Location scouts go weak at the knees when they round the bend in the Amalfi Coast road and spy Positano nestled in the cliffs, rising from the bright blue sea towards fragrant citrus and olive groves. Its unbleached peach and pink buildings are stacked without many gaps in between, and there are numerous properties with exquisite views — including ALL of the hotels listed on our Gurus recommendations for the best places to stay in Positano! The town has a reputation for being glamorous and luxurious, but there are a number of excellent value picks in our selection, as well as grand palazzos, elegantly converted villas and townhouses, traditional Mediterranean hotels, and the very best B&Bs and guesthouses we could find.

Some of our Positano Collections:

• The Best Positano Hotels with Pools
• Positano's Best Hotels for Couples 
• The Best Family Hotels in Positano
• Positano's Best Hotels for Honeymooners

To Positano’s idyllic location and charming architecture add roads so narrow you can barely fit a car through, beaches lined with coloured parasols, colourfully painted fishing boats, magenta fronds of bougainvillea, and girls in floaty florals. It is colourful and lively, full of kids queuing for gelati and families playing on the beach. Though of course it also has immaculate boutiques for the chic Milanese to peruse, and restaurants to please even the most gourmet palates. It’s basically a dream come true for photographers, artists, romantics, sun-lovers, Italiano-philes, walkers, beach-lovers, sailors, drivers, and families.

If you want the full experience you have to visit in the summer (though this is when the best places to stay in Positano will be incredibly busy), when the streets bustle from dawn until dusk, the restaurant terraces and gelato shops are always full, and the queue to pick up a pair of made-to-measure sandals (which is a Positano tradition begun at the end of WW2) are longest. But it’s beautiful here out of season too. Whatever you do don't fall too deeply in love with pretty Positano that you don't explore more of the Amalfi Coast while you're here. Take a trip along to Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento (at least!), and possibly pop over to Capri. If you're really brave, one of the best ways to discover the Amalfi Coast is by scooter!

The Best Places to Stay in Positano

For a Special Occasion

• Colourful Le Sirenuse is an 18th Century palazzo turned family-run luxury hotel. We love the many lemon-scented terraces and private balconies — all 58 rooms and suites have one — and the views of bpth Positano and the coastline. We also love the Neapolitan and Venetian antiques and artworks, the vaulted ceilings and the handmade floor tiles and the Michelin-starred Neapolitan restaurant, La Sponda, where every evening no less than 400 candles are lit. Romance guaranteed!
• Il San Pietro di Positano is a truly spectacular five star hotel in an almost impossible looking location, built into the cliffs overlooking Positano. Among its numerous charms are three restaurants, all quintessentially Italian, and one with a Michelin star. Go all-out gourmet, or dine beachside, you’ll not be disappointed. As well as the views and the food, San Pietro is a beautiful example of historic Italianate style: think tiles, pillars, archways, and ornate details. It also has both a pool and tennis courts cut into the cliffside.

For Traditional Positano Chic

• By classic Positano hotel standards, the Covo dei Saraceni, with its 66 rooms and suites, is quite a large hotel. It feels quintessential Amalfi Coast, with incredible views from tiled terraces, balconies, the restaurants and bars, and the gorgeous rooftop pool. All the rooms are individually decorated, in white plus one other colour, plus wood, terracotta and other Mediterranean style neutrals.
• The Villa Rosa is a totally charming, 12 room villa-turned-hotel, with wonderful views from its huge balconies. Each of the rooms is individually decorated, with some charming hand-painted floral motifs, but all share aquamarine tiled flooring and plenty of white. They range in size from large to huge, and the largest are ideal for families.

For an Intimate Escape

• Just along the coast from Positano, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is the Villa TreVille, an elegant villa-with-a-view converted into a 15 bedroom hotel. Each of the rooms is beautifully decorated with memorable features, like handmade tiles, Venetian lighting and individually curated art and libraries. Plus there's a restaurant championing the best local produce and a private beach.
• Marincanto is a smart, boutique-style hotel on the edge of Positano, overlooking both the town and its bay — especially from its incredible infinity pool, which appears to blend with the cobalt blue of the ocean beyond. Its 26 rooms and suites are decorated in whites and pastels, and offer chic, uniform simplicity, the staff are warm and friendly, the breakfast buffet is served on the terrace with its panoramic views and the restaurant offers a contemporary twist on Amalfi Coast classics. Romantic, but family friendly too.

For Positano Views

• Some of Positano’s best hotels have incredible views of the sea, but the Villa Franca is set a little further back from the water, and also enjoys incredible views of Positano itself, especially from the rooftop terrace, swimming pool, and restaurant. Many of the 37 rooms and suites have private balconies too. The decor is relaxed Italian water-side glamour, with a cool blue and white colour scheme of painted tiles, pillars, white marble and mirrored surfaces. Great for romantics.
• Once owned by Napoleon’s brother-in-law, the Palazzo Murat is a fabulous, centrally positioned, 17th century townhouse with spectacular, bougainvillea-fringed views of the town and the sea beyond. Our favourites of their 31 rooms and suites have sea-views from private terraces. The decor is as elegant as the name suggests: expect traditional tiles, whitewashed walls, exposed beams, and four-poster beds. The palazzo has an elegant restaurant too.

