5 Best Amalfi Coast Day Trips from Positano

Among the things to see and do in Positano is exploring the nearby coastline, and how could we not mention the picture-perfect landscapes and villages of the Amalfi Coast?

In this post, you will find a guide to the best excursions along the Amalfi Coast so you can enjoy its famous caves, discover its medieval castles, lose yourself in its winding streets, appreciate the houses embedded in the cliffs, visit its rock arches or tour its villages by boat, Vespa or minibus. Find out prices, duration, timetables and descriptions of the tours so you can choose how to get from Positano to the Amalfi Coast.

Let yourself be carried away on a journey of discovery with one of the full-day excursions to Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast. This type of small group experience combines a guided tour with plenty of free time to explore Amalfi, Atrani, Praiano, Maiori or Ravello by sea and land at your own pace from Positano.

The tour begins with pick-up from your accommodation or a central meeting point in Positano, taking you to the port, where you board a comfortable and elegant boat that sets sail for the lagoons and caves that line the rugged coast.

Take your time to enjoy the stops for swimming and snorkelling around Praiano — you've earned it! — and enjoy a relaxing break with snacks and drinks on board. Next up: exploring on foot! Visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle and its bell tower, built around 1200.

Next, pass through the beautiful fishing village of Furore and continue to Conca dei Marini to sail under Sophia Loren's former villa.

Stop to admire the home Jackie Kennedy chose for her dream holidays on the Amalfi Coast, just before recharging your batteries during your lunch stop in Amalfi. In the afternoon, sail through Italy's smallest village, Atrani, and stroll through the Roman villas located in Maiori or Ravello before returning to your starting point.

Details of interest

• Price: from £825 per group of up to 6 people.
• Duration: 6-8 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: light snacks such as fresh fruit. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Towels. Boat service with captain. Return transfer to your accommodation.
• Transport: minibus and small boat.

Praiano, Furore and the Emerald Grotto? With this small group excursion, you can see them all from Positano at your own pace!

Put on your snorkelling gear and dive into the water as you sail along Sant'Angelo Beach and the popular rock formation on the island of Ischia, where you will see the imposing Aragonese Castle. Swim around this rock and observe the numerous fish that make their home there.

After returning to the boat, the tour continues to Praiano, an ancient fishing village where the old Church of San Gennaro and cliffs lined with luxury villas define the character of the place. Explore the historic centre or stroll along Marina di Praia, its flagship beach. Next, head towards the Furore fjord to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be amazed by the picture-perfect Italian landscape that unfolds before your eyes.

And to end the day on a high note, enjoy a final stop at the Emerald Grotto, an underground cave where the intense green colour of the water will take your breath away. The boat skims around the area, but you can enter the grotto between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to explore its interior for an additional fee of approximately £5 per person. At the end of this tour, the sun will be setting. Enjoy a glass of prosecco or limoncello and watch the sunset over the sea as you return to Positano.

Details of interest

• Price: from £790 for groups of up to 5 people.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: snorkelling equipment. Beach towels. Minibar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, including prosecco and limoncello. Boat captain service
• Transport: speedboat, sailboat, gozzo or small boat.

Here's the plan: you and your friends will take a Vespa tour of the Amalfi Coast. What does that mean? It means you'll travel along this majestic coastline guided by an expert with time available to chat, take photos and learn interesting facts about the area.

During this type of excursion, you will travel through world-famous coastal landscapes and picturesque villages from Positano to Ravello, passing through Amalfi, Conca de' Marini and charming Atrani. In Positano, you will stroll through the centre among boutiques and craft shops before heading down to the beach to enjoy the famous views.

The next stop is Conca de' Marini, very close to the Emerald Grotto, where the group can decide whether to go in at this time or on the way back. Then continue along the winding road with a colourful 360-degree view towards Amalfi, where you can visit its famous cathedral or perhaps the Amalfi Arsenal Museum, a medieval shipyard that is a landmark in the area.

Let the engine of your vintage Vespa roar on as you reach Atrani, a fishing village with a charming open-air museum. Then continue with a stop at the Villa Cimbrone Gardens viewpoint to reach the last leg of the tour: Ravello.

In Ravello, you won't be able to resist stopping among the sumptuous villas, shops and terraces to taste the "delizia al limone". This is a delicacy of the gods with a local accent that goes well with Neapolitan Sfogliatella pastry, accompanied by a Neapolitan espresso, before setting off to return to your starting point, just in time to join in the things to do in Positano at night.

