Making the most of Positano
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships cannot berth at Positano, so tenders bring passengers ashore in the town centre.
Take a printable map with you.
Positano is a small town in Campania on Italy's Amalfi Coast. Its main district occupies a hollow in the hills descending to the sea, where steeply layered houses form an appealing blend of pastel colour. The almost vertical roads, some of which are actually staircases, have helped make it the coast's most photogenic and expensive town.
Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta is among Positano's best-known attractions. The old church, distinguished by its majestic dome, was built in the 1920s and houses the celebrated 13th century Byzantine icon, the Madonna di Positano.
Getting around
Tour the town itself on a relaxed walk that covers its history, local stories and information about local wines, together with shopping and tastings of regional produce.
Pay 1 Euro for a journey around Positano aboard the orange bus.
Food and shopping
Positano has long specialised in clothing and handmade shoes and sandals, presented in flamboyant displays at charming boutiques. Many attractive jewellery stalls are also evident.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
The language is Italian.
Opening Hours and
Most Italian shops and businesses open Monday to Saturday from about 8am until 1pm, then roughly 4pm to 7pm, although many close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings. In southern Italy, the working day may start and finish an hour later, while some businesses in the north follow a 9am-5pm day to support international dealings. Traditionally, everything except bars and restaurants closes on Sunday. Most towns still have a pasticceria open that morning, and Sunday trading is becoming more widespread in large cities and tourist areas.