--- title: "The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints" description: A Tourissimo Magnifica active travel tours locations is Positano, the area it's in being a Unesco World Heritage Site. Here'a why it's so magical. image: https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Le_Sirenuse/Positano-10_1.jpg --- [![Tourissimo](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/tourissimo_logo_1.png?width=250&height=86&name=tourissimo_logo_1.png "Tourissimo")](https://www.tourissimo.travel) [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/ddd8c08e-e883-4692-b319-f5091f8847ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/ddd8c08e-e883-4692-b319-f5091f8847ee) ## Andiamo! The Tourissimo Blog # The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints ![Beppe Salerno](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Beppe_avatar.jpg) Posted by [Beppe Salerno](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/author/beppe-salerno) on Nov 24, 2015 2:30:00 PM Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/beppe.salerno.9) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beppesalerno) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/beppesal) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) I would like to try to explain the magic of one of the destinations we chose for our special edition tours. The [Magnifica Amalfi and Capri](https://www.tourissimo.travel/walking-hiking-amalf-coast-and-capri) itinerary is a hiking tour in one of the most beautiful places on earth. A place where gods would live. There is so much I could say but for now I will focus on Positano and save Amalfi and Capri for another blog. I am very excited about Positano because it is a unique and beautiful place, full of interesting legends and stories. The area of the Amalfi Coast is a [Unsesco World Heritage Site](http://www.unescoamalficoast.it/index.php?lang=en) and it is curious that Condè Nast Traveler listed Positano in its [top 20 list ](http://www.worldofwanderlust.com/20-places-see-20s/)of the most beloved places on Pinterest therefore giving it social media validation and I think that is worth something.   ### Here are 3 things that we cannot (and will not) miss in Positano: 1. Make our way up to Positanio via the **"secret" hamlet of Nocelle** to discover the **Panorama of the Gods**. This hike lands in Positano from above and you will understand why people say that Positano was built essentially straight up. Most of its roads are really stairs. 2. **Enjoy the view of Li Galli**, the three islets off the coast of Positano which were called ” the Sirenuse ” for the legends surrounding them as a refuge of the enchanting sirens whom in Homer’s Odyssey attempted to seduce Ulysses. **Best thing is that the view can be enjoyed over drinks and a fabulous dinner. ** 3. **The colors of the Spring**: An explosion of color and the exquisite scent of mediterranean flowers. Spring is the season in which the terraces and balconies of Positano are festooned with bougainvillea, and the scent of orange blossoms fill the air. During our time in Positano we will be staying in a very special hotel, **Le Sirenuse**.  It’s more than just another 5-star hotel.  It’s steeped in history, offers some of the best views in all of Positano, and is consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in Italy. Le Sirenuse, as you can tell if you paid attention, takes its name from the Island of the Sirens that can be seen from the hotel terrace. I found [this article](http://sirenuse.it/media/57085/Steinbeck.pdf) by [John Steinbeck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck) on Positano and Le Sirenuse just wonderful. What a unique place, what great attitude the locals have, so contagious and refreshing and sometimes bizarre. And I promise you, not much has changed since this article written in the 50’s.  The former hotel owner and mayor of Positano and the shoemaker confidant of General Clark are some real examples of what Positano was and still is. A laid back Mediterranean gem full of life and stories to tell. So, to make things easier on your imagination here’s Positano and Le Sirenuse in all their splendor. ![The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Le_Sirenuse/Oyster-Bar-14.jpg?width=794&name=Oyster-Bar-14.jpg)     ![The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Le_Sirenuse/Restaurant-09.jpg?width=792&name=Restaurant-09.jpg)   [![Check out the Magnifica Tours](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/d8221d11-2136-4f95-9c2c-bd35ea22a746.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/d8221d11-2136-4f95-9c2c-bd35ea22a746)   ![The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Le_Sirenuse/Positano-10_1.jpg?width=793&name=Positano-10_1.jpg)     ![The Magic of Positano: Sirens, Colors, Gods and Saints](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Le_Sirenuse/Pool-024.jpg?width=793&name=Pool-024.jpg)   [![Click Here to See a Selection of Walking and Hiking Tours in Italy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/01ebb126-def3-45a0-968c-8b6aa9bd956f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/01ebb126-def3-45a0-968c-8b6aa9bd956f)   The name Positano is linked to an ancient legend. A Turkish boat became beached just off the shores of what has since come to be known as Positano. Aboard the ship there was a painting of the Virgin Mary. The captain heard the painting whisper “*posa, posa*” (set me down, set me down). The captain understood and threw the icon into the sea. Miraculously, the ship floated. During the festival for the Assumption of the Virgin on August 15th, [Ferragosto](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-italian-holiday-of-ferragosto), the town of Positano celebrates the Holy Mary, their patron saint, with processions recreating the arrival of the icon in town, special events in the church of Santa Maria Assunta, and a triumphant firework display after dark. I recommend that you to visit the nice [Sirenuse Journal](http://sirenusejournal.com/en) for more inspiration about Le Sirenuse and the Amalfi Coast.   [![compare cycling tours](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/23e954d9-51eb-459b-9576-9e2ae2d288f7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/23e954d9-51eb-459b-9576-9e2ae2d288f7) Topics: [Hiking & Walking](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/topic/hiking-walking), [Italy Travel Tips](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/topic/italy-travel-tips), [Tourissimo Highlights](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/topic/tourissimo-highlights) #### Don’t just read about Italy…visit it with us! At Tourissimo, we are the Italy experts, and we offer walking and hiking tours throughout the country. Browse our [Tour Calendar](https://www.tourissimo.travel/upcoming-tours) or [contact us](https://www.tourissimo.travel/contact-us-active-travel-in-italy) today to get started. ### Share this post ### Related posts ![Destination Highlight: Eastern Sicily](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Stromboli%20Blog.jpg) [Destination Highlight: Eastern Sicily](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/destination-highlight-eastern-sicily) ![Hotels We Love: Casa della Capra](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Casa%20della%20Capra/Casa%20della%20Capra%20Cover.jpg) [Hotels We Love: Casa della Capra](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/hotels-we-love-casa-della-capra) ![Overtourism in Italy: You’re Visiting Only 1% Of Our Country](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Overtourism%20in%20Italy.jpg) [Overtourism in Italy: You’re Visiting Only 1% Of Our Country](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/overtourism-in-italy-visit-the-other-99-percent) ## Subscribe to Andiamo! ### Subscribe to Andiamo! 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