Positano
Positano is a cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast, with pastel houses, steep stairs and beaches in coves below the cliffs.
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Positano is a town on the Amalfi Coast in the Province of Salerno, Campania, in southern Italy. Its pastel houses climb hills that run down to the Tyrrhenian Sea, so it is known as a vertical village. The land rises more than 400 meters from sea level, and many staircases link the upper village with the bay. Expect plenty of steps. The Amalfi Coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.
Visitors go for the views, the beaches below the cliffs and boat trips along the coast. Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo are both reached on foot, while La Porta, Arienzo and San Pietro are mainly reached by sea. The Santa Maria Assunta church has a majolica-tiled dome, and the MAR Positano Roman Archaeological Museum is underground at the church. Ferries link the town with Capri, Naples, Salerno and Sorrento, and the nearest airports are Naples-Capodichino and Salerno-Pontecagnano. The SITA bus connects the town with Amalfi and Sorrento, and the road in is the SS163 Amalfitana.
Positano in five
- Pick a base by how many steps you can climbPositano is built down a hillside, so the walk back to your room is uphill. Choose your base by the climb, and travel light; some hotels send a porter, so ask.Where to stay in Positano
- Arrive by bus or ferry, not your own carThere is no train station. Buses from Sorrento and Amalfi stop on the coast road above the village, and ferries run in season. Parking is scarce, so a car adds stress.How to get to Positano
- Decide Positano, Amalfi or Sorrento before bookingPositano is the most scenic and the priciest base, Amalfi is better connected, and Sorrento has trains and lower rates. One base is enough for the whole coast.Positano or Amalfi or Sorrento
- Start the Path of the Gods before the heatThe high trail from Bomerano ends above Positano at Nocelle and takes several hours with little shade. Carry water and ask the local tourist office about trail conditions first.
- Book early for May to SeptemberRooms and beach-club loungers sell out in high season, and many hotels close for part of winter. Most places add a per-night city tax at checkout.Tourist taxes in Europe
Need to know
- Airport
- Naples (NAP), about 1.5 to 2 hours by road
- Getting there
- Train to Sorrento or Salerno, then bus or seasonal ferry
- Getting around
- On foot, local buses on the coast road, boats in season
- Best base
- Near Spiaggia Grande or along Via Pasitea
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights; one night if you only want the views
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Many closuresJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Many closures
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Quiet, coolFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Hotels reopenMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hotels reopen
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Easter, mildAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, mild
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Warm, walkableMayClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walkable
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°SwimmingJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swimming
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, packedJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, packed
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Peak, FerragostoAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm sea, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calmer
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Rain, ferries thinNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, ferries thin
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Quiet, closedDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closed
Average daily high and low in Positano, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Positano
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 28 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Praiano
09:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°14°100%Monday: Rain. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue19°16°35%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed19°15°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°16°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri19°16°23%Friday: Rain. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Sat18°14°20%Saturday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun20°14°17%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 17%.
Updated 07:24 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulNapoli Teatro Festival ItaliaNaples, a day trip
- SepFesta di PiedigrottaNaples, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Amalfiabout 30 to 45 min by bus or seasonal boatThe cathedral and a better-connected base; the boat is the nicer ride.Read the guide
- Ravelloabout 1 hour or more by bus via AmalfiVilla gardens and views high above the coast.Read the guide
- Capriabout 30 to 60 min by seasonal boatIsland walks and boat loops; check the sailing days first.Read the guide
Before you go to Positano
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Rules for Positano, checked
- Many nationalities can enter Italy without a visa for short stays. Check entry rules on esteri.it before you book.Source
- Schengen rules allow 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries, not only Italy.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto) or service charge, so check the bill before you tip.
Plan around Positano
Positano FAQ
Is Positano worth visiting?
Yes, for the view from the sea and the lanes. It is also the steepest and one of the priciest towns on the coast, so many visitors spend one or two nights here and base elsewhere for easier transport.
How many days do you need in Positano?
One night is enough for the views and a swim, and two nights add a boat day or the Path of the Gods. Three or more work if you want a slow beach stay or are using Positano as your base for the coast.
Can you visit Positano without a car?
Yes, and it is easier. Take the bus from Sorrento or Amalfi, or a ferry in season, then walk down. A car means narrow roads, restricted-traffic zones in town and expensive parking.
When is the best time to visit Positano?
May, June, September and early October give warm swimming weather with fewer crowds than July and August. From about November to March many hotels and restaurants close and ferries run less often.
Does Positano have a train station?
No. The nearest stations are Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana line from Naples and Salerno on the main line. From either, take a bus or a seasonal ferry along the coast to Positano.