The Best Time of Year to Visit the Amalfi Coast

Spring on Italy's Amalfi Coast is this stretch of Italian coastline's golden season, as the sleepy villages come out of their winter hibernation, the cafés and restaurants throw open their doors to the sunlight, and along the twisting, narrow lanes, the scent of orange blossoms and jasmine captivates the first visitors of the season.

The Italy travel season officially begins at Easter and runs through the month of September, but during May and June prices are generally lower than during July and August. There are a couple of important events in spring, including Amalfi's Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics (held every four years in the city).

May is by far the best month to visit the Amalfi Coast, with perfect temperatures, lush blooms, and very few tourists to mar your sightseeing. Have A-list sights like Amalfi's Duomo di Sant'Andrea, Capri's Blue Grotto, Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello, or Positano's Fornillo Beach virtually to yourself.

• The Amalfi Coast in March

• The Amalfi Coast in April

• The Amalfi Coast in May

• The Amalfi Coast in June

If you love local festivals and nightlife, remember that most events take place on the coast during the months of July and August. The calendar of concerts and festivals is particularly full during these two months, which is also when most of the international jet-set anchor their yachts off the Amalfi Coast and can be seen in the most glamorous restaurants and clubs onshore, including "Music On the Rocks" in Positano and "Africana" in Praiano.

Even during these crowded summer months, you can enjoy the coast in peace and solitude by hiring a private boat to explore the hidden coves and beaches along the Amalfi Coast in one day or by exploring the hiking trails along the mountain slopes above the coast, far from the tourist crush.

• The Amalfi Coast in July

• The Amalfi Coast in August

The month of September is also an excellent time to visit the Amalfi Coast, while the temperatures are still mild and the lion's share of tourists have left. You can base yourself in Salerno or Sorrento and take a day tour or road trip to the coastline by Sita bus, rental car, or private driver, or book a hotel or B&B directly on the coast.

• The Amalfi Coast in September

During the winter, the Amalfi Coast has the mysterious air of the sea during the coldest months, with dramatic waves washing against the shore with such force that the spray reaches the balconies of the cliffside homes, and the villages empty out almost completely.

Though the coast has a particularly dramatic feel during these months, remember that many cafés and restaurants will be closed and that you will probably encounter wet weather. If you are planning to visit Italy in winter, you may want to choose a less seasonal destination or stay in the nearby town of Sorrento.

• The Amalfi Coast in October

• The Amalfi Coast in November

• The Amalfi Coast in December

• The Amalfi Coast in January

• The Amalfi Coast in February

To help you choose the best season to visit the Amalfi Coast in Italy and to decide what to pack, here is a helpful chart of the average temperatures during each month of the year, and the amount of precipitation.