How to get to Positano, traffic, restricted traffic zone and parking
Nestled like a gem on the Amalfi Coast in the province of Salerno, Positano is a village of iconic beauty, with its colorful houses climbing up the cliffs overlooking the sea. However, its unique layout and heavy tourist traffic especially during peak season make driving and finding parking a challenge. Here’s some useful information to help you navigate Positano, manage the limited traffic zones, and find the best parking options.
How Positano’s ZTL works: hours, restrictions, and key info
The first thing to know if you’re planning to visit this charming village by car is that Positano’s Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) covers most of the town center and its main access roads. The ZTL is generally active 24 hours a day, with certain exceptions for residents, service vehicles, taxis, and emergency services.
The main areas affected by the ZTL in Positano include:
- The historic center, covering the main streets that descend toward the sea, such as Via Cristoforo Colombo (central section), Via dei Mulini, and various internal alleyways. Access here is only allowed for authorized vehicles.
- Access roads to the town, particularly some sections of the provincial roads that lead into central Positano.
It’s essential to pay close attention to traffic signs, which clearly mark the ZTL access points, in order to avoid fines for unauthorized entry. For detailed information on temporary permits (for example, for guests of hotels), specific exceptions, and any updates to ZTL hours, it's best to consult the official website of the Municipality of Positano or contact the local police directly.
Parking in Positano: where to park
Due to Positano’s vertical layout and high population density, finding free parking is extremely difficult especially during summer months and on weekends. Most available parking spots are paid and often come with high hourly rates. However, here are some options to consider:
- Multi-level paid parking garages: These are the most common and often the only way to park close to the center. The main facilities include Parcheggio Anna, Parcheggio Mandara, and Parcheggio Gennaro. Rates vary depending on the season and the duration of your stay. It's advisable to check prices in advance and, if possible, book a spot ahead of time, especially during high season.
- Street parking (blue lines): Along some provincial roads leading into Positano and in certain peripheral areas, there are blue-lined pay-and-display parking spots, often with time limits.
- Partnered parking through accommodations: Many hotels and B&Bs in Positano offer reserved parking for their guests, usually in private garages or off-site parking lots. Be sure to ask about this when booking your stay, as this service can be a valuable convenience.
- Parking outside the town center: In the higher areas of Positano such as Liparlati or Montepertuso you might find parking with slightly lower rates or, rarely, some free spots. However, getting to the town center from these areas requires either taking local buses or descending many staircases keep this in mind if you have mobility issues or aren’t keen on strenuous walking.
If you’re planning a trip to Positano and need a rental car to explore the Amalfi Coast, here are a few nearby Locauto rental offices:
Or, browse the full and regularly updated list of available rental options in Campania to find the solution that best fits your mobility needs—always keeping in mind the specific driving and parking conditions in Positano.
