Best Day Trips from Positano

Whether you are looking for the best things to see and do in Positano, perhaps a boat trip along the coast, a visit to a winery, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Capri, Ravello or the most famous sites such as the Blue Grotto, in this post you will find a top 7 of the best excursions from Positano.

Here you will find prices, a summary of the travel itinerary, means of transport, duration and things to see and do during your trips so that you can plan your next visit to the Amalfi Coast from Positano.

The Amalfi Coast is an Italian coastal paradise recognised as a World Heritage Site and once on your land it will become that memorable holiday destination. And with this type of excursion you get to see two or three outstanding destinations, per tour depending on the means of transport used. The tours can be done by boat, minibus, scooter or on foot.

Salerno, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, Minori and Maiori are usually the most popular destinations. They offer beaches, coves, vineyards, wineries, waterfalls, churches and grottoes, with a wide range of activities to suit all tastes. There are so many options that we decided to make a special section with day trips to the Amalfi Coast from Positano.

Details of interest

• Price: From 83 € per person.
• Duration: 6 - 8 hours.
• Timetable: Morning.
• What the tour may include: Transport service from the accommodation. Professional guide throughout the tour. Hire of the means of transport. Lunch. Bottled water.
• Means of transport: Vespa, minibus or boat.
• Pros: In one day you get to enjoy two or three coastal destinations in depth. Avoid driving on the winding one-way streets of the area. The plan is perfect for people staying several days in Positano.
• Cons: To see the Amalfi Coast requires a Positano itinerary of 3 days or more. The sheer size of southeastern Italy, its distances between towns and activities will make you stay for long periods in every corner of the idyllic place.

Looking for an option to explore the Roman traces of Pompeii, along with the picturesque streets of Positano and make your way to the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi (Chiesa di San Francesco) on the Sorrento Coast? With this tour you can explore all these places in one day.

Get to know the imposing plateau of Sorrento perched above the sea. Lose yourself in the narrow streets of Positano, where you will find among others the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a landmark building with Byzantine traces such as the black Madonna and Child. Here you stop for lunch from the heights of the town overlooking the Amalfi Coast.

Afterwards the excursion takes you to visit Pompeii and its archaeological excavations. Back in Amalfi, you will visit the landmarks such as the Cathedralof St. Andrew the Apostle. The order of the itinerary may vary, but you will walk through all these spectacular sites before returning to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Details of interest

• Price: From 85 € per person.
• Duration: 8 - 9 hours.
• Schedule: Morning.
• What the tour may include: Transport to and from your accommodation. Entrance fees to the Ruins of Pompeii. Lunch. Professional guide service. Bottled water.
• Means of transport: Minibus.
• Pros: The attention is personalised due to the small groups that are conducted on this type of tour.
• Cons: The guided tour inside Pompeii or the entrance fees to the churches are not usually included. The guide service is usually offered in English and Italian.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world and Capri is one of its most famous islands. You have seen it in films, read about it in books and year after year it gets more beautiful, among other things because of its grottoes and cliffs in a space of only 10 km2.

This type of boat trip from Positano takes you to sail along the coast, while you contemplate natural sites such as the Faraglioni rocks, three fascinating cliffs that rise up to 111 metres high. On the other hand, the tour takes you through the fascinating grottoes of Capri, namely the White Grottoes (Grotte Bianca):

• The White Grottoes (Grotta Bianca), thanks to their stalactites and stalagmites, one of them with the silhouette of the Virgin Mary who seems to open her arms to welcome visitors.
• The Green Grottoes (Grotta Verde), which get their optical effect from the greenish reflection of the sun around their walls.
• The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), the most popular of this trio with the tunes of the rafters, and the reflection of the sun's rays that seem to colour its interior blue, takes you to a sublime place in a matter of minutes.

The sailing route also passes Punta Campanella, the Statue of Scugnizzo, the Coral Cave (Grotta del Corallo) and the Villa Malaparteasi, other icons of the island.

With the scenery of the Gulf of Naples in the background, you disembark at the port of Capri with free time to explore the island. Enjoy the sights, this is the perfect time to swim, snorkel or swim at the beach before returning to the starting point of the excursion.

Details of interest

• Price: From 120 € per person.
• Duration: 9 - 10 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: Transport to and from your accommodation. Snorkelling equipment. Boat trip. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Light snacks.
• Means of transport: Boat and minibus.
• Pros: It's a day trip to Capri, usually all-inclusive so your only concern is to enjoy yourself, what else could you ask for?
• Cons: The visit to the Blue Grotto usually costs an additional supplement. The guide is often only available in Italian and English.

Pompeii has been a place of fascination for centuries. Its well-preserved ruins have intrigued and amazed visitors from all over the world. But what would Pompeii be without Vesuvius? It is true that this iconic mountain is responsible for the destruction of the city, but also for its preservation.

To understand the contrast of perspectives and what happened in 79 AD I recommend one of the best day trips from Positano: the combined tour to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

The tour usually starts at your accommodation to move towards the route to Pompeii aboard a minibus. In the surrounding area you will see how the houses, shops, workshops and kitchens make their way through the dust of the volcano, an element of constant presence in the area.

The next stop takes you to Mount Vesuvius, following the route, myths and legends of the legendary hero Hercules - and his! -. Check out this video for details of the historic eruption of Vesuvius. At the end of the tour, there will be a stop for lunch and wine tasting in wineries that may be included in your tour.

