Positano on a Budget? What You’ll Expect to Spend on the Amalfi Coast
Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Dana Berez
How Much a Trip to Positano Actually Costs
One of the common questions I get about Positano is how much it costs to travel there. Can you really do Positano on a Budget, or is it out of reach?
The answer is really what you make of it. You can of course have an ultra-lux experience spending over $1,500 a night and eating in one of the multiple Michelin Star restaurants, but you can also experience this lemon-filled town on a moderate budget.
After the years I’ve been vacationing in Positano, the prices of things have gone up quite a bit! From accommodations, beach clubs, and restaurants because the demand for this small town has gone up immensely.
Plus, Positano has never been the cheapest place to visit in Italy, so planning accordingly will help you with some sticker shock!
So let’s break down by category how much you’ll be spending on your trip to Positano.
How Much Hotels Cost in Positano
On average, hotels in Positano are expensive compared to other places you’d visit in Italy for 2 reasons:
- The inventory in Positano is limited. There aren’t that many places to stay, especially budget-friendly options.
- The demand to stay in Positano is high! Everyone wants a taste of the Dolce Vita.
Typically, hotels in Positano cost around $400+ per night on the low end. Luxury hotels are easily above $800 per night. Alternatively, a bed & breakfast with no frills can be around $250-$300 per night.
So no, you don’t have to spend $1,000 a night to enjoy Positano. But those budget-friendly gems are booked well in advance.
My favorite budget-friendly place to stay is around $250 per night, and I personally book my accommodation 9 months in advance (I usually book my accommodation first before my flight) So whenever you know your travel dates book your stay!
If you’re looking to book a hotel close to your travel dates, there may be no inventory, especially during the high season.
A thing to remember is that there are no mega hotel chains in Positano. Most of the accommodations are Bed & Breakfasts run by the owners or small boutique hotels.
Read Next: 15 Best Hotels in Positano Italy with Stunning Views for 2023
$250 per night:
Finding a place under $250 in the center of Positano doesn’t really exist. Most of these accommodations aren’t in Positano at all and are located in Montepertuso. On a map, it looks close but in reality it’s the top of the hill in Positano only reachable by car/bus, or if you want to hike every day.
If you are only traveling for a few days, I would suggest staying somewhere closer to the center of town if you plan on being by the beach everyday. An great option is staying in Fornillo, which is the quieter side of Positano, and in my opinion an excellent area to stay. It’s no more than a 10/15 minute walk to the beach and you’ll still find restaurants and shopping. There are a few of B&B’s in the $250 price range! Here are some of my selects:
- Venus Inn B&B: I stayed here both times while in Positano, and really couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else at this point. Venus Inn is Positano’s secret gem, and for less than $200 a night. I particularly love that each room comes with your own terrace (shared, but separated by screens) with a stunning view (not the iconic view you see in Postcards, but equally breathtaking). Each morning includes breakfast on your terrace: a cornetto, yogurt, fruits, and of course coffee / tea. I can’t forget to mention the owner, Gippy, who is so accommodating & will help you with anything !
- Casa Albertina: In a prime location in Positano. I have seen great prices if you book far in advance.
- Hotel Savoia: Great Location & Value!
Average Prices $400-$800
In reality, this is what you should expect to pay when traveling to Positano. This is a healthy range where you can be pretty selective on a handful of hotels located in the center of town just steps away from the beach, shopping, and restaurants. Here are some of my favorites:
- Hotel Poseidon: Just from my experience of having drinks on their terrace I know that this would be an excellent place to stay. The service is top-notch.
- Eden Roc: Located in Positano, but just a bit higher makes the views here incredible!
- Positano Art Pasitea Hotel: This artsy boutique-style hotel offers stylish interiors and private balconies.
Lux $900+
The world is yours with this price range! You can hotels in central locations with epic views & private terraces, and extra amenities like a pool overlooking the Positano Coast. Here are some of my favorites:
- Villa Fiorentino: Features epic infinity pool overlooking Positano!
- Le Sirenuse: If you had to do it big in Positano, do it at Le Sirenuse. One of the world’s most recognized hotels!
Food & Beverage Prices in Positano
There really is no way around the prices of food and drinks in Positano, as you’ll be eating out for every meal (unless you have your own kitchen) So this is where your budget can go a little crazy, especially if you are there for a few days. The options for grab & go are also extremely limited, so be prepared to sit down for the majority of your meals.
