A holiday in Italy isn't complete without a trip to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. This small, affluent town may be over-run with designer labels but even the budget traveller can enjoy everything it has to offer.

Positano Accommodation: Hotels and Villa Rentals

Situated on the Amalfi Coast between the towns of Sorrento and Amalfi, Positano is renowned for its large number of luxury hotels; it has four 5 star hotels, and fourteen 4 star hotels. But prices do drop considerably in the low season, so check the websites and book well in advance.

Positano's one and only hostel, Brikette, has rooms in low season with shared bathrooms from €75.00 per night or shared dorms which sleep up to eight from €25.00 per night.  While sleeping with seven other people may not appeal for your whole stay, a couple of nights tempered by a cheap breakfast on the balcony and some of the best views of Positano, will go some way towards keeping the costs down.

Alternatively, Summer in Italy has a good selection of locally owned villa rentals in Positano available for groups at reasonable rents. This is a great way to experience life as a local.

How to Travel in and Around Positano

With so many of Positano's picturesque villas and hotels set impossibly high into the hillside, steps are unavoidable but walking everywhere is a cheap way to see some of the best views. Another cheap alternative are the buses:

• Positano Interno bus - does a loop around the town, and
• Nocelle bus – for the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), which descends by way of 1,700 steps to the township below.

Other day-trip attractions from Positano include:

• Sorrento
• Amalfi
• Ravello
• Isle of Capri and
• Pompeii.

Affordable Restaurants in Positano

Restaurants closest to the beach charge for the privilege, so head to Via Pasitea which has a cheaper selection:

• Café Mediterraneo – try the steamed fish served whole and swimming in its own juices
• Café Positano – has gnocchi to die for and one of the best views of the Amalfi Coast a restaurant can offer
• Next2 - has modern décor, and a menu to match.

The local nightclub 'Music on the Rocks' is the place to be seen in high summer, in low season locals tend to go out in nearby Sorrento.

Shopping on a Budget in Positano

There aren't any large commercial supermarkets in Positano. Mini-marts stock all those lovely Italian staples:

• prosciutto
• parmigiano
• focaccia and
• fresh homemade ravioli.

A weeks shopping for one adult can cost as little as €50.00, which in some restaurants would be a whole nights meal. Many of the shops are family owned and run and the shop assistants provide that personal touch by helping with recipes or guiding the choice of locally grown produce.

Amalfi Coast: Positano Street Shopping

In Positano, expensive art and antique shops are interspersed with alleyways of affordable local jewellery and crafts. And for those that like ceramics, cheap or otherwise, you've come to the right place. The cheaper shops are in  Via Cristoforo Columbo where you can purchase tasteful pieces ranging from €7.00 to €14.00. 

Positano's Fornillo beach

For the cheapest activity in Positano you can't beat Fornillo beach with it's cafe's and brightly coloured beach huts.  For just €5.00 you can hire a sun-lounger to use all day and the beach is excellent for swimming.  Grande Spiaggia is larger but charges €10.00 though the price does drop to €7.00 in the afternoon, or there is a smaller free section without sun-loungers.

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