Spiaggia Grande, Positano

Spiaggia Grande is the main beach of Positano, on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, and a classic day trip from Sorrento, about 16 km (10 miles) away by sea. The beach is dark grey pebbles and coarse volcanic sand running along the base of the village, with the pastel houses and the domed church of Santa Maria Assunta rising in tiers behind it. The water is clear and blue, deepening quickly from the shoreline, and the bay is open to the south, so moderate waves can occur on windy days. The strip is moderately long and fully used in summer, with equipped lidos taking most of the frontage and a free strip left for visitors with their own towels. The atmosphere is lively, elegant and busy, with a mix of day-trippers, couples and families; it is more a scenic social beach than a quiet retreat. Sunbeds and umbrellas at the lidos carry premium prices compared with Sorrento, and prices should be checked before sitting down. Restaurants, cafes and boat taxis line the waterfront, and boat taxis run to nearby coves such as Arienzo and Fornillo. Lifeguard hours depend on the lido and season. The beach is accessible from the ferry pier, which makes the sea route the easiest. Ferries run from Marina Piccola in Sorrento in season; operators include alilauro.it, travelmar.it, navlib.it and snav.it, and a SITA coast bus also serves the route, though the coast road is slow and crowded in summer. Parking in Positano is limited and expensive. The best season is June to September; ferry service reduces outside it, so schedules should be confirmed in advance.