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Positano is at the top of many people’s travel lists. With a Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, and cliffside towns, Positano has everything you may want for a great Italian beach vacation.
It also happens to be one of my favorite places (though I wish I’d have spent more than a half-day here).
The Amalfi Coast is beautiful year-round, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t best and worst times to visit. Each season is different in Positano, which can make or break your trip to this Italian dream destination.
Why You Should Visit Positano
Positano is a picturesque Italian seaside town on the Amalfi Coast. It’s built into a cliffside that creates postcard water views and looks excellent from out on the water.
When you hear the words “upscale Italian cliffside” or “seaside village,” it’s essentially the place you think of. Celebrities love the place, and tourists come in droves during summer.
The weather is perfect for swimming, boating, and other water activities, and the beauty of the town has graced many Instagram feeds.
Such beauty has drawbacks. The summer months get insanely busy, and finding a decent place to stay will cost you an arm or a leg. That’s why finding the right time to go is so important.
If you pick the right time of the year, you can get great deals while enjoying an incredible Italian beach vacation. The most popular time to visit is in the summer. This is when tourists come in droves, with not enough accommodation to go around.
It’s expensive and crowded, but there are distinct benefits to going during this season. Most festivals and holidays happen around this time. The schedule is packed full, so you won’t be lost for things to do.
You won’t find better weather anywhere in the world. Highs of 85 degrees and lows of 77 degrees, constant sunshine, and long days so you can enjoy the beach greet you during the summer.
That said, it’s not necessarily the best time of year to visit. It’s crowded and expensive, and there are better alternatives. However, you often don’t get to choose your vacation days, so if you can’t get to Positano during a better time, summer is still a great time to go.
Overall Best Time to Visit Positano
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The best time to visit Positano is split between May and September. These are more like shoulder seasons to the peak season of June through August, when the water is still warm enough to swim in, but you aren’t jostling for a spot in the water or on the beach.
To start, May has highs of 68 degrees, though it feels like seventies between the sunshine and the water, warm enough to swim and enjoy other activities around the town but with lows of 62 degrees to deter tourists.
Days are long and you can enjoy all the sunshine you want while exploring the restaurants and cafes on winding brick streets. Unfortunately, you won’t want to spend much time on the beach because the water temperature is still relatively low.
However, this can be a great time to hike the famous Sentiero degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods, celebrate at a festival like the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics, or otherwise enjoy land-based activities.
On the other hand, water temperature in September is high and the daytime high is 77 degrees. This warmer weather is better for beachgoers, plus you’ll still have ample time to enjoy the town and surrounding areas.
The trade-off is that the days in September are shorter, so you won’t have as much time for activities every day.
On the other hand, if you love the nightlife, you can head to Music on the Rocks or another Positano club to party the night away or you can try night swimming to extend the amount of time you spend on the beach.
Both months offer better deals and fewer crowds than the high summer. They are the best times to visit the Amalfi Coast.
You can still enjoy the beach and town with great weather without the hustle and bustle of the summer months. Early June and early October are also similar to these months and make for great times to visit.
Cheapest Time to Visit Positano
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The cheapest time to visit the area is in the winter, between November and March, but you may not enjoy it much then. Instead, if you want great deals while visiting Positano, you should try to get there in October.
October has a high of 71 degrees and lows of 65 degrees, which means most beaches shut down, and many tourists ship out. But the hotels and restaurants in the area are still open and running great deals.
There are still plenty of activities throughout these months, like hiking, touring historical buildings, and enjoying the scenery. And if you’re lucky, you may even get an Indian summer to enjoy a day or two on the beach.
The latter half of October is particularly cheap, but be careful that your vacation doesn’t run into November. After Halloween, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and other touristy shops close down for the season, so there’s not much left to do in the town.
It can be charming, but if you want to experience the whole charm of Positano, aim for the last week of October to benefit from most of the town’s activities.
Least Busy Time to Visit Positano
Positano, Italy – September 16, 2016 : View of the main street on a sunny day along Amalfi Coast in Positano, Italy on September 16, 2016/Javen/Shutterstock
If winter is the cheapest time to visit, it’s also the least busy. However, that’s more of a detriment than an advantage for this location.
When it comes to avoiding crowds, your best bet are the months of March and April. Most businesses in Positano are seasonal. They close at the beginning of November and don’t open until Easter.
