Things to Do in Amalfi Coast in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Amalfi Coast
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically fewer crowds at major sites - you can actually photograph Positano's colorful cliffside without 50 people in your shot, and restaurants in Amalfi town that require reservations weeks ahead in summer often have same-day availability
- Hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to peak summer months - luxury properties like those in Ravello that run €500+ per night in July typically fall to €200-300 in November, and you'll have leverage to negotiate multi-night packages
- Authentic local atmosphere returns after tourist season ends - shopkeepers have time to chat, you'll hear Italian spoken in the piazzas instead of English, and restaurants shift to serving what locals actually eat rather than tourist-focused menus
- Cooler temperatures make hiking the Path of the Gods and Sentiero degli Dei actually comfortable - those 600 m (1,970 ft) elevation changes that leave summer hikers drenched in sweat become genuinely pleasant in 15-17°C (59-63°F) weather
Considerations
- Reduced ferry schedules and some services shut down entirely - boats to Capri run maybe 2-3 times daily instead of hourly, several beach clubs close for the season, and about 30% of restaurants in smaller towns like Praiano take their annual break
- Weather unpredictability means you need flexible plans - those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, and the Amalfi Coast's microclimates mean Positano might be sunny while Amalfi town gets drenched 11 km (6.8 miles) away
- Swimming becomes questionable for most people - water temperatures drop to 18-19°C (64-66°F), which feels bracing even to locals, and many beach establishments have already packed up their loungers and umbrellas for winter storage
Best Activities in November
Path of the Gods Hiking Routes
November is genuinely the best month for tackling the Sentiero degli Dei and other coastal trails. The summer heat that makes these climbs brutal disappears, replaced by crisp 15-17°C (59-63°F) temperatures perfect for the 600-800 m (1,970-2,625 ft) elevation gains. Trails are nearly empty compared to the conga lines of summer, and the occasional cloud cover actually helps with photography by diffusing the harsh Mediterranean sun. The main 7.8 km (4.8 mile) Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle takes 3-4 hours at a comfortable pace. Rain happens about one-third of the time, so check morning forecasts and start early when weather looks stable.
Ravello Villa and Garden Tours
Ravello sits 365 m (1,198 ft) above sea level and November transforms it into something almost mystical when morning fog rolls through the gardens. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo are the two must-visit estates, and in November you'll have the Terrace of Infinity practically to yourself instead of jostling for photos with tour groups. The gardens still have late-blooming camellias and the Mediterranean vegetation stays green year-round. Plan 2-3 hours per villa. The cooler weather makes the uphill walks from Amalfi town actually pleasant - it's a 1.5 km (0.9 mile) climb that summer visitors find punishing.
Amalfi Coast Culinary Experiences
November brings the coast's food culture back to its roots after the tourist season. Cooking classes shift from generic pasta-making to seasonal dishes using chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, and the last of the autumn vegetables. You'll find agriturismos in the hills above Furore and Agerola offering farm-to-table experiences where you're actually eating with the family, not performing for tourists. Classes typically run 3-4 hours including the meal you prepare. The cooler weather also makes visiting hillside lemon groves and olive oil producers more comfortable - these working farms sit at 200-400 m (656-1,312 ft) elevation.
Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Sites
The 30-minute drive north to these Roman sites becomes infinitely more pleasant in November. Summer temperatures at Pompeii regularly hit 32-35°C (90-95°F) with zero shade across the 66-hectare (163-acre) site, but November's 15-17°C (59-63°F) makes the 3-4 hours needed to see the highlights actually comfortable. Herculaneum is smaller and better preserved, taking about 2 hours. Crowds thin dramatically - you might have entire villas to yourself mid-week. The lower UV index of 3 means less aggressive sun protection needed, though you'll still want a hat.
Amalfi Cathedral and Historic Town Walking
The coast's historic centers - particularly Amalfi, Atrani, and Scala - reveal their authentic character once the day-trippers disappear in November. Amalfi's cathedral with its Arab-Norman architecture and Cloister of Paradise takes on a quieter dignity when you're not fighting crowds on the 57 steps leading up. The Museo della Carta paper mill in Amalfi's Valle dei Mulini shows traditional paper-making and sits in a valley where November's rainfall actually demonstrates how the historic water-powered mills functioned. Plan 2-3 hours for Amalfi town, another hour for Atrani next door.
Wine Tasting in Furore and Tramonti Vineyards
November marks the end of harvest season, and the hillside vineyards above the coast offer tastings of the just-pressed wines alongside established vintages. The Furore fjord area and Tramonti valley produce wines you won't find outside Campania - particularly the white Fiano and red Aglianico. Vineyards sit at 300-500 m (984-1,640 ft) elevation with spectacular views when clouds cooperate. Most tastings include local cheeses, cured meats, and olive oil. Plan 2-3 hours per winery including the drive up winding mountain roads.
November Events & Festivals
Chestnut Festivals in Mountain Villages
Several villages in the Monti Lattari mountains above the coast hold sagre della castagna throughout November - these are genuine local food festivals, not tourist productions. Agerola and Tramonti typically host weekend events where you'll find roasted chestnuts, chestnut flour desserts, local wines, and live music. The festivals celebrate the autumn harvest and give you a window into mountain culture that coastal tourists never see. Expect crowds of Italian families, not international visitors.
Olive Oil Pressing Season
November is when family-owned frantoi throughout the region press their olive harvest. Some producers in Scala, Tramonti, and the hills above Minori welcome visitors to watch the process and taste oil that's literally hours old - the peppery, bright flavor is completely different from supermarket bottles. This isn't a formal festival but rather an agricultural moment that locals take seriously. Call ahead to small producers to ask about visiting during pressing days.