10 Budget Friendly Things to do in Positano, Italy
Positano is an Italian village located on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This colorful city has become one large tourist destination with fancy restaurants and charming hotels overlooking the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city is built on a steep cliffside with winding narrow streets and lots of stairs. Positano is not the cheapest place to visit in Italy but with my top 10 budget-friendly things to do, you can enjoy all that Positano has to offer without breaking the bank.
1. Accommodation
Finding reasonable accommodation in the town of Positano can be a challenge. Summertime is peak season when room rates are at their most expensive. Look to plan your trip during the shoulder seasons of September through October or April through June. Hotel prices will be much cheaper with more variety.
We had a wonderful stay at B & B Canneto Positano. The hosts were very interactive via Whatsapp. The views from our hotel balcony were stunning with lush greenery framing the colorful buildings and blue sea. Our stay included breakfast which saved us time and money.
2. Getting Around
Walking is the cheapest option because it is FREE. Positano is built of a very steep cliff, so sometimes walking is not the easiest option. Positano has many integrated stairways throughout the city making for an easier trek up. In some cases, you may have to walk on the road. With the narrow streets, you may find a bit more safety bobbing and weaving through the parked cars.
If you prefer an easier option, take the orange Positano SITA buses. The in-town SITA buses run every 30-minutes with schedules posted at each stop. A one-way ticket will cost you only €1.60 and can be purchased on board. We utilized the SITA bus to get from Positano to Sorrento. The buses are reliable even on the windy Amalfi Coast roads. Purchase your bus tickets at a local tabaccherie (cigarette shop).
Ferries are a great option for getting to Positano. We took a direct ferry from Salerno to Positano. I highly suggest taking a ferry because it does save money and you get to enjoy a fun boat ride stopping at the many small colorful villages along the way. The views are absolutely stunning!
Tip: Book your ferry tickets direct with Travelmar.
3. Hike the Path of the Gods
If you are looking for an adventure-filled activity then hiking the Path of God’s Trail is a must! The trail can be hiked from point to point or round trip. The most popular and easiest way is to take a bus to Bomerano, the start of the trail, and hike down to Positano. We chose to start in Positano and hike up to Bomerano and back. It was a long hike but the views are absolutely stunning on the way. We packed a fun Italian picnic from our favorite market in Positano and ate it along the way. After, take a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea for a nice and refreshing cool off!
Tip: Break off and hike to the top of Montepertuso il Buco viewpoint for incredible views of Positano from a natural rock arch.
4. Wonder the City
Positano is a charming city with numerous small shops and fun eateries. Wonder the streets from top to bottom, you may come across some of your favorite stores and viewpoints. The town is built on quite a steep hill so be sure to bring some water and wear good walking shoes!
5. Pizza Dinner on the Beach
One of my favorite evenings during our entire Europe trip was having a nice and relaxing pizza dinner on the beach in Positano. Restaurants are quite expensive in the town whether it is fancy or not. Collina is one of my favorite small eateries in the town serving delicious pastries, pizzas, gelato, and more. They offer takeaway pizzas for only €7.00 and they are absolutely delicious, especially with a classic Italian Peroni Beer.
6. Public Beaches
Fornillo Beach and Positano Spiaggia are two of the most popular beaches. Both offer public areas that are FREE to enjoy. Some areas of these beaches are owned by hotels that offer lounge chairs and umbrellas but cost a pretty penny. If you are on a budget, lounge chairs are a silly thing to spend money on when you can just grab a beach towel, some sunscreen, and go for a swim in the ocean.
7. Markets
Throughout the town, there are small markets with fresh produce, Italian meats, local cheeses, and more! We utilized the markets a lot during our stay in Positano. One night consisted of Prosecco and a charcuterie board from the view of our hotel. The Italian meats are absolutely delicious and a fraction of the price you would pay for in the United States. Our favorite market was Palatone Grocery with plenty of food to choose from, friendly service, and a fresh meat and cheese bar.
8. Day Trip to Capri
If you want a fun full-day trip, take the ferry to Capri. This is a bit of a splurge if you are on a budget but it is well worth the €20 per person one-way tickets. You get to see a beautiful Italian Island and enjoy a fun boat ride. The ferry takes about 20 – 50 minutes depending on which route.
9. Positano View Points
There are numerous viewpoints of the colorful city. Take in the views from the sea when arriving in Positano on a ferry, you can really grasp the size and steepness with the stunning rocky mountains in the background. If you do choose to hike the Path of God’s trail, start on the Positano side. You will climb an endless amount of stairs at the beginning but the views are totally worth it. There are also a few viewpoints in town that I have noted on my FREE downloadable Google Map. Don’t forget to see the city at night with all of the lit-up villas and hotels!
10. Gelato Date Night
You cannot visit Positano without having a little gelato… okay maybe a lot of gelato. Each and every night was gelato night and we visited our favorite shop, Collina. The staff practically knew us by our first names. Collina makes their gelato fresh and it is everything creamy, soft, and flavorful. My favorite was the dark chocolate with hazelnut on a cone. This is a great sweet treat for only €3.00.
Tip: Collina offers the famous lemon sorbet served in a lemon for a refreshing treat on a warm Italian day!
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