Positano
Punta Campanella
- Distance
- 5 km
- Elevation Gain
- 100 m
- Duration
- 2 hours one way
Punta Campanella is the southernmost tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, where the land finally surrenders to the sea and Capri rises impossibly close across the strait — just 5 kilometers of azure water. This hike follows an ancient Roman road from the village of Termini down to the point where a Temple of Athena once stood, built by Odysseus himself according to legend. The Greeks and Romans considered this a sacred promontory. The path descends through Mediterranean maquis — rosemary, thyme, wild fennel — and past a 14th-century Saracen watchtower before arriving at the lighthouse and the ruins. Below, the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella shelters some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean, with posidonia meadows and occasional dolphin sightings. The trail is exposed but not difficult, and the return is the same way with more uphill. On still mornings the silence at the point is total except for waves and seabirds.
What you see
- Capri rising 5 km across the strait, close enough to see houses
- Ruins of the ancient Temple of Athena
- Marine Protected Area with crystal-clear water below
- Ancient Roman road still intact beneath your feet
- 14th-century Saracen watchtower
Where to take pictures
- Capri framing point
- The island fills the frame from the tip — shoot with a telephoto for compression against the sea
- Saracen tower
- The watchtower silhouetted against the sea with Capri behind
- Roman road section
- Original stone paving with maquis on both sides — timeless atmosphere
Seasonal Notes
Best spring and autumn. Summer is hot and exposed but the sea views compensate. Winter can be windy at the point. Early morning is best for calm seas and clear Capri views.
Getting There
Start: bus from Sorrento to Termini (30 min), then walk. Car parking in Termini is limited. No public transport at the endpoint — return the same way.
The tip
Bring snorkeling gear and a towel. There are rocky swimming spots near the lighthouse with visibility of 20+ meters in the Marine Protected Area.