Positano
Positano, Romantic City. This is the welcome like the ``that’s amore style`` that the vertical country gives to its inhabitants and visitors from all over the world when arrived.
Positano, like the legendary Sirens of Li Galli, never fails to seduce.
Seen from the sea, Positano is set in a dramatic vertical panorama of colors; the green of the Monti Lattari, the white, pink and yellow of the Mediterranean houses, the silvery grey of its pebble beaches and the blue of the sea.
History
The Ancient Romans built a number of sumptuous villas on the coast of Positano, the ruins of which can be seen in the vicinity of the Church dell’Assunta.
It is believed that the town, the original nucleus of which developed around a Benedictine abbey, was founded in the 9th century.
The town grew considerably following the arrival of inhabitants from Paestum, fleeing Saracen incursions.
After it was pillaged by Pisa in 1268, Positano increased its defenses, becoming similar to its powerful neighbor, Amalfi: with steep narrow roads, massive fortified walls, and a series of all-important watch towers.
Things to see and do in Positano
There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Positano for just about everyone and every kind of holiday. You don’t have to be luxury travelers to fall in love with Positano. In fact, despite its jet-set reputation, we found it to be laid back, comfortable, and a perfect base from which to explore the Amalfi Coast.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Omnipresent in most Positano photos is the colourful majolica-tiled dome of its main church (and the town’s only real sight). If you are visiting at a weekend you will probably have the added perk of seeing a wedding; it’s one of the most popular churches in southern Italy for exchanging vows.
The church is known for a 13th-century Byzantine Black Madonna and Child above the main altar. The icon was supposedly stolen from Constantinople by pirates and smuggled west.
A handsome 18th-century bell tower stands separate from the main church building in the piazza out front.
During restoration works on the square and the crypt, a Roman villa was discovered, but this was still under excavation and closed to the public at the time of writing.
Spiaggia Grande
Spiaggia Grande probably isn’t anyone’s idea of a dream beach, with greyish sand covered by legions of bright umbrellas lined up like parked cars – and expensive cars at that. Hiring a chair and umbrella in the fenced-off areas costs around €20 per person per day (plus extra for showers). Fortunately, the crowded public areas are free and the toilets are spotlessly clean – as is the seawater.
During restoration works on the square and the crypt, a Roman villa was discovered, but this was still under excavation and closed to the public at the time of writing.
The Roman Villa of Positano
The valley in which Positano is located, with its beach, its steep limestone cliffs and its salubrious climate, witnessed the establishment of a sumptuous roman villa designed for “otium” – leisure time – at the end of the 1st century BC.
As part of the Surrentum area (modern Sorrento), the villa was one of a number of luxury villas that had evolved on the Sorrentine peninsula by early Julio-Claudian times.
Villas on the Sorrento peninsula may have become desirable when Tiberius retired to the island of Capri in
26 AD and members of the élite may have wished to be only a short boat-trip away from the imperial court.
The complex at Positano featured a peristyle with, most probably, a central garden and a fountain. This was described in the late eighteenth century by the Swiss architect Karl Weber.
There was a bath quarter, as evidenced by a room with terracotta pipes for radiant heating, as well as one lavishly-decorated room, most probably a triclinium. As with other Roman maritime villas, there may have been two or more levels.
Amalfi Coast Private Experience by Boat
Departure from Positano
Duration: 8 or 4 hours
From: 700 €
A boat trip is the perfect way to discover the beauty of the Amalfi Coast in one day, leaving.
From Positano we will sail through Praiano, Marina di Praia, the famous Fiordo di Furore patrimony of the UNESCO and the beautiful Emerald Grotto.
The cruise follows to Amalfi the glorious Sea republic.
Departure from Positano along the way to Amalfi we will admire the unique scenery of our Amalfi Coast.
Then from our boat we will see: Praiano with the Gavitella beach, the “Grotta Dell ‘Africana” and Marina di Praia, a small fishermen village. It is possible also visit the Emerald Grotto (extra €5 pp cash to be paid directly there), this visit is optional, you can decide with the skipper if you want to visit it or not.
After this the excursion will restart passing through Conca dei Marini, the natural Arch, Amalfi, Atrani with the waterfalls of Marmorata. If you wish you can stop in Amalfi for have some free time to see the center of the town and enjoy a nice walk on the main street visiting the S. Andrea’s Cathedral.