More specifically, April is when the tourist season is just heating up, there are fewer tourists to share the town with, and everything is open again. So if you want fewer crowds, aim for after Easter but early during spring.
The water will be too cold to swim in, but the benefits of fewer people mean better deals and more choices for your vacation. In March, the high is 58 degrees during the day, and 52 degrees at night, but it’s a little warmer near the end of the month.
It’s warmer in April, with highs at 63 degrees during the day and more like May weather by the end of the month. The end of April is similar to May, so that may be the best time to visit if you still want great weather but with as few crowds as possible.
Worst Time to Visit Positano
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Winter is, without a doubt, the worst time to visit Positano. With lows and highs in the fifties, and a fair amount of rain, the weather isn’t exactly suited to a beach vacation.
However, some popular destinations in the summer can be even better in the winter due to great deals and fewer crowds. Positano is the cheapest and the least busy in winter, but there are a few places to stay and a few things to do while you’re there.
Most locals leave in the winter, and Positano becomes a ghost town until Easter. Most businesses in Positano focus on tourism and they close down from November until Easter.
If you go during winter, you’ll be limited in the places you can stay and have a dismal array of dining options. Missing out on some of Positano’s best cuisine isn’t ideal for a vacation. So it’s cold, lonely, and wet. Few places are open.
It’s certainly not a good place to be during the winter, but if you know what to expect, you can make it work. For example, Positano can be a great launching point to explore the Amalfi Coast and larger towns like Naples and Sorrento.
If you’re looking for an intimate honeymoon in a scenic location, Positano can also work very well. At the same time, there will be fewer activities to try, but if you only want to enjoy your partner’s company, it’s an ideal spot.
Plus, you can still enjoy yourself by hiking in the mountains and exploring the surrounding areas.
You can even go for walks on the beach as long as you bundle up. Ultimately, Positano doesn’t make a great beach destination during winter, but it can work for vacations with a different focus.
Things to Consider
Positano sits squarely on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Not only is it a famous international destination, but it’s also popular with Italian vacationers.
It also makes a great launching point to explore the rest of the coast, Naples and Sorrento, and Capri Island. Before you go, there are some things you should be aware of.
These include:
- Pack for the season. The seasons have a wide range of temperatures and weather. Be prepared for at least one day of rain during your vacation.
- To yacht or not. Positano has a lot of mooring points for ships and other boats. You should rent one for a day to explore the area’s craggy coastlines and hidden coves.
- Book early. Positano is a popular destination all year, so book your stay and flight as early as possible to get the best deals and guarantee space.
- No parking. It might be best to skip the rental car, as parking space in the city is very limited. Book a parking space for your stay if you still want a car.
- Get up early. The crowds can still be an issue, even if you go in May or September. Beat them by heading out and exploring the town or hitting the beach early in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Positano is easy to reach from Naples, and it’s close to the Italian beach city of Sorrento, so those cities may be worth checking out if you just want to take a day trip into the town:
How many days is enough for Positano?
Three days is typically enough time to fully explore the town and soak up some rays at the beach. If you’re staying at this location, you can take several day trips around the area to fill out a week.
Which is better to visit, Amalfi or Positano?
Amalfi makes a great day trip, but Positano is the better place to stay. It’s a better launching point, has many attractions, and is more visually appealing. However, Positano is also more expensive.
How do you get around Positano?
A car is the easiest way to get around, but finding parking for a car is a nightmare. It’s better to skip the car, take the central bus line, or grab a cab.
Is Positano worth it?
Yes, Positano is a beautiful city you won’t regret staying in, no matter what time of year it is.
Why is Positano famous?
Positano, like many other Italian cities, is famous for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, and gorgeous Mediterranean food. It’s also a magnet for art lovers, as the city is chock-full of art galleries.
So, When Should You Go to Positano?
May and September are the best times to visit, followed by summer. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and better deals, April or October might be your best bet. You’re better off avoiding winter visits.
Positano is filled with unforgettable sights, people, and experiences, making it one heck of a destination for a vacation. There are regattas, festivals, holidays, and more to celebrate, and the beaches are some of the best in the world.
Between the weather, attractions, and high-class businesses, you’ll never want to leave. So, with so much to see and do, and technically no bad time to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today!