Il Fornillo Coastal Path Viewpoint
Follow the short coastal path west from Spiaggia Grande and within ten minutes you reach a rocky ledge above Spiaggia del Fornillo where the whole candy-coloured cascade of Positano stacks up behind you and the sea turns molten at golden hour. It is the view the photographers don't tell you about.
Walking the Path
The paved mule track from the western end of Spiaggia Grande hugs the cliff face, passing two Saracen watchtowers — Torre Trasita and Torre di Fornillo — that once warned villagers of pirate raids. The walk takes about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace and is manageable in sandals, though the steps can be slippery when wet.
Halfway along, a tiny wooden kiosk sells cold Nastro Azzurro beer and fresh coconut slices. It has no name, no sign, and no Wi-Fi — just a local man, a cool box, and one of the finest perches on the coast.
The Viewpoint Itself
Just before the path descends to Fornillo beach, a natural rock terrace juts out over the water. From here you see Spiaggia Grande, the church dome, and the full vertical drama of Positano's cliffside houses in a single unobstructed frame — no telephoto lens required.
Arrive 45 minutes before sunset and stay until the last light drains from the Faraglioni rocks to the east. In summer (June–August) the sky turns shades of tangerine and rose that feel almost implausible.
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