Positano: Day Trips and Tours from Salerno

Positano clings to the hills of Italy’s famous Amalfi Coast, creating breathtaking scenes that draw visitors from all around the world. Positano is the final town on this legendary slither of coastline — providing a fitting end to your exploration of the Amalfi Coast during a Positano day trip from Salerno.

But this stunning seaside town offers more than just great looks, with activities like the “Path of the Gods” hike as well as delicious restaurants, great coffee shops and laid-back bars just begging to be enjoyed with a limoncello.

Here's all you need to know about Positano, one of the most exciting day trips from Salerno.

How to get to Positano from Salerno?

Positano is located just north of Salerno, on the western edge of the famous Amalfi Coast.

From Salerno to Positano by car

If you have the means, it’s quite easy to explore Positano and the Amalfi Coast by car. Leave Salerno using the SS18 and staying close to the coastline and you’ll see the entire Amalfi Coast as well as Positano. The amazing scenic drive is just over 40 kilometers long and will take about 1.5 hours to complete.

Guided tour to Positano from Salerno

A guided tour from Salerno to Positano is one of the best ways of traveling to this stunning town while also seeing the rest of the Amalfi Coast. This way, you won't have to worry about the logistics and stress that go along with renting a car, and you’ll have an experienced guide taking you to all of the best sights while avoiding overcrowded spots.

What is the typical itinerary?

The typical itinerary of a Positano day trip will depend on the type of tour that you purchase. Generally, more affordable tours will visit free locations and have more people accompanying them than the more expensive and exclusive tours.

Saying this, your trip will almost always start with a hotel pickup, even during the do-it-yourself tours. From here, you’ll leave Salerno behind and journey to the famed Amalfi Coast — culminating with the splendor of Positano.

Along the first leg of the route, you’ll visit the stunning villages of Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani and Amalfi — usually with a stop at Amalfi to explore the picturesque town that lends its name to the coastline.

Next, you’ll continue on the second leg of your journey, visiting the idyllic villages of Conca dei Marini and Praiano before stopping at the main destination of Positano. Depending on the duration of your tour, you may choose to go hiking “The Path of the Gods” or climb the 1,750-plus stairs of Positano.

What better way to reward such a rigorous workout than with a delicious lunch at one of the many great restaurants — or an icy limoncello at an establishment with breathtaking views of the bay? Either way, you’ll head back to Salerno with the memories of a day well spent.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Positano?

The Amalfi Coast and Positano are immensely popular destinations, meaning that you’ll enjoy a wide selection of tours to the town and region.

Full-day Positano self-guided tour from Salerno

This is the perfect day tour for a solo traveler on a budget — or travelers who want to enjoy the freedom of exploring Positano and the Amalfi Coast on their own. Although most of your transport for the day will be taken care of, you’ll still need to travel to Salerno’s maritime station on your own.

From here, your day of discovery will depart as you set off for your first destination — Amalfi. Walk the streets of this enchanting town before traveling to the captivating island of Capri. After enjoying a couple of hours on the island, travel to Positano where you’ll spend your time exploring its winding stairs before heading back home.

Positano plus Amalfi Coast guided group tour from Salerno

A guided tour is a great way of ensuring you visit all the must-see attractions on your journey to Positano. Your passionate guide will lead your group through all of the iconic cliff-side villages that dot the Amalfi Coast — before stopping for a well-earned lunch in Positano.

Brave the stairs all the way up to the Spiaggia Grande to enjoy a jaw-dropping view of this legendary coastline — and then make your way back to your tour group and guide for the ride back to Salerno.

Small group boat tour to Positano plus Amalfi Coast from Salerno

What better way to explore and experience the splendor of Positano and the Amalfi Coast than with a small group boat tour along the shore? Your guide and captain will welcome you onto his “gozzo” — the low and squat vessels with a large sundeck that the Amalfi Coast is famous for — with a warm smile and a cold refreshment.

Setting sail, you’ll travel along the Amalfi Coast before stopping at Positano to rediscover your land legs and take in the view from the Spiaggia Grande.

Private full-day tour to Positano from Salerno

Positano is all about doing things with style — and you won’t get much more stylish than a private full-day tour to Positano from Salerno. You’ll be the only people on this trip and your guide and driver will take you to some of the best-kept secrets along the way.

Because this is a private tour you’ll also enjoy the ability to determine the itinerary — a great option if you want to add a visit to Pompeii, Paestum or Mount Vesuvius.

How much does a day trip to Positano from Salerno cost?

Day trips to Positano from Salerno tend to cost between €75 and €150 per person, depending on the type of tour.

A full-day Positano self-guided tour from Salerno will cost €75 per person, making it the cheapest option by far. You will, however, have to make your own travel arrangements to and from the maritime station in Salerno.

A Positano and Amalfi Coast guided group tour will cost around €100 per person, providing a great balance between cost and experience. That being said, you will be part of a large group of up to 30 people.

A small group boat tour to Positano and the Amalfi Coast from Salerno will cost €160 per person — and this includes some refreshments on board as well as some light snacks. Your tour group will be limited to 12 people, making it a great option for couples, families or groups of friends.

A private full-day tour to Positano from Salerno will cost between €75 and €275 per person, depending on the size of the group. The maximum number of people on the outing is 8, meaning the larger the group, the lower the cost per head.

What will you see and do?

Positano

Positano is a sight to behold as colorful villas make their perilous way up beautiful cliffs — whilst towering above the azure water of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Apart from the swanky restaurants and bars that it’s famous for, you may also enjoy a hike along its shore — or give yourself a bit of a workout by climbing its seemingly never-ending stairs for a stunning vista of this famous cliffside village.

Amalfi Coast

Featuring 13 awe-inspiring villages along 50 kilometers of coastline, this slither of shoreline is arguably the most famous in the world. A day spent exploring the Amalfi Coast will take you from one stunning vista to the next — with delicious restaurants and stylish bars interspersed in between.

Capri

The island of Capri has been synonymous with the rich and powerful since ancient Roman times — with the Roman Emperors making Capri their favorite home away from home. It’s easy to understand why, with the island’s sophistication lending it an aura you won't find anywhere else.

Mount Vesuvius

It’s impossible to escape the brooding presence of Mount Vesuvius while in Campania — with the active volcano forever impacting history and the local landscape, most notably for the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today, visitors may travel all the way to the rim of this giant, peering into its fiery bowels.

When is the best time to visit Positano?

The best time to visit Positano is spring (May to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the temperatures are mild and pleasant. The summer months, particularly July and August, are the hottest and can be quite crowded. In the shoulder seasons, you'll experience better weather and fewer tourists.

Are there any tours to Positano from other cities in Italy?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Italy:

• Day trips to Positano from Naples
• Day trips to Positano from Amalfi
• Positano day tour from Sorrento
• Day tours to Positano from Rome

Travel tips

• Positano is built on steep hills, which means lots of stairs and uneven cobblestone streets. Wear comfortable shoes and pack light.
• Positano and the Amalfi Coast are known for their delicious cuisine. Try local specialties like fresh seafood dishes and delightful pastas.
• Especially in the summer months, it can get quite hot. Make sure to drink plenty of water, particularly if you're doing a lot of walking.