Spiaggia dei Fornillo
Spiaggia dei Fornillo is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Positano audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~90 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Positano Positano guide
About Spiaggia dei Fornillo
Positano's quieter alternative beach, 10 minutes west of the Spiaggia Grande by a coastal path, less crowded, more local in atmosphere, with watchtowers from the Saracen era visible on the cliffs above.
The Spiaggia dei Fornillo is Positano's second beach, reached by a coastal footpath that leads west from the Spiaggia Grande around the headland in about 10 minutes. It is smaller than the Spiaggia Grande, less developed, and considerably less crowded, which makes it the preferred choice of those who know Positano well, particularly in the high summer season when the Spiaggia Grande is at its most congested. The beach is named after the old ovens (forni) that were used here centuries ago, probably for lime production. Above the beach, on the rocky headland, are the ruins of two Saracen watchtowers, part of the defensive network of towers that was constructed along the entire Amalfi Coast in the 10th-13th centuries to warn of approaching Arab maritime raids. The towers are not accessible by a marked path but are visible from the beach below. Several small restaurants and beach bars operate along the Fornillo beach front. The walk between the two beaches on the coastal path offers good views back to Positano and forward to the dramatic section of coastline beyond.
Did you know? The defensive tower network along the Amalfi Coast was so effective that some towers were still in use as coastguard stations into the 19th century. The towers are built at intervals of roughly 3-5 kilometres, chosen to ensure each tower was visible from at least two others, creating an unbroken visual chain that could pass a warning signal the length of the coast within minutes.
How long should you spend at Spiaggia dei Fornillo?
Plan about ~90 min at Spiaggia dei Fornillo. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Spiaggia dei Fornillo worth visiting?
Spiaggia dei Fornillo is one of the 12 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Positano, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Positano
Hear the story of Spiaggia dei Fornillo
Preview the Positano tour free in the Gingerguide app.