Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast in October | Weather & What to Expect

To cut right to the chase, October is a beautiful time to visit the Amalfi Coast.

We spent 10 days on the Amalfi Coast in mid to late-October. With warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies throughout our visit, the weather was perfect. This time of year, crowds are quieting down, making it easier to travel along the Amalfi Coast, get reservations at restaurants, and book boat tours and excursions.

Let’s go deeper into what to expect on a visit to the Amalfi Coast in October.

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.

10 day weather forecast for the Amalfi Coast in October.

During our visit (October 16 to October 26, 2022), 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.

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 2024, this falls on October 27. On October 26, sunset is at 6:00 pm. On October 27, due to the time change, sunset is at 5:00 pm.

What Will Be Open in October?

October is the transitional period from the busy summer season to the off season. Even though the weather is still warm, beach clubs close for the season around mid-October. Some shops will also close up, sometime between mid-October and early November. However, there will still be plenty of restaurants and hotels open, if you plan to visit the Amalfi Coast in late October or into November.

The ferries run through October, generally ending for the season at the end of October or into early November. They won’t get going again until sometime next spring, usually in April.

To get around the Amalfi Coast in November, you can still use the public buses, hire a private driver, or rent a car and drive the Amalfi Coast.

Positano in October

The Advantages of Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October

In October, crowds are a lot lower in Sorrento and on the Amalfi Coast. Even so, it still felt rather busy to us, especially on the weekends, so it is not going to feel deserted.

Driving the Amalfi Coast was not an issue (during October, the legendary traffic jams rarely occur) but we still had a hard time parking in some towns. If you want to drive the Amalfi Coast, a good time to do this is from the end of October into November, when the weather is still nice and traffic is low.

Since there are less tourists, it is easier to get reservations at the top restaurants, but some of the very good places, like La Sponda in Positano and Il Buco in Sorrento, still need to be made weeks in advance.

If you want to book a boat tour or day trip to Pompeii or Capri, it is also easier to do this in October, than the busier 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).

Finally, the weather is still warm, but you most likely won’t have to deal with the hot summer temperatures, which makes sightseeing more pleasant.

Grapes at Tenuta San Francesco in October

The Disadvantages of Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October

There aren’t many.

The water is cooler, so for some people, October isn’t a great time to visit the Amalfi Coast if you plan to go swimming.

If you want to visit the beach clubs, get here before mid-October, since they close around the middle of the month.

Is it Worth Visiting the Amalfi Coast in October?

Absolutely! With beautiful weather and lower crowds, October is one of the best months to visit the Amalfi Coast.

In our opinion, October is a better month to visit than September, since it is less crowded during this time. You could get some rain, but from talking to the locals, sunny skies are becoming the predominant weather pattern in October.

Based on our experience in late October, I also think November would be a very nice time to visit the Amalfi Coast. Rain chances do go up a little bit, and not everything will be open (like the beach clubs and some shops and restaurants), but during this month, the weather can still be very pleasant and crowds will be even lower than those in October.

Ravello in October

Visiting the Amalfi Coast in November

We weren’t in the Amalfi Coast in November, but we talked to quite a few locals about what it is like to be in this area during this time.

By early November, many hotels and a good number of restaurants close. However, they all don’t close, so you will be able to find a place to stay and eat, you just won’t have the same number of choices as September or October.

Ferries also stop running in early November, so, to get around, you can drive, take the bus, or hire a driver.

The weather gets cooler, with average highs ranging from 17°C to 23°C (check this 62°F to 74°F). The number of cloudy and rainy days increases, but from what we were told, you may get 1 to 2 rainy days a week during the month of November.

If you want low crowds and don’t mind the cool weather and less being open, November is a beautiful time to visit the Amalfi Coast.

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 in October is 24°C (75°F) and the average low is 15°C (60°F). Expect a few rainy days during the month, but sunny skies are more prevalent than cloudy, drizzly days.

What is the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast?

During the summer months, the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast is by boat (ferry, small boat tour, or private boat). The views are beautiful and you can avoid the traffic jams on Amalfi Drive. If you are traveling on a budget, travel by ferry or by bus. From June through September, avoid driving the Amalfi Coast if possible, since traffic jams are frequent, parking is a nightmare, and rental car traffic is limited by the new alternating license plate system.

For more information, we have a detailed guide on How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast.

Positano in October

More Information for Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast

AMALFI COAST TOWNS: For an overview of where to go, check out our article 17 Beautiful Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast. We also have detailed guides about the Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast and how to visit Positano and Ravello. Learn how to plan your time with our Amalfi Coast Itinerary.

GETTING AROUND: Learn how to travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. We also have a guide to the Best Way to Get around the Amalfi Coast and what it is like to drive the Amalfi Coast.

ITALY ITINERARY: On this 10 day southern Italy itinerary, visit the Amalfi Coast, Castelmezzano, Matera, Alberobello, and more towns in Puglia.

PATH OF THE GODS: The Path of the Gods is a gorgeous hike on the Amalfi Coast.

SORRENTO & CAPRI: Learn about the best things to do in Sorrento, how to spend 3 days in Sorrento, learn how to plan your day trip to Capri, and find out whether or not the Blue Grotto is worth it.

WHERE TO STAY: For recommendations of where to stay, including Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, take a look at our Amalfi Coast Hotel Guide.

POMPEII & PAESTUM: Learn how to visit Pompeii when traveling between Rome and the Amalfi Coast. And don’t miss our guide to Paestum, one of the best places to see Greek ruins in Italy.

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.

More Information for Your Trip to Italy

ITALY ITINERARIES: If you are just beginning to plan your Italy itinerary, take a look at our 10 Days in Italy Itinerary for five different ways to spend 10 days in Italy.

FLORENCE & TUSCANY: If this is your first visit to Florence, read our guide to the Best Things to Do in Florence and the best rooftop bars in Florence. If you plan to visit Tuscany, learn how to spend one day in Siena, things to do in Montepulciano, and the best things to do in San Gimignano.

ROME: For a list of the top experiences in Rome, read our article Best Things to Do in Rome. Learn how to put these together in our 2 Day Rome Itinerary. And don’t miss our guides to the Best Views of Rome, best Rooftop Bars in Rome, and our Rome Restaurant Guide.

DOLOMITES: We cover important things to know before you go and travel tips in our article How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites. For ideas on what to do, read our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites. Learn how to plan your time with our Dolomites Itinerary Travel Planner.

BASILICATA: Basilicata is a region in southern Italy. Read our guide on the best things to do in Matera and how to visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa and do the Angel’s Flight zipline.