How To Spend 48 Hours In Positano Italy

Positano is a small jewel of a city belonging to the Almafi Coast in Campania, Italy. According to myth, the God of the Sea, Poseidon created it to give as a gift to a nymph that he had fallen in love with. Although that may just be a story it truly speaks to this charming towns well-preserved history and culture. It is overflowing with beautiful sites, colorful neighborhoods, and amusing activities. Let us guide you through how to spend the perfect 48 hours in this stunning cliffside city.

1. La Zagara

Cafe, Pizzeria, Sandwich Shop, Pastry Shop, Italian

Start your day with the perfect coffee. Italy has long been associated with that perfect drizzle of espresso, packed with robust flavors and providing just the jolt needed to explore its beautiful cities. Although there are many delightful cafes to choose from in Positano, stop in at La Zagara, an idyllic pastry and coffee shop known by locals to purvey some of the most pungent and tasty espresso in the area. Inside you will find colorful ceramic tiles, an eclectic and vivid collection of art, a relaxing outdoor garden and satisfying views of the sea. If you’re looking for a quick snack it also serves a fresh variety of unique sandwiches, salads and pizza.

Admire the arts

Positano is well-known for a wide variety of art galleries and museums lining its swirling streets. Pop into the Italian Fine Arts Gallery and marvel at the array of modern and ancient artists it has in its collection. If you’re more geared towards abstract or conceptual arts check out Galleria Arts and Crafts, where you can browse unique paintings created by local artists, chat with the owner and take a piece of Positano with you by getting your own personalized painting shipped to your home.

Italian Fine Arts Gallery, Via dei Mulini, 8, Positano SA, Italy
+ 39 089 875113

Galleria Arts and Crafts, Via del Saracino, 3, Positano SA, Italy
+ 39 089 875797

Take the Hike of the Gods

Get your exercise in while appreciating the unparalleled nature and visibility that this area has to offer. Il Sentiero degli Dei is a three-mile hike that takes you up above the teeming city and will blow you away with its incredible views of the sparkling turquoise ocean and surrounding mountains. The path is perfectly nestled between the exquisite green peaks and concludes in Nocelle, the northern part of Positano. From there you can easily walk back to the city center.

2. Ristorante Constantino

Restaurant, Italian

Pop into Ristorante Constantino where you can unwind in a cozy dining area and experience a passionate and zesty meal. Set slightly away from the buzzing city center, this family-owned operation serves up local favorites as well as traditional dishes known to the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy homemade pastas with fresh seafood and tasty house wines and finish it off with its renowned lemon pie or ricotta and pear pie while peering out the windows at the stunning view.

Take time to wander

Positano is the prefect walking town with serene winding stone streets that take you up, down and through bustling city centers to clandestine alleys with vibrant shops and amusements. You can people-watch and spectate at the daily life of locals against beautiful views of the ocean and town, the rising mountains and immaculate architecture that creates this pristine commune.

Hit the beach

Spend your late afternoon splashing in Positano’s shimmering waves and shading beneath the colorful umbrellas that line Marina Grande Beach. From here you can gaze up at the splendid collection of neighborhoods, shops and restaurants that litter the cliffside. Sunbathe on the most lively cosmopolitan beach in the area, watch lazy boats bob on the placid ocean surface and mingle with tourists and locals alike at this popular postcard-perfect destination.

3. Music On the Rocks

Nightclub, Italian

To match its rich culture and beautiful cityscapes, Positano has a pulsating plethora of clubs and lounges that provide live music, dancing and a variety of excellent beverages. Music on the Rocks is one of the area’s most bumping and fun clubs that will give you a night to remember. Set at the end of a beach, this club is housed in a spacious cave and encapsulates the island feel completely. Dance the night away while sipping on delicious tropical drinks and navigating through the exquisite ambiance of this unique disco.

See the fishes

After resting up, start your next day on a snorkeling or scuba excursion to explore the striking sea life and surrounding grottos in the area. Check out the array of darting colorful fish, ocean vegetation and get the full effect of the powerful blue ocean surrounding Positano. A number of boat tours and guides are available for hire near Marina Grande Beach and will give you the full scope of the ocean wildlife and natural beauty encompassing the island.

Do some shopping

Although there is no specific street market known to the streets of Positano, there are a number of incredible shops to search for souvenirs, dive into the bright fashion and gather local knickknacks, trinkets and collectibles. Explore the streets, hop from shop to shop and admire the colorful collection of vibrant boutiques, trading posts and signage.

Positano | © Gianfranco Vitolo / Flickr

Get lost in the history

Every inch of Positano is embedded with a deep-rooted backstory. As you journey through the various recreations that the island supplies, make sure to step back and absorb the age-old magnificence that hangs in the air of this resplendent place. Admire the historic architecture, investigate the many ornate churches and cathedrals such as Chiesa Positano, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, who is associated with Byzantine rulers, and immerse yourself in the rich stories that helped the cathedrals come to be.