Situated in a superb spot which opens out southwards to the centre of a vast gulf, stretching from the Germano tip in the east to Capo Sottile in the west, Positano is one of the famous and popular seaside resort of the Amalfi coastline. An ancient fishing village nestling on the southern slopes of the Monti Lattari, it is crowned to the north by the steep slopes of Monte Comune and Monte S. Angelo in Tre Pizzi, between which snakes a deep valley falling away to the sea. Positano’s origins date back to the inhabitants of Paestum who, around the tenth century, took refuge in a Benedictine abbey, where the hid from the Saracens who had destroyed their city.
As the natural disposition of the new site made it much easier to defend, the refugees established a new city there. Within a few decades, Positano had become a maritime centre of Amalfi. At the beginning of this century, its particularly lovely setting and mild climate began to attract tourist, initially Pathenopean aristocrats, who built some villas on the slopes of Monte Comune. In more recent years, the city’s hotels and sports facilities have been upgraded, thus allowing a grater development of tourism, which is currently the main activity of the people of Positano.
The oldest part of the town has preserved the typical aspect of a seafaring village, with its staged terraces descending toward the sea, and houses in the characteristic cubic shape, separated by narrow little streets most of which are marked with steps. The backbone of the area is via Pasitea, which is an extremely windy street. The little Flavio Gioia square, from which one can enjoy a magnificent view, is the centre of the town: on to it looks the church of S. Maria Assunta, with its great majolica cupola in geometric patterns.
From the square one goes down to the clifframed beach of the Marina Grande. On the other side of the town, looking west, the beach of Fornillo opens out just beyond a tract of rocky coast. To the east Positano lie the highly accessible beaches of La Porta, Ciumicello and Arienzo. The area surrounding Positano is full of extremely attractive spots. Near Punto Germano the coast road passes over a deep fissure in the rock with a precarious little bridge called “Ponte dei Libri” (Bridge of books). The name comes from the regular stratification of the rock walls which seem like leaves of enormous tomes superimposed on one another and which one can see better by climbing down the valley via a path
Leaving Positano for Amalfi, the road runs high above the sea, passing the two charming villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle on the left. On the slopes of Monte S. Angelo in Tre Pizzi, stands the imposing “Arco Naturale”, which is particularly beautiful in the morning as the rays of the rising sun fall upon it. Near Punta S. Pietro is found the eponymous church which commands a grand and truly splendid view of the coast and the island of Capri, which can be seen protruding from behind Punta Campanella. From Positano trips can be made to Monte S. Angelo in Tre Pizzi and Monte Comune, while one can also test one’s strength in an arduous climb down the steep spurs which fall sharply away to the sea.
Shopping in Positano – Boutiques
Quality fashion tailoring is an activity that has distinguished Positano since the end of the 50's when, with the creation of the bikini, innovative swimming costume, the town on the Amalfi coast became famous in Italy and throughout the world. Today production is wide ranging and offers a great variety of clothing: including typical garments for the seaside, wraparound skirts, beach robes, bags and Bermudas, to the more formal afternoon clothes or elegant evening dress and even very special wedding dresses. Bright, cheerful patterns, brilliant colours and the use of absolutely natural materials, linen, gauze or cotton, characterise Positano fashion. After a phase in the 1950s and 60's, in which Hawaiian-inspired designs predominated, during the 70's plain-coloured gauze took over, instead today, patterns that portray Mediterranean plants prevail, lemons, flowers and leaves, "borrowed" from the luxuriant
natural surroundings. So, pleasant little shops cheer the lanes of the centre and are a must for the many tourists who come to the town all the year round. Apart from its skilled tailors, Positano is outstanding for its famous cobblers, able to create the typical Positano sandals hand-made to measure while you wait in front of the shop: with names like "spider", "monk", flipflops, wooden or cork clogs and the very comfortable canvas mules, with string soles.
Our favourite boutiques in Positano
BON BON - web site: http://www.bonbonsrl.it
LA BOTTEGA DI BRUNELLA - web site: http://www.brunella.it
LUISA POSITANO - web site : http://www.luisapositano.it/
MARIA LAMPO - web site: http://www.marialampo.it
What to see in Positano
Positano preserves many artistic and archaeological treasures, for example, the ruins of a Roman villa, or the three defence towers that were built by the Viceroy of Spain - Peter from Toledo in the 16th century.
