Positano and the Amalfi Coast: Italy’s most photographed landscape
Les excursions dans les environs : le meilleur de la Campanie
- UNESCO World Heritage Site 1997
- 35 mins from Naples by ferry
- Ravello Festival 2026
- Sentiero degli Dei
There is a stretch of coastline in southern Italy that has evolved from being simply a place into a true icon.
The Amalfi Coast, and Positano in particular, features every year in millions of photos on social media, in international advertising campaigns, as well as in films and TV series.
Pastel-coloured houses clinging to limestone cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, lemons as big as grapefruits, white boats bobbing in turquoise coves: this coastline has become the very image of Italy throughout the world.
The good news for those staying in Naples is that this natural masterpiece is within easy reach.
By ferry from Molo Beverello, you can reach Positano in around 80 minutes.
By train and bus, it takes less than two and a half hours. The Amalfi Coast isn’t a distant destination: it’s a day trip, or an opportunity to stay a few extra days in Campania.
Positano: the vertical town you’ll never forget
Positano is one of those destinations that lives up to – and even exceeds – its reputation. You arrive expecting to find the postcard scene you’ve seen a thousand times before — yet you find yourself immersed in something more authentic, more vibrant, more chaotic and more beautiful than any picture could ever capture.
The town stretches almost entirely upwards, with staircase after staircase leading down from the ridge of the Apennines to the shoreline, and the houses stacked one upon the other like the pages of a book opened out towards the sea.
Why Positano is unique
It’s not just the landscape: it’s the combination of architecture, light, scents and sounds that cannot be replicated anywhere else. The light itself changes with every hour of the day: pale and golden at dawn, blinding at midday, orange and purple at sunset over the sea.
The Spiaggia Grande and the hidden coves
Spiaggia Grande is the heart of Positano’s seaside resort: dark pebbles, colourful parasols, and the vertical silhouette of the houses behind.
It gets very busy in the summer, but its location in the centre of the village makes it irreplaceable.
For those looking for something a bit more secluded, Fornillo Beach — a five-minute walk away via the rocks to the west — is smaller, cheaper and more authentic.
Then there are the coves that can only be reached by sea: San Pietro, La Porta and Laurito. Hiring a dinghy or going on a boat tour will take you to all of them.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta
You cannot walk through the centre of Positano without looking up at the green and yellow majolica-tiled dome of the parish church.
The façade of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta presents itself to visitors as a very neat structure, with its light-coloured stone evoking the brightness of the Amalfi Coast’s sunshine, crowned by a small rose window at the top.
The interior had originally been designed as a single nave, but during the 18th-century reconstruction it was decided to divide it into three naves, in keeping with the principles of the new classical style.
Inside, a 13th-century Black Madonna of Byzantine origin — which, according to tradition, was washed ashore — remains the spiritual heart of the village to this day.
Tips for your visit
Opening hours: the church is generally open from early in the morning until late afternoon. It is advisable to check the specific opening hours, particularly during religious festivals.
Dress code: as this is a place of worship, respectful attire is recommended. Avoid overly revealing clothing and ensure your shoulders and knees are covered.
Special events: find out about any sacred music concerts or cultural events taking place inside the church, which may further enrich your experience.
The Path of the Gods: 7.8 km between sky and sea
The Sentiero degli Dei is perhaps the most scenic trek in Campania.
It links Bomerano (a hamlet of Agerola, accessible from Naples via the SITA bus from Amalfi) to Nocelle, above Positano, via a trail of approximately 7.8 km at an altitude of 600 metres, offering unbroken views of the Gulf of Salerno and the entire coastline.
Moderate difficulty; the descent from Bomerano to Nocelle takes 3–4 hours.
We recommend setting off in the morning, wearing walking boots and taking plenty of water.
The Coast Beyond Positano: Five Villages Worth Discovering
The Amalfi Coast is not just Positano. Along the 50 km of the SS163 — Italy’s most scenic road — there is a succession of villages, abbeys, Saracen towers and landscapes that change with every bend.