The skipper can also book a table for you in a seaside restaurant along the Coast. You can stop for a swim in the limpid waters of the coast for a refreshing and relaxing bath. We will then return to Positano.
On board you can enjoy a wide selection of drinks available for you.
Capri Private Experience by Boat
Departure from Positano
Duration: 8 or 4 hours
From: 850 €
Departure from Positano * at 09.30 am towards the island of Capri. Along the way we will also pass through the famous island “Li galli” known throughout the world for the famous legend that saw it as the “home” of the mermaids, mysterious creatures that tempted sailors with their soft singing. You will then reach Capri, one of the most famous and requested destinations in Campania.
Then you will visit the most beautiful spots of Capri, such as the White Cave, the Natural Arch, the Faraglioni, one of the most romantic and evocative sceneries of Capri. Arriving at the port you will have the opportunity to choose how much free time you have at your disposal to visit the center of Capri and go shopping, or the sailor will recommend a good restaurant along the coast where you can enjoy a good meal overlooking the sea.
Back on board you will visit the Green Grotto, Punta carena with its lighthouse and the Blue Grotto (extra ticket 15 € pp cash to be paid directly there), this visit is optional, you can visit it or decide with the sailor not to visit it. Your sailor will also be able to advise you of splendid coves where to stop for a bath. On board you can take advantage of a wide selection of drinks available for you.
*we also offer departures from Praiano Marina di Praia (09.30 am to the boarding pier)
Praiano Gavitella (09.30)
Included in the price: soft drinks (water, coca cola, tea), a bottle of Prosecco and beach towels
*This is just an exemple of tour, you can change the itineray based on your need directly with the captain.
*The boarding dock of Positano during the high season time can be really busy, sometimes you can find queue for boarding.
NB: The visit of Blue Grotto is not always possible because the opening of the cave depends by the weather and sea conditions. Our boat will stop at the entrance of the cave, from there you will pass a small rowing boats managed by the Cooperative Battellieri of Capri, the only ones that allow entry into the cave. In high season the queue at the entrance is very long, for this reason the visiti s a group decision.
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Sunset Cruise
Departure from Positano
Duration: 1 hour 30 min
From: 260 €
The sunset cruise is a perfect tour if you wish to spend just few hours on a boat cruising along the Amalfi Coast.
We offer two itineraries:
Departure from Positano/Praiano, cruising along the Coast you’ll arrive until the Li Galli island, a private island.
One of the first owners of the island was the famous Russian dancer Rudolf Hametovic Nureyev who spent its life on the island and used it for important dance events.
You can enjoy the beauty of the islands, three small islands near each other, you’ll stop there and enjoy a nice aperitif on board. On the way back we sail though Testa del Faraone and Punta Germano until Positano.
Departure from Positano/Praiano, cruising along the Coast you’ll see Praiano with la Gavitella beach, Marina di Praia (an old fishermen village) until the famous Fiordo di Furore.
There you can enjoy a nice aperitif on boar with an amazing view on the Capo di Conca (on one side) and Praiano on the other side.
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Li Galli Tour
Departure from Positano
Duration: 3 hours
From: 230 €
Li Galli Tour (daily, cost from 230 € 2/4 px 270€ 5/6 pax :
Tour: Departure from Positano*, to the Li Galli island. The tour lasts three hours.
On the route to get to the Galli island, you will admire the splendid Bay of Fornillo with the two Saracen towers, the Torre Trasita and the Torre Clavel.
Once you arrive at Li Galli island there will be a complete tour of the island and stop for a swim in the clear waters of our coast.
* We also offer departures from:
Praiano Marina di Praia (09:50 – 13.50 at the boarding pier)
Praiano Gavitella (09:55 – 13.55)
Included in the price: soft drinks (water, Coca Cola, tea) and beach towels
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Procida Private Tour
Departure from Positano
Duration: 8 hours
From: 1800 €
Departure from Positano * (09.30), towards the island of Procida.
Along the way we will pass through the bay of Nerano and the island of Capri, one of the most famous destinations in Campania.
Then we will reach Procida, the third largest island in the Neapolitan area.
Procida is also the island of culture, in fact the novel “the island of Arturo” by Elsa Morante is set here. It is also the island where “Il Postino” by Massimo Troisi was filmed.
You will have free time on the island to admire the historic city center. The sailor will also be able to recommend a restaurant on the island for lunch. You will have time for a swim in the beautiful coves of the Campania coast between Positano and Procida.
