12 Best Day Trips From Positano, Italy - Updated 2024

day trips from positano
Rienz Althron
Rienz Althron 
Updated
| 5 min read

Within Italy’s Amalfi Coast, beside one of its cliffs lies the town of Positano, a beachfront paradise famous to tourists from all over the globe. It has narrow and steep roads, fortified walls, and great watchtowers that are beautiful to look at - Instagram-worthy even - for modern-day travelers, but these features were once a defensive strategy against foreign invaders. Currently, Positano is a town that is being frequented by foreigners to admire its beauty and to experience its unique offerings, luxury hotels, and the nearby tourist attractions. If you’re one of those travelers who wishes to experience life on this part of Europe, then definitely read on as we’ll share with you some of the best day trips from Positano, Italy.

1. Pompeii (from USD 55.8)

day trips from positano | pompeii

A day trip to Pompeii from Positano is an excellent way to explore one of the world’s most fascinating historical sites. Pompeii is a famous ancient city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and was later excavated, providing a glimpse into the lives of the people there.

Visitors can take a train from Positano to Pompeii and explore the ruins independently or with a guided tour. Walking through the ancient streets of Pompeii, admire the well-preserved buildings, houses, and public areas, such as the forum. You can also see plaster casts of the victims killed in the eruption.

One of the highlights of a day trip to Pompeii is visiting the Villa of the Mysteries, a well-preserved Roman villa known for its stunning frescoes depicting Greek mythology scenes.

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Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

Duration: 2.0 hour

7496 reviews

2. Vico Equense (from USD 204.84)

day trips from positano | vico equense

A day trip to Vico Equense from Positano is a perfect way to experience the beauty and charm of the Sorrento Peninsula. Vico Equense is a picturesque town on a hilltop overlooking the Bay of Naples, and it is known for its stunning views, historic sites, and delicious cuisine.

One of the town’s highlights is the Church of the Annunciation, a beautiful baroque church with stunning frescoes and a grand altar. Another must-visit attraction in Vico Equense is the Campania Ars Nativa Museum, which showcases the town’s rich cultural heritage and local artisanal products, including ceramics, lacework, and embroidery.

After sightseeing, visitors can indulge in delicious local cuisine at one of the town’s many restaurants or stroll along the picturesque waterfront.

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Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner

Duration: 5.0 hour

3. Ravello

Ravello, Villa Rufolo - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daria used under CC BY 3.0

One of the best day trip destinations outside of Positano, Ravello has a ton of photogenic spots for you to shoot pictures and many scenic angles for your eyes to gaze at. The town is famously called the City of Music because of its romantic atmosphere, and for its annual music festival where many tourists from all over the world participate in every year. If you’re an artist in search of inspiration for your next work of art, you’d best visit Ravello and stimulate your innate creativity by getting inspired while seeing its panoramic coastline.

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4. Cetara

Cetara (34079520144)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gianfranco Vitolo used under CC BY 2.0

Cetara, being a fishing town, is best known for its fresh tuna - in fact, its name is derived from the Latin “cetaria” which means “tonnara” (tuna in English). It is just as romantic as the many towns in Italy are; it has colorful cube-shaped houses, situated beside an azure beach. Cetara is a great place to relax and unwind, as well as to learn about the traditional Italian way of catching tunas, and you shouldn’t miss having a taste of fresh colatura (Italian fish sauce), too!

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5. Atrani

Village of Atrani, Italy
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alanthebox used under CC0

Five minutes from Amalfi lies the smallest, but definitely not the least of the Amalfi coastal tourist towns, Atrani. Visiting this town is one of the best things to do during your vacation in Positano, Italy. You’ll be able to appreciate the gorgeous and pristine Tyrrhenian Sea where you can do all sorts of water activities, such as boating. The town is a great escape from the stress of modern-day living; the pace is slow, the crowd is minimal, the food is authentic, and the ambiance is quaintly relaxing.

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6. Erchie

Erchie panorama
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ginodibbi used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Erchie is yet another romantic fishing village set beside a scenic Italian sea. Legend says that there was once a temple built for Hercules in this village and it is also where the village has gotten its name from. It’s one of those places in Italy where you can enjoy and experience its culture in all its authenticity. There is not much technology going on here; instead, there is the simplistic pleasures of slow day-to-day living, which city people could use some of when the busyness becomes too overwhelming. Some of the products of Erchie are lemons and wines, and yes, there are vineyards here, too!

