Activities in Positano
…pick a favorite place along the shore, pop a bottle of prosecco, and watch the sun sink into the sea. The hardest part might be selecting a spot. The Amalfi Coast resembles the most seductive Italian suitor: completely irresistible.
Source – Harper's Bazaar
EAT
CASA E BOTTEGA
Breakfast/Lunch
Via Pasitea, 100
Positano, Italy
Looking for a good breakfast or lunch spot? Casa e Bottega is an extraordinary eatery that will satisfy the most difficult of tastes. This daintily decorated restaurant is also a paradise for vegans and vegetarians, and the owners are two committed ladies who only use the best organic ingredients in their dishes.
Insider Tip: Make it a point to drop by for breakfast or lunch and splurge on a variety of breakfast items to get the full experience. Like the decor? They have a point of sale display!
DA ADOLFO
Lunch (Day Trip)
40 Via Laurito
Laurito, Italy
Family-owned for more than 40 years, this beachfront restaurant is a little more than a wooden terrace set in a secluded cove on the Amalfi Coast. A steep set of 450 stairs leads down to Da Adolfo from the town of Laurito, but the restaurant also provides a free shuttle boat from the nearby Positano pier. On the covered, open-air terrace, a chalkboard menu advertises specialties like grilled mozzarella over lemon leaves, totani con patate (squid cooked with potatoes and garlic), and local wine served with sliced peaches. The restaurant also rents umbrellas and lounge chairs for after-lunch swimming and sunbathing.
Insider Tip: Book a table through your hotel concierge (the restaurant does not accept personal reservations), and arrive early to snag a lounge chair—most are occupied by 11:30 a.m.
LA CAMBUSA
Lunch/Dinner
24 Piazza A. Vespucci
Positano, 84017, Italy
Each morning, the chefs of La Cambusa purchase fresh fish and seafood from local fishermen and turn them into dishes like octopus salad, spaghetti with sautéed mussels, and linguini with lobster. The peach and orange restaurant also specializes in raw, carpaccio recipes of tuna, salmon, and sea bass. Located on the main beach of Positano, in the shadow of the church dome of St. Maria Assunta, the canopied outdoor patio is the most popular seating option owing to its panoramic views of the bay and harbor.
Insider Tip: Unless very hungry, the portion-sizes at La Cambusa are quite large and can usually satisfy two people.
LA CONCA DEL SOGNO
Lunch/Dinner
9 Via San Marciano, La Conca del Sogno Hotel
Massa Lubrense, Italy 80061
Built in a former stone quarry, this family-owned restaurant has an outdoor terrace that juts out over the Gulf of Salerno, providing views of the surrounding cliffs and the yachts floating on the water below. This restaurant is located between Sorrento and Positano and can be reached by boat. This partially covered restaurant includes white-clothed tables, wooden chairs, and colorful potted flowers. The menu emphasizes fresh seafood, with options including linguini with clams, salt-and-pepper shrimp, and the grilled catch of the day, paired with peach-infused white wine from the Campania region.
LO GUARRACINO
Lunch/Dinner
Via Positanesi d’America
Positano, Italy
On the scenic path connecting Positano’s two beaches, this a memorable place to eat even if you’re more likely to remember the views than the straightforward food. The menu is seafood-heavy, with dishes like tagliatelle verdi ai frutti di mare (green pasta with seafood). Pizzas and steaks add variety. It’s popular, so try to book ahead.
RISTORANTE LA SPONDA
Lunch/Dinner
Via S. Sebastiano, 2
Positano, Italy, 84017
Located at the famous Le Sirenuse Hotel, this MICHELIN star rated restaurant is frequented by the rich and famous. If you are looking for a higher-end, memorable meal, book a reservation at this famous hot spot.
Insider Tip: Interested in checking out the famous Le Sirenuse Hotel without the heavy dinner price tag? Grab a drink (with a view!) at Le Sirenuse's Franco's Bar. This roof terrace is inspired by the golden age of cocktails and signature bubbles.
CHEZ BLACK
Lunch/Dinner
Located next to Rada Restaurant (listed below), Chez Black is a Positano staple that has been around since 1949. Located right on the water, the restaurant serves incredible lunch and dinner cuisine with a breathtaking view.
RADA RESTAURANT
Dinner
Via Grotte dell'incanto 51, 84017
Positano, Italy
Savor the delicious menu of Rada Restaurant. Known for their "art on a plate," Rada offers creative Mediterranean cuisine and tempting preparations of sushi! Rada is located on the beautiful beach of Marina Grande in Positano.
Insider Tip: Make a reservation around sunset to experience the incredible views from this magical restaurant.
NEXT2
Dinner
242 Viale Pasitea
Positano, 84017 , Italy
Positano’s most stylish bar and restaurant serves freshly made, regionally sourced dishes—like fried ravioli with ricotta and mozzarella on a bed of fresh tomatoes—in a slick interior with floor cushions and a softly lit courtyard.
