Amalfi isn’t just the name of Italy’s famously beautiful coastline, it’s one of the best towns in the region. A small and colorful town at the heart of the Amalfi Coast, lying below the precipitous cliffs, it makes a great base for enjoying the jaw-dropping drive on the coastal highway that’s been named among one world’s most stunning, as well as for exploring other towns and popular destinations nearby from the island of Capri to Pompeii. There are a few attractions right in town, like the Amalfi Cathedral with its lovely bell tower and the Cloister of Paradise on the main square, Piazza Duomo, along with plenty of shops, cafes, and eateries. Limoncello is available almost everywhere, from stores and restaurants to factory tours. In fact, with some of the tastiest and sweetest lemons grown in the region, you’ll find lemon everything, from lemon-themed souvenirs to lemon cakes, lemonade, and lemon sorbet.
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The town of Amalfi offers plenty of accommodation options ranging from romantic hideaways in boutique hotels to friendly B&Bs, luxury properties, vacation rentals, and even some beach-style resort hotels. To choose the one that’s just right for your trip, consider the type of escape you’d like to enjoy. Are you visiting in the summer and planning to spend a lot of time at the beach, are you looking for a more tranquil, romantic stay, or are you a sightseer who wants to be immersed in the heart of the historic center? As Amalfi is so small, there isn’t a significant difference in location, but if you’re right next to the main square, it is likely to be noisier, and some hotels will put you just steps from the beach. When it comes to budget, it’s not cheap to stay in Amalfi but there is a mix of more affordable, mid-range, and pricey luxury options.
There is plenty of things to do in Amalfi, but for the first-time visitor, there are some absolute musts.
The main square in Amalfi is Piazza Duomo, the most popular gathering spot and a great place for people-watching, ideally from one of the sidewalk cafes with a glass of wine or Italian coffee in hand. At the center, you’ll see a baroque-style marble fountain, Fontana Sant’Andrea. Dedicated to the town’s patron saint, Andrew, it has beautiful, intricate details with four cherubs and a nymph. If you’re here on June 27th, you can watch a procession that starts right from the fountain.
At the eastern edge of Piazza Duomo is Amalfi Cathedral with the Cloister of Paradise right next to it. Your small admission fee will get you into both. The cathedral has roots dating to the 9th century and inside you’ll see a mother-of-pearl crucifix along with other artifacts. The bell tower is a great place for photos and there are crypts beneath the cathedral that can be viewed as well. The 13th-century Cloisters of Paradise features gorgeous mosaics, sculptures, paintings, and lush greenery.
There are several beaches in Amalfi, including sandy stretches at the large main beach, Spiaggia Grande which is right in front of the Old Town across from Piazza Duomo. This 1,000-foot-long stretch is edged by the brilliant blue sea, ideal for swimming, particularly from June through mid-October. There’s a paid section with umbrellas and sunbeds and a free section where you can toss down a beach towel or a blanket. Lido delle Siren at the opposite end of town is less busy.
Many great trips can be enjoyed from Amalfi, including boat tours to the island of Capri to visit the Blue Grotto and perhaps enjoy high-end shopping in designer boutiques. Boat tours can also take you to other charming towns and standout features along the Amalfi Coast. One of the most popular day trips is Pompeii, providing a fascinating glimpse of life around the 1st century AD, with the city well-preserved under ash as the result of the massive 79 AD volcanic eruption.
Shopping is always a popular pursuit with plenty of venues in Amalfi, including along the main street of Ruga Nova Mercatorum and around Piazza Duomo. You’ll be able to shop for everything from famous Italian brands sold in designer boutiques to gifts and souvenirs, beachwear, and Limoncello. The specialty food shops (and even the grocery stores) offer lots of treasures, including premium olive oils, all sorts of artisan cheeses, various types of honey, jams, herbs, and much more.
The paper museum is a short walk from Piazza Duomo and offers the chance to learn about Amalfi’s history as well as the ancient process of paper-making. One of the most unique museums in the entire region, you’ll see various equipment and instruments, including centuries-old tools, a printing machine, wooden mauls, and more, which were used in the ancient paper mills. A reconstruction of the paper production process is on display as well.