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7. Amalfi

Cliffs and rocks of Amalfi

One of the most frequented places in the Amalfi Coastline is the town of Amalfi. There are several activities that you can enjoy here, such as bicycling, hiking, boating, and cruising. The town is almost always bustling with tourists from all parts of the world and it comes as no surprise because the town is blessed with natural and even cultural wonders that no avid travelers will pass up! Some of the places of interest to visit are Amalfi Cathedral, Cloister of Paradise, and Paper Mill Museum.

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8. Rome (from USD 65.0)

Arguably one of the most famous, if not, the most famous tourist destination in the whole of Italy is the historic Rome. Who isn’t familiar with the Roman Colosseum? And that’s exactly the reason why this part of Italy is being flocked by thousands of tourists every year! If you don’t want to fall in a long line just to be able to get inside this ancient wonder, joining a day tour will give you a priority ticket! And once inside, you’ll learn about the brave gladiators and emperors that once breathed life into the Colosseum from your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide!

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Ancient Rome and Colosseum Skip the Line Walking Tour

Duration: 3 hours

19753 reviews

9. Potenza

Castelmezzano - Province of Potenza, Italy - 26 Aug. 2009
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Vito Galgano used under CC BY 2.0

There are plenty of reasons why Potenza is one of the best places to visit near Positano: rustic restaurants serving authentic Italian food, the joy of browsing through some authentic Italian souvenir items, and its age-old architecture that survived years of history just to amaze modern eyes. The city is elevated 2,684 ft (819 m) above sea level, which means tourists will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the overlooking views that it offers. If you want to learn a bit of its history, then Museo Provinciale Lucano is your go-to museum. It has a collection of age-old artifacts telling of Italian history.

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10. Vietri sul Mare

Vietri sul Mare 04
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Miguel Hermoso Cu... used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Known as the Ceramics Capital of Italy, Vietri sul Mare has been producing ceramics since the Roman times. It’s a great place to get some souvenirs to remind you of your Italian excursion. But it’s not just its ceramics that make Vietri Sul Mare a great place to visit! The city is also home to several churches built from ancient times which are still just as fascinating as they were in their own time in history. But, that’s not all! Vietri sul Mare is also rich in natural wonders and pristine blue waters for beach lovers!

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11. Minori

Minori - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daria used under CC BY 3.0

Nothing beats a laidback tourist destination because that’s just the point of a vacation–an escape from the pressure of a fast-paced culture that modernization has brought to us. Here, you’ll appreciate a traditional way of living. Simple, joyful, and present. Even the simplest of activities such as watching the fishermen casting their fishing nets can be extraordinary! The town is also called the “town of good taste” for retaining its traditional way of preparing Italian dishes and it even has its own annual festival solely dedicated to showcasing its local delicacies, the GustaMinori!

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12. Sorrento

Sorrento from Piazza Tasso
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Akwalta used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Sorrento has a lot of things to offer for all types of travelers, including one of the best tours from Positano. Casual travelers can enjoy its scenic vistas; photography enthusiasts have a lot of subjects to aim their cameras at; history buffs will be excited by the many archeological sites that the city has, too! When you’re in Sorrento, gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a must-try food, and maybe have a sip of limoncello, too! Casual tourists, hobbyists, and foodies will have something to resonate with, in the town of Sorrento!

Tip from Content Creator

Sorrento Sorrento

Photos of Sorrento shared by content creator from Prague, Victoria.

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From Positano and beyond

Italy has a lot of places of wonder. Every town is romantic, every angle is panoramic. While you’re checking out the best things places to visit and things to do at night in Positano, don’t miss the chance to see the nearby tourist attractions, too! So, don’t hesitate to enjoy some of the best day trips from Positano, Italy!

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Positano, Italy


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Rienz is a former office-based employee who entered the world of travel writing. His ultimate dream is to be able to travel the world and experience as much of it as he can. By pursuing his dreams,...Read more

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