Amalfi — the Maritime Republic
The historic capital of the Amalfi Coast. The Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, with its ‘Chiostro del Paradiso’, forms the heart of the city’s monuments. Don’t miss the Museum of Artisanal Paper-making, one of the oldest paper-making centres in Europe.
Ravello — the balcony of the world
Perched high on the mountainside, Ravello offers the most photographed views of the entire Amalfi Coast from the viewpoint at Villa Rufolo and the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. Every summer, it hosts the Ravello Festival, one of Europe’s most prestigious music festivals.
Praiano — true tranquillity
Less crowded than its neighbouring towns, Praiano retains its authentic character. The sunset viewed from the Capo Sottile viewpoint is one of the most breathtaking experiences on the Amalfi Coast. Home to the Sentieri degli Dei festival.
Emerald Cave
A sea cave near Conca dei Marini, accessible by boat or via a lift carved into the rock. Light filters through the water, bathing everything in an otherworldly emerald green. One of the most breathtaking natural spectacles on the coast.
Aurea Maris — theatre by the sea
From 19 June to 27 September 2026, the Alfonso Gatto Theatre in Conca dei Marini will host the Aurea Maris festival: 14 evenings of theatre, music, jazz and dance featuring Italian artists. The stage overlooks the sea.
Festival "Sui Sentieri degli Dei"
From 13 July to 12 September 2026, Agerola will host the fifteenth edition of the Upper Amalfi Coast Festival: music, theatre and literature featuring Carmen Consoli and other big names, at an altitude of 650 metres.
From Naples to Positano: how to get there (all options for 2026)
Visitors staying in Naples — and in particular at the Binario Centrale Guest House, just a short walk from the Central Station and Molo Beverello — have a range of convenient and tried-and-tested options for getting to the Amalfi Coast.
Direct ferry
~80 mins
from €30–35
Molo Beverello → Porto Positano.
Operates April–October.
Operators: Alilauro, Caremar, Positano Jet, NLG.
Train + SITA Bus
~2h 30min
from €7–10
Circumvesuviana or Campania Express → Sorrento,
then the SITA bus to Positano.
Cheaper, but less scenic.
Private transfer
~1h 30min
€100–130
Door-to-door service, ideal for families
or groups with luggage.
Must be booked in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Amalfi Coast
Is the Amalfi Coast a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The Amalfi Coast was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its exceptional scenic and cultural value. It is one of the most visited UNESCO sites in Italy, alongside Pompeii, Venice and the historic centre of Rome.
How do you get to Positano from Naples without a car?
The most convenient and scenic option is the ferry from Molo Beverello in Naples, with several departures a day (April–October) and a journey time of around 80 minutes. Alternatively, take the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express to Sorrento, then the SITA bus to Positano (around 2 hours 30 minutes). For groups or families with luggage, a private transfer is the most practical option.
What’s on in Positano in the summer of 2026?
As well as the classic attractions, Positano will host the ‘Mare, Sole e Cultura’ literary festival and various patron saint’s day celebrations in the summer of 2026. In the surrounding area, the Aurea Maris festival in Conca dei Marini (until 27 September), the ‘Sui Sentieri degli Dei’ festival in Agerola (13 July–12 September) and the Ravello Festival in Ravello (4 July–5 September) enrich the cultural offering across the entire Amalfi Coast.
What can you see on a day out in Positano?
You can fit a lot into a single day: arrive by ferry in the morning, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, go for a swim at Spiaggia Grande or Fornillo, have lunch at a village restaurant, spend the afternoon wandering the narrow streets and doing some shopping (sandals, ceramics, limoncello), then return on the last ferry or the evening bus. You’ll need to set aside a whole day for the Sentiero degli Dei.
Naples is your starting point
An 80-minute ferry ride from Positano, a 40-minute train journey from Pompeii, and just a stone’s throw from the UNESCO-listed historic centre: our guest house is ideally situated for exploring the best of Campania without the hassle of transport.