When is the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast? If you want warm weather, thinner crowds, and a far easier time getting around, October is one of the best months to go.
We’ve visited the Amalfi Coast twice, once in early July, and once for 10 days in mid-to-late October, and the two trips could not have felt more different.
In July, we day tripped to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento, traveling by public bus. It did not go well. Buses frequently ran late, and the bus from Positano never showed up to take us to Amalfi, so we ended up paying for a hop-on-hop-off tour bus just to reach Amalfi. Getting back was worse. The return bus was packed and so late that boarding turned into an actual shoving match, followed by a long, hot ride back to Sorrento. The bright spots were walking through Positano and kayaking from its beach, which were genuinely great.
October was a different trip entirely. We spent over a week on the Amalfi Coast and rented a car and drove ourselves. The weather was still warm and crowds were noticeably lower than summer, though the coast still felt busy in the popular towns. October was an amazing time to visit the Amalfi Coast.
Let’s go deeper into what to expect.
Amalfi Coast in October: At a Glance
AVERAGE HIGH | 26°C (80°F) early Oct, 24°C (75°F) late Oct
SEA TEMPERATURE | ~22°C (72°F)
SUNSET | ~6:45 pm early Oct, ~5:00 pm late Oct (after clocks change)
CLOCKS CHANGE | Sunday, October 25, 2026 — clocks fall back 1 hour
CROWDS | Lower than summer, but still busy in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello
WHAT’S OPEN | Everything, except beach clubs (closing mid-October) and a few shops
BEST FOR | Warm-weather sightseeing, hiking, and driving the coast yourself — no license-plate restriction
July 2026 Update: We’ve narrowed this post’s focus to the Amalfi Coast (previously included Sorrento), added firsthand comparison from our July visit, a September/October/November comparison table, and an expanded FAQ.
Weather on the Amalfi Coast in October
In our research, and from what we have heard from travelers, we expected cool temperatures and a fair amount of cloudy skies or rain showers in October. So, Tim and I added extra time to the Amalfi Coast, just in case we had a few days of rain that would keep us indoors.
Well, that wasn’t the case at all.
During our visit (October 16 to October 26), it was slightly warmer than average for October. Almost every day, the average high was 26°C (80°F) and the average low was 15°C (60°F). A few days we had some clouds, but other than that, we had clear, sunny skies the entire 10 days.
That’s totally different than what we read about what to expect along the Amalfi Coast in October. So, we started asking some questions.
Talking to numerous locals who have lived in the area for years, from hotel staff to boat captains to taxi drivers, the weather pattern is shifting. Now, the weather in October is what you would once expect in September: warm weather and maybe a rainy day here and there, just like we experienced.
And the typical October weather has shifted into November. In November, the weather does get cooler, and rain chances go up, but there are still more sunny days than rainy days. It’s getting a bit too chilly to go swimming, but the weather is still very nice for sightseeing.
The average high in October is 24°C (75°F) and the average low is 15°C (60°F), just slightly cooler than what we experienced. Expect a few rainy days during the month, but sunny skies are more prevalent than cloudy, drizzly days.
Water temperature sits around 22°C (72°F) in October. It’s cooler than the high summer months, but still comfortable for most people to swim in.
Of course, there could be a weather disturbance that produces a series of rainy days, but that can happen anywhere in Italy, from September through December. On this same trip, during the month of September, we spent 10 days in Tuscany and it rained every day, sometimes just for an hour or two and others, almost all day.
We use Meteo.it to track the weather when we visit Italy. The forecasts are very accurate and better than other sources such as Weather.com or Accuweather, from our experience. You can also download the Meteo.it app, add in the cities you will be visiting on your trip to Italy, and easily get the upcoming forecast.
Hiking the Path of the Gods
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In early October, the sun rises at 7 am and the sun sets at 6:45 pm. By late October, sunrise is at 7:30 am and sunset is at 6:00 pm.
On the last Sunday of October, daylight savings time in Europe ends, so clocks fall back one hour. In 2026, this falls on October 25. On October 24, sunset is at 6:00 pm. On October 25, due to the time change, sunset is at 5:00 pm.
What Will Be Open in October?
October is the transition from the busy summer season into the off-season. Beach clubs typically close for the year around mid-October, and some shops follow between mid-October and early November. Restaurants and hotels, though, stay open in good numbers through late October and into November.
Ferries are the main thing to plan around. Service generally runs from around early April through the end of October, so if you’re visiting late in the month, check your connections ahead of time. By November, only the Sorrento–Naples–Capri–Ischia routes keep running, and full service won’t return until spring.
To get around once ferries wind down, you can still take the public SITA buses, hire a private driver, or, with the summer license-plate restriction lifted, rent a car and drive yourself, which is exactly what we did on our October visit.
Positano in October
The Advantages of Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October
The biggest advantage, in our experience, is being able to drive the Amalfi Coast yourself. The summer license-plate restriction system that limits rental cars from June through September lifts in October. After our July trip, where we were stuck relying on buses, one of which simply never showed up, having a car made an enormous difference. Traffic on Amalfi Drive is also far lighter than in summer, though parking in the smaller towns can still be tight.
