Naples, Positano and The Amalfi Coast | Small-Group Tour of Italy (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to stay in Amalfi or Positano? ›

There is a lot more to do in Positano than Amalfi. Positano is much bigger and more touristy than Amalfi. In Positano, you can relax on the beaches, indulge in fresh seafood, shop, take vintage car tours and more.

One of the most common questions about visiting the Amalfi Coast are how many days are enough to see it and the best way to include it in a wider Italy itinerary. The short answer is that you need 2 days on the Amalfi Coast to see its highlights and 3 days or more if you want to add a trip to Capri or Sorrento.

We felt that 2 days in Positano was enough to see it all, but if you love to just lounge around on the beach for days (we aren't huge lay on the beach all day type of people), you may want to stay longer!

Driving to Positano from Naples takes about 90 minutes or less, depending on your driving speed. You will enjoy stunning ocean and coastal landscape views as you cruise to Positano.

According to the Positano Tourism Board, May is considered the best month to visit for its lack of tourists, perfect 70-degree day temps and beautiful blooming flowers. What's more, travel rates are lower than those seen during the peak summer season. Summer on the Amalfi Coast is both very hot and very crowded.

What is Positano Most Famous For? Positano is famous for being a scenic seaside paradise in Italy. You'll be blown away with the colourful, cliffside villas overlooking the sunny Amalfi Coast. The sound of waves crashing against the pebbled shores is heaven for beach lovers.

The dress code for day to day is pretty much casual, there is no need to be overdone especially in the hot weather and if you are spending your days exploring and walking around. Linen fabric clothing is always a great idea as it's very light on your body and also breathable.

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is in May or September. It's at its most enjoyable during these months — expect beautiful weather and lots of activities, without the summer crowds. Temperatures normally sit around 68°F to 77°F. The Amalfi Coast is less busy from November to March.

You can most certainly get around the Amalfi Coast without a car, instead opting for buses and ferries to take you along the coast and across to the glorious Capri. Once there, you won't be short of amazing attractions to inspire your sense of la dolce vita and enrich your soul.

Positano is also a small town. If anything you can walk the entire town within 20 minutes on the main road. The fun of course is getting lost within the narrow alleyways off the main road. There you'll find stunning cute vignettes, cats, and stunning views of the coast!

Do you need a car in Positano? ›

If you'd rather let someone else do the driving, consider hiring a private car. Because of the Amalfi Drive's long, windy road and often sweltering weather conditions, the Positano Tourism Board highly recommends booking a private car to get to the coast and between the towns.

While the town of Positano is walkable, renting a scooter or car is necessary for exploring beyond the town. Scooters can be a great way to get around the narrow and winding roads along the Amalfi Coast. Day tripping to the nearby beaches or towns is a must to get the full Amalfi Coast experience.

On a quick trip, give the entire area — including Sorrento and Naples — a minimum of three days. With Sorrento as your sunny springboard, spend a day in Naples, a day exploring the Amalfi Coast, and a day split between Pompeii and the town of Sorrento.

Naples to Positano from €27 | Private Car Transfer in 1 Hour | Daytrip.

No, there is no direct train from Naples to Positano. Take a train to Salerno or Sorrento and then hop on a ferry to Positano.

The best way to visit Positano is definitely to spend there at least 3-4 days/nights because it has lots of things to offer you. But, it is also totally worth it to visit Positano in one day. Even though the whole Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, Positano is somehow unique and special.

If you want to stay in Positano, the best place to stay in is the lower part of town, near the centre and beach. The many slopes and flights of stairs in Positano are quite daunting, so you will be glad to have chosen a hotel which doesn't have a torturous climb back up from the beach.

Amalfi is not as steep as Positano and the center of town is more or less at sea level. The main road does climb gradually up towards the cliffs behind the town, but there are no steps. Instead, to visit the famed Duomo, you'll have to take on its grand staircase.

Positano has a great beach and views because of its mountainside location. Restaurants along the beach have tons of outdoor seating for lunch or dinner, which is ideal for a beach vacation. The town is clean and well-kept, making it delightful to walk around. You'll likely run into lots of fun people that speak English.

Where did Kardashians stay Positano? ›

Le Sirenuse is a luxury boutique hotel in Positano, founded & run by the Sersale family. Member of @leadinghotelsoftheworld.

Are jeans appropriate to wear in Italy? While Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, you still can wear jeans in Italy. However, avoid acid wash and extremely distressed denim and opt for medium-dark blues and blacks. Black skinny jeans always look chic in Europe!

Sneakers are fine also in Italy, but again, maybe not in a fancy restaurant. So consider taking also some nice pair of shoes with you.

What to wear in Positano? In summer, women wear linen or light cotton dresses, shorts, or skirts. On the beach, the most popular are lemon-patterned swimwear and colorful bikinis. On the other hand, men wear short sleeves, cotton shirts, or long sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

The closest international airport to the Amalfi coast is in Naples (the Capodichino airport), but many people prefer to fly into Rome, as it's cheaper.

The Amalfi Coast is a great walk for seven months of the year and extends well into autumn due to the warmth of the sea, although later autumn and early spring bookings may necessitate a change of accommodation due to hotels (on the coast and on Capri) closing for the winter.

These days almost everywhere cards are accepted, but it is always handy to have some cash (in euros) with you. There are plenty of cash machines should you need to withdraw some more. Eating at a restaurant can be a costly affair, even at those with mid-range prices.

Once you are in Sorrento, your only options are by taxi, private driver or public transport. There are no Ubers in the Amalfi Coast.

Uber is not available in Naples, Lecce, Pisa, Florence, Palermo, Verona, Bari, Genoa, Amalfi and Positano. If you plan to tour these cities or towns, you will need to resort to more traditional methods of transport – and regular taxis are always available.

