Things to Do in Amalfi Coast in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Amalfi Coast
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak Mediterranean swimming conditions - the Tyrrhenian Sea hits its warmest temperatures of the year at 25-26°C (77-79°F), making it genuinely comfortable for extended swimming and snorkeling without a wetsuit
- Extended daylight hours until 8:15pm give you roughly 14 hours of usable daylight, meaning you can fit in both an early morning hike before the heat peaks and an evening beach session after the sun loses its intensity
- Summer festival season is in full swing - you'll catch everything from outdoor classical concerts in Ravello's gardens to traditional fishing village celebrations with processions and fireworks that only happen during August
- Restaurant and shop hours are maximized - everything stays open late into the evening, with most places serving dinner until 11pm or midnight, unlike shoulder season when many close early or take random days off
Considerations
- This is absolute peak season with maximum crowds and pricing - expect hotels to cost 200-300% more than May or October, beaches to be packed by 10am, and the coastal road (SS163) to have bumper-to-bumper traffic from 11am-7pm daily
- The Italian August exodus means many locals take their annual vacation during Ferragosto week (August 10-20), so some family-run businesses actually close, and the coast fills with Italian families on their traditional summer holiday, creating the year's most intense crowds
- Heat and humidity combine to make midday activities genuinely uncomfortable - you're looking at 30°C (86°F) with 70% humidity, which feels closer to 35°C (95°F), making those famous Path of the Gods hikes pretty brutal between 11am-4pm
Best Activities in August
Early Morning Coastal Trail Hiking
August's extended daylight means you can start hiking at 6am when it's still a comfortable 22-23°C (72-73°F) and finish by 10am before the real heat kicks in. The Path of the Gods and Valle delle Ferriere trails are actually perfect this month if you time them right - the early light is spectacular for photography, and you'll have the paths largely to yourself while everyone else is still at breakfast. The vegetation is at its driest, so trails are in excellent condition with no mud or slippery sections.
Private Boat Tours to Secluded Coves
August is actually the best month for boat access because the sea is calmest and warmest. With beaches absolutely packed, a private or small-group boat becomes the only realistic way to find swimming space and access the coast's hidden coves that have no road access. The water clarity peaks in August due to low rainfall, making it ideal for snorkeling around Li Galli islands and the Furore fjord. You can swim comfortably for hours without getting cold.
Sunset Aperitivo Sessions
The Italian tradition of aperitivo hour (7pm-9pm) is perfect for August because it's finally cooling down and the light is extraordinary. Terraces in Positano and Ravello offer the coast's famous views without the midday glare, and you're experiencing what locals actually do - nobody sits on a beach terrace at 2pm in August. The extended daylight means sunset doesn't happen until 8pm, giving you a long golden hour. This is also when you'll see Italian families and couples out, making it feel more authentic than the daytime tourist rush.
Cooking Classes in Air-Conditioned Villas
August is peak season for tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and basil - exactly what you need for authentic Campanian cooking. Taking a class during the hot afternoon hours (2pm-6pm) means you're in a cool kitchen learning to make pasta and limoncello while everyone else is suffering through beach crowds. You'll work with vegetables picked that morning from local gardens, and many classes include transfers from your hotel, solving the August traffic problem.
Evening Kayaking and Paddleboarding
The calm August seas and late sunsets (until 8pm) make evening water sports surprisingly magical. The water is warm enough at 25°C (77°F) that falling in is actually refreshing rather than shocking, and you avoid both the midday sun (UV index of 8 is no joke) and the beach crowds. Paddling along the coast from 6pm-8pm gives you the best light for photos and you'll often see the coast's famous sunsets from water level.
Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Visits
While August heat makes these sites challenging, they're actually less crowded than in June-July because many tour groups shift to coastal activities. The key is going right at opening (9am) or after 4pm when temperatures drop slightly. August's intense sun actually helps you appreciate why Romans built covered porticos and fountains everywhere. Herculaneum is the smarter choice in August - it's smaller (90 minutes versus 3-4 hours), has more shade from original roof structures, and is 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler than Pompeii due to its lower elevation.
August Events & Festivals
Ferragosto Celebrations
August 15th is Italy's biggest summer holiday - a national celebration dating back to Roman times that marks the height of summer. Expect spectacular fireworks displays over the water in Amalfi, Positano, and Maiori around 10pm-11pm, plus religious processions and outdoor feasts. Many restaurants do special fixed-price Ferragosto menus. Worth noting that this is also the single busiest day of the entire year on the coast, with traffic essentially gridlocked and beaches at maximum capacity.
Ravello Festival Concerts
This prestigious classical music and dance festival runs throughout summer with performances in the stunning gardens of Villa Rufolo, 350 meters (1,148 feet) above the sea. August features nearly nightly concerts, often starting at 8:30pm or 9pm to catch the sunset. The outdoor setting with views over the coastline is genuinely spectacular - this is one of Europe's most beautiful concert venues. Programs range from full orchestras to chamber music to contemporary dance.
Feast of Sant'Andrea
While the main celebration is in June, Amalfi holds a secondary celebration in late August with a maritime procession and evening festivities in the main piazza. Local fishing boats parade along the harbor decorated with lights, followed by traditional music and food stalls selling local specialties. It's smaller and more authentic than the June version, with fewer tourists and more locals participating.