Details of interest

Price: from £330 per person.

• Price: from £330 per person.
• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour includes: expert local guide service. Rental of a classic Vespa. Raincoat, if necessary. Neapolitan coffee or typical drink. Snacks in coastal cafés. Neapolitan souvenir. Return transfer service to your accommodation in Positano.
• Means of transport: Classic Vespa.

If you're spending a day on the Amalfi Coast, why not do it with a group of people who share your interests? That's what this group boat trip to Amalfi, Minori and Maiori from Positano offers you.

Sail slowly, admiring every cove, grotto and bay along the way. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a dip with your snorkel and enjoy the rich colours of both land and sea. This is one of those experiences you'll remember for years to come. The locals on this coast have spent centuries preserving and creating an environment that is as rich in history as it is in beauty, impossible to miss.

The Amalfi Coast is considered a World Heritage Site largely thanks to its legendary Mediterranean landscape. It is a seductive combination that contrasts the coastal mountains with a vertical scene of rugged cliffs and the blue sea, such as those in Praiano, Conca dei Marini, the Furore fjord and Minori, where the spas will make you want to leave the boat behind.

And when it's time to leave the sea, visit the Roman villas of Amalfi, as well as some trails following the guide's instructions. You will see things that most tourists never get to see due to lack of knowledge: hidden caves and secret passageways that were used long ago. This is definitely one of the best excursions in Positano.

Details of interest

• Price: from £110 per person.
• Duration: 7-8 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: snacks such as fresh fruit. Water, beer, soft drinks, limoncello and prosecco. Boat trip with captain.
• Transport: small boat.

On this 2-hour excursion, you will leave behind the luxury hotels, crowded restaurants, and bustling streets of Positano and other coastal towns. Sail away from it all in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere towards the island of Capri.

Aboard a small boat, the captain will take you directly to the Li Galli archipelago, also known as "Le Sirenuse" ( The Sirens), as according to Greek mythology, this was the home of the sirens.

This archipelago is made up of three islets: Gallo Lungo, La Castelluccia and La Rotonda, and in the middle you can snorkel, swim at your leisure or, if you prefer, just admire the view from the boat. You will be in a privileged spot, watching the sunset behind Capri while enjoying the minibar, which offers water, beer, prosecco and soft drinks. At the end of the trip, you will leave behind the romantic atmosphere of the sunset and the captain will take you back to your starting point just in time to join the nightlife of Positano.

Details of interest

• Price: from £600 for groups of 6 people.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Schedule: afternoon.
• What the tour includes: towels. Boat captain service. Minibar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including soft drinks and prosecco.
• Transport: yacht, speedboat or "gozzo".

The duration varies between 2 and 9 hours, depending on the type of excursion. Tourists often opt for day trips to enjoy the charms of the place.

There is so much to discover, and it is best to take advantage of the combination of sea and land tours for as long as possible.

• Book your activities in advance. It may seem that booking at the last minute will save you money, but this is not always true when it comes to excursions on the Amalfi Coast. It is best to book in advance to take advantage of the best discounts and plan your itinerary.

There are hundreds of things to do and see in the area, and visits to this town are usually limited and combined, for example, 3 days in Positano and other days in Sorrento or Naples. To optimise your schedule and get the most out of your visit, confirm your place on all the activities you are interested in. I recommend calling at least 3 days before you set off.

• Don't forget your sunscreen, especially if you are travelling in summer. Even if it is cloudy, the sun can be strong enough to burn your skin if you are not protected. Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often, especially if there are breaks in the clouds or after swimming or sweating.
• Try to book your transfers from the airport to Positano in advance. The nearest airport is Naples, and public transport is busy and requires connections. Decide in advance so you can book your taxi or shuttle from the hotel, or check bus, train and boat timetables.

You will see caves, coves, villas, beaches, and famous grottoes such as the Emerald Grotto, Gallo Lungo, La Castelluccia, and La Rotonda, as well as the islets of the Li Galli archipelago. You will also find museums, churches, bell towers, ruins and Roman villas in every village you visit.

On this type of excursion along the Amalfi Coast, the most interesting things are the contrasts, activities and alternatives that seduce the senses of visitors.