Best Beaches in Positano, Italy to Visit – Cafes and Getaways

Europe . Italy

Best Beaches in Positano, Italy to Visit

Last Modified: November 2, 2023

You can purchase a sunbed rental at the beach, but it is best to reserve them months in advance. The main beach has plenty of available beds, but beach clubs like Arienzo have limited availability, which books up quickly. 

One of the biggest questions people have is how much beach beds in Positano cost. Unfortunately, there is no short answer as they vary greatly by location, time of year, and beach club.

The cheapest sunbed you can find will cost you about €30 per person, with prices skyrocketing up €500 or more. I’ve included the most recent rental costs and amenities for each beach club discussed in this post.

Public amenities in Europe usually come at a small cost. Add the prestige and popularity of Positano, and the cost increases just a bit! Surprisingly, it is still vastly cheaper than paying for beach club access.

And although the bathroom fee was not much of a shock, the shower area was. Just in front of the free section of the beach on Spiaggia Grande is an area where you can wash your feet free of sand before heading back into town. Again, the fee is only 0.50, but it’s an additional charge many, like me, had not expected. 

Positano Beaches

Most beaches along the Amalfi Coast are pebble beaches. They can be tricky to walk on, so bring some comfortable shoes to protect your feet. And although spending a chunk of money on a sunbed may not sound ideal, it can be worth the comfort of lying down on the rocky shore. 

Positano Beach Clubs

Due to its location, the temperature in Positano stays quite warm for a large portion of the year, which makes the Amalfi Coast a popular destination through the shoulder seasons. In general, beach season starts at the beginning of May to about October. The free sections of beaches like Spiaggia Grande remain open all year long.

Spaggia Grande is Positano’s main beach and the one you see in the famous photographs of the cliffside houses in the background. Spaggia Grande is probably the most popular stretch of coastline due partly to the fact that it is within minutes of the center of town. Most of the beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas that you can rent for the day.

The 300-meter-long pebble beach is lined with beach clubs and restaurants and spectacular views of the Postiano homes. Although there are hundreds of sunbeds available, you can also lay out on the free beach area. 

The two beach club options for Spiaggia Grande are La Scogliera and Lido L’Incanto. Of the two, La Sogliera is the most expensive but most popular option. This high-end beach club is on the edge of the beach along the cliffside and has some of the most luxurious sun lounge rentals.

Lido L’Incanto, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly for those looking for a simple place to lay. The beach club rents out chairs in pairs, with rentals also including access to the bathroom, changing rooms, and a food and beverage menu. 

In addition to the main restaurants within feet of the water, you also have access to public bathrooms and showers that anyone can use for a small fee. There are a handful of places to eat here, ranging from the high-end Rada Beach Bistrot to Chez Black, which sits just behind the free section of beach.

My recommendation is to avoid any of these restaurants. The quality of the food is not worth the price, and the service is not great. Like all touristy destinations, avoid eating near the main attractions.

Like most beaches in the area, Spaggia Grande does get quite packed, especially in the free beach area. Get there early in the morning for a spot close to the water, or reserve your sunbed in advance.

If you want the convenience of walking to the beach but want some more privacy, then I would rent a spot at La Scogliera. This beach club is more upscale than others, but it offers a more secluded vibe than places like Lido L’Incanto.

La Scogliera is located on the far side of Spaggia Grande and is famous for its photo-perfect lounge areas. One thing that is great about this beach club is it offers several tiers of beds. The lowest tier starts at €200 per person, with the highest coming in at €500 per person.

Something that stood out to me about La Scogliera is that rentals are staggered from each other, giving you more privacy than most other beach clubs offer. All rentals come with a customized towel to keep, bottled water, access to showers, and wifi. Guests also have free access to the outdoor terrace and onsite restaurant. 

Since the availability of rentals is not large, especially for the higher tier beds, bookings go quickly here. To learn more about the range of sun loungers and book yours, visit the beach club’s website.  