RISTORANTE MAX
Dinner
Piazza dei Mulini, 22, 84017
Positano, Italy
It’s one of the most beautiful settings on the Amalfi Coast, Max’s is a cozy wine bar and terrace restaurant located on a charming alleyway no more than two-shoulders wide in central Positano. A series of staircases wrapped in white plastering leads to a one-door entryway flanked by small lounge and hostess nook. A mix of wine bar and casual bistro-style restaurant, a rotating menu of seasonal specialties is served in the dining room and lounge.
RISTORANTE BUCCA DI BACCO
Dinner
Via Rampa Teglia, 4 Main Beach Marina Grande, 84017
Positano Italy
Located at the Hotel Buucca di Bacco, this local favorite offers simple, wholesome foods that reflect the flavors and vibrancy of the Amalfi Coast.
Insider Tip: Interested in an Italian Cooking Class? Hotel Bucca di Bacco offers afternoon cooking classes where you can learn the culinary techniques native to the Amalfi Coast.
DONNA ROSA
Dinner
Via Montepertuso, 97/99
84017 Positano, Italy
After a day sizzling in the Positano sun, there’s nothing better than taking a 20-minute ride up to the mountain hamlet of Montepertuso for the cool breezes and the refined, inventive cooking of the Villani sisters. This is everybody’s favorite secret countryside trattoria, removed from the hustle and crowds of the resort towns. Mother and daughter whip up homemade-pasta dishes like caramelle di aragosta, tiny tortellini stuffed with lobster, using the freshest of ingredients. In nice weather, if you book ahead, you might snag one of the two tables on the small terrace to dine alfresco.
DRINK
BAR PASTICCERIA LA ZAGARA
8/10 Via Mulini
Positano , 84017 , Italy
Built into a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, this full-service bar has a bright, simple interior and an outdoor wooden terrace, shaded by a canopy of thick-green vines. Set amid orange and lemon groves, the terrace provides panoramic views of the Gulf of Salerno and the majolica dome of the Chiesa Madre (Mother Church). In addition to classic cocktails like the Bellini, the bar also serves pizzas, fresh salads, homemade gelato, and pastries such as the delizia al limone (sponge cake with lemon Chantilly cream). During summertime, it hosts live music ranging from traditional Neapolitan to upbeat disco.
Insider Tip: Menu prices vary depending on where you sit (counter, table, or terrace), so keep that in mind when you arrive.
CHAMPAGNE BAR AT LE SIRENUSE
30 Via Cristoforo Colombo
Positano, Italy
Part of the 18th-century seaside villa that houses Le Sirenuse hotel, this upscale bar is set on an open-air terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding hills. Classic jazz music fills the space, which is decorated with candlelit mosaic tables, cushioned wicker chairs, and white roses planted in heavy stone pots. Famed Venetian glassblower Carlo Moretti supplies the flutes for the bar’s rare vintage champagnes, while his sister Costanza Paravicini creates the ceramic plates for raw oysters and other fresh seafood. On summer evenings, a live DJ spins more upbeat tunes, creating a party-like atmosphere.
Insider Tip: While at the hotel, don’t miss the opportunity to dine at La Sponda restaurant. Just remember to reserve a table in the dining room, which is illuminated by 400 candles.
FRANCO'S BAR AR LE SIRENUSE
30 Via Cristoforo Colombo
Positano, Italy
The newest member of the family Le Sirenuse, Franco's Bar is a roof terrace which is inspired by the golden age of cocktails and signature bubbles. The furniture and works of art that adorn the space, commissioned by a number of local and international talent, pay tribute to Franco Sersale, a fine collector whose stylistic imprint is evident in every corner of the hotel.
MUSIC ON THE ROCKS
51 Via Grotte dell’Incanto
Positano, Italy
A perennial stalwart of the coast’s quiet nightlife scene, this cavelike dance club with occasional live acts lies at the far end of Positano’s main beach. Soft lighting, curvaceous padded benches, and white columns give it an ancient Roman bacchanal aura. It’s the usual mix of house, hip-hop, and techno tunes, drawing the expected youthful clientele—though, as one of only two nightclubs on the entire coast, in summer it also draws middle-aged tourists looking for a night out, along with the occasional celebrity. In the early evenings it’s more of a piano bar and restaurant. On weekends the party doesn’t really start hopping until after midnight.
DO
BEACH
Spiaggia Grande – This is Positano’s largest and longest beach. Lined with restaurants, bars, and even a disco (“Music on the Rocks”), Spiaggia Grande is the heart of the Positano’s social life. Popular with tourists and locals alike, this beach is also where you can take in the entire view of the town… and it’s breathtaking! This beach is half-public (with no shower) and half-private (around $15 for lounge chair, umbrella, shower facilities, and drink service).
Fornillo beach – This is a short 10-minute walk along Via dei Positanesi d’America, the route that connects Fornillo and the main town. There is also a free boat shuttle to the beach from Positano’s main pier.