Along the trail "The Great Cone" you will enjoy the best views of the treasures ofthe Gulf of Naples. After the valuable commentary of your guide, and the visit of these World Heritage Sites, you will be driven back to your accommodation.

Details of interest

• Price: From 260 € per person.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Timetable: morning
• What the tour may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. You can include lunch and wine tasting for an additional supplement. Professional guide service. Tickets for Pompeii and Vesuvius.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Pros: It is a complete tour with meals and drinks in vineyards. Also, it is a convenient package and a visit to two iconic sites from Positano.
• Cons: Not recommended for families with small children, walking can lead to fatigue.

Enjoy the Dolce Vita and join one of the best wine tours from Positano! Did you know that the Amalfi Coast produces some of the best wines in the world?

And the best way to get to knowAmalfi food and wine is with a sommelier-led wine tour. While the coast is mainly lemon groves, if you go into the mountainous areas you will find terraces full of wine, and chestnuts. This is where this type of tour is headed.

Explore Irpinia's vineyards and cellars to taste prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines with a sommelier, visit local cheese and cured meat producers and of course taste products such as fresh ricotta, mozzarella, caciocavallo, prosciutto, fresh ham and salami.

Carla's Tip

Many people still produce their own wine at home and call it the "vino del contadino". If you have the opportunity to try this wine, don't hesitate.

Interesting details

• Price: From 220 € per person.
• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: Transport service to and from your accommodation. Cheese, cold meats and wine tasting. Visit to the vineyards and wineries. Professional guide service (sommelier).
• Means of transport: minivan or luxury car.
• Pros: It is a delightful ride, ideal for relaxing and sharing with friends or family.
• Cons: The guide is often only offered in Italian and English.

Herculaneum was a thriving Roman city in Campania which, like Pompeii, was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD ... This type of excursion from Positano takes you on a two hour guided tour of the excavations allowing you to see first hand the lifestyle of the vanished city.

The first stop on the tour starts at the House of the Corinthian Atrium, one of the oldest and wealthiest houses of Ancient Rome. Here the mosaics on its walls and towers will take your breath away! You continue to make your way through the traces left by the eruption while the guide will comment on the details of the works.

You will then visit the thermal baths of the Forum, the mosaic house of Neptune or House of the Deer, the Villa of the Papyri and the Amphitheatre of Herculaneum.

Excavations in this area are still in progress, for example, the remains of a man were unearthed 26 metres underground in 2021, a landmark discovery. To give an idea of the colossal work, Pompeii was buried 6 metres underground, while Herculaneum was 15 metres, so the work is still ongoing.

After witnessing the fate of Herculaneum due to Vesuvius, you stop to recharge your batteries at a nearby restaurant before returning to the starting point. The total time of the excursion is 6 hours, seeing the distance between Positano and Herculaneum.

Interesting details

• Price: From 125 € per person.
• Duration: 6 hours.
• Timetable: Morning.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transport service from your hotel or villa. Lunch. Entrance to Herculaneum.
• Means of transport: Minibus.
• Pros: Entrance fees included are skip the line. The service is usually all-inclusive so it is convenient.
• Cons: The distance between Positano and Herculaneum is 2 hours each way so for families with children it can be tedious. The guide is often only available in English and Italian.

Imagine yourself on a sunset cruise in the Li Galli archipelago. Imagine the sea breeze in your hair, the glow of the setting sun on your face and an island paradise waiting to be explored. You can get that and much more with this type of private sunset excursion from Positano to the Li Galli Islands.

With this tour you can sail in couples or in groups of up to 8 people in the Gulf of Salerno. You enjoy the drinks available in an open minibar. Juices, soft drinks, prosecco, limoncello and beer are a common denominator on these trips. In addition, you can also sample some snacks.

Pass through parts of the Amalfi Coast and see the Isle of Capri. Take time to admire the colourful houses of the vertical city, its churches and cliffs. Watch the setting sun cast its romantic light as you skirt a series of islands, before sailing back to Positano under a star-filled night sky. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Positano at night.

Interesting details

• Price: From 230 € per person.
• Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours.
• Timetable: Evening
• What the tour may include: Snacks. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Boat captain service.
• Means of transport: boat or small boat.
• Pros: An ideal tour for those who want to enjoy the Amalfi Coast in private.
• Cons: Transport to the accommodation is not included.

It depends on the type of tour chosen, however, as a general rule they last more than 6 hours due to the distances between the meeting points. Exceptions are the nearby tours such as the sunset boat trips which usually last a couple of hours.

When planning your trip, take into consideration that Positano is located at the westernmost point among the famous natural balconies further west on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

When you travel to Positano, the first thing you want to do is explore as much as you can. But with so many amazing places to see and things to do, it's easy to feel overwhelmed so it's best to have a local guide.

The guides are experts in the area and can tell you about the history and culture as well as provide tips on other activities available during your stay in Positano.

Another advantage is that you visit more destinations in one day. If you are travelling on your own, you would need two or three days, and if you are in Italy, time is money!

Finally, have you seen the roads in Positano? They are winding, mostly one-way roads where the sensation of vertigo is often latent. This is a gem, there's no doubt about it, but driving on your own can be a challenge.