Positano: a pearl on the Amalfi Coast

4 February, 2019

A holiday in the southwest of Italy without a visit to the Amalfi Coast? Unthinkable. The picturesque villages on this world-famous stretch of coast west of the Port of Salerno entice many tourists. And I too became enchanted when in 2016 I caught the boat to Positano, a pearl on the Amalfi Coast. Below I tell you more about my fantastic trip based on the best photos I took.

1. Setting sail from Salerno

It was a wonderfully sunny day in April when the boat left the Port of Salerno. After all the stories I’d heard about the Amalfi Coast – and in particular about Positano – I was very keen to arrive. When Salerno had become just a small dot on the horizon, we sailed past Cetera. It doesn’t get more picturesque than this small fishing village. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos here, but thankfully I had my phone to hand for the rest of the trip.

2. Plenty of stunning villages on the journey

Cetara, Erchie, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Praiano and Vettica Maggiore are just a few of the places you pass en route to Positano. And each and every one is beautiful. The slow pace of the boat allows you to enjoy the scenery and take photos. If you visit this part of Italy by car, you can drive along the coastal road (around 50km long) and explore all of the villages. But personally, I think the view from the water has something extra special.

3. Positano in sight, just need to moor

After sailing for forty minutes, we arrive at the harbour. The sun had gone in slightly, but the colourful buildings formed a very cheerful picture. First impression: no mass tourism. This was the advantage of April: it’s not high season, so there aren’t too many people around. Thankfully most of the restaurants and shops are open as usual. There are even enough places to sit.

4. Exploring the virtually empty beach …

The beach was noticeably quiet and therefore a great place to walk around and view Positano from all sides. Unfortunately, the sea was a little cold, otherwise I’d have paddled for a while. I stopped at one of the restaurants along the beach to recharge my batteries and enjoy a refreshing drink. Which I needed, because if you want to see Positano, it’s quite a steep climb.

5. … then a good hike upwards

My first port of call was the unusual Santa Maria Assunta Church, the dome of which can just be seen on the photo. This tiled dome can be seen from many places in Positano. Enjoy the shade on the small square in front of the church, but go inside, as well. Seen enough? Follow the narrow streets upwards, dotted with small shops selling souvenirs and art. And don’t forget to keep looking back at the beautiful view along the way.

6. A beautiful destination in every respect

In addition to plenty of stunning nature, you will see lovely boutiques and cafes as you walk through the streets of Positano. Colourful plants, trees, hedges and trees dominate the streetscape. The long, meandering Viale Pasitea is a prime example. The natural beauty, many white buildings, backdrop of forested mountains and, of course, the clear blue sea form a breath-taking whole.

7. All good things come to an end

The sun is a killjoy now, too, but that’s actually quite fitting because with the boat approaching, unfortunately my visit to Positano had come to an end. But what a wonderful time I had! Visitors who can avoid the high season, definitely should as the narrow streets, some of which allow car traffic, soon fill up. That said, I hope I’ve convinced everyone to pay a visit to Positano. And make sure you go by boat, because this will make the experience even more special.