Il San Pietro di Positano

A Setting Like No Other

The Cinque vision

Il San Pietro was founded in 1970 by Carlo Cinque with the ambition not to impose on the landscape, but to disappear into it; to let the Amalfi Coast itself be the hotel’s greatest luxury. Built without altering the coastline’s raw geometry, the architecture cascades down the cliffside in organic harmony, flowing across levels of sun-drenched terraces, sheltered verandas and arched walkways that open onto the sea.

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The surrounding greenery is delicately interwoven with the architecture, softening stone and tile, and blending the hotel seamlessly into its natural setting. The pathway that threads downwards from the hotel leads first to the kitchen gardens, where lemon trees, aromatic herbs and seasonal produce flourish. These gardens supply the hotel’s celebrated restaurants. the Michelin-starred Zass and the relaxed seaside Carlino, where harvests are transformed into cuisine that speaks the language of the land.

The court

Outstanding masterpiece

Further down, the renowned tennis court reveals itself. Conceived in the early 1980s by Carlo’s nephew as a sanctuary of calm and beauty, it was built in harmony with the cliffs and the sea, just like the rest of the hotel. Resting gently between rock and water, the court allows guests to play to the rhythm of the waves. For those seeking an equally unique arrival, a private lift carved into the rock carries guests from the very top of the hotel straight down to the shoreline.

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Why play tennis at Il San Pietro?

Tennis between cliffs and sea

Tennis at Il San Pietro is shaped less by competition than by setting. Perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the court combines landscape, architecture and tennis in a way few places can match. It can be traced to three essential elements:

A court between rock and water

Built in harmony with the coastline, the court rests between Mediterranean waters and steep limestone cliffs. Every rally unfolds against one of Italy's most dramatic coastal backdrops.

The spirit of Positano

The pastel houses of Positano, terraced hillsides and endless sea views create a setting that is unmistakably Amalfi. Here, tennis becomes part of a broader encounter with one of Europe's most iconic destinations.

Beyond the baseline

The experience extends far beyond the court itself. Gardens, coastal walks, local cuisine and the rhythm of life on the Amalfi Coast make the destination memorable long after play has ended.

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Photographed and written by The Tennis Travels.

This particular destination is included in "The Tennis Travels – Europe", our coffee-table book exploring more than 50 European outdoor courts open to guest play. Further details on the book can be found here.

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