Cheap Eats: Less than 15€
There aren’t many places with cheaper grab & go bites, but they do exist. I particularly like these places for lunch, especially if I want to take away to eat it on the beach, or room. Here are some options:
Pergola of Bar Buca Di Bacco: As it’s located right on the Spiaggia Grande, I went here frequently for coffee, sliced pizza 5€, and traveling Aperol Spritz 7€.
Lunch at Pergola, Bar Buca di Bacco
Collina Bakery: Located in the center of town, right down the street from Le Sirenuse where they have small grab & go lunch options.
Latteria: I wish I would have found this gem sooner! Right across from Hotel Poseidon, this is a deli-style grocery store that has over-the-counter specialties. We ordered fresh octopus salad, pasta, meatballs, and two glasses of wine for 28€ ! They also have cute patio seating in front.
Restaurants 15€-40€
I found that all the sit-down restaurants had similar pricing give or take a few euros. The closer you are to the Spaggia Grande, expect to pay a little more.
I would say the average prices of appetizers & salads are 14€-20€, while main pasta dishes range from 15€ to 28€ with seafood. Main orders of fish and meats also range 25€-40€ +.
Dinner meals for 2 people (wine, appetizers and entree) were around 100 to 200 euros depending on where we ate!
Drinks 9€-25€
I found if you ordered the wine from the Amalfi Coast, you’d be spending a minimum of 9€ per glass at restaurants.
If you are looking for aperitvo (drinks before dinner) you probably heard of Franco’s Bar a part of Le Sirenuse. Drinks here are around 20€ for their specialty cocktails. Because this bar is so popular, you’ll end up waiting for a table.
Drinks at Franco’s Bar
Another bar, that I personally prefer over Franco’s for aperitivo is the terrace of Hotel Poseidon. The drinks here are around 15€, which is still pricy but the ambiance is much more relaxed and romantic.
Hotel Poseidon View at Night
If you want to save money, you can always buy a bottle of wine for 10€ and enjoy the views of Positano from your room!
Transportation around the Amalfi Coast
Ferries 14€- 20€
When you are in Positano, the opportunities to visit other towns along the coast and Capri are tempting! The quickest way to get there is by taking the ferry service. Expect the tickets one way to cost 14€ Euro for Amalfi, Salerno, etc to 20€ for Capri.
Sita Bus
The cheapest way to travel town to town on the Amalfi Coast is the Sita Bus. One way tickets vary in price ( around 2.60€) but an unlimited daily pass is 10€. While the bus is the cheapest option, it’s not most efficient way to travel. Taking the bus especially during the summer months will be crowded and seats fill up quick. I stood both times from Sorrento to Positano and if any of you know what kind of windy road the journey is, you’ll know that standing is not comfortable.
Renting Beach Chairs in Positano
The Spaggia Grande is actually a private beach. To rent a beach chair you are looking at 25€ per chair, while the front row chairs are 30€. If that’s not your jam, you can bring your own towel and lay in a small section just next to the chairs for free.
You can also rent chairs on the Fornillo beach, just a short walk along the coast for 10€. If there was a full sun day, this is where I would be!
Fornillo Beach
Things to Consider:
Your Location Matters
Anything you do around around the Spaggia Grande will be priced higher. Expect to pay a lot more for your accommodations, and food & beverages. Now, if you head up where the main road is in Positano, you’ll find it be better on your wallet. We tried out Bar Internationale for a quick bite for sandwiches and coffee and spent 10 Euros. You can also find more budget friendly places in Fornillo.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Positano
This is pretty self-explanatory. The more days in Positano, the more room you should have in your budget to account for lunches, dinners, day trips, and shopping.
Should you Consider Slow Season?
If you want to spend less on your accommodation, you should consider visiting during low season (September-November) (April-Mid May) Just note, the weather is definitely still warming up at this point. I went both times in Mid May, and the weather was temperate in the day, but at night I needed a light wool coat to keep warm.
Final Note, can you do Positano on a Budget?
It’s really up to you! If you can secure your hotel for less than $300 a night, you’ll be at a good start. Be prepared to spend a decent amount of money on dinners and drinks. Also account in day trips you might have planned. In general, this isn’t a cheap place to visit, but you can defiantly work within a reasonable budget.
I hope this gave you a better understanding on how much money things actually cost in Positano!
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katy gilroy
such a helpful post & your photos are stunning! x
danaberez
katy gilroyThank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed!