Explore the real-world places that appear in One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Positano Town Center, Spiaggia Grande Beach, Villa d'Este, Duomo of Positano, Punta Positano and 8 more.
Main piazza and waterfront — Heart of the story
Positano is the central setting where Katy and her mother Liz arrive for their transformative summer trip. The colorful buildings cascading down the cliffside, the narrow winding streets, and the Mediterranean atmosphere become the backdrop for their mother-daughter healing and reconnection. Katy navigates the town's charm while grappling with her mother's recent death and the mysterious circumstances of their trip.
Positano became a fishing village in the 12th century and developed into an artist haven in the 1950s after wartime devastation. The distinctive pastel-colored buildings stacked vertically were rebuilt after World War II in this iconic architectural pattern.
Positano remains one of Italy's most exclusive and picturesque destinations. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Amalfi Coast, attracting wealthy travelers and tourists who explore its boutiques, restaurants, and galleries.
Visit: Positano Town (landmark)
Main beach — Swimming and reflection
Spiaggia Grande is where Katy spends meditative hours by the water. She swims in the crystalline Mediterranean, attempts to process her grief, and experiences moments of unexpected joy. The beach becomes a place of solitude and contemplation where she begins to understand her mother's love for Italy and its healing properties.
Spiaggia Grande has been Positano's primary public beach since the town's development as a resort destination in the mid-20th century. The beach was traditionally used by local fishermen before becoming a tourist attraction.
Spiaggia Grande remains the main public beach in Positano, accessible by a long staircase from the town center. It features umbrellas, loungers, and beach clubs offering food and drinks, and is crowded with tourists during summer months.
Visit: Spiaggia Grande Beach (park)
Cliffside villa — Where mother and daughter stay
The villa rented by Liz for the summer is where Katy stays during her Italian sojourn. The terrace overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, and within its walls Katy begins to see glimpses of her mother's spirit and presence. The villa's bougainvillea-covered walls, morning coffee rituals, and sunset views become the intimate setting for Katy's emotional journey and the revelation of family secrets.
Villas like this one became fashionable on the Amalfi Coast in the 1960s-70s when wealthy internationals built private retreats on the cliffside. Many were designed by renowned architects to maximize views while respecting the landscape.
The area around Positano contains numerous private luxury villas available for seasonal rental. Many maintain their original mid-century modern or Mediterranean design while offering modern amenities for the contemporary luxury travel market.
Via Pasitea — Church with majolica dome
Katy visits the small but stunning church in Positano's center, where she lights candles and contemplates her complicated relationship with faith and her mother. The church's distinctive majolica-tiled dome and quiet interior provide refuge during moments of overwhelming emotion. It becomes a place where Katy feels closest to understanding her mother's spiritual side.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 13th century, features a distinctive dome covered in yellow-and-green majolica tiles that are iconic to Positano's skyline. The church was rebuilt multiple times after pirate raids and earthquakes.
The Duomo remains an active parish church open to visitors. Its interior contains baroque altars and artwork, and the exterior dome with its gleaming majolica tiles continues to be one of Positano's most photographed landmarks.
Visit: Church of Santa Maria Assunta (historic site)
Eastern point of town — Dramatic viewpoint
Katy takes a solitary walk to this rocky promontory where she sits overlooking the coast, contemplating the vast Mediterranean and her place within the larger world. The dramatic cliffs and endless sea become a metaphor for her emotional landscape. This moment of isolation leads to one of her key revelations about her mother and their relationship.
Punta Positano marks the eastern boundary of Positano town and has served as a landmark for maritime navigation since ancient times. Local fishermen historically used it as a navigational reference point.
The promontory is accessible by coastal pathways and remains a popular viewpoint for photographers and hikers. The dramatic vertical cliffs and crystal-clear waters make it one of the Amalfi Coast's most visually striking locations.
Visit: Punta Positano (landmark)
Via Pasitea — Local restaurant
Katy becomes a regular at this small family-run restaurant where she dines alone and observes the rhythms of Italian life. She orders pasta, fresh fish, and local wine, slowly becoming less self-conscious about eating solo. A waiter, Marco, shows her particular kindness, and these meals become daily rituals where she finds solace and begins to understand her mother's love of Italy's simplicity and pleasure.
Trattorias like this one have existed in Positano for generations, operating as gathering places for locals. They typically serve family recipes passed down through generations, emphasizing fresh local ingredients.
Positano contains numerous trattorias serving traditional Campanian cuisine. Many family-owned establishments continue to serve local specialties like fresh seafood pasta, lemon limoncello, and seasonal vegetables to both tourists and residents.
Visit: Various Trattorias in Positano (restaurant)
Coastal hiking trail — Journey between towns
Katy hikes the dramatic coastal path connecting Positano to the nearby village of Praiano. During this walk, surrounded by terraced lemon groves and Mediterranean maquis, she experiences a profound moment of clarity about her mother's love and her own path forward. The physicality of hiking mirrors her emotional work throughout the summer.
