From Wikitravel
Positano is a small picturesque town with
splendid coastal views, on the famous Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy. The town itself is perched on an enclave
on the face of a hill and winds down towards the waters of the
Amalfi Coast. Naturally beautiful, Positano attracts thousands of
visitors every year. All year long, the town is always full of
people, but if you are planning to visit Positano, it would be best
to schedule your trip during the spring season.
- By Bus: take the Sita bus from Sorrento or Salerno (a bit longer, but
nice!). From Sorrento sit
next to a window on the right hand side for the best views. The bus
drops you at the top of the town. You must walk, taxi, or bus to
your hotel. During the peak season (starting in late April) this
bus can get very crowded. You may have to wait a couple hours and
fight your way onto a bus to get back.
- By Car: Take the main road off of the
Autostrada from Sorrento
but make sure to have a reservation at a car park as it is very
difficult to find parking.
- By Ferry: Take a ferry from Naples. Slightly
more expensive than the bus but you'll save an hour on the road and
get some truly amazing views of the cliffs on the Amalfi coast. For
connections between Positano and Amalfi and Positano and Salerno,
you need the Coop Sant Andrea [1] ferry service, the
only company which operates this line.
- Read about the unified public transport ticket Campania Unico.
- By Foot: There are loads of little stairs
leading from everywhere to everywhere straight. Alternatively there
is the one road meandering down to the harbour.
- By Bus: a local bus goes down and - especially
- up the hill following the meandering always congested
road. On that bus no Unico Campania tickets are
valid! Pay 1 Euro to ride the orange bus around Positano.
- Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta. This is one of the most famous attractions in
Positano. The old church, boasting of a majestic dome, was built in
the 1920s and is the location of the famous 13th century Byzantine
icon, the Madonna di Positano edit
- The place itself.
- The harbor.
- The shops near the harbor.
- Ferry trip to Paestum or
Ischia and Capri (including the Blue Grotto) during summer
months.
- Or if you are after luxury, charter a private motor-boat with
Charter La Dolce Vita [2] and you can design
your own itinerary with the captain. Suggested ideas include
departing Positano for a full-day tour to Capri, circling island
with the grottos or out to Ischia, or along the Sorrento Coast or
just cruising along the Amalfi Coast.
- Soak up the beauty on either of Positano's two beaches:
Fornillo, the smaller, more secluded beach is accessible either by
a set of stairs from the grotto above or via a path from Spiaggia
Grande. Fornillo has a more laid back atmosphere with four beach
bars lining the shore and no ferry traffic. Spiaggia Grande, the
main beach and ferry port, is the hub of activity in Positano.
Don't miss it, but don't forget there is much more to
Positano.
- Lemons, extra large.
- All sorts of lemon products.
- Colorfully painted tiles.
- Colorful silks.
- Limoncello (lemon liqueur produced mainly in the region around
the Gulf of Naples and the coast of Amalfi and Islands of Ischia
and Capri)
- Grottino Azzurro, Via Guglielmo Marconi 158,
☎ +39 089 875466. is a cheap and nice local restaurant offering
local food close to the first bus stop, Chiesa Nuova, coming from
Sorrento. The owners are
an old Italian couple that are not bothered by the fact that they
only speak Italian and you only anything but. They just serve you
their very tasty food. edit
- Da
Costantino, Via Corvo, ☎ +39 089 875738, [3]. at the very top of Positano offers a
spectacular view of the entire town and the sea. The pizza is
divine and other specialties include cheese crepes, gnocchi and
bolognese. Prices are reasonable and this is a great place for
those looking for good food on a budget. edit
- Da
Vincenzo, Viale Pasitea 172, ☎ +39 089 875128, [4]. With bells hanging throughout the restaurant,
maintains a high quality of service and unique style. Chefs offer
detail-oriented plates from the grilled vegetable antipasti to
incredible fresh fish. Go hungry, as you will not want to pass up
on appetizers, a main course and a dessert. Marcella makes homemade
desserts that are legendary in her family. Expect to pay a little
more for a full dinner, however it is well worth it. Viva le
donne! edit
- Next2, Viale Pasitea, ☎ +39 089 8123516, [5].
