Positano is one of the jewels of the Amalfi Coast and has become a prestigious holiday destination.
Its incredible charm comes from its privileged position facing the sea, with a historic centre perched on the hill offering breathtaking views. Given the small size of the town, it’s not difficult to choose where to stay in Positano, but it’s important to take a number of factors into account, including budget, means of transport and the type of holiday you want to enjoy.
Best areas
How you organize your day depends largely on where you’ve decided to stay and what means of transport you have at your disposal.
To help you plan your stay in Positano, we present the town’s main districts. It’s in the center of Positano that you’ll find a wide choice of restaurants and cafés, as well as boutiques where you can discover and buy clothes that reflect the standards of Moda Mare Positano.
To the north-west of the town lies the Chiesa Nuova district, a charming hamlet offering a good selection of affordable accommodation. To the south is the Fornillo area, a fantastic option for families visiting Positano, as it’s very close to the town’s most beautiful beach.
Finally, towards the northeast is the beautiful, secluded Montepertuso district, from where you can enjoy fantastic views. The further away you are from the center, the more you can save, although Positano is generally a fairly expensive destination.
Positano Center
This district is located in the lower part of town, close to the beaches.
It offers easy access to stores and restaurants, so you won’t have to face steep ascents or descents.
It’s also a good choice if you want to explore other towns on the Amalfi Coast and beyond. Ferries link Positano to Sorrento and Amalfi, as well as to the islands of Capri and Ischia.
What’s more, the center is also the heart of Positano’s nightlife. If you like to dance the night away, you won’t want to miss Music on the Rocks. This discotheque is located directly on the beach of Marina Grande and has been welcoming international celebrities for decades.
Chiesa Nuova
Here you’ll find the town’s only youth hostel, ideal for backpackers or those looking to sleep in Positano on a budget.
This is the area of the emblematic and historic Bar Internazionale, appreciated by tourists for its authenticity, but above all by locals, who gather here for a coffee in the morning or a drink and a chat in the evening. The center is about a 15-minute walk away (remember, there are lots of stairs to use as a shortcut), but if you don’t feel like walking, you can always use the city’s internal shuttle service, and with just one ride you can arrive directly at the main square. From here, a 5-minute stroll along the pedestrian zone leads to the beach.
In the Chiesa Nuova district, you’ll find a few typical restaurants offering local dishes at reasonable prices, a delicatessen, a fishmonger’s, a butcher’s and a tobacconist’s. Fewer souvenir and linen stores, but certainly more authenticity.
Fornillo
The Fornillo district is located immediately after the Chiesa Nuova district, in the heart of Positano and therefore on the one-way street.
It develops vertically, with an upper part and a lower part facing the beach.
Fornillo beach is a small beach to the west of Positano’s larger and better-known Marina Grande beach. It’s just a 15-minute walk from the busier harbor jetty, offering a break from the tourist crowds.
If you’re traveling with the family, you should consider booking a hotel in this area. From here, you can enjoy a quiet, relaxing day at the beach. Here, you can hire kayaks to reach the interesting Fornillo cave.
Nocelle
If you’re a keen hiker and prefer a less touristy alternative to the center of Positano, you can opt for the small mountain neighborhood of Nocelle.
At 450 meters above sea level, Nocelle is completely different from the center of Positano: the calm lifestyle in contact with nature wins over many lovers of green spaces and walks, who can venture out on the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods).
Nocelle is also a cheaper alternative to Positano, so if you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for this location and then reach Positano by bus or car in just 20-25 minutes.
Montepertuso
The small mountain village of Montepertuso is located on the mountain of the same name behind Positano.
Là encore, il s’agit d’une option idéale pour les amateurs de trekking et de nature, car plusieurs sentiers partent des montagnes de la région et offrent des vues panoramiques à couper le souffle.
Here again, it’s an ideal option for trekking and nature lovers, as several trails start in the mountains of the region and offer breathtaking panoramic views.
Montepertuso offers a more limited choice of accommodation, consisting mainly of bed & breakfasts, so you’ll be saving money compared to Positano.
Best accommodations
Cheap apartments, bed and breakfasts, hotels: whether you’re a lover of luxury or looking for a bargain, you won’t be disappointed by our selection, and you can start running now to book a room in the hotel of your dreams.
Hotel San Pietro *****
Hotel Il San Pietro is about 2 km from the center of Positano, and offers a free shuttle service into town to enjoy the beauty of this marvelous spot on the Amalfi Coast.
This 5-star hotel has 58 rooms, all equipped with the following services:
- Air conditioning
- Satellite TV
- Bathroom
- Mini-bar
- Direct dial telephone
- Private terrace overlooking the sea
- Hairdryer
Hotel Eden Roc ****
Located just a few meters from the center of Positano, the 4-star Eden Roc hotel overlooks the sea and offers guests extraordinary, breathtaking scenery.
All rooms have a view of the magnificent sea overlooking Li Galli Islands, Punta Licosa and Praiano. Hotel Eden Roc offers a range of extra services: A restaurant is available for you to enjoy the flavors of the Amalfi Coast, while you gaze at the sea, in a totally romantic atmosphere.
If you need to relax, the hotel has a wellness center, where you can enjoy beauty treatments, massages and a steam bath. Or you can relax on the panoramic swimming pool and enjoy the fresh Positano breeze, sipping a drink as you sunbathe.
More about this accommodationHôtel Pupetto ***
Located just a few minutes from the center of Positano, a pleasant stroll down a tree-lined alley, Pupetto is a panoramic hotel with incredible sea views.
It has 34 rooms, 5 of which are Superior Rooms, with large panoramic terraces, refined furnishings and a small lounge.
Most rooms have a balcony with a sea view. Cheaper rooms overlooking the citrus grove are also available.
The 3-star Hotel Pupetto features a panoramic restaurant where you can sample delicious Neapolitan cuisine. Fornillo beach, Positano’s least chaotic, is just a few steps from the hotel.
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