With its glamorous, celebrity-packed beaches, breathtakingly gorgeous seascapes, and boutique-filled historic center, its easy to see why Positano is the most sought after destination on the Amalfi Coast.
Laurito Beach
Positano's Laurito beach is a tiny little beach, which can reached via a flight of steps which starts in the small square opposite Hotel San Pietro. The name of the beach derives from the many laurels growing in the area. Laurito is divided into a free beach and a private beach, the latter belonging to a small hotel, and has two casual beach restaurants.
From the pier at Positano's Spiaggia Grande beach, small boats depart about every 30 minutes for the Da Adolfo beachfront restaurant...you can recognize them by the red fish flag waving from the mast. Note that reservations are more or less required to either dine or simply relax on a sun lounger here.
Arienzo Beach
The Arienzo beach is often called the 300 steps beach, because of the impressive number of steps visitors need to climb down to reach it. On their way down towards the sea, holidaymakers can catch glimpses of the gardens of some of the Amalfi Coast's most luxurious villas, including one which once belonged to Franco Zeffirellli. Facing the south west, the beach enjoys the sun longer than any other in Positano. The beach is divided into private and free areas.
How to get to the Arienzo and Laurito Beaches
By car: once beyond the center of Positano, head in the direction of Amalfi and, after circa a kilometer, you'll come across Hotel San Pietro. From here, a series of steps lead down to Laurito. After circa eight hundred meters you'll find the steps to Arienzo. Drivers can park along the stretch of road between the two flights of steps.
By public transport: Sita buses stop both at Laurito and Arienzo. Buses operated by the Flavio Gioia Coach company depart from the center of Positano. A shuttle boat service is available from both Positano and Praiano.
Marina Grande Beach - Positano
Ideal picture postcard material, Positano's main beach is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan of all those on the Amalfi Coast. Along the large, three hundred meter long beach, which lies almost directly opposite the archipelago of Li Galli, there is a string of restaurants and bars and a famous discotheque (Music On the Rocks). Its easy to see why the beach has become the focus of the town's social life, where the locals come to mingle with the world's celebrities and tourists. The beach has two bathing establishments and a free area, from where excursions along the coast and shuttle boats to the nearby bays depart.
Fornillo Beach
Via a romantic walk, between the sea and the cliffs, beginning at Positano harbor, holidaymakers come to Fornillo beach: a well-established favorite amongst those searching for a more peaceful beach than that of Marina Grande. This said, given the vicinity to the center of Positano, during summer weekends even Fornillo can be crowded with sun worshippers.
How to get to the Marina Grande and Fornillo beaches
By car: once in Positano, you can either choose to park long the state road and then make the climb down to the waterfront on foot, or leave your vehicle in one of Positano's expensive car parks, just outside the town center.
By public transport: Sita buses and, in the summer, all of the region's major boat companies.