Planning a Positano vacation? We’re here to help!

Feel like embracing La Dolce Vita on your next vacation? You can do just that when you make the trip to the Amalfi Coast and stay in one of the area’s legendarily picturesque towns. When you spend time in one of the Luxury Retreats’ villas nestled in Positano or Sorrento, you will soon see that the area’s world heritage status is very much deserved. The gentle pace of life, endless sea views, tasty local dishes, and nearby ancient archaeological sites will tantalize the senses and soothe the soul. Whether you are planning a family getaway, celebrating a special occasion or wanting to get away from the day to day, the Amalfi Coast is waiting to greet you.

Positano has an abundance of local restaurants specializing in serving traditional dishes, with locally sourced produce and freshly caught seafood. For fine dining make a reservation at La Sponda, a beautifully presented restaurant in the Le Sirenuse Hotel. This Michelin-starred eatery, under the watchful eye of chef Matteo Temperini, is loved for its intriguing take on classic dishes, such as beef carpaccio.

Some seafood restaurants demand a little more effort to get to – namely a quick boat ride. Da Adolfo and Lo Scoglio da Tommaso are both such places. Da Adolfo is a popular spot on Laurito beach, serving grilled seafood and fresh mozzarella dishes to hordes of holidaymakers from the jet set to locals, while Lo Scoglio da Tommaso serves vegetables freshly grown in its gardens, alongside mouth-watering dishes such as spaghetti vongole.

As southern Italy is the birthplace of pizza, it would be remiss not to try a slice or two while you are here. Positano’s most popular offerings are Capricci, a beach-side trattoria favored by locals and tourists alike, and Trattoria e Pizzeria da Meme, an eatery loved for its pizzas such as Quattro Formaggi as well as its ever-changing seafood dishes.

Lovers of sandy beaches, it’s time to give another style of beach a whirl. Along the Amalfi coast, beaches are made up of smooth gray pebbles and shingle. Set within little coves and bays surrounded by limestone rocks, the most popular beaches like Laurito, Marina Grande, and Fornillo are all rocky and charming and can get very busy during the summer months when the sun loungers fill with vacationers traveling from nearby Capri, Naples, Ravello, and Ischia.

While these beaches have their charms as well as fun bars and restaurants, it’s a great idea to rent a boat to experience the rugged coastline for yourself. Not only does it free you and your vacation crew from the busy coastal roads, it enables you to discover the many unmapped coves to take a dip or catch a couple of rays in. You can travel further afield by putting up to Marina di Praia, a pretty coastal village with a small beach and selection of restaurants. Or try visiting the Grotta delle Matera and the nearby cove of Marina di Crapolla, which has some interesting Roman villa ruins. Close to this are the three small islands of Li Galli, which the Ancient Romans believed were home to the Sirens. Nowadays the islands are celebrated as a great snorkeling spot. Don’t forget to explore the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a popular swimming cove famous for its natural emerald green coloring.

Where to stay – Positano vacation rentals

Wherever you choose to stay on the Amalfi Coast, you are always close by to another village, beach, or cultural hot spot to visit. The nearest city of Naples is just a short 30-minute drive to Positano and Sorrento, but during the summer months, the two-lane coastal road which connects all of the villages gets snarled up with traffic. No matter when you are staying in a Luxury Retreats villa. The five-star villas are nestled high up in the Amalfi Coast’s cliff faces, meaning you can enjoy all the amenities and spectacular views from every room you are in. All you have to decide is which part of the coastline will be your new home-from-home.

Luxury Retreats’ villas in Positano are on another level when it comes to luxury, location, and modern convenience. Set above the bustling coastal towns, it’s the panoramic views which will first stop you in your tracks, closely followed by the Baroque architectural interior detailing of the expansive living areas, and the lush, tropical gardens covered in citrus fruit trees and bougainvillea. These villas have outdoor kitchen areas, pizza ovens and elegant alfresco dining areas as standard.

Though Positano's iconic grey shingle beaches – Fornillo and Marina Grande – are just a walk away, the lure of your villa’s heated pool with hot tub, sauna and sun terrace may be too enticing to say goodbye to. After a day’s relaxation, it is easy to watch the sunset with a chilled glass of wine your veranda or private terrace, followed by a quick walk into the village to enjoy a local dish of freshly caught seafood at one of the restaurants lining the seafront, although with chef grade kitchens and the option of a chef service at many homes, staying in may also prove to be tempting.

Your guests can keep their cool with the air conditioning available throughout the villa, and the locally produced majolica tiles, lining the floors and walls, also help to keep the interiors comfortably chilled. In many villas, complimentary continental breakfasts and a daily housekeeping service are available.

Sorrento was one of the must-see locations to visit during the height of the European Grand Tours of the 17th and 18th centuries. When staying in Luxury Retreats’ villas in Sorrento it is easy to see why, as the hillside views over Sorrento capture the elegant charm of this quintessentially Mediterranean town. With locations ranging from downtown Sorrento to high up in the hillside close to neighbouring villages of Massa Lubrense and Sant ‘Agnello, a Luxury Retreats villa captures the best of both worlds by being close to the best of what this region has to offer, while also providing privacy and security with its exclusive, gated properties.

Rooftop pools, sun terraces, alfresco showers, saunas, and gyms are all just some of the amenities to enjoy during your stay, while the proximity to private beach clubs and popular beaches such as Peter’s beach and Leonelli beach ensure you can reach these locales in minutes. Many villas have views of the islands of Capri, Ischia and Punta Campanella and excursions by boat can be arranged through your Luxury Retreats concierge. Nearby villages of Positano, Praiano, Amalfi are just a short drive away and if you are keen to see the archaeological wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum, just hop on the ‘circumvesuviana’ train to take you straight there.