Arriving by boat in Positano is one of the most exhilarating experiences on the Amalfi Coast, with multi-colored houses climbing up the steep mountainside surrounding the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Stepping off the boat you’re just feet from the beach, and it’s hard not to want to jump right in the cool and refreshing waters. The main beach at Positano, however, can get quite crowded, especially during these late summer days.
But if you just look toward the other side of Positano as your boat arrives, you’ll see a little sliver of another beach just beyond a watchtower. That’s Fornillo beach where I’m taking you on this Tempting Tuesday. I first read about Fornillo beach on Scintilla’s lovely blog Bell’Avventura last year, and I’ve been wanting to make a trip there since. Last month I finally made that trip, and it was a truly beautiful day by the sea.
Climbing up an inclined pathway just beyond where the ferries dock in Positano takes you past the watchtower above and around the corner to the beautiful cove of Fornillo Beach. The view from the beach includes another watchtower and the Li Galli islands in the distance, which you can see in the photo below.
A few more steps and you can see the beach, lined with lidos where you can rent sun beds, umbrellas and find plenty of options for dining. While it’s just a short stroll from the center of Positano, Fornillo feels worlds away.
It wouldn’t be Positano, of course, without flowers in gorgeous colors everywhere you walk. This is the view of the bougainvillea covered walkway down to the beach. Positively lovely!
From my sun bed I had a picture perfect view of the watchtower overlooking Fornillo beach. I had to pull my camera out again to take a few shots of it in the early evening light.
Too soon it was already time to pack up and catch the ferry back to Amalfi. But I know I’ll be back again soon!
Anne in Oxfordshire says
That is definitely one thing I want to experience …and definitely on my MUST visit list. Just love the flowers too. Scintilla's blog oozes colour doesn't it? She sent me a fab book the other week, by Susan Allen, 100 places in Italy every woman should visit… amazing .
erin says
beautiful as always!
Lucia says
Okay right now I just wanna get on a plane and go!!!!! I wanna meet Nicki in person in Positano and Lara! One day! Thank you for taking us their by pictures, it was beautiful.
Laura says
Ciao Anne! You'll love Positano! I hope you get to visit this part of Italy very soon. Yes, Scintilla's blog is so beautiful! I've been wanting to read that book. I'll have to track it down! Thanks!
Ciao Erin! Oh, Positano just has something special about it for sure. 🙂
Ciao Lucia! I wish you could just hop on a plane and visit here. Hopefully some day soon!
LindyLouMac says
Thanks for your recent visits and comments over at News From Italy. With all our visitors now departed I am catching up on my Blog reading.
Thanks for once again great memories of the Amalfi coast.
Have you so many tourists this year? so far tourism in our region is 25% down 🙁
Saretta says
It's all so breathtakingly beautiful!
Laura says
Ciao Saretta! I feel that way each and every time I see Positano… it is just so beautiful!
Robbin says
now I see what you mean about just wanting to see pictures. I was even there and I just keep staring at the pictures….
Laura says
That was such a great day, Robbin! I'm glad we went together. I'm HERE and I stare at the pictures all the time. Hah! You'll be back soon! 🙂
Leanne in Italy says
The beach there is just lovely. Hope you are having a great summer!
Laura says
Ciao Leanne! I remember you walking over there last summer when we met up for lunch. Seems amazing it was already a year ago that we met for lunch in Positano. 🙂
Laura says
Ciao Linda! You're very welcome. I just added you to my blogroll… finally! I'm slowly re-doing and updating things around here. 🙂 I really enjoy all your comments and wish I had more time for blog reading. This fall will be better!
I'm not sure about percentages for tourism, but I hear it's down here, too. But, it seems like all the August tourists just arrived yesterday. From last Friday to today, Amalfi has completely changed! Today it felt like August for the first time. I hope tourism picks up there for August!
LindyLouMac says
Thanks for adding me Laura, the list of Italy blogs seems to be increasing daily.
Yes Marta is now humming with activity and it is lovely to see, but it is for such a short time.
Laura says
Ciao Linda! I'm glad to hear things are picking up in Marta. The busy summer months do pass by so quickly! We'll be thinking of these warm summer days during the cold winter days all too soon… 🙂
Lisa at Wanderlust Women says
Let’s take the ferries from our respective starting points and meet here soon 🙂
Laura says
Deal! 🙂 Next time we’ll meet in Positano!