Does Positano have luxury shopping? ›

Keep in mind that Positano is a jet-set destination, so it's not surprising that you'll find high-end clothes, handbags, shoes, and other items made from top-quality materials.

The cost of the trip from Amalfi to Positano varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Daytrip: travelling by taxi expect to pay as low as $172 for your ticket.

As far as drinks go, connoisseurs will enjoy delicious spring water flowing from village fountains during walks unless labelled 'non potabile' (tap water is always safe to drink).

Yes. The main beach in Positano is free to enjoy. However, the sunbeds that sit in rows on the beach do cost a fair fee to rent for a day. But there is a small free section where visitors are permitted to lay out a towel and enjoy the scenery and water without a sunbed.

Some people could feel uncomfortable and unsafe in crowds and may ask themselves: “is Positano safe place?” But Positano is really a very safe place with a crime rate that is almost zero, so you do not have to worry.

The reality is that driving the Amalfi Coast is frustrating, a bit stressful, and not all it is cracked up to be. Yes, there are gorgeous views along the way, but don't expect a beautiful, stress-free drive where you can relax and enjoy the views. There is hardly a straight stretch of road on the entire drive.

Luckily, the popular dinner time in Italy is between 8 and 10pm so since it was impossible to make a dinner reservation days before, we went to restaurants around 5/6pm hoping to be able to get seated.

Viale Pasitea is the main street in Positano, Italy. Along this winding road, you'll walk all through the town and find everything from hotels and villas to boutiques, shops and restaurants.

63°F. Today water temperature in Positano is 63.7°F.

Around 5 days should be more than enough time to soak in the wonders of the Amalfi Coast, one of Italy's most beautiful destinations, but even if you have a day or three to spare, you'll be able to see just why this region has been captivating visitors since Ancient Roman times.

How many days in Naples is enough? ›

We recommend spending at least three days and two nights in Naples. This will give you enough time to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace. It gets very hot in Naples during the summer months, so remember to account for this when planning how much you want to do each day.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Naples and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Naples much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Naples would let you spend less money overall.

The quickest and most convenient option is to take a Naples airport taxi to Positano. This journey takes only 80 minutes but costs around 90€ based on a taximeter.

The simplest and cheapest way to move between villages along this coast is the bus: SITA offers regular service from Positano and its hub in Amalfi. In Positano, the orange town buses make the loop of Viale Pasitea, Via Cristoforo Colombo, and Via G.

From Naples to Positano by car

The journey to Positano by car takes around 1.5 hours. You'll travel south out of the city via the A3. After around 20 kilometers, you'll take the exit to Castellammare di Stabia and travel along the SS145. Follow signs for the SS163 towards Amalfi and travel along the road into Positano.

From Naples to Positano by Car. Cars are actually the easiest and fastest way to get to Positano. There's just 61 kilometers between the two cities, and you'll cover the distance in less than 90 minutes. No waiting for train or bus connections.

The Naples - Positano ferry trip duration is between 2 and 2.5 hr. Please, keep in mind that travel time depends on weather conditions and the type of ferry.

Ferry from Naples to Positano. The Naples Positano ferry route connects Italy with Italy and is currently operated by 2 ferry companies. The NLG service runs up to 3 times per day with a sailing duration of around 2 hours while the Alilauro service runs up to 4 times per week with a duration from 40 minutes.

If you want to explore the Amalfi Coast to the fullest, stay in Amalfi town. This town has the best transport connections to all the other towns and villages, including a bus to Ravello and a boat to Positano. However, if you also want to visit Capri, Pompeii, or Mt Vesuvius – consider staying in Sorrento.

With a bit of planning and some insider tips, however, you can fit in a visit to Positano and Amalfi in a single day if you have limited time on the coast, taking in the top sights in just hours between sightseeing and downtime.

Where should I stay on the Amalfi Coast for the first time? ›

The best areas to stay in Amalfi Coast for first-timer are the towns of Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, Minori, Salerno, Agerola, Vietri sul Mare, Conca dei Marini, Cetara, Atrani, and Tramonti.

You can most certainly get around the Amalfi Coast without a car, instead opting for buses and ferries to take you along the coast and across to the glorious Capri. Once there, you won't be short of amazing attractions to inspire your sense of la dolce vita and enrich your soul.

Because of the Amalfi Drive's long, windy road and often sweltering weather conditions, the Positano Tourism Board highly recommends booking a private car to get to the coast and between the towns.

Hotel Santa Caterina review: the Amalfi Coast luxury hotel loved by Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian | HELLO!

The Amalfi Coast is a great walk for seven months of the year and extends well into autumn due to the warmth of the sea, although later autumn and early spring bookings may necessitate a change of accommodation due to hotels (on the coast and on Capri) closing for the winter.

We recommend spending at least three days and two nights in Naples. This will give you enough time to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace. It gets very hot in Naples during the summer months, so remember to account for this when planning how much you want to do each day.

The Amalfi Coast is located in a small corner of southern Italy between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno in the Province of Salerno. The region is a 1.5-hour drive to the south from Naples, the closest big city.

The coastal location has the freshest seafood available and has attracted some of the best chefs in the world. But the local cuisine is sure to satisfy any Italian food lover. The famous clifftop towns of Positano and Ravello are known for their Terraces and windy road adding to the majestic charm of the seaside coast.

Salerno is the closest town that can be reached by train on the main rail line between Rome and Naples. From Salerno, you can take a bus to the villages along the coast. From April through October several ferries run daily from Salerno to Amalfi (taking 35 minutes) and Postitano (70 minutes).