The Best Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals in Positano: Dreamy Cliffside Stays on the Amalfi Coast
Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Positano is the Amalfi Coast at its most iconic — pastel homes tumbling toward the sea, bougainvillea spilling from every balcony (my personal favorite sight in all of Italy), and the sparkle of the Mediterranean waiting just beyond your morning espresso. While it’s easy to dream about a five-star hotel here (and I do), some of the most magical stays in Positano are actually found in its vacation rentals. Cliffside terraces, kitchens with sea views, homes that feel like your very own slice of la dolce vita — these are the properties that make Positano feel less like a destination and more like a way of life.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic hideaway for two, a villa for a group, or something wonderfully in between, these are the best vacation rentals in Positano — each one hand-picked for its dreamy decor, thoughtful amenities, great location, and glowing guest reviews. Most are bookable on both Airbnb and Vrbo, so I’ve included links to both where available. If you’re still weighing hotels against vacation rentals for your Amalfi Coast trip, my guide to the best hotels in Positano is a good place to start — and the two posts together give you the full picture.
Why Choose an Airbnb or Vacation Rental in Positano
Choosing a vacation rental in Positano over a hotel can make a lot of sense — especially if you want more space, a kitchen for leisurely breakfasts, or a private terrace that feels like it belongs to you alone. Positano is always going to be a splurge, but a well-chosen rental often gives you more character and more square footage per euro than a comparable hotel room. The key is knowing what you’re getting into: Positano is a very vertical town, stairs are a non-negotiable part of life here, and the best rentals book up months in advance. Plan accordingly, and the reward is something genuinely special.
Villa Mareblu
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 2 baths
Tucked into the quiet Arienzo area just 500 meters from the town center, Villa Mareblu is the kind of romantic retreat that makes you want to stay one more night than you planned. The spacious terrace has sweeping sea views, and a private staircase leads directly down to Arienzo Beach — open from May through October — making it one of the rare Positano rentals with direct beach access. One bedroom, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and optional private parking round out what is a genuinely ideal setup for a couple looking for both tranquility and convenience on the Amalfi Coast.
Casa La Cisterna
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
One of the most distinctive vacation rentals in Positano, full stop. Casa La Cisterna was hand-built by its owner, and it shows — thick stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings, and a lush garden shaded by wisteria and roses give it a feeling that no amount of interior design budget can manufacture. Inside: a fully equipped custom kitchen, a spacious bathroom with a large walk-in shower, and a king-size bed dressed in linen. It’s romantic in a deeply unhurried way, the kind of place you book when the point of the trip is to actually slow down and feel somewhere rather than just pass through it.
Torre La Trasita
6 guests · multiple suites
Built in the 16th century as a coastal watchtower and restored into one of the most dramatic vacation rentals on the entire Amalfi Coast, Torre La Trasita is the kind of place you find on Instagram and immediately start building a trip around. Its circular terrace — paved in hand-painted blue Vietri tiles, overlooking the sea — is genuinely one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Positano. Suites are individually appointed and sleep up to six guests across multiple rooms, each with a private balcony and sea view. It sits steps from Spiaggia Fornillo, making beach access as easy as it gets in this town. Worth every bit of the splurge.
Casa Sam
8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 5 bathrooms · Private pool
If you’re looking for the kind of Positano vacation rental that makes the whole group feel like they’ve arrived somewhere truly special, Casa Sam is it. Spread across three levels of a mid-18th century building right in the center of town, this fully furnished villa has rolling views of Spiaggia Grande, the iconic church dome, the sea, and the hills — essentially the entire Positano postcard from your own private terrace. Four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a full Miele kitchen, a private pool, and a 10/10 guest rating that speaks entirely for itself. It’s the rare Positano rental that delivers on both location and luxury without compromise — central enough to walk everywhere, private enough to never want to leave. Best suited for a group of up to eight, or two or three couples ready to split something genuinely extraordinary.
Tips for Booking a Vacation Rental in Positano
A few things worth knowing before you book: Positano vacation rentals sell out months in advance — especially for summer, so if you have a property in mind, book it the moment your dates are confirmed. The town is famously vertical, and “a short walk” can mean a hundred stairs in either direction, so always check the accessibility notes carefully before committing.
Budget accordingly, too — even vacation rentals here sit at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the trade-off is kitchens, laundry, private terraces, and the feeling of actually living in Positano rather than just visiting. And if the question is whether to stay higher up the hill or closer to the beach, higher means quieter and better views, lower means easier morning access to the water. Both are the right answer depending on what kind of trip you’re having.
Where you stay in Positano is genuinely part of the experience — waking up to those pastel cliffs, stepping onto your own private terrace with a coffee, living among the winding streets, even just for a few days. Whether you choose a cliffside apartment, a historic tower, or a garden hideaway tucked into the hillside, these vacation rentals will make your Amalfi Coast stay feel like something out of a dream.
If you’re still deciding between a rental and a hotel for your Positano trip, my full guide to where to stay in Positano covers the best boutique hotels and luxury options, too. And if the broader Amalfi Coast is on your radar, where to stay on the Amalfi Coast breaks it all down by town. For anyone building out a wider Italy itinerary, our 12-day Italian honeymoon itinerary covers how we structured a full trip — including a few days right here in Positano.