Where To Stay In Positano: Best Areas, Hotels & Tips

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Positano is beautiful but it’s no secret that’s one of the most expensive towns on the Amalfi coast. The closer you are to the centre of town, the more you’ll pay. That said, it doesn’t mean that more reasonably priced accommodations don’t exist. You just have to know where to look to find these hidden gems in Positano.

Luckily, I’ve done the research for you. Below I cover the best areas, hotels & tips for every travel style.

Understanding The Positano Town Layout

Positano is very small so don’t be intimidated by the idea of staying a little higher up the hill.  As long as you’re south of the main highway road, the walk to the centre of town is manageable, 10 to 15 minutes at most.

If you stay in areas such as Montepertuso, you become more dependent on a bus or taxi, which I don’t recommend.

Before you book a hotel, it’s important to to know Positano’s layout so that you can determine where you want to stay:

• Center/Lower Part (Mulini Square/Spiaggia Grande): The lower part of Positano and the busiest area. It’s the heart of the town where you’ll find the ferry, shops and sea, ideal for those who want to be close to the water.
  
• Mid-Level (Sponda/Eastern Side): Slightly further up the hill and/or to east of the center of town, this area is known for stunning views of Positano, the beach, and the sea. It is a short 10 minute walk, if that, to the center of town.
  
• Higher Up/West Side (Fornillo/Chiesa Nuova): This is the highest area of the town, offering some of the best panoramic views and calmer evenings, with far fewer tourists than down below. It requires navigating many stairs or you walk up and down the main road to get to the centre of town. There is also a town bus to reach the town centre and beach.  

3 Areas To Stay In Positano

1. Centre of Town/Lower Part

If you want to be in the centre of the action in this small town, staying here puts you right in the heart of it all. You’ll enjoy the convenience of being close to everything while avoiding many of the stairs.

3-Star: Residence La Tavolozza

This is one of the most affordable options you’ll find if you want to stay right in the heart of Positano. With only 6 rooms, it’s a quiet, family-run hotel that punches well above its price point. Bedrooms have a private bathroom just across the hall, a small trade off given the nice views, expansive terraces and close walk to the beach.

4-Star: Hotel Bougainville

Fresh Mediterranean blue and white décor is Hotel Bougainville’s trademark, with clean rooms that have balconies to enjoy the view. Breakfast is included and friendly staff make stays here even more enjoyable. With it’s centre of town location, it’s hard to beat for a reasonably priced room.

5-Star:  Palazzo Murat

You might walk right past this hotel without realizing it, off the main pedestrian shopping walkway, Via dei Mulini. But once you step inside this 19^th century palace-turned-hotel, you’re transported into a serene botanical garden, where you’ll want to linger over a romantic meal, take a dip in the pool or simply exhale.

Rooms and service are top notch with one guest describing it perfectly as “quietly elegant”.

Total Splurge: Le Sirenuse

If you want to holiday like a celebrity, this is where they stay, with celebrity room-rate pricing. But even if you don’t stay here, I still recommend having a drink at Aldo’s Bar, complete with champagne and oysters, stunning sunset views hovering over the beach and the best complimentary bar snacks you’ll ever taste.

If you do splurge on a room, it’s all about luxury and you’re paying for the pool, close access to the beach and breathtaking views.

**Special Occasion/Honeymoon: Il San Pietro di Positano

If you’re looking for a holiday without the crowds of Positano to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a truly romantic retreat, consider staying at this ultra-luxury resort. Built into the cliffside and perched above the sea, it has a private beach club, pool, tennis courts, and the much-acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Zass.

High level of service, from staff and variety of amenities contribute to a magical stay right on the Amalfi Coast. A complimentary shuttle or boat to and from Positano makes it easy to dip into town whenever you like. Though once you’re here, you may not want to leave.

3. Higher Up The Hill – West Side (Near the Chiesa Nuova Bus Stop)

This is where I tend to stay. The views higher up are often better than staying in town. It’s also less crowded and the hotel prices are more reasonable (although still expensive in peak periods). And it’s only a 5 to 15-minute walk to the centre of town.

➡️ Savvy Tip – Avoid going down or struggling up the many flights of stairs by walking down and up the winding one-way road through town. It’s a gradual slope and lovely viewpoints along the way.

3-Star: Villa Yiara

This charming small inn only has a handful of rooms but each one is spacious with modern amenities and a sea view. Every morning we were served an elaborate breakfast on our private terrace. Staff are genuinely helpful and happy to arrange day trips or dinner reservations.

Great value if you are looking for something quaint and more moderately priced with a view.

4-Star: Hotel Punta Regina

The standout feature here is the rooftop, a rare find at this price point higher up the hill. There’s an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace where breakfast is served and a great place to unwind at the end of the day, while enjoying picture-perfect views of the sea.

A good combination of spacious room, location, and a short walk to the beach.

4-Star: Albergo Miramare

A beautifully decorated hotel overlooking the bay, with stunning seaside views and a rooftop bar that’s hard to beat for sunset.

The Miramare restaurant also earns reviews, particularly for its aperitivo menu. The hotel is not very high up and only a 5-minute walk to the town’s center.

