Where is Positano
Positano is located on the coast of the Salerno Gulf, along the Amalfi Coast in the Campania region. It's not too far from Rome, at a distance of 260 km. It is situated near Naples (60 km) and just 7 km away from the famous town of Sorrento.
The population of the municipality of Positano is 3,862 people, with a density of 483 people per square kilometer. It's a relatively small number, considering the thousands of tourists that visit every year. Positano is a favorite vacation spot for international celebrities. Villa Sofia Loren is located here, and in the past, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Liza Minnelli, and Rudolf Nureyev have all enjoyed their holidays in Positano.
The national currency is the euro (EUR).
History of Positano
Every self-respecting seaside resort must have a beautiful origin story — preferably involving ancient Greek gods. The coast of Italy is no exception!
According to legend, Positano was founded by the god of the sea, Poseidon. Naturally, there’s a love story involved: the tale says that Poseidon established the settlement in honor of his beloved nymph Pasitea — hence the name. Positano is also mentioned in Homer’s “Odyssey” as the home of the legendary sirens.
In the 1st century AD, the resort began its existence as a place of leisure: Roman patricians liked to stay here in their luxurious villas. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Positano gained great commercial and economic importance — it became a center for trade, shipbuilding, and even coin minting.
During the Middle Ages, to protect the town from pirate raids, massive watchtowers were built, many of which still stand today: Torre Sponda, Torre Trasita, and Torre del Fornillo.
In the 13th century, after surviving many hardships, the town entered a period of flourishing. Magnificent villas and baroque-style palaces were built here. After World War I, Positano became known as an elite resort.