These coastal paths have connected Amalfi Coast villages for centuries, originally used by local residents to access terraced agricultural lands and for maritime traders to move between settlements.
The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) and connecting coastal trails remain popular hiking destinations. The paths offer dramatic views of the coastline and pass through preserved lemon groves and olive orchards still cultivated by local families.
Visit: Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) (park)
Hillside agricultural landscape — Symbol of home
Katy wanders through the terraced lemon groves that blanket the Amalfi hillsides. Among the yellow fruit and white blossoms, she finds moments of peace and understands why her mother was drawn to Italy's agricultural beauty. The groves become a sensory refuge where she reconnects with her grief in a healthier way.
Lemon cultivation on the Amalfi Coast dates back to the medieval period. The distinctive terraced groves were built by hand over centuries to prevent erosion and maximize sunlight on the steep slopes.
Many lemon terraces remain actively cultivated for limoncello production and fresh fruit. Some areas have been preserved as protected agricultural heritage, while others have transitioned to tourism with agriturismo farms offering tours and tastings.
Visit: Amalfi Coast Lemon Groves (historic site)
10 kilometers west — Historic cathedral and harbor
Katy takes a day trip to the larger town of Amalfi, where she visits the ancient cathedral and explores the harbor. Walking through the medieval streets, she feels connected to centuries of history and her mother's sense of place. The experience reinforces her understanding that her mother was seeking something eternal and timeless in Italy.
Amalfi was once a powerful maritime republic rivaling Venice and Genoa, reaching its zenith in the 10th-11th centuries. The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, built to house relics of St. Andrew, reflects the town's former wealth and importance.
Amalfi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and major tourist destination. The cathedral remains an active place of worship and museum, the harbor still functions as a working port, and the town features medieval architecture, boutiques, and restaurants.
Visit: Amalfi Cathedral and Town (historic site)
Waterfront café — Evening aperitivos
Katy sits at this harborfront bar during golden hour, sipping Aperol Spritz and watching the sunset paint the sky. She observes other travelers, notices details of their lives, and reflects on her mother's appreciation for la dolce vita. These quiet moments become meditative, allowing her to process loss while remaining present to beauty.
Waterfront cafés and bars have been central to Mediterranean coastal town culture since the 19th century, serving as social gathering spaces where locals and visitors observe the rituals of evening life.
Positano's waterfront is lined with cafés and bars offering drinks and light fare. Many remain casual gathering spaces where locals and tourists share tables, watching the Tyrrhenian Sea while sipping traditional Italian aperitivos.
Visit: Various Waterfront Bars in Positano (restaurant)
Small marina — Boat tours and fishing boats
Katy books a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast, exploring hidden coves and grottos accessible only by water. Floating on the sapphire Mediterranean, she experiences a moment of perfect peace and seems to sense her mother's spirit approving of her journey. The boat excursion becomes a turning point where she begins to heal.
Marina Piccola has served as Positano's fishing harbor for centuries. In the modern era, it developed as a departure point for pleasure boats and yacht charters as tourism expanded.
The marina remains active with fishing boats, water taxis, and charter vessels. Numerous operators offer boat tours along the Amalfi Coast, including trips to the Emerald Grotto and nearby islands.
Visit: Marina Piccola, Positano (landmark)
Ravello — 5 kilometers inland — Hilltop sanctuary
Katy takes a journey up the mountain to the town of Ravello, visiting this peaceful basilica. Sitting in the quiet interior surrounded by frescoes and candlelight, she experiences a spiritual moment where she feels her mother's presence most strongly. The sanctuary becomes a place of ultimate acceptance and forgiveness.
Ravello developed as a retreat for religious contemplation during medieval times. The Basilica di Santa Maria, rebuilt multiple times over centuries, has served pilgrims and seekers for over a thousand years.
Ravello is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its peaceful atmosphere, gardens, and churches. The basilica remains an active pilgrimage site and open to visitors seeking spiritual reflection, with stunning views of the coast from its terrace.
Visit: Basilica di Santa Maria, Ravello (historic site)
Morning pastry shop — Daily ritual
Each morning, Katy walks down to a small pasticceria for espresso and a sfogliatella, gradually becoming familiar with the barista who remembers her order. This humble daily ritual becomes her anchor to Italian life and a form of meditation. The simple pleasure of warm pastry and strong coffee becomes a way to honor her mother's appreciation for life's small joys.
Neighborhood pasticcerie have been central to Italian daily life for centuries, serving as morning gathering places where locals consume breakfast and coffee before work.
Every Italian town maintains traditional pasticcerie where residents and visitors purchase morning pastries, espresso, and cappuccino. Many family-owned shops continue recipes and techniques passed down through generations.
Visit: Local Pasticceria in Positano (restaurant)
More by Rebecca Serle: In Five Years locations map · All Rebecca Serle books