  • Hours: Every day from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Price: Sunbed rentals range from €200 per person – €500 per person
  • Amenities: Customized towel to keep, bottled water, access to showers, and wifi
  • Reservations:  Click here to book a sunbed

Another great beach near Positano is Laurito Beach. If you’re staying in Positano, then you can access it by boat or car. If you visit one of the beach clubs here, they will offer free boat service from the Positano pier. Boat services take just 5 minutes from Positano and are generally the better of the two options. 

The tiny beach is hidden in a cliffside and (used to) be a quiet oasis among the very tourist Positano. Although it remains less busy than other locations, there are few hidden places on the Amalfi Coast these days. However, Laurito Beach is a much more tranquil seaside spot than most and offers a much calmer vibe than other Positano beaches. 

Laurito Beach Club

Laurito Beach Club is owned by the beautiful Villa Trevilla. Sunbeds are a bit pricier here, but they include free shuttle access, additional amenities, and a quiet upscale experience. The first-row beds cost €120 per person and go down slightly for the rest.

Your standard rental includes a sunbed, umbrella, and access to the club’s private facilities. You also receive free boat transportation and a welcome cocktail. Of course, you can also skip the beach and head straight to the restaurant. Villa Trevilla has a restaurant and bar, as well as eight rooms available for guests to rent. 

  • Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Price: Peak-season beds range from €100-€120
  • Amenities: Free boat service, sunbed, towel, umbrella, and shower
  • Reservations: Email [email protected] or call +39 089 811580

Da Aldolfo

A second option on Laurio Beach is Da Adolfo. For those of you looking to enjoy some seafood, you’ll want to reserve a spot here. This iconic spot also offers free shuttle services from Positano for guests. Boat services run every hour, starting from 10:00 am and are available with a reservation. You can choose to grab a leisurely lunch or spend the day at the beach.

Da Adolfo offers sunbeds and umbrella rentals and has all the necessary amenities. You will have to call them directly to make a reservation. Both the restaurant and the sun beds book up quickly here. 

  • Hours: Open from 10:00 am
  • Price: Contact [email protected] for updated prices
  • Amenities: Free boat service, sunbed, umbrella, and shower
  • Reservations: Call +39 089875022 to make your reservations

Fornillo Beach is also walkable from Postiano’s city center and offers equally beautiful views but with smaller crowds. The tranquil beach is located to the left of Spiaggia Grande, on the opposite side of the cliff.

Just like the main Spaggia Grande beach, Fornillo offers a variety of restaurants and beach clubs for the ultimate relaxing afternoon on the water. However, it is far less crowded and the recommended of the two. 

It is also much smaller and more intimate than Spaggia Grande and, although still popular, has remained fairly calm. The water here is a clear blue, and you can appreciate the stunning megayachts from afar. 

If you’re looking for an escape from the high volume of people without needing public transportation, Fornillo Beach is the perfect retreat. 

Da Ferdinando Beach Club

Fornillo Beach has a small free section that fills up quickly. The best place to lay out is at Da Ferdinando Beach Club. The starting price for a sunbed here is €30, but prices go up to €40 for front-row spots. During the shoulder season, prices drop slightly. Rentals are for the day and can be booked in advance online. 

Da Ferdinando runs as a restaurant and beach club, so you can sit down for a meal without purchasing a bed. Unlike many beachside restaurants, this family-owned establishment offers terrific service and quality food. Da Ferdinando gets my vote for the best Positano beach clubs in terms of experience, value for your money, and quality. 

  • Hours: Every day from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Price: Peak-season beds range from €30-€40
  • Amenities: Bathroom, boat, and canoe rentals
  • Reservations: Click here to book a sunbed or call +39 089 875365

This popular beach is famous for its bright orange striped umbrellas and sunbeds. You can access Arienzo Beach by car or boat. The fastest and least strenuous way to get here will be with their free boat service. They run every 30 minutes from Positano Pier and start at 10:00 am.

