Positano beach Spiaggia Grande, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Spiaggia Grande is the principal beach of Positano, a town located on the Amalfi Coast in the Campania region of southern Italy. Situated at the foot of Positano’s steep hillside and directly below the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the beach forms the town’s central waterfront and serves as its main point of maritime access. Owing to its location and panoramic setting, Spiaggia Grande is considered one of the most recognizable beaches in Italy.

Spiaggia Grande stretches for about 300 metres at the foot of the town and is made of dark volcanic sand mixed with fine pebbles. The water is usually clear, ranging from turquoise to deep blue, and the seabed drops away fairly quickly a short distance from the shore. The bathing season runs from late May to early October, and in July and August the sea often reaches 25–28 °C.

Most of the beach is taken up by private beach clubs (stabilimenti), where an umbrella with two sun loungers costs from around €50 a day in high season and is best booked ahead in July and August. A small free public section (spiaggia libera) lies at the western end near the pier and fills up early on summer mornings.

The ferry pier at the western end of the beach has boats to Amalfi, Capri, Sorrento and Salerno from about April to October, as well as water taxis and boat tours. Showers and cafés are right on the beach, and a scenic cliffside path past the Trasita tower leads in 10–15 minutes to the quieter Fornillo beach. Spiaggia Grande is not only a place to swim but also the heart of Positano’s seafront, linking the town’s maritime traditions with today’s tourism.