it here.
🏠 Le Sirenuse: A 5-star luxury hotel with stunning sea views, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an exquisite spa. It’s the epitome of Italian elegance. Check prices and availability here.
🏠 Hotel Poseidon: A charming mid-range hotel with sea-view rooms, a pool, and a lovely garden. It offers a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.Check prices and availability here.
How to Reach Positano
Positano can be fairly easy to reach if you’re traveling from other nearby places on the coast. If you’re traveling from Rome or Naples, it’s a bit trickier and there aren’t many direct options outside of renting a car.
Truthfully these routes could be a whole new post (and maybe I’ll post on them in the future!) but here’s a good overview of how to get here.
🚗 Day trip to Positano from Sorrento:
- Private Car – The fastest and easiest way is to hire a private car transfer but that can be pricey.
- Ferry – The next best option would be to take the ferry (see schedule & buy tickets here) – note that the ferry only runs with good weather days and certain times of the year.
- Bus – You can also choose the local bus option (Sita) which is about an hour and you can check the schedule here.
🚗 Day trip to Positano from Naples:
- Private or Semi-Private Car: The best and fastest option if you only have a day. Use Daytrip to find a shared or private car transfer. Should take around 1.5-2 hours (unless traffic is really bad).
- Train: Take the tourist specific Campania Express from Naples train station to Sorrento (about an hour at €15) – this is the preferred train with AC and assigned seats. You can also take the local Circumvesuviana train for €4.90 but no assigned seats or AC (more trains though).
- From Sorrento to Positano use the section above for car, ferry, and bus options.
🚗 Day Trip to Positano from Rome*:
- Private or Semi-Private Car Transfer – The fastest most efficient way. Takes around 3.5 hours (without traffic). Also the most expensive option (private cars for €500 versus shared for €100-150 per person).
- Bus – Take a direct bus, operated by Marozzi, for around 4 hours (without traffic) and at €25. Note: This option won’t work for a day trip.
- Train – Take the high speed train from Rome to Naples (about 1 hour and 15 minutes) with AC and assigned seating and then use the above options for Naples to Positano.
- From Sorrento to Positano use the section above for car, ferry, and bus options.
*I don’t actually recommend taking a day trip to Positano from Rome. It’s such a long way you’ll spend most of the time commuting than enjoying yourself.
How To Get Around Positano
One of the questions I hear all of the time is can you walk everywhere in Positano? And I would say the answer is definitely yes! It’s a small city center.
I will say that you should be in decent shape because of all of the steep stairs around town (see the above picture for what I’m talking about and then multiply that x 1000).
If you stay up pretty high from town, I recommend finding the nearest bus stop and understanding how the bus schedule works. The Taxis were pretty expensive in town, and they definitely will rip you off (because they can).
Tip: Use the Interno Positano bus route schedule operated by Mobility Amalfi Coast Bus for a less intense way to get around town. Stops are limited though, and you’ll need to buy tickets in advance or at an upsell onboard.
FAQs: What to do in Positano for a Day
How many hours do you need in Positano?
I’d say at least 6 hours but ideally a few days.
Can you get around Positano without a car?
Yes, definitely. Much easier without a car – just beware of the steep steps!
What is the most famous street in Positano?
The most famous street in Positano is Viale Pasitea.
When Should You Visit Positano?
If possible, visit in spring or fall (shoulder season) for better weather and fewer crowds. Plus, it’s better on your budget! Summer months (high season) are definitely some of the hottest months!
Final Thoughts: How to Spend A Day in Positano
Spending a day in Positano might be a rather quick way to see this beautiful coastal city, but it’s definitely possible. Since the town is on the smaller side, you can cover a lot of ground.
From great breakfast to dinners to hiking and more, use this itinerary to help plan for your upcoming trip to beautiful Positano. Have the best time living dolce vita (sweet life)!
✈️ Need an Itinerary Planned to Positano or Italy? Hire me!
Send me a message, and I can help craft the perfect itinerary for whatever upcoming trip you have scheduled. I’ve been to Italy and many other places around the world, and I love planning trips for others to enjoy their favorite destinations!
