Arienzo, Positano
The verdict
- Best for: Sun lovers who want afternoon light long after the main beach falls into shadow, and who do not mind a steep stairway or a short boat ride to reach it.
- Best spot: A reserved bed at the Arienzo Beach Club, or the small free public area beside it.
- Know this: It is known as the 300 steps beach for the long stairway down from the coast road, so most people arrive by boat shuttle instead.
Published 22 February 2026. Last reviewed 17 May 2026
Arienzo is a small cove a little east of Positano, best known by its nickname the 300 steps beach, after the long flight of steps that drops to it from the Amalfi coast road. Its real draw is the sun: while the main Positano beach slips into afternoon shadow under the cliffs, Arienzo faces a way that keeps it bright and warm well into the late afternoon.
The honest read is that most of the cove is the Arienzo Beach Club, with paid beds, a bar and a restaurant, and only a small free public area to one side. It is compact, so peak summer fills it, and the famous steps are a real climb back up in the heat, which is why most people arrive by the seasonal boat shuttle from Positano. Prices are Amalfi prices, so book the club ahead if you want a guaranteed bed.
The water makes up for the effort, sheltered, clear and usually calm, easy for a swim straight off the cove. Come for the late sun in the shoulder months, take the boat to skip the stairway, and settle in for a long afternoon. If you want the classic town beach go to Spiaggia Grande, for a quiet cliff walk try Fornillo, and for a rustic lunch by the water head to the cove at Laurito.
Clubs on this beach
Arienzo is mostly given to its beach club, with a small free public area beside it. For more club style beds and bars along the coast, see our Amalfi Coast beach clubs directory.
Arienzo Beach Club
The Arienzo Beach Club takes up most of the cove, with sunbeds, a bar and a restaurant set just above the water and a boat shuttle from Positano in season. It is the established setup here; reserve ahead in summer as the cove is small. Rates are to be confirmed.
Free public area
A small free public area sits beside the club where you can lay a towel at no charge. There is little of it and it fills quickly in peak season, so arrive early or plan to take a paid bed instead.
Arienzo lies a short way east of Positano below the coast road. The direct route is the long stairway that gives the beach its nickname, around 300 steps down and, more testingly, back up. Park or arrive in Positano and weigh the climb against the heat of the day.
In season the simplest way is the boat shuttle that runs from the main Positano beach, dropping you at the cove without the steps. Bring sun protection and water, as the cove is compact and exposed, and check seasonal boat and beach club timetables before you go.
Reserve a day at Arienzo
Arienzo centres on its beach club, but tell us your date and party and we will point you to the right beds and bars at the cove and along the Amalfi Coast. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Why is Arienzo called the 300 steps beach?
Because the direct route down from the Amalfi coast road is a long stairway of roughly 300 steps. The climb back up in the heat is the reason most visitors choose the seasonal boat shuttle from Positano instead.
Is there a free beach at Arienzo?
There is a small free public area beside the Arienzo Beach Club where you can lay a towel at no charge. It is limited and fills early in summer, so arrive in the morning or plan to book a paid bed.
Does Arienzo get more sun than Positano beach?
Yes, that is its signature. The cove holds the sun well into the late afternoon, long after the main Positano beach falls into shadow beneath the cliffs, which makes it a favourite for lazy afternoons.
How do you get to Arienzo beach?
Either down the long stairway from the coast road or, far more easily, by the seasonal boat shuttle from the main Positano beach. The boat is the popular choice and spares you the steep climb back up.
When is the best time to visit Arienzo?
May, June and September bring warm, settled sea and the cove late sun with lighter crowds and easier booking than the July and August peak, when the small cove fills quickly.
