“Positano bites deep”, Noble Prize winner in Literature John Steinbeck wrote in 1953. “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”
It’s believed to be founded by Poseidon, the king of the sea, and with Greek and Roman influences the vertical town with amazing panoramic corners it’s today one of the most important tourist destinations.
Things to See and Do in Positano
Church of S. Maria Assunta
How often do you see a gorgeous photo of the Amalfi Coast with the houses in the cliff and the tranquil sea with a beautiful dome made of majolica tiles in the foreground? Well, it well may be the dome that is part of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the heart of Positano.
The wonderful majolica dome dominates the center of Positano. The medieval church is believed to have been brought to Positano via a sailing ship from the East and erected in honor of the Virgin Mary and then Patron of the village.
The last restoration works in 1777 made the church look as we see it today. Inside the church has a nave where you can admire a Byzantine icon of the black Virgin with the Child sitting behind the altar; two side aisles, five side arches, chapels, and a medieval crypt. Outside the bell tower, you will notice the medieval bas-relief figures of a marine monster, some fish, and a fox representing the inhabitants of Positano, both fishermen, and farmers.
The church is located a stone’s throw from the Marina Grande beach. The main beach in Positano also provides access to boat tours to Capri, Amalfi, and Sorrento.
The church is free entry but make sure to visit their website for mass times as it might get busier.
Palazzo Murat
Palace Murat was originally the summer house of Gioacchino Murat, brother-in-law of Napoleon and King of Naples since 1808. Despite being now a five-star hotel you can still get to admire the beauty of the 18th century Palace from the outside.
The palace is located in ‘Via dei Mulini’, on the same road that takes you to Marina Grande beach.
Grotta la Porta
The cave, part of Unesco heritage, is located near the town center and can only be reached by sea. Discovered in 1956 it shows the first traces of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic life in the Amalfi Coast. This is not the only cave you can visit when in Positano, Emerald Grotta and Grotta Fornillo are two others and still reachable only by sea.
Path of Gods
The enchanting ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ – Path of the Gods – is a must if you enjoy walking and trekking in the mountains and another good way to explore Positano and the Amalfi Coast breathtaking coastal views. It’s usually suggested to start the Path from Bomerano to then end to Nocelle, a fraction of Positano and highest hamlet, but if you are already in Positano you can start it in reverse and still get to enjoy it.
Everything you need to know about the Path of the Gods.
How to get to Positano
If you plan to stay with us, you’re in luck as its just an hour drive from Villa Di Martino. By car take the highway A3 Napoli-Salerno, direction Napoli. Take the exit Castellammare di Stabia and proceed on the SS145 to Positano.
Unfortunately, there is no a direct train line to Positano. By taking the Circumvesuviana departing from Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri or the national rail service ‘Trenitalia’ by departing from Naples, you will need to stop in Sorrento and then continue the journey by taking the 5070 bus direction S.Agata(Reola)-S.Agata-Positano-Amalfi.
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