Crowds are a lot lower than summer. Weekends still feel busy, so don’t expect the coast to feel deserted.
With fewer tourists, it’s easier to get restaurant reservations, though the most sought-after spots, like La Sponda in Positano, still need to be booked weeks in advance.
Boat tours and day trips to Pompeii or Capri are also easier to arrange on shorter notice than during the peak months of June through September. You’ll also spend less time waiting in line for a bus or a ferry and you won’t have to deal with long traffic jams on Amalfi Drive (whether you are driving a rental car or sitting on a bus or in a private car).
And the weather itself is still warm enough for comfortable sightseeing, without the intense heat that made our July visit so draining.
Grapes at Tenuta San Francesco in October
The Disadvantages of Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October
There aren’t many.
The water is cooler than summer, so if swimming is a priority, October isn’t the ideal month.
Beach clubs close around mid-October, so if visiting one matters to you, plan for the first half of the month.
Rain chances also tick up as the month goes on, though sunny days still outnumber cloudy ones.
And if you’re visiting late in October, ferry schedules start thinning out before stopping for the season entirely in November. It’s worth building in a backup plan (bus, private driver, or rental car) if your itinerary leans on them.
Is it Worth Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October?
Absolutely! With warm weather, thinning crowds, and the freedom to drive the coast yourself, October is one of our favorite times to visit the Amalfi Coast.
Compared to September, we’d pick October every time: the sea is only a couple degrees cooler, but the coast is noticeably less crowded and the summer driving restrictions are gone. Compared to July, when we were stuck relying on buses in the heat, October felt like an entirely different, far more enjoyable trip.
Based on our October visit, we think November would also be a lovely time to go. The weather cools further and ferries stop running for the season, but crowds thin out even more and the towns feel wonderfully quiet.
| Month | Ave. High | Sea Temp | Crowds | Our Verdict |
| September | 26°C (79°F) | ~24°C (75°F) | High early, thinning by month’s end | Warmest water of the fall, but still peak-season busy |
| October | 26°C (80°F) early → 24°C (75°F) late* | ~22°C (72°F) | Lower than summer, but still busy in popular towns | Best balance of warm weather, thinner crowds, and driving without the license-plate restriction |
| November | 17–23°C (62–74°F) | ~19°C (66°F) | Lowest of the season | Quiet and pleasant, but ferries stop and some restaurants/hotels close |
Ravello in October
Visiting the Amalfi Coast in November
We haven’t visited in November ourselves, but we’ve talked with locals — hotel staff, boat captains, private drivers — about what the month is like.
By early November, a good number of hotels and restaurants close for the season, though not all of them. You’ll have fewer choices than in September or October, but you won’t struggle to find a place to stay or eat. Ferries stop running for the season, so getting around means driving, taking the bus, or hiring a private driver.
Rain becomes more frequent and locals told us to expect one or two rainy days a week, but sunny days still outnumber the wet ones.
If low crowds matter more to you than warm water and full ferry schedules, November is a genuinely lovely, quiet time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
October is one of the best times of the year to visit the Amalfi Coast. The weather is warm, skies are generally sunny, and crowds are easing up as the region transitions into the off season. Beach clubs tend to close in mid-October, so if you plan to visit a club, plan your visit for the first half of the month. If you like the idea of driving the Amalfi Coast, plan your visit for the end of October, or even early November.
What is the weather like in the Amalfi Coast in October?
The average high starts around 26°C (80°F) early in the month and eases to about 24°C (75°F) by the end, with evening lows near 15°C (60°F). Sunny skies are the norm, with rain becoming a bit more likely as the month goes on.
What are the best things to do in the Amalfi Coast in October?
October’s milder temperatures make it a great month for hiking the Path of the Gods, driving the coast yourself, exploring towns like Positano and Ravello without summer’s crowds, and taking a boat tour or day trip to Capri while conditions are still good.
What events happen in the Amalfi Coast in October?
The main one is the Sagra della Castagna, a chestnut festival held in the hill town of Agerola, above the coast, featuring local food, wine, and folk music.
Positano in October
Plan Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast
- Ready to put together a full itinerary? → Our Amalfi Coast Itinerary guide covers everything from a quick 2 days to a full week.
- Deciding where to base yourself? → Our Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast guide breaks down which towns fit best.
- Wondering how to get around once you’re here? → Our Best Way to Get Around the Amalfi Coast guide covers driving, buses, ferries, and private drivers.
- Want to spend a day (or more) in Positano? → Our Things to Do in Positano guide has our full list.
- Road trip from Amalfi to Puglia → If the Amalfi Coast is part of a bigger Southern Italy trip, our Southern Italy Itinerary combines it with Matera, Alberobello, and Puglia.
- Explore more of Italy → our Italy Travel Guide pulls together all of our Italy posts, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Cinque Terre, Sicily, and Puglia.
If you have any questions about what it is like to visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in October, or if you want to write in with your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
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