Beaches in Positano
All four of Positano's beaches are sand and pebble squeezed beneath the cliff — what differs is how far down each one is, and what the sunbeds cost.
- Spiaggia Grande
- Central
- Fornillo
- Ten minutes on foot or by boat
- Arienzo
- Boat from Spiaggia Grande or 300 steps
Positano's four beaches aren't interchangeable: Spiaggia Grande sits where the street meets the sea, Fornillo is ten minutes quieter, and Arienzo and Laurito are reached only by boat or a run of steps — the difference is in access, shore and sunbed price.
Spiaggia Grande — right in the centre
The main beach is where the town's one street meets the sea, sand and pebble just below the square with the church. The public stretch is free. A sunbed and umbrella at one of the lidos, such as La Buca di Bacco, cost free (public part) · sunbeds €35–60. Boats for Fornillo, Arienzo and further along the coast set off from here too.
Fornillo — ten minutes on, fewer people
The Via Positanesi d'America path leads to Fornillo on foot in five to ten minutes, or by boat. The shore is pebble and coarser sand. Sunbeds cost less than at Spiaggia Grande, free. It stays quieter than the centre even in summer.
Arienzo — 300 steps or a free boat
Arienzo is reached either by a free shuttle boat from Spiaggia Grande or by about 300 steps down. The shore is pebble. Sunbeds come as a package for two, sunbeds for two (boat incl.) €70–90, and booking is recommended, since the beach is smaller than the first two.
Laurito — the furthest, by water taxi
Laurito is the most distant of the four, with pebble and rock slabs. It's reached by water taxi from Spiaggia Grande or by the SITA bus followed by steps. Sunbeds for two, at the Da Adolfo restaurant right on the beach, cost sunbeds for two (boat incl.) €50–70; here too it pays to book ahead.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Are the beaches in Positano free?
The public stretch is on all four; only the sunbed and umbrella are paid, from free at Fornillo to sunbeds for two (boat incl.) €70–90 for two at Arienzo.
Which beach is closest to the centre?
Spiaggia Grande, right below the square with the church; Fornillo is ten minutes on, and Arienzo and Laurito are reached by boat.
Ready for Positano?
Where to next
Positano in 2 days
→The first day runs down the one real street to the sea, the second goes up by bus and back down a trail of…
Amalfi · 10 km
→A former maritime republic around its cathedral, and a base for the rest of the coast
How well does Positano suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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