For a photographer there could be no better subject: Positano is an illustrated postcard from almost every angle.
Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now a trendy destination popular with the jet set and ordinary travellers. It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay on this place in Harper’s Bazaar in May 1953: “Positano bites deep,” wrote Steinbeck. “It’s a dreamy place that isn’t quite real when you’re in it and becomes impossibly real after you’re gone.”
The origins of this enchanting place are a mixture of history and legend. As often happened in the past, the lack of real data has been remedied with myths, one of which tells that Positano was founded by Poseidon, god of the sea, for the love of the nymph Pasitea.
It is an almost impossible town: clinging to the cliffs of the Lattari Mountains, a pastel-dappled landscape on the Mediterranean Sea, with views that sweep across the sea to islands and other towns of the Amalfi Coast.
The town itself is a sight to visit: here, the narrow streets are narrow passageways between houses and steep stairways that intersect the alleyways. Only one road crosses the town, Viale Pasitea, the rest of the village is accessible only on foot, including boutiques, art galleries, artisan shops, restaurants, bars and cascades of bougainvillea.
Marina Grande beach is the most famous and popular and offers one of the most beautiful views of the characteristic cascade of colored houses. From here, a panoramic path – which runs alongside the sea and the Saracen watchtowers – leads to the beach of Fornillo, for those who prefer less crowded places.
In addition to strolling through the narrow streets and enjoying the beaches, it is worth visiting the Roman Archaeological Museum, recently inaugurated on the site of a Roman residential villa, and the Church of Santa Maria Teresa dell’Assunta, with its unmistakable majolica dome.
How to get to Positano:
By car
Massa centro > Positano 21 km
Parcheggio: strisce blu, parcheggi comunali e privati
Public transport
Massa centro > Sorrento > Positano SITA bus
Bivio Sant’Agata > Positano SITA bus
Sorrento > Positano Ferry
It is advisable to consult the timetables.
Tours
Marina Lobra > Positano Boat tour
Marina del Cantone > Positano Boat tour
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