Locals flock here on weekends so that
midnight on a Saturday feels like a large table-hopping family
reunion at which outsiders are extremely welcome. Considering the
fun of all this, the food is far more delicious than it needs to
be, with ambitious dishes such as the supremely tender "Italian
sushi," the fish and vegetable tempura, and traditional favorites
like carpaccio di orata with pink pepper and mint and smoked tuna
with zucchini and mozzarella. Rare local bottles fill out the wine
list, and the graciously unobtrusive, unusually prompt service is
in itself a find. Admire the slick all-white dining room and bar
from a distance; the vine-covered courtyard, lit by bucket candles
on every table and alive with happy chatter, is the place to
be. entrées, $9–$17. edit
- Al
Palazzo, Via
dei Mulini 23, ☎ 089 875
177. A fantastic outdoor
restaurant in a torchlit courtyard featuring beautiful views of the
surrounding cliffs. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, tables are
seated a respectable distance from each other, the staff is
exceedingly professional, and the food is simply delicious -- well
worth the expense compared to other restaurants in the area that
are more heavily frequented by tourists. The wine list can get very
expensive very fast, but offers some very enjoyable primitivos in
the 25 euro range. edit
Mediterraneo and Saraceno
D'Oro also offer local specialties for the budget
conscious. Located next to each other, near the Grotto of Fornillo,
Mediterraneo serves seafood and pasta and Saraceno D'Oro
specializes in pizza.
- Next2[6] is
one of Positano's newer additions is a relaxed wine and cocktail
bar near the Grotto of Fornillo. During summer months they host DJs
several times a week and this spot is a favorite of those looking
to have a drink and relax without bumping and grinding with sweaty
party-goers.
- Music on the Rocks is the dance club
in Positano. Check the schedule for the various DJs and theme
nights. This club is located on the far side of Spiaggia Grande and
has fantastic terraces and views of the sea. The crowd in the club
varies from seasoned locals to international celebrities. Drinks
are creative and strong but the price reflects both.
- California Hotel Positano – Via C. Colombo 141
[7]. Telephone
+39 089 875 382 • Fax +39 089 812 154. A three star hotel of
Positano placed in an historic building of the 18th century
belonged to a Neapolitan noble family, with 15 guestrooms divided
in 14 doubles and one quadruple with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Thanks
to its professional service, the Hotel California is also the ideal
accommodation to celebrate your wedding on the Amalfi Coast.
- Casa Celeste[8]. Located just a few
steps from the Grotto of Fornillo, this family-run bed and
breakfast will steal your heart. Nonna Celeste makes breakfast
every morning and you will be astounded to see this little old lady
walk up and down the stairs to Fornillo Beach, barefoot. Casa
Celeste also owns a beach bar, Da Ferdinando, on Fornillo Beach, so
you will get to know Nonna Celeste's whole family. If you are
looking for an authentic Italian experience, Casa Celeste is
ideal.
- Conca d'oro Hotel[9] opened in 1949 from
an idea of Giovanni Cappiello. An ancient villa in the middle of a
beautiful garden full of orange and lemon trees surround the hotel
today, as in the past, guests love the setting of the hotel. The
Villa Giacinta is operated by this hotel, and is a beautiful (if
expensive) option for traveling groups. The villa contains 4
bedrooms (3 doubles and one twin-sized), ~4 bathrooms, a large
foyer and living room, and a comfortably-sized kitchen (great for
cutting down on expenses in this expensive tourist town).
Additionally, there are tiled porches at the front entrance and off
the master bedroom and small balconies with great views in some of
the other bedrooms. The Villa is cleaned daily, and the cleaning
staff are friendly, nice, and deliver fresh figs to the kitchen in
summer! Be warned, though, that both the villa and the Hotel Conca
D'Oro are a 15 minute very steep walk to and from the beach/port,
and parties with elderly visitors or children may be better off
near the beach.
- Hotel Casa Albertina Positano – Via Tavolozza
[10]. Telephone +39
089 875143 • Fax +39 089 811540. A family and cozy three star hotel
of Positano with 20 bedrooms including also a family room capable
to host 2 children and 2 adults. Besides the facilities expected
from a three star hotel of the Amalfi Coast, such as TV, private
bath, mini bar, terrace and telephone, some guest rooms of the
Hotel Casa Albertina Positano also have a hydro massage bathtub.
The rates start from euros 170 for a double standard.
- Hotel Poseidon - Positano, Via Pasitea
148, ☎ +39 089 81 11
11 (info@hotelposeidonpositano.it,
fax: +39 089 87 58 33). [11]The Hotel
Poseidon is perched on a mountainside overlooking the sea of the
Amalfi coast. Decorated with Antique furniture edit
- Hotel Royal Prisco Positano – Via Pasitea,
102[12]. Telephone +39
089 8122022 • Fax +39 089 8123042. The Royal Prisco Positano is a
three star hotel of this beautiful city of the Amalfi Coast,
offering Standard and Deluxe bedrooms, and Junior and Royal Suites.
The Deluxe are placed on the second floor and are a little bit
larger than the Standards, but both boast a balcony with a sea
view. In comparison to the Junior Suites the Royals presents a
bigger terrace and also a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.
- Hotel Savoia Positano – Via C. Colombo, 73[13]. Telephone +39
089 875003 • Fax +39 089 811844. The Savoia is a convenient three
star hotel of the town of Positano, one of jewel of the Amalfi
Coast. This hotel offers a friendly staff and comfortable services.
