Spending 5 days in Positano? Lucky you! Get ready for a week full of unforgettable food, Instagram-worthy views and unmatchable experiences. Here is your perfect Positano Itinerary for 5 days in Positano, Italy.
How To Get To Positano
Positano is certainly not the easiest city to get to, but it is certainly worth the travel. You will likely fly into the FCO airport in Rome. Then, from FCO, you have a few transportation options to Positano and the Amalfi Coast:
- Rent a car. Honestly, I would not recommend this option. Between the car rental, expensive tolls, high gas prices and hassle of parking, I would avoid renting a car. It may seem like the least stressful option, but trust me when I say that is is not any less stressful than the following options. We rented a car for our trip, and we will not be doing it again next time. Trust me, you’ll save money and headaches!
- Hire a private driver. Hiring a private driver from FCO to Positano has many perks. First, you will save time (direct drive, no stops, no searching for parking). Second, you won’t have to carry heavy suitcases around because you will be dropped off right outside your hotel. And third, you won’t have to think twice about driving stick-shift in a tiny car alongside Italian drivers. The only downside to hiring a private driver, then, is that it is the most costly option — most likely a couple hundred euro per person.
- Take a train from FCO to Naples (Napoli), and then take a bus to Positano. This is by far the best option for transportation from FCO to Positano. Even though you will have to carry your luggage through train stations and bus stops, and even though it will take longer than a direct drive, it is by-far the most cost-effective and, therefore, popular alternative. We will be taking this route next time!
Where To Stay In Positano
It is true that Positano can be a pricey destination; however, it does not necessarily have to be pricey. There are accommodations available at every budget level. Some top picks include:
- Luxury hotels: Le Sirenuse or Hotel Poseidon.
- Budget accommodations: AirBnb.
- Somewhere in between: Hotel Casa Albertina.
Most recommended overall: Hotel Casa Albertina, shown here:
Day One: Leisurely explore Positano’s streets and views.
Morning
Because you’re likely exhausted from your previous day of travels, take a slow, relaxing morning. Although I wouldn’t necessarily advise sleeping in until noon, especially if you’re fighting jet lag, give yourself permission to bask in la dolce vita (the sweet life).
Hit snooze once or twice, enjoy a delicious Italian breakfast, sit on your balcony with a cappuccino in hand and stare at the Positano view before you. You’re in Positano, Italy. Take it in!
Afternoon
If you didn’t sleep in late enough to consider your breakfast as your lunch, grab a panini from a local deli. A panini should cost you less that 5E in Positano, which is a fantastic budget option for a filling meal. I suggest eating lunch at the delis every day if you want to save money. You shouldn’t get too sick of the caprese panini, but if you do, opt for a deli meatball or two.
After lunch, leisurely walk through the beautiful winding streets of Positano. Here, you will find numerous restaurants that you may want to try later in the week, locally owned shops with an endless array of Positano styled clothing (think lots of dressy linens and lemon patterns), hand-painted ceramics, yummy lemon treats and, of course, souvenirs.
I suggest starting your Positano city walk at the Da Vincenzo restaurant on Viale Pasitea and working your way downhill. This is where you will find all the best views, restaurants and shops. And, while you’re at Da Vincenzo, make late-night dinner reservations there for day 3.
(FYI, there is time budgeted later in this 5-day Positano itinerary for souvenir shopping in case you would rather wait.)
Evening
As you arrive to the beach at the bottom of the hill (Spiaggia Grande), order some seafood pasta at Buca di Bacco, a highly rated beachside restaurant. Apart from the great menu, this eatery is covered in stunning greenery, ivy and fresh ocean air.
Day Two: Spend the afternoon in Amalfi Town.
Morning
After a restful day 1, venture out of Positano to Amalfi Town on day 2. To quickly explain the difference between Positano, Amalfi Coast and Amalfi, the term “Amalfi Coast” refers to the particular region of Italy, and Positano and Amalfi are two separate towns within the region.
With 5 days to spend in Positano, you have more than enough time in your itinerary to visit Positano’s neighboring cities, such as Amalfi. It does take a while to arrive to Amalfi, so plan to depart from Positano around midmorning. The five modes of transportation to go from Positano to Amalfi are rental car (but parking is a huge hassle), taxi (around 60-70E), bus, private boat tour or ferry.
Taking a ferry from Positano will be the cheapest option, but I highly suggest taking a private group boat tour. Boat tour tents are set up all around the main beach, so you have plenty of options. I personally recommend the Blue Star group boat tour. At the same price as a taxi, you will arrive to Amalfi faster, get a tour guide for the route and get to swim off the boat in the crystal clear Mediterranean. There will only be 12 people max on the large boat.
Afternoon
Once you dock in Amalfi, you will have three hours to spend exploring the quaint Italian town. (Three hours is plenty of time to visit Amalfi in my opinion.) Grab a quick panini at a nearby deli and head to the beach just on the other side of the dock. There are benches just up the stairs from the beach to sit, eat, people watch and take in the Amalfi views.
Then, head straight into the city center across from the dock. Similar to Positano, there are plenty of shops to peruse. Keep walking down the street, and you’ll soon be met with the epic Duomo di Amalfi (Amalfi Cathedral) on your right-hand side. (If you don’t pass the cathedral within five minutes of walking, plug it into your GPS. It shouldn’t be far from you.) Wander around the outside of the church or explore the inside of the church courtyard for a small fee.
