WEATHER IN THE AMALFI COAST

Summer is not the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast, as small towns swell with vacationers and the heat is often sweltering. The best times to visit are April through June and September through October. Visiting in winter is an appealing alternative since the temperature remains comfortable and rain is relatively rare, but be aware that some hotels and restaurants will not be open. Officially, the tourist season starts with Easter and ends on September 30th. Also notable, prices are usually lower from May to June than in July and August.

CLIMATE:
Spring

From March to June the temperature will steadily rise from around 60 up to 80 degrees; and the number of visitors will steadily rise, too. March can also be wet, so pack an umbrella! Spring on the Amalfi Coast is when the sea towns and villages wake from their long winter slumber. Bars and restaurants, freshly painted and cleaned, open for business again and the air is perfumed with the delicate scent of orange blossoms. This spectacular stretch of Italian coastline is bathed by the sun, which is already warm enough to make swimming in the sea a pleasure for visitors of every age. May is the best month to travel on the Amalfi Coast thanks to the mild climate, vibrant colors and absence of crowds. And Ravello's Concert Society holds classical concerts from March through November.

Summer

June, July and August see temperatures soar into the 80's, although sea breezes can take the edge off any humidity. If you are interested in cultural events or are a socialite, keep in mind that the majority of events organized on the Amalfi Coast are held during July and August. During these peak summer months the calendar brims with concerts and festivals. It is also at this time that the world's beautiful people arrive on the Amalfi Coast, aboard their luxurious yachts, and fill the areas most fashionable restaurants and coastal discotheques, such as Positano's Music On the Rocks and Praiano's Africana. Even in peak season, you can enjoy the Amalfi Coast. Retreat from the crowds by renting a boat to explore the areas hidden coves or by heading up into the mountains to wander along picturesque, and mostly deserted, coastal footpaths.

Fall

Apart from the rare rain shower, one of the best times to visit the Neapolitan Riviera is from September to November when the temperatures are still reasonably high. You can expect to enjoy wonderful warm days without having to battle the hordes of tourists that descend on the areas main towns and beaches. It's worth noting that boats to the islands are far less frequent from October onwards as the seas can get quite choppy.

Winter

The winter season on the Neapolitan Riviera can be remarkably mild with temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees. The Amalfi Coast has a singular appeal in the winter, when the sea swells and the waves threaten to inundate towns which are suddenly uninhabited. It is the perfect time for romantics as long as they remember that most bars and restaurants will be closed and the chance of rain is high. The islands of Capri and Ischia pretty much close for the winter season (mid-November to mid-Feb) as the seas can get quite rough and the ferry crossings are often cancelled due to bad weather. If you visit in December, Christmas in Sorrento is wonderful. The `procession of baby Jesus` takes place on Christmas Eve and ends in a spectacular display of fireworks. There are also live tableaux of the Christmas nativity scene that includes the whole town.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

Month High Low
January 54° F 38° F
February 55° F 39° F
March 59° F 42° F
April 64° F 46° F
May 72° F 53° F
June 79° F 60° F
July 84° F 64° F
August 85° F 64° F
September 79° F 59° F
October 71° F 52° F
November 62° F 45° F
December 56° F 41° F