Standard and deluxe bedrooms with terrace, private bathroom,
satellite TV and air conditioning for this three star accommodation
located on the hillside of Positano.
- Hostel Brikette[14] is
apparently the only low budget hostel in town - itself having
peppered prices. You would want to book well in advance since it
gets booked out by American youngsters. It is clean, has a lovely
breakfast, and terraces where you can admire the view in the
evening and drink some red wine. The girls at the check-in speak an
almost too native American English, so don't be afraid to call.
Caveat: you will get kicked out from 11AM-2:30PM for cleaning, but
you want to be somewhere else admiring the area during this period
anyway.
- Posa Posa Hotel, Via Pasitea 165. The 4-star
historical Hotel Posa Posa has a splendid location in the center of
Positano, set in the mountain-side descending to the sea. In the
marvelous picture of the Amalfi Coast, surrounded by houses,
arches, and domes. A few minutes walk downhill will take you to the
beach, passing boutiques and panoramic pavement cafes along the
way. A circular bus routes passes outside the hotel for those days
when you might prefer not to walk.
- Le Sirenuse[15]
is a particularly famous place to stay in Positano. It was featured
in the 1994 movie Only You starring Marisa Tomei and
Robert Downey Jr. At Le Sirenuse the view will cost you more than
800 Euros. The better view you'll have while eating breakfast on
your terrace is just 170 Euros a night (2007 prices). The location
seems perfect for walking and exercise. There are only stairs up to
Villa Rosa, but a porter will be happy to run back and forth to
bring your luggage to your room. They can find a parking spot for
your car. The staff is very friendly and helpful (and very strong).
It takes 15-20 minutes to walk to the beach, and along the way are
the shops and restaurants. It's all steps and stairs to the beach
so bring appropriate shoes. (The best way to enjoy Le Sirenuse
might be on the way back from the beach. Stop in and have a glass
of spumate in the pool lounge area. While we were sipping, an
invitation-only fashion show started, and they invited us to
stay.)
- Villa Nettuno. It is clean and low-budget,
with spectacular views of the sea. A brother and sister run the
place, and if you're lucky, you'll even meet their mother. The
entrance is hard to find, but once you see the little sign, you'll
climb up several flights of narrow stairs. If you go in spring,
you'll take in the intoxicating aroma of wisteria along with the
unforgettable views. The place gets a little spooky late at night,
but that only adds to its charm.
- Villa Gabrisa Positano – Via Pasitea, 219/227
[16]. Telephone
+39 089 811498 • Fax +39 089 811607. An ancient holiday home
dedicated to the Rispoli family, today turned into a four star
hotel of Positano with only nine guestrooms offering a fantastic
view on the Mediterranean Sea. The Villa Gabrisa Hotel also
presents its own restaurant Da Gabrisa, where one can enjoy the
southern delicious cousine and the genuine wine of the Campania
region.
- Villa Giusy Positano – Vicolo Vito Savino, 17
- Cap: 84017, Positano, Italy. [17]. Telephone +39
06 64520553 • Fax +39 06 64520553. Cosy guest house of the lovely
town of Positano with five bedrooms divided in singles, doubles and
twins. All with private bath and a fantastic see view. Some, also
with fireplace. Terrace, bar, dinning room and kitchen are the
common areas of this self catering guest house of Positano. The
rooms can be booked for a week and also for a month.
- Villa Rosa[18] is one of the best
hotel bargains on the entire Amalfi Coast. Perched on a steep
hillside, all of the 150-year-old villa's rooms overlook the beach
and the spectacular Mediterranean water beyond. Rooms have private
terraces (filled with flowers) overlooking the sea. For best views,
make sure to get a room on the second or third floor.
- Nocelle B & B. A warm, Italian welcome awaits you at this
B&B, situated in the village of Nocelle, perched on the
mountainside a pleasant 20-minute drive, or bus journey, above the
coastal resort of Positano. Apart from Italian, the host speaks
English and German. Contact Penny.Marrone@btinternet.com for
bookings. edit
- Take the local bus to Montepertuso which leaves from the
church. From there you need to find a small steep path uphill. The
mountains along the Amalfi Coast have a hidden and unknown
network of public footpaths and long stairs criss crossing the
lemon teraces, from Montepertuso you will be able to walk to Santa
Maria, a small church high up, and back down to Positano. This will give you stunning
views down the coast featuring Capri, Positano
and the sea. In springtime all sorts of rare spices and flowers
grow between cypress trees. Make sure you get a map of some kind
showing the footpaths since you WILL get lost without.
Julian Tippett has published a nice walking guide book for the
area in the "Sunflower Countryside Guides" series.
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