Italy · 2026 itinerary
Positano 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Positano: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A short walk through a gorge showing the ruins of three historic watermills that once ground flour for the town, set in a lush valley.
🕐 dawn to dusk
Free entry💡 Combine this with a walk up to the higher streets for free views of the cliffs; the trail is unmarked but starts near the head of Via Marconi.
Hotels near Mulini di Positano (Ancient Mills Trail) →A quieter rocky beach a short walk west of the main Spiaggia Grande, with clear water and fewer crowds.
🕐 always open
Free entry💡 Take the path from the church down to Fornillo – it's a 15-minute walk and saves you paying for deckchairs on the main beach.
Hotels near Spiaggia di Fornillo →Bar Internazionale · ££
La Tagliata Ristorante · ££
Deeper Into Positano
The town's iconic 12th-century church with a majolica-tiled dome and a Byzantine black Madonna icon in the main altar.
🕐 Mon–Sat 8:00–12:30, 16:00–19:00; Sun 9:00–13:00, 16:30–19:00
💡 Visit early morning to catch the light through the stained glass; avoid the mass service between 8–9am if you want to take photos.
The main pebble beach in front of the town, with free public sections at both ends and a lively promenade.
🕐 always open (lifeguard service: 9:00–19:00)
💡 Arrive before 9am to snag a spot on the free public sand; after that, you'll be squeezed in among paid loungers.
Donna Rosa
Cera una volta
Final Favourites & Departure
A spectacular coastal hiking trail from Bomerano to Nocelle with panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. It's about 7.5km and takes 3–4 hours one way.
💡 Start in Bomerano (take the SITA bus from Positano) and walk downhill to Nocelle; this saves you the steep climb at the end.
Bar del Sole
La Brace Ristorante
Getting Around Positano
Buy tickets at the tabacchi shop inside the station, not from the driver. Ask the driver to stop at 'La Tavolozza' — it's a short walk downhill from the Chiesa Nuova stop, but save yourself the hike up.
Book a shared shuttle through Positano Shuttle or Grassi for about €60 per person instead. The drive along the Amalfi Coast is spectacular, so ask for a front seat if you can.
Buy a combined ticket from the Sorrento tabacchi — the bus from Sorrento to Positano is packed in summer, so grab a seat early. For Residence La Tavolozza, get off at Sponda stop and walk down the steps — it's steep but saves the 500-metre uphill from Chiesa Nuova.
The ferry drops you right at Positano's beach — a 10-minute walk up steps to Residence La Tavolozza. It's worth it for the sea views alone. Verify timetables with Caremar or NLG on the day; they change monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Positano?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Mulini di Positano (Ancient Mills Trail) and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Positano?
See our full best time to visit Positano guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Marincanto, Pensione Maria Luisa, Albergo California Positano. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.