Luxury Villas in Positano

How to get around Positano on a luxury holiday

We actively discourage coming to Positano by car for your luxury holiday. There is just one one-way road running through the village, there is no free parking, and there are so few paid parking options, that trying to find a parking space tends to be time-consuming, expensive and tedious!

Instead, make your way to Positano by taxi, bus or boat. Once in Positano, the only way to get around is to walk. The village is built on a hillside, so be prepared for lots of steps. There is an orange Interno bus which does a loop of the village starting and finishing at the Piazza dei Mulini. But expect it to fill up quickly, so plan accordingly.

Best areas to stay on a luxury holiday in Positano

Positano is a village built into steep cliffs. If you don’t want to be constantly up and down steps, choosing the right location for your luxury villa rental in Positano is vital.

The historic centre around the Spiaggia Grande and Piazza Mulini is the lowest and flattest part of the town. If you want to avoid incessant climbs and be close to the beach and port, this is the perfect location for you. It’s also a good option for first-time visitors to Positano.

Opt for a luxury holiday villa in Positano’s east side – La Sponda – and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the pastel coloured buildings cascading down the hillside. Casa Torre and Casa Piccola are both luxury villa rentals in Positano perfect for couples, which are located here.

Alternatively, head for the higher setting of Positano’s western flank around Fornillo and Chiesa Nuova. Whilst it involves more of a climb, you will be rewarded with the most terrific sunsets and fewer crowds.

Finally, if you are in search of peace and quiet, choose to base yourself in a luxury villa rental near Positano such as Villa Positano. Situated 7 km from Positano, in the village of Colli di San Pietro, it is the perfect home to come back to after the hustle, bustle and crowded streets of the village.

Amenities for your luxury holiday in Positano

Luxury villas for large families

If you’re planning a multi-generational family holiday, then a great option could be co-located holiday villas in Positano. Opt for the parents and children to sleep in Casa Angela or Villa Chi, both 2-bedroom villas with incredible sea views, whilst the grandparents can enjoy the peace and quiet of Casa Torre, once a 13th-century watchtower.

All three villas share the same communal facilities including a private beach and swimming pool. Alternatively, if you’re happy to all be under the same roof, opt for the luxurious Villa Grande. With 5 bedrooms, it can sleep up to 10 comfortably and boasts both an indoor and outdoor pool.

Luxury villas with beach access

Beaches on the Amalfi Coast are typically small and therefore tend to be crowded with holidaymakers in the Summer season. As a result, there is nothing more luxurious than discovering luxury villas in Positano with private beach access such as Villa Grande.

Luxury villas within walking distance of restaurants 

Whilst Positano tends to be packed with holidaymakers during the day, it can be surprisingly quiet both early in the morning and in the evening. Casa Piccola is just a short stroll away from your morning espresso or your delicious dinner in the heart of the village once the crowds have gone home.

Things to do on a luxury holiday in Positano

Positano’s hillside streets are lined with a number of charming independent boutiques where you can shop for locally made souvenirs. These include limoncello, custom-made leather sandals and pezza di Positano. These are traditional clothes made from cotton, silk or linen. And pick up a Sfogliatella at Pinauro, a bakery famous for introducing this sweet treat to the town over two centuries ago.

Learn more about the ancient history of Positano in the town’s museum. This is situated close to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The majolica-tiled dome of  the church is visible almost everywhere you go in Positano, whilst the church itself is home to a Byzantine-inspired 18th-century icon of a Black Madonna.

After that, cool off on Positano’s beach. The Spiaggia Grande stretches 300 metres, making it one of the largest along the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Expect plenty of glitz and glamour at the busy beach club here.

If you’re looking to find a quieter spot to sunbathe while on your luxury holiday, head along the footpath that leads from the Spiaggia Grande to Positano’s Fornillo Beach. Or, make the most of Positano’s sea taxi service to transport you to one of the picturesque bays along the Amalfi Coast – Clavel, Cavone or Remmese – which can only be accessed from the water.

Before you leave, make sure you head to the top of Positano and climb up Montepertuso. The terrific views over Positano and nearby Praiano will more than reward you for the effort.

Frequently asked questions about booking a luxury holiday villa in Positano

How do you get from Naples to Positano using public transport?

The most direct and scenic way to get to your luxury villa rental in Positano from Naples is by taking the seasonal high-speed ferry from the Mole Beverello port. Depending on the service you choose, the journey takes anything from 35 minutes to 2 hours. Since this service is seasonal, in the off-season you can instead take the high-speed train from Naples Central Station to Salerno, where you can catch a ferry directly to Positano. Alternatively, take the train to Sorrento and then catch a bus, boat or take a taxi from here.

Are the stairs in Positano really that bad?

If you have mobility issues, you will find Positano challenging to navigate. One option to ease access from the port is to take the 4-minute flat walk from the Spiaggia Grande and port area to the Piazza dei Mulini. Here you can catch the shuttle bus to the upper streets of the town, from where the walk back is all downhill.

What is the best time to visit Positano?

Positano has a reputation for being one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. But this does mean that it can get extremely busy. Summer crowd numbers are fuelled by cruise ships bringing visitors in each day. As a result, we recommend you avoid visiting in July and August and instead explore in the quieter shoulder months of Spring and Autumn.