For Beach Or Family Stays: Hotel Pupetto

This 3-star hotel sits right on Fornillo beach, complete with its own beach club, a quieter, less hectic alternative to Positano’s main beach. It also offers quad rooms at reasonable prices, which are ideal for families of 4. These go quickly so don’t wait too long to book them.

For Group Stays: Villa Virginia

If you’re travelling with a group of friends/family, this is the one. You can rent the entire 5-bedroom villa, which sleeps up to 10 people.  There’s a garden, huge terrace for sunbathing and group meals. The kitchen, living room and dining room all overlook the beach and sea and beach.  They can even arrange for a private chef to cook your meals.

3. La Sponda Area – East Side (near the Sponda bus stop)

The advantage of staying on this side, near the main roads of Via Cristoforo Colombo or Amalfi Drive, means fewer stairs to deal with.

3-Star: Hotel California/Albergo California

The name may not sound very Italian but Albergo California has plenty of classic Positano charm. Rooms are bright and spacious with balconies overlooking either the sea or the colorful hillside.

One of the biggest highlights of staying here is the unbeatable location right on Via Cristoforo Colombo.

While it may not feel as luxurious as some of Positano’s more upscale options, the value is hard to argue with, especially given the premium prices many neighboring hotels charge.

4-Star: Hotel Marincanto

If you can’t stretch your budget to 5-star prices but want something close to that experience, Hotel Marincanto is worth considering. It has a resort-like feel with a pool and private beach club. Rooms are stunning and a touch pricier for a 4-star hotel but comes with all the amenities.

The hotel is built into the side of the cliff so you feel like you are hanging above the sea. If you plan to take the bus at all, it’s also the closest hotel to the Sponda bus stop. Otherwise, it’s a 5-minute walk to center of town.

5-Star: Eden Roc Positano

All rooms in this ultra-chic hotel have sea views and countless things to do. There’s a spa, Turkish bath, gym and rooftop pool, along with cooking classes and wine tastings.

There are also several dining and a full-service bar terrace for pre- and post-dinner for pre/post dinner drinks.

This would be one of my top picks for a luxury stay that’s not right in the center of town but close enough to the action.

Things To Do In Positano

A lot of visitors are happy simply wandering through town, taking in the unbelievable views, eating well and watching the world go by.  But if you want to make the most of your time, here are a few things I always recommend:

• Boat tour – you have to see Positano from the water. Whether it’s a sunset cruise or an Amalfi coast adventure, this will be a highlight of your trip.  

• Beach – While I prefer beaches in other parts of Italy, on a hot day, you’d certainly find me here taking a dip in the sea. Just know that the main beach has paid beach clubs and limited free, public space.

• Cooking Classes – There are so many cooking classes that you can do in Positano. Good for a rainy-day activity or want to meet and eat like a local.
  
• Path Of The Gods – A must for any hikers (or even walkers), with unforgettable views of the Amalfi Coast. If you don’t want to bother with logistics, you can hike with a guide.
  

If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do and see, checkout Is Visiting Positano Worth It?

Getting To Positano

Getting to Positano can be a bit more complicated than other destinations along the Amalfi Coast, as there’s no direct train access. Rail travel ends in Sorrento, and from there, you’ll need to continue by car, bus, or ferry.

By Car/Bus

If you’re driving, the journey from Sorrento takes about 45 minutes along a single coastal road that connects the towns of the Amalfi Coast.

While incredibly scenic, this route can become heavily congested during the summer months. In rare cases, unexpected events, like a landslide, can even shut the road down entirely, forcing travelers to rely on ferries instead.

The drive itself or bus ride is not for the faint of heart. Expect tight curves, narrow lanes, and dramatic cliffside drops, often with fast-moving local drivers navigating the same route. For a more relaxing experience, it’s worth hiring a private transfer and leaving the driving to a professional.

From Naples, the drive to Positano takes approximately 1.5 hours. However, if you’re not staying overnight, keep in mind that parking in Positano can be difficult to find.

By Ferry

An alternative, and often more enjoyable option, is taking a high-speed ferry from Naples or Sorrento. Arriving by ferry with the dramatic Positano cliffside as your backdrop is a wonderful viewpoint of the town you are about to explore.

This can be a quicker and more scenic way to reach Positano, especially from other towns along the coast. Just note that ferries arrive at the base of the town, meaning you may need to carry your luggage up a series of stairs.

➡️ Savvy Tip About Luggage: Porters are available at the dock if you’d prefer some help getting your bags to your accommodation. They will drive the luggage up, but not people. You will have to walk, take a bus or taxi.

SAVVY SUMMARY

Positano may be known for its more expensive accommodation but that doesn’t mean more reasonably priced places don’t exist. This guide helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by breaking down the best areas in Positano to stay, from the lively town center to the quieter, scenic hillsides. It shares handpicked hotel recommendations for every budget and travel style.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic splurge, a family-friendly stay, a group villa or a hidden gem that has great value with stunning views, you’ll find options that fit your trip. Plus, helpful tips on navigating the town’s layout and must-do experiences will ensure you make the most of your time on the Amalfi Coast.

Related Posts:

Is Positano Worth It? 8 Ways To Best Experience It

Sorrento or Positano: Which Should Be Your Amalfi Coast Home Base?