The very best time to visit Amalfi is arguably the month of May. While it is the tourist season, it falls at the beginning, so you’re unlikely to encounter huge crowds while enjoying some of the best weather of the year, typically around the mid-70s. The sea may be too chilly for most, but if you can come at the end of the month, it will have warmed up quite a bit more. April can be a good time to visit too, although you’re more likely to experience some wet weather. Summer is the busiest and hottest time here, which means the biggest crowds, the highest prices, and ducking out of the sun in the mid-afternoon but swimming will be ideal. Early to mid-fall is pleasant but there’s a higher chance of rain. November and the latter half of January are the least busy periods, but you’ll need to prepare for wet, chillier weather.
Check out our guide on when to visit Amalfi.
Sightseeing in Amalfi is best enjoyed when it’s not too hot or too cold and the crowds aren’t at their thickest, around mid-April through the month of May, with mid-September to about mid-October the next best. There is more rain in the fall, especially after October rolls around, and the later you arrive in the month, the greater the chance for heavy rains that can cause mudslides and road blockages, making it difficult to get around. Mid- to late spring is about as perfect as it gets when it comes to sightseeing weather, although there will be many other visitors here. In between sightseeing, you might even be able to enjoy time at the beach. If you don’t mind bundling up a bit, the lowest visitor numbers are in the winter, outside of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Summer is hot and humid, a time when days are better spent at the beach or pool.
Unlike many towns on the Amalfi Coast, the town of Amalfi has several beaches, including both sandy and pebbly stretches, and when the weather is warm enough, they offer a perfect place to swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of the Gulf of Salerno. If one of your top priorities is to spend a day or more swimming and relaxing at one of the beaches, you’ll want to visit when the sea is swimmable, from late May through mid-October. Early in the season, the sea temperature may be a bit cool for some, at around 71 degrees. In June it reaches 74 while July through August brings very warm sea temperatures of 78 to 79 degrees before falling again to 77 in September and back to 71 in October. To avoid the crowds and still enjoy water that’s pleasant enough for swimming, come during the first half of June or early to mid-September.
Sailing is one of the top things to do in Amalfi and throughout the Amalfi coast as one of the most popular sailing destinations in the world. Seeing the stunning shores from the water with towering cliffs and the precariously perched villages with their colorful homes is something you’ll never forget. The best time to visit Amalfi for sailing, is during the sailing season, from May through October. Group sailing excursions run through September, while barefoot and flotilla charters run into October. In the summer, the weather is stable, typically bringing only gentle winds with temperatures in the 80s. The hot, dry Sirocco winds come from the south, while the cooler Tramontana winds coming off the Apennines and the Alps arrive from the north. July and August is the peak of the season, which means paying the highest prices. For lower rates and good weather, sail in May, June, September, or early October.
Springtime is the best time to hike the trails throughout the Amalfi Coast. While it’s still a bit chilly in March with average daytime highs in the low 60s, days are often sunny and temperatures will continue to rise. If you visit Amalfi now, you’ll want to prepare for changing weather, with some cooler, rainy days that require a waterproof jacket and clothing that can be layered. Keep in mind that the higher you go in elevation, the lower the temperature will be. By the time April arrives, it’s significantly warmer with the average highs now in the low 70s. Around this time, colorful blooms will be bursting while colorful butterflies flitter about. Summer will be hot, making it best to avoid hiking during the middle of the day and bring plenty of water for hydration. Early autumn brings milder temperatures and fewer crowds, an ideal time for higher trails, including the Path of the Gods.
Amalfi offers something for everyone, no matter what the time of year, but if you want to get a better feel for daily local life while avoiding the biggest crowds and taking advantage of reduced prices, the best months to visit are November through March, outside of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The very best period is mid-January through early February as holiday vacationers will be gone and most won’t arrive for their getaways until March or later. While the weather can be a bit chilly, it’s still mild compared to many destinations, with temperatures usually in the 50s. A visit in January brings the opportunity to mingle with locals at the annual Epiphany celebrations, while February brings the annual Carnival festivities. The downside besides the wet, chillier weather is that heavy rains can sometimes cause mudslides that lead to blockages on roadways, making it difficult to travel outside of town.
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