There are also a few other beaches nearby!
COOKING CLASSES
There are many different options for cooking classes! Here are a few that were recommended to me.
Ravello
MAMMA AGATA – This is the best known cooking class in the area. Talented and experienced chef Mamma Agata hosts this class in a state-of-the-art kitchen on her terrace overlooking Ravello. Following expert demonstrations, you’ll use regional ingredients to make traditional dishes including antipasti, pastas, breads, main courses and desserts. After class, you eat your meal while enjoying local wines and homemade liquors from the Amalfi region. There are no cooking classes on Saturdays and Sundays and the cost is €250. It’s almost impossible to get a vacant date, so book ahead! For more info visit – http://www.mammaagata.com/cooking-class.aspx
Positano
BUCCA DI BACCO – In this cooking class participants will learn about classic Neapolitan and Positanese recipes. Classes are held in the open kitchen of the Ristorante Buca di Bacco and start at 3:30pm and last two hours, finishing at 5:30pm with a tasting of the dishes prepared. You will usually make an appetizer, homemade pasta (like gnocchi) with two different kind of sauce, a second course and a dessert. Pricing includes a cookbook with main traditional recipes, personalized pens, aprons, bags and a welcome drink! At the end, you will enjoy the fruit of your labor in the restaurant overlooking the beach. Cost per person is of Euro 120.00 euro per person. For reservations, please send an email to info@bucadibacco.it
DONNA ROSA – Take a cooking class with Mamma Raffaella and her daughters Erika and Rosida. They will share with you the tricks and secrets of the authentic and traditional local cooking, both from the region of Campania and the rest of Italy. Cooking classes are everyday except for Tuesdays and start at 10.30 a.m. and are about 2 hours. You will learn how to make homemade pasta: bow ties with zucchine, Ravioli, fettuccine with bolognese sauce and fried pizza. The price includes the lesson, lunch and water. Price per person is 120.00 euro. For more information and reservations please visit – http://www.drpositano.com/
DAY TRIP TO RAVELLO
Perched high on a hilltop overlooking the Amalfi Coast sits Ravello, a medieval village full of winding cobblestone streets, fragrant gardens, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. If you take a trip here make sure you check out Rosellinis if you want to splurge on a meal. This was voted one of the best restaurants in the world with a view. It looks out on the craggy cliffs and coves of the Amalfi Coast, where fishing boats dot the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean 1,000 feet below.
Here is more information on things to do and how to get there.www.wikitravel.org/en/Ravello
SHOP
HANDMADE LEATHER SANDALS
The best souvenir of Positano, at least for women? Handmade, leather sandals. Because they’re made on the spot, they can be designed as you desire (simple straps? Glittering gems? The choice is yours!). And you get to actually watch how these skillful artisans create a pair of sandals… uniquely for you.
Insider’s tip: Stores selling handmade sandals are dotted all over town. Here are a few stores to check out – family-owned La Botteguccia on Via Regina Giovanna 19, and the small, discreet Safari on Via della Tartana 2. Average cost of sandals: about €60.
Artigianato Rallo
The original sandal maker of Positano, Artigianato Rallo is all about attention to detail and quality. You can choose from a variety of leathers, exotics, and heel heights. A third generation Rallo will handcraft your sandals in 30 minutes or less.. From $40 Address – Viale Pasitea 96, Positano.
CERAMICS
From tabletops to tableware to tiles, these handpainted ceramics, available in a gorgeous assortment of designs and colors, are made following centuries-old traditions. Most have their origins in Vietri sul Mare, another lovely Amalfi coast town. But many are sold right here in Positano.
Insider’s tip: Ceramica Assunta on Via C. Colombo 97 boasts a huge selection of ceramics decorated with lemons, animals and intricate designs, making for the perfect souvenirs (or gifts!). They will pack and ship to anywhere in the world!
LIST OF SHOPS TO CHECK OUT!
Maria Lampo
Maria Lampo opened her small business selling made-to-measure trousers just after World War II and soon gained a reputation for super-speedy work (lampo means lightning in Italian). The shop is easy to spot thanks to the 1960s mannequins in the window, and Lampo’s daughters now create the bespoke pieces for women and men (including Dustin Hoffman) in linen and cotton. Via Pasitea 12-16 (00 39 089 875021; www.marialampo.it)
Lo Scrigno di Brunella
Top-quality linen, jersey, cotton gauze, chiffon and silk go into the floaty, easy-to-wear garments at dressmaker Brunella Mandara’s stylish boutique, which first opened in the 1960s. Via Mulini 24-26 (00 39 089 812 3502)
Emporio Le Sirenuse
This classy little boutique is packed with Carla Sersale’s eclectic, very personal selection of clothes, shoes, beachwear and household objects, as well as Le Sirenuse’s own citrussy Eau d’Italie potions. Via Cristoforo Colombo 30 (00 39 089 811468)