Positano, Jewel of the Amalfi Coast

Is Positano on the Amalfi Coast Worth Visiting?

Photo of Positano by Andrew Smith of Bay Trade Management

People often ask me about visiting Positano for their next vacation. They ask me if it is worth the expense. Is it not simply overhyped?

Well, yes, it most certainly is worth visiting. And it is even better in reality than the hype.

Here are the reasons why Positano is an absolutely fantastic idea:

Firstly, let's assume you are arriving by boat. If you aren't, you're doing something wrong. The reason is simply that nothing can beat arriving in Positano by boat, with the one possible exception of arriving in Amalfi by boat.

You don't have to be some rich celebrity or financier either. The view is the same whether you arrive on a mega-yacht or on the ferry sailing out of Sorrento or Salerno.

The ferry is excellent value; the view from the deck is priceless. Most Amalfi Coast ferry tickets—even for longer or popular routes—come in under €50, and many shorter crossings cost far less.

Prepare to walk once you get off the boat, and lots of it is uphill too. Still, the walk is beautiful, no matter which path you follow. I love the little ceramic stores along the way; they sell some fabulous souvenirs. Check out our souvenir guide too before you go.

As you walk, gorgeous views of the azure sea far below are glimpsed between the colorful cottages and lemon trees. These views alone make a visit to Positano worth every cent.

Don't rush it; work your way slowly up the winding little lanes of Positano town. Stop at one of the many sidewalk cafes for an aperitivo (Aperol Spritz is my favorite) and browse the fascinating stores. Our favorite stores are mentioned in this article.

See that picture below, the one with the bougainvillea-covered walkway?

That is one of my favorite routes up from Positano Beach.

What about the beach in Positano? Well, the beach is near where the ferries dock, so you could just get off the boat and relax on the beach all day. That's a waste, though, as you miss so much that is wonderful. You'll find more about what else there is to see in Positano here. If beaches are your thing, though, you really should read our Amalfi Coast Beach Guide.

Photo of Positano by Andrew Smith of Bay Trade Management

Is there anything that isn't wonderful about Positano?

Firstly, it can get way too crowded for my liking in July and August. The best months to visit Positano are May, June, and September / early October.

It's also not my choice of towns to stay on the Amalfi Coast. Yes, the hotels in Positano are amazing and there is one particularly dreamy hotel called the Villa TreVille, which you can read about in our guide to the hotels of the Amalfi Coast.

So why not stay in Positano, you ask, seeing that the hotels there are so wonderful?

Well, yes, they are wonderful, but they are also very expensive. Perhaps for a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or an anniversary on the Amalfi Coast, it is worthwhile; otherwise, I would recommend staying in one of the more affordable towns, which are more quaint, genuine, and less touristy. 

Which town would I recommend?

There are a number of lovely ones; one of the absolute best is Minori. If you do stay in Minori, make sure you take the walk from Minori to Ravello, it is truly something special.

Here's everything you need to know to make your vacation in Positano extra special.