When you think about the Amalfi Coast, you aren’t probably visualizing a winter landscape and some Christmas lights! Anyway, glamorous Positano, picturesque Amalfi, and lively Sorrento aren’t only about summer vacations and beach holidays, but they can be great destinations for a winter escape too!
The towns of the coast will be quieter, and you’ll be able to enjoy the mild Southern winter and the seascapes at your own pace, taking your time to drive around without getting caught in a traffic jam or strolling along the empty beaches.
On the other hand, there will be fewer restaurants, cafés, and even hotels available, since the low season starts in late October to only end around Easter time! If nightlife and entertainment aren’t on the winter agenda, you’ll be able to rest, relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Dive into the lesser-known winter of the Amalfi Coast!
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Table of Contents
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast in Winter
Amalfi Coast in November
Weather on the Amalfi Coast in November
The minimum temperature on the Amalfi Coast in November is 13°C, and the maximum temperature is 18°C. November is mild and even warm at times. Anyway, it can be quite rainy. On sunny days, the weather will be perfect for your last picnics on the beach!
Events, celebrations, and traditions on the Amalfi Coast in November
- Nov 2nd: Day of the Dead. Locals are used to visiting the cemeteries to bring flowers to the dead. Another habit consists in lighting up a candle and placing it on the windowsill the night before, as well as leaving some biscuits and snacks on the kitchen table for the dead family members who are supposed to visit the house.
- November 30th: S. Andrea’s Day (feast of the Patron Saint of Amalfi). A special miracle takes place on this day in the Cathedral: an oily substance named manna comes out from the tomb of the Saint. If the miracle does not happen, it means misfortune is on the way!
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast in November
- Taste some colatura di alici in Cetara. November is the right time to taste this local specialty since it’s being made right before Christmas! It’s a very salty sauce obtained by pressing anchovies.
- Visit the Cathedral complex in Amalfi on a rainy day. Don’t limit your visit to the church, but go down the crypt where S. Andrea’s tomb and relics are kept, and take a look at the beautiful Cloister of Paradise.
- Have a picnic at Marina Grande beach in Positano! On a sunny day, spend some time on the beach, but keep your clothes on, of course! Other great beaches to spend a few hours, even in winter, are Castiglione Beach in Ravello, Duoglio Beach in Amalfi, and the main beach in Vietri sul Mare.
Why visit the Amalfi Coast in November
- Pros: the weather is mild and you can spend several hours outdoors
- Cons: it’s usually a rainy month
Amalfi Coast in December
Weather on the Amalfi Coast in December
The minimum temperature on the Amalfi Coast in December is 9°C and the maximum temperature is 14°C. Winter is mild in Campania, and December is not usually rainy.
Events, celebrations, and traditions on the Amalfi Coast in December
- December: underwater nativity scene down the Emerald Cave in Conca dei Marini. It’s an unusual crib you can visit if you’re a diver! It’s 4m underwater, and it was placed there in 1964. The statues are made of fiberglass to be able to resist the water pressure, and a divers parade place the statue of Child Jesus every year before Christmas!
- Christmas Eve: on this day, the nativity scene inside Fornillo Cave in Positano is blessed. It’s a permanent crib carved into the rock of the cave, which is lit at night, creating an evocative atmosphere.
- Late December: an unusual parade named “Christmas on a 500car” animates the streets of the coast. The owners of those iconic Italian cars decorate them for Christmas in the most bizarre ways to drive around the towns and the villages of the Amalfi Coast!
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast in December
- Stroll along Sorrento’s streets at night to watch the Christmas lights in the old town! Start from central Tasso Square, and walk to the Christmas markets of Villa Fiorentino and Veniero Square.
- Buy some original Christmas gifts in Vietri sul Mare: this small town is famous for its decorated ceramics that you can find everywhere, even on the walls and on the streets!
- Visit Atrani, one of the tiniest villages in Italy, which becomes colorful and lively around Christmas thanks to hundreds of lights.
