Let’s not discriminate: all of Italy is beautiful. That being said, is it okay to admit that some parts are more beautiful than others? Really, there’s nowhere quite like the Amalfi Coast of the country’s south. The turquoise waters, gorgeous beaches and dramatic cliffs make the perfect backdrop to your photos. Stop in one of the charming, colourful villages, and you’ll find a corner of Italy where la dolce vita still reigns supreme. Oh, and did we mention the food? It’s no wonder that so many visitors flock to the Amalfi Coast every year — but when is the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast?
Summer
For many people, the question of the best time of year to visit the Amalfi Coast is sadly theoretical. If you can only get time off work in the summer months, then that’s when you’ll be travelling — but is it really the best time?
July and August represent the high season on the Amalfi Coast. These months are when tourists from across Europe flock to this picturesque part of Italy to soak up the sun and feast on ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. On the one hand, we can’t really blame them — the coast is bathed in sunshine at this time, without being oppressively hot. You can expect daily temperatures between 18° and 29°C, which many people would say is perfect beach weather.
There are also plenty of cultural events to enjoy if you travel to the Amalfi Coast in the summer. The Ravello Arts Festival runs from July to September, filling the streets with theatre, music and dance. In June, the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics brings parades and festivities, so if you’re into history, this is a great time to visit. Plus, the summer months are the best time to dine al fresco. Nevertheless, we wouldn’t say this is the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast if you can avoid it.
Why not? The answer is simple: crowds. In the summer, you’ll be vying for a place on the beach. Hotel prices are higher, and you won’t be able to walk into the best restaurants without a reservation. Gorgeous as this part of Italy is in the summer, we just can’t say that it’s the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast.
Autumn
Now we’re talking! As August comes to an end, the crowds of holidaymakers start to disappear — but the weather in September is just as good as it is in the high season. The sea is still totally swimmable, and you’ll still have days filled with sunshine. In fact, the fresh produce that this part of Italy is known for is at its best in September — rather than July and August — making this a great time for a gourmet getaway.
Autumn sees drastic changes in weather along the Amalfi Coast. Throughout September, you’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures, with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. However, that soon drops drastically. The weather on the Amalfi Coast in November is not the best: temperatures drop to as low as 7°C and rarely get above 17°C. October and November are also the wettest months in this part of Italy, so be sure to pack your umbrella.
However, September is lovely — in fact, many people say it’s the best month to visit the Amalfi Coast, bar none. The Ravello Arts Festival is still in full swing, and the Festa del Pesce, an annual seafood festival, takes place in Positano. Make sure to loosen your belt if you love fish! This has to be the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast if you’re a foodie. We’re not saying you’ll eat badly if you visit at any other time of year, but September really is a month for feasts.
We think that September is a great time for visiting the Amalfi Coast, particularly if you want to make summer last that little bit longer. You’ll enjoy good weather, great food and — best of all — beaches and attractions without kids running around in the background. Ah, bliss!
Winter
During the dreary winter months, many people in northern Europe start to dream of a sun-soaked getaway. It might seem like the perfect time to head south for a few days — after all, the Italian winter sounds a lot more bearable than the British winter, doesn’t it?
Sadly, we have to burst that particular bubble. Winter is the worst time of year to visit the Amalfi Coast. The weather on the Amalfi Coast in December may be a touch warmer than in the UK, but with lows of 5°C and highs of just 13°C, it’s not exactly time to dust off your bikini or boardshorts. What’s more, this is a region that thrives on tourism — and in the winter, many of the business owners take advantage of the low season to enjoy a well-earned break. That means many restaurants, shops, and bars will close down, often for a few months at a time.
In short, winter is definitely not the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast — so what can you do if you find some bargain flights to Naples? Is it still worth taking the plunge and heading to the south of Italy?
Here’s the good news: if you fancy a city break, you might still enjoy the Amalfi Coast in winter. The museums in Naples are still open, although they might be running a reduced service, giving you a chance for a cultural holiday without the crowds. You can also experience Southern Italian Christmas traditions. In Naples, you’ll find shop windows decked out with beautiful examples of presepe, lovingly crafted artisan nativity scenes. There are often Christmas concerts to enjoy, too. The local festive meal is, of course, a variety of fish and seafood. If you can find a Neapolitan family to adopt you, then you might just have a great time, even with the chill in the air.
Spring
Some people reckon that April or May is the best month to visit the Amalfi Coast. The rain has more or less dried up, and temperatures are rapidly increasing. By the time May rolls around, you can expect the mercury to be between 12°C and 22°C. Unless you’re particularly brave, the sea is still too cold for a swim, but the colourful flowers everywhere make up for it.
Like September, spring represents the shoulder season on the Amalfi Coast. You’ll find fewer tourists, and the families that hurry to southern Europe in summer are nowhere to be seen. The shops and bars that close for winter tend to reopen at Easter, ready for the season ahead. Even the city streets are more fragrant, thanks to the ripening citrus in the air. All in all, we think that this might just be the best time to travel to the Amalfi Coast.
The other major attraction in spring is the chance to experience southern Italian Easter. Be warned: there will be crowds during this week, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t want to miss. Solemn processions make their way down the city streets on Good Friday, while on Easter Saturday, the locals dress up in their finest new clothes. There are also unique, spectacular meals to celebrate Easter — well, this is Italy, so food has to be involved, of course! Easter is a week of fascinating, ancient traditions that any culture vulture will love. It’s a world away from the Easter bunny and chocolate egg hunts that you’ll find in other countries.
Easter does mean that the cities are a lot more crowded, so you’ll find that prices are higher. Plus, you might need to book well in advance. During the rest of the spring months, there’s no need to worry. This is not the high season on the Amalfi Coast, so you’ll often be able to snap up bargain accommodation and cheap flights. Budget travellers will find this a particularly welcoming season.
Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your own taste of la dolce vita on the Amalfi Coast. Why not join us for a five-day getaway that dives deep into this stunning corner of Italy? We’ll see the chaotic streets of Naples, the remarkable ruins of Pompeii, and some of the best beaches in all of Europe. And before you ask, yes, there will be plenty of pizza to enjoy along the way!
