What to see in Positano and Amalfi in a day, and how to plan your day.
Visiting Positano and Amalfi is an experience not to be missed if you’re holidaying on or near the Amalfi Coast.
The ideal is to devote at least one day to each of the two cities, so as not just to “see” them, but to experience them without haste and appreciate their atmosphere. A night’s sleep on the Amalfi Coast is the ideal choice if you want to have time to enjoy a rejuvenating swim in the blue sea.
Toutefois, avec une bonne organisation et les bons conseils, vous pouvez également visiter Positano et Amalfi en une seule journée, ce qui vous permettra de saisir la véritable essence de la Côte Amalfitaine et de vous offrir des heures de détente et de plaisir.
How to get organized
How you organize your day depends largely on where you’ve decided to stay and what means of transport you have at your disposal.
If you’re staying in Naples, Salerno or Sorrento, the best way to reach the Amalfi Coast is by sea, which means you can avoid the often busy roads of the summer months and weekends, as well as parking problems and traffic jams.
You can choose to take the ferries, which are more frequent during the high season, from Easter to the end of summer, or you can opt for a tour of the Amalfi Coast by boat, which is undoubtedly the most flexible and enjoyable solution.
If you prefer to travel by land, or if you are travelling in winter and sea conditions are not ideal but traffic is fluid, you can choose between four options:
- Car hire: bear in mind that coastal roads are often narrow, with steep gradients down to the sea. Parking lots are not easy to find, and are often quite expensive.
- Scooter hire: a rental scooter costs less than a car, and is certainly more agile and comfortable. However, if you’re not a very experienced driver, it’s best to avoid the winding roads of the Amalfi
- Bus: this is undoubtedly the most economical solution, but also the slowest. A factor that can actually penalize you if you’ve decided to visit Positano and Amalfi in one day.
- Private chauffeur: the most flexible and comfortable option, allowing you to relax completely and forget all about parking, maneuvering and directions.
- By bike: if you’re sufficiently trained, the Amalfi Coast by bike is an experience you absolutely must try. The fact that you can stop wherever you like and cycle along the coast at your own pace makes for a fantastic day out.
Itinerary
Your day can start from Positano or Amalfi, depending on your point of departure.
In any case, we advise you to divide your day in two, half a day for each city.
Positano
Once you’ve refreshed and rested, it’s time to visit Positano, a magical village overlooking the sea, whose narrow, winding streets are scented with salt and lemon trees.
Visit the historic center, with the church of Santa Maria Assunta (whose dome can be seen from all parts of the town) and the remains of the Roman villa of Positano, known as the little Pompeii of the Amalfi Coast.
Shopping in Positano
Half a day in Positano is not complete without a spot of shopping in the town’s characteristic boutiques and craft stores.
Among the most distinctive local products are handmade leather sandals, majolica tiles from Vietri sul Mare and the famous Pezze di Positano (Fabrics of Positano), recognizable by their colors and patterns.
And if you still have a little time left at the end of the day, the Marina Grande in the center of Positano awaits you for a refreshing swim or a tasty aperitif before returning to the hotel.
Lunch break
Whether you decide to stop for lunch in Positano or Amalfi, you’ll have no trouble eating well.
The Amalfi Coast is also famous for the quality of its restaurants and the raw materials with which chefs prepare their creations.
Not-to-be-missed specialties include fish and seafood dishes (try the colatura di alici di Cetara), from the most traditional recipes to gourmet fusion interpretations.
For a quicker (and cheaper) lunch break, you’ll find a variety of street food in Amalfi’s historic center, such as the traditional cuoppo fritto (fried fish) or a good pizza.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the richest and most historically interesting town on the coast.
It was the oldest of the maritime republics, and traces of its past are still clearly visible in the small historic center wedged between the sea and the hills. For centuries, Amalfi has enchanted visitors with its charming, authentic soul and its distinctly Mediterranean yet richly contaminated character, a rich legacy of the passage of the Normans and Saracens.
During your half-day visit, we recommend starting at the centrally-located Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, with its museum and the magnificent Chiostro del Paradiso. You can then take a leisurely stroll through Amalfi’s narrow streets to the Rione Vagliendola, where you can visit the Paper Museum, which tells the story of Amalfi’s centuries-old papermaking tradition. You can also take a refreshing break on one of Amalfi’s beaches before continuing your tour. Be sure to visit the craft stores along the way and sample local delicacies such as lemon delight.