Why visit the Amalfi Coast in December
- Pros: you can enjoy some winter sun and mild weather outdoors
- Cons: none
Amalfi Coast in January
Weather on the Amalfi Coast in January
The minimum temperature on the Amalfi Coast in Januatu is 8°C and the maximum temperature is 13°C. It’s the coldest month of the year, but it’s rather mild in comparison to other areas of Italy.
Events, celebrations, and traditions on the Amalfi Coast in January
- New Year’s Eve: a folk music show with traditional songs and dances takes place in the square of Minori
- January 6th: the Three Kings horse parade takes place in Scala before the apparition of a comet star made of fireworks which marks the end of the Christmas season
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast in January
- Take advantage of the winter sales to go shopping in Positano without breaking the bank!
- Taste all the main local specialties during a themed food tour like this one Amalfi Coast and Food Tour: from Farm to Table.
- Spend some time in the Amalfi Arsenale, which is the old shipyard of the town. Here you’ll be able to learn more about the time when Amalfi was one of the main naval powerhouses in the Mediterranean Sea.
Why visit the Amalfi Coast in January
- Pros: low season, low cost, fewer tourists
- Cons: none
Amalfi Coast in February
Weather on the Amalfi Coast in February
The minimum temperature on the Amalfi Coast in February is 9°C, and the maximum temperature is 14°C. Spring comes early on the Amalfi Coast, but February is usually rainy.
Events, celebrations, and traditions on the Amalfi Coast in February
- February 3rd: feast of S. Biagio, the patron Saint of the throat. In the homonymous church in Amalfi, you can have your throat blessed with holy oil.
- Carnival: one of the best destinations on the Amalfi coast to celebrate this sparkling time of the year is Maiori. The town has a full calendar of events, and the parades of the famous allegorical floats change their theme every year, tackling the main social, political, or environmental issues like global warming, etc., ironically and irreverently. Check out the next events at Gran Carnevale di Maiori.
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast in February
- Trekking on the Lattari Mounts. You can already go hiking in Southern Italy and even spend the night outdoors watching the stars! On the Lattari Mounts, you’ll find plenty of trails available for any skill level. Check out all the itineraries here.
- Watch the sunset on the sea from the garden of Villa Cimbrone in Ravello: that’s the ultimate St. Valentine’s date!
- Visit the Fjord of Furore without the usual crowds of tourists! Seeing the cliffs and the beach in a quiet atmosphere is definitely worth the trip!
Why visit the Amalfi Coast in February
- Pros: Spring has come!
- Cons: it’s a rainy month
What to pack for a winter trip to the Amalfi Coast
- Waterproof jacket
- Sweaters
- Jeans/long trousers
- Sneakers
- Long sleeves t-shirts or shirts
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Umbrella
- Large bag
Remember to dress in layers so you can take something off inside the heated indoor spaces!
Where to eat and drink on the Amalfi Coast in winter
Restaurants
- Maiori Food Coast: calzoni, zeppole, meatballs, octopus and potatoes, pasta and mussels, and many other local specialties served as cheap and fast street food.
- La Caravella del 1959 in Amalfi: an elegant and fancy restaurant decorated with marble and frescos to celebrate a special occasion.
- Rada Restaurant a Positano: enjoy a seafood lunch with a view!
Cafés & Bakeries
- Pasticceria Napoli a Maiori: it’s mainly famous for its “pasticciotto”, that is a sweet treat from Apulia. It’s made of short-crust pastry dough filled with ricotta or egg custard.
- Bar Miramare a Cetara: taste an ice cream watching the sea, even in winter! Bar Miramare Cetara | Facebook
- Angelo Pasticceria a Positano: it’s famous for its “babà,” a small cake soaked in rum, and its crunchy “Lobster tail” filled with Chantilly cream.
Why visit the Amalfi Coast in Winter
- To enjoy Southern Italy’s mild (and even warm) weather
- To visit the picturesque towns of the coast with fewer tourists around
- To enjoy some Christmas magic by the sea
- To stay outdoors and have a picnic on the beach
- To plan a low-cost vacation on the Amalfi Coast, which is super expensive in summer!
- To drive along the coast, taking pictures without getting caught in a traffic jam.
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