The Ultimate To-Do List for Positano, Italy
Set on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is the ideal vacation or honeymoon destination—it’s filled with charming shops, lemon trees, and crystal-clear waters for swimming and boating!
What to Do in Positano
1. Shop
Of all the places in Italy, Positano is one of the best for shopping. Every nook you turn to, you’ll find boutiques and shops with the cutest lemon-themed ceramics, bags, and clothing! Whatever you do, be sure to get some lemon candies to take with you back home—they’re delicious and the perfect treat to remember Positano by!
2. Take a Boat Trip to Capri
Dedicating an entire day to boating is the way to go, and though you can technically drive a boat yourself, I would get a private captain. That way, you can see all the best local spots. Capri was a good place to stop by, but it was incredibly busy, and we only walked around for around an hour or so (not before finding the most delicious pistachio chocolates I’ve had in my life, called Pistachio Foyaten).
Our captain was amazing; we were able to swim in beautiful spots, see the Faraglioni rocks, and stop by an incredible place for lunch.
3. Stop by Lo Scoglio for Lunch
This restaurant was undoubtedly one of the best in Italy. It’s been made even more popular by Stanley Tucci, who tried their zucchini pasta and declared it was the best he’s had in his life (which I can confirm is true). The restaurant is seated on the coast of Nerano, and you can take in the beautiful view while eating the freshest seafood and pasta. I highly recommend the spaghetti alla zucchini and the torta caprese for dessert. A bonus: keep your eyes peeled for celebrities (we sat next to Karl Urban for the entirety of our meal and had no clue until he took a picture with the waiters).
4. Go For a Hike
One of the most popular trails is the Path of the Gods, which goes all the way to Bomerano. I can guarantee that you’ll be gasping for breath, but the view is unmatched! Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and make sure you know the trail and where you’re headed.
5. Relax at the Hotel or the Beach
Sometimes, you need a nice chill time on vacation, and Positano has got you covered! The beaches are beautiful, but if you don’t want to pay to sit there, go back to your hotel and lounge by the pool. If you’re looking for a place to stay, I can’t recommend Covo dei Saraceni highly enough—the staff is wonderful, the hotel is idyllic, and you have the best spot with rooms right in the cove!
6. Take a Cooking Class
I took a cooking class in Florence, but I can’t imagine a better way to get to know Positano than through food! They have access to some of the best ingredients in all of Italy—Amalfi lemons, local olives, and fresh seafood and produce.
What to Eat
Though you can probably find a range of Italian dishes in Positano, it’s best to focus on the regional food for authenticity. You can’t go wrong with these:
- Seafood. Positano is right on the coast, so any seafood will be fresh-caught and at their best quality.
- Anything with lemons. My personal favorites were the lemon sorbets (in actual lemons) and lemon candies, but the delizia al limone (lemon delight) is also a popular dessert.
- Pizza. Since Positano is close to Naples, it’s a great place for pizza!
Where to Eat
- Lo Scoglio. You’d have to make a special trip to go here, since it’s in Nerano, but I highly recommend it!
- Chez Black. The desserts weren’t particularly my favorite, but I adored the lemon pasta and entrees!
- Ristorante Max. Great environment and kind workers.
- Da Vincenzo.
- Saraceno d’Oro. Keep in mind that you’ll most likely be seated outside (right next to a busy street), and the waiters will walk your food across the road. If you’re not looking for a busy atmosphere, this one’s probably not for you.
Tips and Tricks:
- Either go before May or after August. These are the least busy seasons and will allow the city to be as uncrowded as possible.
- Be prepared for some exercise. Positano is located on the side of a cliff, which means any walking around will involve a ton of stairs.
- Explore Positano later in the day or at night. Positano is expensive to stay in, so most people during for the day and leave at sunset. As a result, it will be packed. I recommend doing something during the day, like a boat tour, especially if you came during a tourist-heavy season.
Hope you guys liked these tips—enjoy your trip and leave a comment!
