What to see in Positano in 2 days: itinerary through colourful stairways, sea and Path of the Gods
Discover what to see in Positano in 2 days: beaches, flower-lined stairways, Santa Maria Assunta Church, Path of the Gods, Li Galli and the Amalfi Coast.
Why visit Positano in 2 days
Positano is a cascade of pastel-coloured houses tumbling down towards the turquoise sea of the Amalfi Coast. Every corner is a postcard: bougainvillea spilling over walls, colourful ceramics, stairways vanishing into the alleys. John Steinbeck wrote that Positano is a place that never stops being a dream. Two days let you live that dream at a human pace, between beaches, trails and nearby villages.
Day 1: the village and the sea
Morning: stairways and old town
Positano is explored vertically: the village is a succession of stairways linking the upper part to the beach. Start from the main road above and descend the steps flanked by beachwear boutiques, artisan sandal shops and lemon groves hidden behind the walls.
Reach the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, recognisable for its majolica dome tiled in yellow, green and blue that gleams in the sun. Inside, the thirteenth-century Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna is venerated by the locals. The little piazza in front of the church is the pulsing heart of the town.
Then lose yourself in the side alleys: Via Positanesi d'America, Via Pasitea and the lanes climbing towards Montepertuso reveal quiet corners with wisteria pergolas and unexpected sea views.
Afternoon: beaches
Spiaggia Grande is the main beach, with its grey volcanic sand and views along the coast. For a more intimate atmosphere, walk along the cliff-side path to Fornillo Beach, smaller and less crowded, flanked by Saracen towers.
If you seek seclusion, a water taxi takes you to Laurito Bay, a cove reachable only by sea with a couple of beachside restaurants and crystal-clear waters.
Evening: aperitivo with a view
A sunset aperitivo from one of the terraced bars above is an obligatory ritual. The sun sinking into the sea with the silhouette of Li Galli in the background and the coast lighting up with warm lights: a perfect moment.
Day 2: Path of the Gods and surroundings
Morning: the Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods is the Amalfi Coast's most celebrated hike. From Bomerano, reachable by bus from Amalfi, the trail follows the mountain ridge for about 8 km to Nocelle, the upper hamlet of Positano. The route is not difficult but rewards with vertiginous panoramas: below you the blue sea, the Faraglioni of Capri on the horizon and the coast unfolding like a nativity scene.
From Nocelle, a stairway of about 1,500 steps descends to Positano, or you can take the local bus.
Afternoon: excursion to Li Galli or Amalfi
Boats depart from Positano's harbour for the Li Galli islands, the small archipelago off the coast that once belonged to the dancer Rudolf Nureyev. The waters around the islands are among the clearest on the coast.
Alternatively, take the ferry to Amalfi, a 25-minute crossing. The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea with its monumental staircase, the Cloister of Paradise and the historic Paper Mills in the valley are the main stops.
Evening: dinner by the sea
End your stay with dinner on Fornillo Beach, feet almost in the water and the lights of Positano glittering on the hillside above.
Viewpoints not to miss
- Path of the Gods: aerial view over the coast and Capri
- Church of Santa Maria Assunta terrace: dome and beach
- Belvedere on Via Cristoforo Colombo: the entire cascade of houses
- Montepertuso: the upper hamlet with the hole in the mountain
Secret corners
- The stairway climbing to Montepertuso, silent and wrapped in lemon groves
- The lane between Via Pasitea and Via Mulini, with an ancient washhouse
- The Emerald Grotto at Conca dei Marini, reachable by boat
- The tiny fishermen's beach below Torre Trasita, almost hidden
Practical tips
Positano is all stairs: comfortable shoes are essential. In summer it is very crowded and prices are high: spring and autumn are better. Park at the top and walk down. SITA buses connect the coastal towns but are often full: ferries are a convenient and scenic alternative. Start the Path of the Gods early in the morning.
