Located along the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy's Campania region, Positano is a vertical village built on the rugged limestone slopes of the Lattari Mountains. Rising sharply from sea level to elevations over 400 meters, this cliffside destination surrounds the Tyrrhenian Sea with terraced homes and narrow stairways that link the upper cliffside districts down to the valley floor and coast. You can navigate the terrain on foot via footpaths or arrive at the shoreline by sea.
Positano's coastal shoreline features distinct cove beaches nestled directly at the base of steep cliffs. The most recognized stretch is Spiaggia Grande (also known as Marina Grande), located at the base of the town. Fornillo beach serves as the second largest beach in Positano, while other main coastal spots include La Porta, Fiumicello, Arienzo, San Pietro, Laurito, and Remmese. These beaches are set against Mediterranean vegetation including olive trees, lemon groves, and pines.
Welcoming visitors since the Roman era, Positano offers rich historic sights alongside its beaches. You can visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, known for its majolica tile dome and a 13th-century Byzantine black Madonna icon, or explore the underground MAR Santa Maria Assunta Roman Archaeological Museum featuring bright imperial-era frescoes. Positioned under a Mediterranean climate, the town delivers long, warm summers refreshed by sea breezes alongside very mild winters.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Footpath / Stairway | Access the cove beaches on foot via narrow stairways leading down the steep cliffs. |
| Boat / Sea | Reach various coastal beaches along the steep cliffs by boat or sea. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Best time to visit & the water
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Summer months | Summers are long, warm, and sunny, refreshed by breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea. |
| Winter | Winter months | Winters are very mild with minimum temperatures almost never dropping below 6 °C (43 °F). |
Conditions vary with weather, tides & season · Last updated: 2026-09-12
04 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Beaches are tucked in coves at the base of steep cliffs and are reached primarily by footpaths or boat.
- The town layout relies on numerous steep stairways connecting higher elevated districts with the shoreline.
- Positano enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and very mild winters.