What you need to know before visiting Positano
How to get there
The best way to arrive for your first time visit is by ferry. Leave from Salerno so that you can take in all the views from the Almafi Coast before reaching beautiful Positano.
For optimal views, get in line for the ferry early so that you can get a seat on the top level. Try getting a seat on the right side of the boat so you don’t have to look past people to see the coast.
If taking a ferry isn’t your style, take the train to Naples and arrange for a car service to take you to Positano.
I absolutely do not recommend you drive to Positano. Driving in the Almafi Coast is very stressful and dangerous if you aren’t used to fast, winding roads.
Arriving in Positano
When you get off the ferry, there will be no road access, only the beach, shops, and LOTS of stairs. Hire a porter (they will be waiting by the dock and wearing blue) to take your luggage to where you are staying. This can cost anywhere from a few euros to about ten euros. Trust me, though, you DO NOT want to carry your luggage to the top. I made that mistake. Thought I would pass out right there on the streets of Positano carrying my overstuffed suitcase up many flights of stairs.
You will need to walk about 15 mins from the dock to the Piazza die Mulini where you can find a taxi and local bus. Depending where you are going, expect to pay 15-30 euros for a taxi ride. While the bus only cost about 1.30 euros, it will be VERY crowded (especially around dinner, expect to be squeezed in TIGHT) and there will be long lines to get on the bus.
Getting Around Positano
Once you are settled in Positano and ready to explore, you can get around via taxi, walking, or their local bus system.
As I just mentioned, the bus gets incredibly crowded and sometimes actually unbearable. Expect to wait in line as long as an hour during dinner time. After spending the day at the beach, we tried to get on the bus so that we could ready for dinner. Big mistake haha. We ended up getting pizza near the bus stop and people watched (and still had an amazing time).
Dining in Positano
Italians are known for eating dinner late. No, I’m not talking about a midnight dinner like Spain, but there will be no nice geriatric dinners at 5pm.
While in Positano, plan on dining at the earliest 7:30pm each night. Optimally, shoot for around 8pm.
Most importantly, don’t forget to make reservations! The best restaurants require reservations and sometimes they don’t offer walk in seating. They do this so that they can make sure they have enough food for the evening because you can be sure that everything will be made fresh!