sightseeing on the Amalfi coast

You're looking at a 10-mile walk each way. Much easier to go down to the Positano waterfront & catch a boat to Amalfi. The walk from Amalfi to Atrani is far shorter and easier, less than half a mile.

Thank you, so much. I knew that it would be a long walk from Positano but I didn't even think of going by boat to make it shorter. Are there any docks in Atrani?
Boats don't scare me at all.

Gloria, I couldn't find any "official" boats from Positano to Atrani, but there is regular ferry (or hydrofoil?) service between Positano and Amalfi (and Salerno, etc.). But I have read about hiring boats down on the beach for tours along the coast, so hiring a boat to take you to Atrani might be an option once you get there. I am going in 2012 and plan on traveling by ferry alot (including train from Rome to Salerno and then ferry from Salerno to Positano) as I have severe motion sickness and the buses would do me in! The walk from Amalfi to Atrani is very quick and easy. I read somewhere that you wouldn't even know you had left Amalfi and entered Atrani except there is a sign!

That is a very hard walk, up and downhill. Is hiring a driver within the budget range? That way you could see Amalfi, Atrani AND Ravello, which are all beautiful and picturesque. It would probably start at about 100-150 euros to do something like this for 2-3 hours, but if that's out of your budget, a taxi may be cheaper since it's not all that FAR per se, just windy with cliffs.

Even though you sound like you're in good shape keep in mind Positano is not flat. Lots of stairs and somewhat steep grades on the roads.

Ron said it right, Positano makes San Francisco look flat, it is beautiful but very steep, lots and lots of stairs.

Please check in Rick's guide. It is possible to walk to Atrani, but not sure if it is from Positano or Amalfi. The description makes is sound like the walk is very doable. This was gotten from Rick's Snapshot book on Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Also, if you are in pretty good shape, Positano should not be a problem. Lots of stairs, but well worth the effort.

If you don't mind short bus rides, the bus between Amalfi and Atrani takes only 5 minutes and runs fairly frequently. The coastal road is narrow, and it might be the safer option. Buses depart Amalfi from the dock area, so it an easy change from the ferry to the bus.

I said that I was in pretty good shape for a 61 year old grandmother. It's beginning to sound like I may need to get into much better shape to attempt staying in Positano. I may have to drag out my treadmill from deep storage!!!! Thanks for all of the input.
I'm so happy that I came to this site otherwise, I would have been really blindsided about the terrain!!!