Then, you have a couple of options. You can either continue leisurely walking through Amalfi, perhaps picking up a fresh lemon sorbet, served inside a lemon. Or, you could tour the famous Amalfi paper mills located 15 minutes walking straight from the boat dock. You could also hitch a ride (via cab or bus) to the nearby town of Ravello if you would prefer.
Evening
If you chose to take the group boat tour, you will return to Positano just as the sun sets, which means you’ll get to watch the Positano sunset from the water! Once docked back in Positano, eat a touristy dinner right on the beach at Chez Black. Chez Black, a restaurant decked out in ship decor (pun intended), is an iconic Positano itinerary item that you won’t want to miss.
Day Three: Take a day trip to Capri. (Positano Itinerary: 5 Days)
Morning
Day three will flow pretty similarly to day 2, except this day, you’ll boat to Capri.
Your choices of transportation to the island of Capri are private boat tour or ferry. Again, I recommend taking a private group boat tour through Blue Star, fully equipped with a tour guide and swimming opportunities.
Afternoon
You’ll once again eat a quick lunch in Capri before adventuring for the next few hours. Some awesome afternoon activities in Capri include taking the tram through lemon groves, shopping luxury stores, boating to the legendary Faraglioni Rocks (highly favored) or touring the epic Grotta Azzurra (glowing Blue Grotto — also highly favored).
Evening
Upon return to Positano, either by boat or ferry, clean up and head to Da Vincenzo for your dinner reservations. It is important to reserve a table at this prestigious restaurant, as it is both Michelin-star-rated and loved by the locals, and, thus, quite popular!
Day Four: Indulge in a relaxing beach day and take a vintage car photo tour. (Positano Itinerary: 5 Days)
Morning
Welcome to day 4! Doesn’t it seem like your Positano 5-day trip itinerary is going by way too fast?
After two full days of tourism, you deserve a full-on beach day. Put on your swimsuit and head to Spiaggia Grande, the main and most iconic beach in Positano. Arrive by 10:30 a.m. in order to get the best spot.
Afternoon
Continue to lounge…
Pro tip: if you’re looking for a budget-friendly beach day, lay out on your towel in the small public beach area next to to the marina. If you’re looking to completely emerge in relaxation, spend the 25-30E that it costs to rent a beach resort chair and umbrella (25E for second row, 30E for first row). If you choose to splurge, which I recommend, be sure to take advantage of the beach food service served right to your chair from Blu Bar for lunch and/or an afternoon snack.
Also note that you’ll find the most Instagrammable view of Positano’s buildings at Spiaggia Grande. Don’t forget to snap a couple photos here!
Evening
Toward the late afternoon, head back to your hotel to shower and get ready for a super fun photoshoot.
The Positano aesthetic is full of pastel colored buildings, gorgeous ocean views and, naturally, vintage European cars. If you want to get priceless Amalfi Coast photos, book a photo tour with Positano Vintage Dream. This brother-owned vintage car rental company will drive you to the most photogenic spots in Positano and the surrounding areas in a vintage car of your choice (think colorful Fiats and Volkswagen convertibles). Although it’s a more costly Positano itinerary activity at about 170E, this vintage car photoshoot will for sure be a trip highlight.
Finally, after your photoshoot, walk to Franco’s Bar for extravagant, luxury drinks and an unbeatable sunset view. Then, visit the underrated Covo dei Saraceni for dinner on a balcony overlooking the marina. I highly recommend the tenderloin for two for a delicious, romantic experience.
Day 5: Shop and explore other Positano beaches.(Positano Itinerary: 5 Days)
Morning
Your very last full day in Positano… You have almost completed this 5-day Positano itinerary. Can you believe it? Don’t you already miss it?
Today, you essentially have a free day to explore the areas of Positano that you haven’t yet hit. This morning, feel free to start the day slowly if you wish. When you’re ready, head to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (the Church of Saint Mary Assunta). This beautiful church, located near Spiaggia Grande, will only take a quick walk-through, but it is indeed worthwhile. Afterward, feel free to shop around again — this time for last-minute souvenirs!
Afternoon
Pick up your last deli caprese panini (or meatball), and decide which Positano beach you would like to visit. Besides Spiaggia Grande, your options are:
- Fornillo Beach, a boulder-ridden yet stunning beach with a watch-tower view — ideal for the budget explorer.
- Arienzo Beach Club, a very well-known beach resort with bright orange and white umbrellas — ideal for the luxury vacationer. Arienzo does cost a pretty penny to visit (at least 74E per person) but also comes with lunch, beverages, a boat shuttle to the club’s private beach and more.
Evening
If you are not stuffed from the complimentary meal at Arienzo, I suggest eating at Ristorante Bruno for your last night in Positano. Loved by the locals, Ristorante Bruno boasts an amazing menu of pasta, steak, fresh seafood from the same morning’s catch, as well as an unforgettable view of Positano.
P.S. Ristorante Bruno was so good that we went back twice during our stay. Our favorite dishes were the shrimp in lemon sauce, spaghetti with clams and mozzarella wrapped in meat.
And there you have it! Five days in Positano complete. Is there anything else you would add to this Positano itinerary? Comment your own recommendations below.
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