Dont miss to visit:
The Collegiate of the S. Maria Assunta
Romanesque, built in 1200 AD, it holds a precius Sacred Treasure, the "Circumcision" (painting) by Santafede of the XV century, and on the main alter the Byzantine icon of Black Madonna with Child which legend say that came to Positano, on the wave of the sea. Its original structure was almost completely rebuilt in 1700. The impressive inside wall painting in the dome dictates the church, which is divided by pillars, into three separate aisles.
The Siren's Rocks (Li Galli Islands)
In front of Positano are the Rocks of the Sirens or even the sirens themselves, who humiliated by Ulysses died of pain... the mariners of the places tell that on the days of the Scirocco wind, you can still hear singing! Easily reachable by boat from Positano harbor.
And, for those who love the night dont miss the famous discoteque “Music on the rocks” (Grotta dell'Incanto - tel +39 089-875874).
Rent a Boat – Excursions
Blue Star Positano – web site : http://www.bluestarpositano.it/inglese/default.htm
Gennaro e Salvatore – web site : http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/english
Lucibello – web site : http://www.lucibello.it
Restaurants in Positano
CANNETO Via G. Marconi +39 089-875881
CHEZ BLACK Via Marina +39 089-875036
COVO DEI SARACENI Via Regina Giovanna +39 089-875400
DA ADOLFO Spiaggia di Laurito +39 089-875022
DA COSTANTINO Via Mons. Saverio Cinque +39 089-875738
DA PUPETTO Spiaggia di Fornillo +39 089-875087
DA VINCENZO Viale Pasitea +39 089-875128
LA MARINELLA Via Positanesi d'America +39 089-811843
LE SIRENE Spiaggia di Laurito +39 089-875490
LE TRE SORELLE Via Marina +39 089-875452
LO GUARRACINO Via Positanesi d'America +39 089-875794
O' CAPORALE Via Regina Giovanna +39 089-875374
SANTA CROCE Loc. Nocelle +39 089-875319
SARACENO D'ORO Viale Pasitea +39 089-875390
Other sights in the area – Driving distances and approximate driving times
Amalfi: 15 km / 10 miles / 22 min.
Ravello: 28 km / 17 miles / 35 min.
Sorrento: 17 km / 11 miles / 24 min.
Praiano: 6 km / 4 miles / 8 min.
Caserta: 82 km / 51 miles / 84 min.
Naples: 60 km / 37 miles / 70 min.
Pompeii: 39 km / 24 miles / 48 min.
Rome: 275 km / 171 miles / 181 min.
Salerno: 41 km / 25 miles / 56 min.
Paestum: 78 km / 48 miles / 100 min.
Castellabate: 106 km / 66 miles / 120 min.
Marina di Camerota: 168km / 105 miles / 183 min.
As the natural disposition of the new site made it much easier to defend, the refugees established a new city there. Within a few decades, Positano had become a maritime centre of Amalfi. At the beginning of this century, its particularly lovely setting and mild climate began to attract tourist, initially Pathenopean aristocrats, who built some villas on the slopes of Monte Comune. In more recent years, the city’s hotels and sports facilities have been upgraded, thus allowing a grater development of tourism, which is currently the main activity of the people of Positano.
The oldest part of the town has preserved the typical aspect of a seafaring village, with its staged terraces descending toward the sea, and houses in the characteristic cubic shape, separated by narrow little streets most of which are marked with steps. The backbone of the area is via Pasitea, which is an extremely windy street. The little Flavio Gioia square, from which one can enjoy a magnificent view, is the centre of the town: on to it looks the church of S. Maria Assunta, with its great majolica cupola in geometric patterns.
From the square one goes down to the clifframed beach of the Marina Grande. On the other side of the town, looking west, the beach of Fornillo opens out just beyond a tract of rocky coast. To the east Positano lie the highly accessible beaches of La Porta, Ciumicello and Arienzo. The area surrounding Positano is full of extremely attractive spots. Near Punto Germano the coast road passes over a deep fissure in the rock with a precarious little bridge called “Ponte dei Libri” (Bridge of books). The name comes from the regular stratification of the rock walls which seem like leaves of enormous tomes superimposed on one another and which one can see better by climbing down the valley via a path
Leaving Positano for Amalfi, the road runs high above the sea, passing the two charming villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle on the left. On the slopes of Monte S. Angelo in Tre Pizzi, stands the imposing “Arco Naturale”, which is particularly beautiful in the morning as the rays of the rising sun fall upon it. Near Punta S. Pietro is found the eponymous church which commands a grand and truly splendid view of the coast and the island of Capri, which can be seen protruding from behind Punta Campanella. From Positano trips can be made to Monte S. Angelo in Tre Pizzi and Monte Comune, while one can also test one’s strength in an arduous climb down the steep spurs which fall sharply away to the sea.
