Positano seems like a fairytale of a place. It was added to my bucket list early on and we finally decided to go as a family, despite its popularity as a romantic getaway. Our kids loved it just as much as we did, so don’t shy away from bringing them along. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after spending time in the busy Italian cities, like Rome, which is what we did.
There are trains that run from many European cities to Naples, and Positano is an hour ride from there. We drove along the coast from Naples, past Sorento, making our way closer to the highly coveted views. Around every bend was another picturesque sight that was impossible to tire of. From the views to the clear blue water to the delicious food, Positano is an amazing escape for anyone. Read on to learn about where to stay and what to do for a unforgettable vacation.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Hotel Marincanto, a lovely 4-star hotel and one of the few in Positano that can accommodate four people in one room. We opted for a Deluxe Suite—a large space with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each bedroom had its own balcony with the most spectacular view. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, offering recommendations and arranging reservations for dinners and activities.
The hotel has a nice restaurant where we enjoyed a generous complimentary brunch each morning. There’s a small infinity pool with a beautiful sea view and a friendly bartender. There’s a beach club just 100 steps from the hotel—easy on the way down and a good workout on the way up. You can rent chairs for a small fee, around 30 Euros for a full day, which is common for the local beach clubs. It’s easy to spend the days sitting on the beach, wandering through the streets, and drinking Campari Spritz’s (find out where), but there are some great activities worth checking out.
What to Do
Top Things to Do in Positano
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour
The Amalfi Coast boat tour was by far our favorite activity in Positano. In fact, we liked it so much we did it twice. We were able to jump on the boat after a short ten minute walk from the hotel. Based on recommendations and competitive pricing, we went through Bluestar tours. They offer full day and half day options, leaving at 9:00 or 9:30 and arriving home either early afternoon or 5:00 pm. Everyone we worked with was wonderful, especially Elizabeth who managed our booking.
Despite rough seas on the day of our tour, Elizabeth was kind enough to allow us to ‘test the waters’ without committing to a full day. Thankfully, our captain, Marco (aka ‘Skitzo’), who grew up in Positano, was a master at his craft.
We cruised along in our 10 meter (30 foot) classic wood cruising boat named ‘Peppino’, which was made just down the road in Sorrento. He dodged waves and made us feel like we were riding on glass. We toured the Amalfi coast all day, lounging in the sun, swimming in the sea, jumping from cliffs, sipping Prosecco and munching on Taralli crackers.
After a few hours on the water, we went to Amalfi to tour around before heading to Da Teresa for lunch, a restaurant that can only be accessed by boat. The food was good, but not great and quite expensive. It was quiet when we were there, so it might be more fun with a livelier crowd. When we were back on the water, Marco steered the boat into an enormous cave, cut the engine and serenaded us with the most beautiful opera song. It was magical and became one of our favorite memories of the trip. It was so magical, in fact, that we booked a tour for the next day on the spot.
On day two, we opted for a half day tour, departing at 9:00 am and returning at 1:00 pm. Marco was already booked, Saulo from Brazil was our guide. He was very nice, but not quite as animated or entertaining as Marco. We were told there was another captain named Mario who not only guides the boat, but plays the accordion along the way. It’s worth asking for a specific guide to check on their availability. I can guarantee an amazing day if Marco takes you out on the water. A full day cost 450 Euros and half day cost 300 Euros (at the time) and gratuity is appreciated.
Capri & Anacapri
There are many outfits that offer private or group boat tours to Capri, but we opted for the ferry since we had already treated ourselves to two private tours of the Amalfi Coast. If you choose to do a private tour to Capri, there are options to swim along the way and visit caves, but the ferry is a fine choice and runs frequently out of Positano.
Once you arrive in Marina Grande, you can take a small boat to the Blue Grotto. This infamous cave is big enough to drive into on your boat and quite popular among tourists. However, oftentimes the wait to get in can be more than an hour. Given that the water is frequently too rough for boats to enter, we decided to pass on this option. Instead, we took a small bus to Anacapri, a hair raising experience to say the least thanks to the extremely narrow, winding roads. The drivers speed around the corners, narrowly missing neighboring cars. For a person with a fear of buses, I was happy to when the ride was over.
Once you arrive in Anacapri, take the single-person chairlift to the viewpoint at the top of Mount Solero. The slow ride offers a peaceful moment as you make your way to the summit and spectacular views. Wander around, take photos and grab a cafe before heading back to the town of Anacapri. I recommend the roundtrip ticket since the walk back down is quite long.
The town of Anacapri is full of cute shops and restaurants. We ate lunch at a family run restaurant called Sciu’ Sciue’ Di Minopoli Raffaele, with delicious fresh pasta and the best caprese salad we had during our stay. After wandering through the streets, we grabbed a bus back to Marina Grande and hit the beach for a quick dip. After cooling off in the water, the ferry back to Positano is just a few steps away.
Shopping
There are many great shops in Positano—from clothing to pottery to custom made sandals. Spend some time walking through the quaint streets, popping in and out of the stores, and discovering your favorites. We left with jewelry from Ivi Gioielli, a gorgeous platter from Emporio della Ceramica, and two enormous gift boxes from Valenti, which was recommended by our boat captain Marco. The lovely husband and wife shop owners sell homemade liquors (limoncello, melon, and others), olive oils, spreads (pistachio nutella!), spices, risottos, and more. They were generous about offering tastes of everything, taking photos and shipping our goods to the U.S.
