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Home / Beaches / Fornillo Beach

Fornillo Beach

Пляж Форнилло
Italy · Beach · Positano
high
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for couples and travellers seeking a quieter alternative to the crowded Spiaggia Grande, and for snorkelling enthusiasts thanks to clear water and rocky edges. Not suitable for families with pushchairs and people with limited mobility due to stair access.

Best month

July

Water
+22.9°C
Length
300 m
A quieter beach loved by locals, a 10-minute walk from the centre. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming and relaxation.
Surface
pebble
Waves
calm
Entry
medium
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A quieter beach loved by locals, a 10-minute walk from the centre. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming and relaxation.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Quieter and calmer alternative to Spiaggia Grande
  • Clear water with excellent visibility for snorkelling
  • Scenic clifftop path with views of Positano
  • Black pebbles create dramatic contrast with turquoise water
  • Several small beach clubs with affordable prices
  • Two medieval watchtowers at either end of the beach
  • Water warms up faster than neighbouring beaches

Cons

  • Black pebble beach, not sandy
  • No lifeguard service on free beach sections
  • Access only by pedestrian path with steps, not suitable for pushchairs
  • Paid sunbed rental (€15-25)
  • Popular, can be crowded in high season
  • Limited natural shade
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for couples and travellers seeking a quieter alternative to the crowded Spiaggia Grande, and for snorkelling enthusiasts thanks to clear water and rocky edges. Not suitable for families with pushchairs and people with limited mobility due to stair access.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Scenic clifftop footpath with panoramic views of Positano and two medieval watchtowers at either end of the beach. Black pebbles create a unique contrast with turquoise water.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
pebble
Sand Color
Main sand colour
black
Sand Texture
Grain size
coarse
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
medium
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
pebble
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
required
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
300 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Average Water Temp
+22.9 °C
Max Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
June
Season end
September October
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
2.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. Isolated incidents of boat theft and indecent behaviour recorded, but the beach is generally safe. Swimming in the bay is considered safe.
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Da Ferdinando

Italian and seafood

Popular beach club and restaurant on Fornillo beach with excellent food, pizza and friendly service

Ristorante Pupetto

Italian and seafood

Restaurant right above Fornillo beach with stunning views of Positano, ideal for a quiet dinner away from the centre

La Serra

Fine Mediterranean

Restaurant at Hotel Le Agavi with panoramic sea and Positano views, listed in the Michelin Guide

Nearby cuisines

Italian

Traditional Italian cuisine with emphasis on fresh fish and seafood from the Amalfi Coast

Must try: Fresh grilled fish, seafood pasta, pizza, limoncello

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Tyrrhenian Sea

Must try: Squid, prawns, mussels, spaghetti alle vongole
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Hat Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Snorkel mask Cash Water
Best Time to Swim
Morning water is calmer and fewer people. Free sections fill up by 8:30-9:00, so arrive early.
Local Rules
Do not leave litter. Water shoes essential due to sharp pebbles. Respect private beach clubs.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Spiaggia Grande

Positano-s main beach with colourful houses, ferry pier and lively atmosphere, 10 minutes walk along the path

Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Positano-s main church with a majolica dome and Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna

Medieval Watchtowers

Two historic defensive towers at either end of Fornillo beach, part of the Amalfi Coast defence system

Path of the Gods

Scenic hiking trail along the Amalfi Coast with panoramic views

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Fornillo Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +22.9°C, warms up to +27.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Fornillo Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Fornillo Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — medium. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — pebble. Special water shoes (aqua shoes) are required — the bottom has rocks, corals or sea urchins.
Fornillo Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — pebble. Sand colour — black. Texture — coarse. Beach length — 300 metres.
Fornillo Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in June. It ends in September, October. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Fornillo Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Fornillo Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Fornillo Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Fornillo Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Da Ferdinando, Ristorante Pupetto, La Serra. Cuisines available: Italian, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Fornillo Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Hat, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Snorkel mask, Cash, Water.
Fornillo Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Morning water is calmer and fewer people. Free sections fill up by 8:30-9:00, so arrive early.
Fornillo Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Do not leave litter. Water shoes essential due to sharp pebbles. Respect private beach clubs.
Fornillo Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Fornillo Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for couples and travellers seeking a quieter alternative to the crowded Spiaggia Grande, and for snorkelling enthusiasts thanks to clear water and rocky edges. Not suitable for families with pushchairs and people with limited mobility due to stair access.
Fornillo Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Scenic clifftop footpath with panoramic views of Positano and two medieval watchtowers at either end of the beach. Black pebbles create a unique contrast with turquoise water.
Fornillo Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Quieter and calmer alternative to Spiaggia Grande, Clear water with excellent visibility for snorkelling, Scenic clifftop path with views of Positano, Black pebbles create dramatic contrast with turquoise water, Several small beach clubs with affordable prices, Two medieval watchtowers at either end of the beach, Water warms up faster than neighbouring beaches. Cons: Black pebble beach, not sandy, No lifeguard service on free beach sections, Access only by pedestrian path with steps, not suitable for pushchairs, Paid sunbed rental (€15-25), Popular, can be crowded in high season, Limited natural shade.
Fornillo Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Spiaggia Grande, Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Medieval Watchtowers, Path of the Gods. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Fornillo Beach: how do I get to the city of Positano?
The beach is located near the city of Positano. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Positano.

City

Positano

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.