Shopping in Positano – Boutiques
Quality fashion tailoring is an activity that has distinguished Positano since the end of the 50's when, with the creation of the bikini, innovative swimming costume, the town on the Amalfi coast became famous in Italy and throughout the world. Today production is wide ranging and offers a great variety of clothing: including typical garments for the seaside, wraparound skirts, beach robes, bags and Bermudas, to the more formal afternoon clothes or elegant evening dress and even very special wedding dresses. Bright, cheerful patterns, brilliant colours and the use of absolutely natural materials, linen, gauze or cotton, characterise Positano fashion. After a phase in the 1950s and 60's, in which Hawaiian-inspired designs predominated, during the 70's plain-coloured gauze took over, instead today, patterns that portray Mediterranean plants prevail, lemons, flowers and leaves, "borrowed" from the luxuriant
natural surroundings. So, pleasant little shops cheer the lanes of the centre and are a must for the many tourists who come to the town all the year round. Apart from its skilled tailors, Positano is outstanding for its famous cobblers, able to create the typical Positano sandals hand-made to measure while you wait in front of the shop: with names like "spider", "monk", flipflops, wooden or cork clogs and the very comfortable canvas mules, with string soles.
Our favourite boutiques in Positano
BON BON - web site: http://www.bonbonsrl.it
LA BOTTEGA DI BRUNELLA - web site: http://www.brunella.it
LUISA POSITANO - web site : http://www.luisapositano.it/
MARIA LAMPO - web site: http://www.marialampo.it
What to see in Positano
Positano preserves many artistic and archaeological treasures, for example, the ruins of a Roman villa, or the three defence towers that were built by the Viceroy of Spain - Peter from Toledo in the 16th century.
Dont miss to visit:
The Collegiate of the S. Maria Assunta
Romanesque, built in 1200 AD, it holds a precius Sacred Treasure, the "Circumcision" (painting) by Santafede of the XV century, and on the main alter the Byzantine icon of Black Madonna with Child which legend say that came to Positano, on the wave of the sea. Its original structure was almost completely rebuilt in 1700. The impressive inside wall painting in the dome dictates the church, which is divided by pillars, into three separate aisles.
The Siren's Rocks (Li Galli Islands)
In front of Positano are the Rocks of the Sirens or even the sirens themselves, who humiliated by Ulysses died of pain... the mariners of the places tell that on the days of the Scirocco wind, you can still hear singing! Easily reachable by boat from Positano harbor.
And, for those who love the night dont miss the famous discoteque “Music on the rocks” (Grotta dell'Incanto - tel +39 089-875874).
Rent a Boat – Excursions
Blue Star Positano – web site : http://www.bluestarpositano.it/inglese/default.htm
Gennaro e Salvatore – web site : http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/english
Lucibello – web site : http://www.lucibello.it
Restaurants in Positano
CANNETO Via G. Marconi +39 089-875881
CHEZ BLACK Via Marina +39 089-875036
COVO DEI SARACENI Via Regina Giovanna +39 089-875400
DA ADOLFO Spiaggia di Laurito +39 089-875022
DA COSTANTINO Via Mons. Saverio Cinque +39 089-875738
DA PUPETTO Spiaggia di Fornillo +39 089-875087
DA VINCENZO Viale Pasitea +39 089-875128
LA MARINELLA Via Positanesi d'America +39 089-811843
LE SIRENE Spiaggia di Laurito +39 089-875490
LE TRE SORELLE Via Marina +39 089-875452
LO GUARRACINO Via Positanesi d'America +39 089-875794
O' CAPORALE Via Regina Giovanna +39 089-875374
SANTA CROCE Loc. Nocelle +39 089-875319
SARACENO D'ORO Viale Pasitea +39 089-875390
Other sights in the area – Driving distances and approximate driving times
Amalfi: 15 km / 10 miles / 22 min.
Ravello: 28 km / 17 miles / 35 min.
Sorrento: 17 km / 11 miles / 24 min.
Praiano: 6 km / 4 miles / 8 min.
Caserta: 82 km / 51 miles / 84 min.
Naples: 60 km / 37 miles / 70 min.
Pompeii: 39 km / 24 miles / 48 min.
Rome: 275 km / 171 miles / 181 min.
Salerno: 41 km / 25 miles / 56 min.
Paestum: 78 km / 48 miles / 100 min.
Castellabate: 106 km / 66 miles / 120 min.
Marina di Camerota: 168km / 105 miles / 183 min.
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