Buy locally made silk and linen and explore orange groves and narrow passageways lined with pastel-coloured houses in this hillside town along the coast.
There are no cars in the small town of Positano. The yellow, pink, green and blue houses look as though they have been thrown together on the slopes of a ravine and only steep steps and narrow passageways run between them. The picturesque town leads down to the shores of the Mediterranean and is set amongst orange groves and bougainvillea gardens.
One road lets vehicles in and out of the town, so be prepared to park the car and tread the streets on foot. Discover boutiques selling handmade goods tucked away on almost every street. Positano is famous for its linen and silk that has been made here for centuries. Buy silk scarves and linen shirts among other luxury clothes and accessories.
Positano is hot in summer and cool in winter. To regulate the temperature in their houses locals fill their roofs with sand. Look for the domes in the roofs of many of the buildings.
Stand on the beach in Positano and your eyes will be drawn to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The church stands out with its green, gold and blue majolica-tiled dome. Go inside to see an icon of the Black Madonna from the 12th century.
Spiaggia Grande is the main beach in the town. When the beach gets crowded in summer, make your way past the watchtower and you’ll discover Fornillo Beach. This little cove is accessible by a stone staircase and is generally quieter during the busy tourist season.
Take a tour or rent your own boat to explore the sea caves and coves around Positano. Discover the landscape on foot on the famous “Path of the Gods”, a trail that runs up to the village of Bomerano 635 metres (2,083 feet) above the sea. The mountain trail leads past grazing goats and sheep, across a gorge and to the top of the hill, with sweeping vistas along the way.
Get to Positano by bus from Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento and other nearby towns. Ferries and boats service Positano from ports along the Amalfi Coast in spring and summer.