On board you will find an ice box equipped with water, coca cola, tea and a bottle of Prosecco.
Included in the price soft drinks, a bottle of Prosecco, beach towels
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Ischia Private Tour
Departure from Positano
Duration: 8 hours
From: 1800 €
Departure from Positano * (9.30), towards the island of Ischia. Along the way we will pass through the bay of Nerano and the island of Capri, one of the most famous destinations in Campania.
It will then reach Ischia, an island famous throughout the world for its natural thermal springs, it covers an area of 46 square kilometers and is administratively divided by 6 municipalities: Barano d’Ischia, Casamicciola Terme, Forio d’Ischia, Ischia, Lacco Ameno and Serrara Fontana.
The landing is scheduled in Ischia Porto where you will have three hours of free time on the island to visit the famous Aragonese Castle, which stands on a trachytic rock island connected to the eastern side of the island of Ischia by a masonry bridge 220 meters long, or enjoy some shopping along the main street of Ischia Porto. The sailor will be able to recommend a restaurant on the island for lunch.
You will also have time for a swim in the beautiful coves of the Campania coast between Positano and Ischia. On board you will find an ice box equipped with water, coca cola, tea and a bottle of Prosecco.
* we also offer departures from:
Praiano Marina di Praia 09.30
Praiano Gavitella 09.30
Included in the price soft drinks, a bottle of Prosecco, beach towels
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“Like a dream” Wedding Proposal
Departure from Positano
Duration:1 hour 30 min
From: 450 €
Positano and the Amalfi Coast are known throughout the world not only for their beauty but also for the unique romanticism that these landscapes offer. If you are looking for the perfect spot for an unforgettable marriage proposal, this is the tour for you.
A sunset cruise with an aperitif and a professional photographer to capture these unique moments. The tour consists of a sunset cruise or along the Amalfi Coast (where you can admire Marina di Praia, a small fishing village and the Fiordo di Furore) or to the island of Li Galli.
On board you will find an ice box with various drinks and a bottle of Prosecco for an aperitif on board.
* the tour includes: professional photographer, soft drinks, Prosecco and beach towels
On request we can also combine a bouquet of flowers / a small cake / live serenade with mandolin
Also you can decide directly with the skipper on board the perfect place for your proposal
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Amalfi Coast half day tour
Departure from Positano
Duration: 4 hours
From: 400 €
Departure from Positano * at 10.00 on the way to Amalfi enjoy the unique scenery in the world, our Amalfi Coast.
Admire from the boat Praiano with the cove of Gavitella, the “Grotta dell’Africana” and Marina di Praia, a small fishing village.
You can also visit the Emerald Grotto (extra €6 pp cash to be paid directly there), this visit is optional, you can choose whether to visit the cave or stay on board.
It will then resume the excursion passing through Conca dei Marini, the natural Arch and Amalfi.On the way back to Positano you’ll stop for a swim in the limpid waters of the coast .On board you can enjoy a wide selection of drinks available for you.
* We also offer departures from:
Praiano Marina di Praia (09:50 – 13.50 at the boarding pier)
Praiano Gavitella (09:55 – 13.55)
Included in the price: soft drinks (water, Coca Cola, tea) and beach towels
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Hiking in Positano may not seem like an activity you’d expect to find on the Amalfi Coast. But if you came for the spectacular scenery, then hiking Il Sentiero degli Dei is one of the most remarkable things you can do. Take the SITA bus from Positano to Amalfi and from there you’ll catch the bus to the Bomerano stop in Agerola (ask the driver to let you know when you get to the stop).
You can buy bus tickets in tobacco shops, at news stands, and some bars but they are not sold on the bus. In Bomerano you can buy water, snacks, and have sandwiches made for a lunch on the trail. Try Agerola’s famous mozzarella, fior di latte. Add some crusty bread and your beverage of choice for a happy stop along the way.
Look for the trailhead marked by red and white signs with ‘02’ on them. The trail is approximately 7 km long and should take close to 2 hours to reach the end of the trail at Nocelle, the hamlet above Positano. This depends of course on how often you stop (and you will stop). The views are so spectacular that it’s hard to leave one scenic view for the next. Even if it’s not usually your thing, hiking the Amalfi Coast is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in what’s truly unique about this stretch of southern Italy’s coastline.
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