For a Beach Break

• The Hotel Le Agavi has all the hallmarks of a classic beach break hotel: the breezy blue and white decor including patterned tiles; the pool, restaurant, bar and terraces with views of the ocean and Positano; the private, sea-view balconies; and a private beach (on the end of a funicular taking you to the bottom of a cliff). Some of the suites are suitable for families.

For Families

• The Villa Magia is a perfectly proportioned boutique hotel, with just 13 individually designed and decorated rooms and suites — our favourites have private terraces with fantastic views — but they all have tiled floors, whitewashed walls and modern art. The villa also has three pools, an open-air spa, and a private charter boat. The cocktail and tapas bar serve excellent, local produce, and guests are just a ten minute walk from Fornillo Beach. Two-room suites are ideal for families.
• Miramare is well positioned mid-way up the tumble of Positano’s buildings, 210 steps above the beach. This was one of the first hotels in Positano, and offers accommodation in 16 luxurious, sea-facing suites, with private terraces offering views considered spectacular even by Positano’s high standards. Two bedroom apartments are ideal for families and some rooms come with sofa beds.

For a Relaxing Break

• The Hotel Poseidon is a traditional Mediterranean villa hotel in central Positano, overlooking the beach, the coastline and the rest of the town. It has 50 rooms and suites, all with a private terrace or balcony. They also share decor features, like tiled floors, whitewashed walls, and a preference for white soft furnishings, but there’s plenty of variation, and some of the suites are spaciously laid out over two floors. The Hotel Poseidon has a pool and restaurant with a view, pus a wellness centre and a hammam built into the rocks, so it’s a great choice if you’re here to relax.
• La Casa di Peppe is a six room, boutique-style pick, with fantastic views in both directions. This is an easy choice for families — there are great facilities onsite, and plenty of space. There’s no restaurant, but there are plenty nearby.

For Great Value

• Il Moro di Positano is a small, Mediterranean-style hotel, with six rooms decorated in a palette of white plus blue, yellow and green, and it’s one of the best value places to stay on the whole of the Amalfi Coast — even though its in fashionably glamorous Positano. Each of the rooms is smart and simple, with a private balcony overlooking an idyllic seascape. Some of the rooms are large enough for families. There’s no restaurant, but they offer a lovely breakfast.
• Villa La Tartana is an elegant Positano townhouse converted into a small hotel, with 11 rooms and one apartment — nine of the rooms offer sea-views. The decor is traditional yet fresh-feeling, with plenty of white and blue, pretty ceramic wall lights and private balconies. Breakfast is served on the terrace-with-a-view.
• Casa Buonocore is an elegant, six room B&B, converted and restored from a charming 17th century townhouse in the centre of town. Each of the rooms is spacious and individually decorated, and the atmosphere is intimate and peaceful, as well as being chic. There’s no restaurant, but they serve a delicious array of pastries and cakes daily, and an excellent breakfast, and there are a number of very good restaurants almost next door.

Best B&Bs

• The Villa Mary Suites is a five room B&B with some of the best views of Positano. Each of the rooms is traditionally, and individually decorated, and all feature lots of white, Italian antiques, polished wooden floors, and French doors leading out onto private balconies. This is an ideal romantic escape, while also being perfectly positioned for exploring Positano and its beaches.
• The Villa Yiara is a nine room guesthouse perched mid-way up Positano’s cliffs. The decor is white simplicity with a touch of yellow, and each room has a glorious private terrace-with-a-view, some of outdoor bath tubs too. No restaurant, but they do offer an excellent breakfast, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby.

For a Private apartment or villa

• If you think a self-catering option would best suit your needs then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Positano?

• Postiano’s closest international airport is Naples Airport, which is about an hours drive away, or just under two hours by public transport.
• If you plan to hire a car, which we would advise if you want to get out and explore further afield, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• As wth the rest of the Amalfi Coast, the most popular time to visit Positano is during the summer, it’s hot and sunny but busy with it. Daily maximum temperatures in July and August average at 30° C, so if you’re not so good in the heat you might want to opt for May, June or September, which are still bustling periods, with lots of sunshine. Many like to visit Positano in spring, when the flowers are blooming, and many of the towns are opening up excitedly after the winter — the Italian travel season officially begins at Easter. The Amalfi Coast hosts a couple of festivals and events during spring too.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay on the Amalfi Coast
• Or you could expand your search to consider some of the Amalfi Coast’s other ocean-side gems like neighbouring Praiano, Conca Dei Marini, Amalfi or Ravello?
• You might want to refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for, and consider the best beach hotels on the Amalfi Coast, the best hotel views on the Amalfi Coast or the best luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Positano