If you want to arrive by car, you will have to park at the top of the cliff and walk about 300 steps down. If you don’t mind the walk back up, this offers more flexibility to come and go as you please than a shuttle. 

Arienzo Beach Club

Arienzo Beach Club remains one of the most loved beach clubs in Positano. The iconic orange umbrellas and scenic views make it a popular destination for beach lovers looking to spend the day at the beach. 

One of the reasons people love coming here, besides the views, is the full-service experience you get. The beach club offers several levels of packages that you can purchase. The lowest tier starts at €140 per person for the day and comes with a sunbed, umbrella, water, champagne, and complimentary towel. During peak season, packages can go as high as €650 or more.

All packages include a sunbed, umbrella, towel, and water. From there, you can get additional menu items, drinks, and desserts. So, although the price tag may shock you, you are getting a ton of additional items, all served to you by a member of their staff. 

If you are looking to spend an entire day at the beach, then Arienzo Beach may be the perfect place for you. Make sure to reserve your spot several months in advance as they book up quickly. 

  • Hours: 10:00 am – 6:15 pm
  • Price: Peak-season packages range from €140-€650+
  • Amenities: Sunbed, umbrella, towel, bottled water, food and beverages
  • Reservations: Click here to book a sunbed

For a quiet beachside retreat, take a boat ride to La Porta Beach. Since this stretch of coast is only accessible by boat, it is one of the least crowded beaches along the Amalfi Coast. Like most beaches nearby Positano, you can grab a boat from the Spiaggia Grande port. 

Since there are no amenities or beach clubs at La Porta, you will take a water taxi instead of a free shuttle service. Water taxis leave for La Porta from Positano as early as 9:00 am and include round trips back later that afternoon.

There are no restaurants or facilities here, so pack a lunch and bring all the beach accessories you may need. For the ultimate secluded beach experience, spend a day relaxing on this large strip of beach. 

If you plan on spending several days in Positano, you will have plenty of time to explore the other coastal towns. The Amalfi coast has a handful of other enchanting villages that offer a more laidback vibe than the bustling town of Positano.

As you explore the neighboring areas, stop for a dip in the water at one of these other terrific beaches. One amazing beach to try is Marina de Praia in Praino, just 20 minutes from Positano. Since there is a small paid parking lot here, it is a great stop during your drive along the coast.  

Marina di Praia Beach is tucked away in a fjord, making it a great place for swimming and water sports. It is surrounded by cliffs with views of an old Saracen watch tower from the water. Better yet, climb up to the Torre a Mare for the best sea views . 

In addition to the beach, there are several different restaurants and amenities here, as well as showers and changing rooms. Grab a bite at Trattoria da Armandino for some fresh seafood.

If you want a less crowded experience, visit Positano during the shoulder season. Even then, the Amalfi Coast town is still busy with tourists. For a chance to enjoy the warmer weather without the highest possible crowds late September to October is the best time to visit. Another good option would be between April and early May.

Over the last couple of years, the spike in tourism has made the shoulder season extremely crowded as well. We visited Positano at the end of September and did not expect the large number of tourists that were there. After talking to locals, they said that this was still nothing compared to the amount of people that come through Positano in the summer.

If you are less interested in beaches and would rather spend time hiking or exploring the nooks and crannies of the charming towns, then the low season may be an option for you. Try visiting during November or even early Spring for a much quieter experience.

The weather will be too cold to swim but nice enough to enjoy the outdoors. If you plan on visiting during this time, research the opening times of attractions you’re interested in seeing to ensure they are open.

Lastly is the high season, which primarily goes from June to August. Although, like I said earlier, as of now, it seems to be extending into May and September. My short and sweet recommendation is to avoid this time at all costs. From inflated prices to an insane amount of tourists, you will not be able to appreciate the area’s beauty.

Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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