Visiting Southern Italy, more specifically the Amalfi Coast, during the winter is an entirely different experience. I am going to explain why you should visit the Amalfi Coast in the off-season instead of peak tourist season – there are a number of reasons that this is ideal!
Why You Should Visit the Amalfi Coast in the Off-Season
There’s something about feeling that Italian sun on your skin in the middle of December that makes you appreciate it that much more. There are many other perks and advantages that come with experiencing the Amalfi Coast during the off-season.
Whether you’re trying to save money, beat the crowds, or find a last-minute flight — I can’t recommend enough choosing Italy for your winter destination. If these photos aren’t convincing enough, I’ve come up with my top reasons for visiting the Amalfi Coast during the off-season.
1. Accommodations are much cheaper.
Traveling anywhere during off-season is typically going to be less expensive, but I was still shocked by the price difference of accommodations in the Amalfi Coast from summer to winter.
You can easily save as much as 50% on hotels, Airbnbs, and holiday flats simply by going when it is less crowded. Supply and demand at its best! Granted, because the demand is a lot less in the colder months, many hotels do close from December – March, but fortunately, there is still an abundance of options.
Just think, European breakfast buffet without the crowded lines and loud hotel lobbies — yes, please!
To give you an idea… you can book places for $250 less a week, simply by going during the cooler months. Think about all of the pizza and gelato you could buy with your extra spending money?
2. Weather is perfect.
Coming from cold, wet Germany, really anything above freezing with a bit of sun was going to seem like paradise for us. Even if you’re coming from the Southern United States, taking a break from the rainy, winter months to sit on a warm, Italian patio is always a good idea.
During our time at the Amalfi Coast, the temperatures were in the low 60s during the day and high 40s at night — perfection. We did have one rainy day while visiting Pompeii, but once we purchased some super trendy ponchos, everything was right in the world.
It wasn’t until after we arrived back to Germany and spoke with a few friends about their time in Positano during the summer, did I realize how great the weather was during the colder months. Our friends said it was 100 degrees every day during their summer trip and other than going to the beach, it was too hot to do much more.
I mean, gelato might be refreshing in boiling, hot temperatures, but not when it’s melting down your hand before you can finish it. Right?
3. Driving and traveling through the villages is easier.
Italians are the wildest drivers I have ever witnessed. It probably doesn’t help that the roads winding through the Amalfi Coast barely fit two Fiats at once.
The most stressful part of our vacation, for me, was the driving. My husband, on the other hand, loved it (he said it was exhilarating?). Nope. You guys, I am talking 6 cars in one lane trying to make it through a roundabout, while 20 more cars attempt to pile in. I am shocked that we didn’t get in a wreck or at least side swiped. Pro tip: buy the rental car insurance, at least for the peace of mind while driving around, it’s worth it for your sanity.
We were able to explore so much of the Amalfi Coast by car. From Positano, to Sorrento, to Pompeii, then to Naples and finally Salerno with ease, however, during the summer that would have been nearly impossible.
4. Smaller crowds, shorter lines, & quicker service.
Okay, this is a no-brainer.
But really, being able to experience the beaches and watch the sunset with just a few people and the locals, is a much better experience than having your views blocked by all the iPhones, cameras, and selfie-taking tourist.
Also, when you’ve been walking all day, the last thing you want to do is wait for 1-2 hours for a table at a restaurant.
Walking through Positano during this time is magical, you hear people speaking Italian everywhere, young families playing on the beach, and the restaurant owners have time to talk with you and give you a true, Italian experience.
To see more photos of my time in the Amalfi Coast, you can find my photo gallery here.
Don’t get me wrong, there are wonderful things about visiting Southern Italy in the summer. Swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, taking a boat ride to Capri, and getting a killer tan while sipping on Lemon Cello. Yes, yes, these are all lovely. However, if you’re looking to save money, beat the crowds and heat, and have a relaxing stay, then I cannot recommend visiting Positano in the winter months enough. Ciao!
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Great post! I live just 50 minutes far from the Amalfitan Coast and I know that travel over here can be really expensive. Your post will help people to save a lot of money!
What month did you travel in?