Things to Do in Amalfi Coast in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Amalfi Coast
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after Ferragosto (August 15th) - expect accommodation rates to drop 30-40% compared to peak summer, with four-star hotels in Positano averaging 180-250 euros versus 350-450 euros in July. The booking frenzy calms down considerably after September 10th.
- Sea temperature stays gloriously warm at 24-25°C (75-77°F) through the entire month, actually warmer than the air temperature on many mornings. Locals consider this the absolute best swimming month because the water has absorbed three months of summer heat but the beaches have cleared out.
- September marks vendemmia (grape harvest season) - you'll see families working the terraced vineyards above Furore and Tramonti, and agriturismi offer harvest experiences you simply cannot do in other months. The local Falanghina and Piedirosso grapes are being picked, and winemakers are genuinely excited to talk about the vintage.
- The light changes in September - photographers call it the golden month on the coast. The sun sits lower in the sky, creating that warm amber glow on the pastel buildings around 6-7pm that you see in professional shots. Morning mist often clings to the cliffs until 9am, burning off to reveal crystalline visibility across to Capri.
Considerations
- Weather becomes genuinely unpredictable after September 15th - you might get five consecutive perfect days, then two days of steady rain that cancels ferry service to Capri and makes the Sentiero degli Dei trail a muddy, slippery mess. The 10 rainy days average means roughly one day in three, but they cluster unpredictably.
- Many family-run restaurants and smaller hotels close for annual maintenance between September 20-30, particularly in Praiano and Atrani. The coast does not shut down like it does in winter, but your restaurant options shrink noticeably in the final week, and some of the best trattorias (especially those without websites) simply lock their doors without warning.
- Public bus service (SITA Sud) reduces frequency after September 15th, moving from peak summer schedules to off-season timing. The Amalfi-Positano route drops from buses every 20 minutes to every 40-50 minutes, which matters when you are trying to catch specific ferry connections or dealing with the infamous Amalfi Coast traffic.
Best Activities in September
Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) Hiking
September offers the single best month for this iconic 7.8km (4.8 mile) clifftop trail between Bomerano and Nocelle. Summer heat makes the exposed sections genuinely dangerous (no shade, 35°C+ temperatures), but September brings 22-26°C (72-79°F) conditions with occasional cloud cover. Start at 7:30-8am to avoid afternoon rain potential and catch the morning light over Capri. The trail gains 200m (656ft) and loses 450m (1,476ft), taking 3-4 hours at a reasonable pace. Worth noting that the UV index of 8 still demands serious sun protection on cloudless days.
Capri Day Trips by Ferry
Ferry service continues through September but shifts to reduced schedules after mid-month - typically 4-6 daily departures from Positano versus 10-12 in August. This actually works in your favor because Capri itself empties dramatically. The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) has the best access conditions in September - calmer seas mean fewer cancellations than spring, and you will wait 15-20 minutes for the rowboat transfer versus 90 minutes in July. Sea conditions matter enormously here; the grotto closes if waves exceed 0.5m (1.6ft), which happens maybe 4-5 days in September versus 12-15 days in October.
Cooking Classes in Ravello or Tramonti
September brings seasonal ingredients that simply do not exist in other months - fresh porcini mushrooms from the Lattari Mountains, late-summer San Marzano tomatoes at peak sweetness, and the first autumn squash blossoms. Classes typically run 3-4 hours in the morning (9am-1pm) to avoid afternoon heat and rain potential, teaching you to make scialatielli ai frutti di mare (local pasta with seafood) or melanzane alla parmigiana using techniques that have not changed in generations. The humidity level of 70% actually helps with pasta-making - the dough stays workable longer than in dry conditions.
Boat Tours to Fiordo di Furore and Hidden Coves
Private and small-group boat tours (typically 6-8 people maximum) access sea caves and swimming coves that are completely unreachable by land. September seas are generally calmer than spring - important because these tours cancel if wave height exceeds 1m (3.3ft). Water temperature of 24-25°C (75-77°F) makes swimming genuinely pleasant, not the shock it can be in May or June. Tours depart from Positano, Amalfi, or Maiori, lasting 3-4 hours for shorter trips or 6-7 hours for full-day excursions to Capri or down to Paestum. The afternoon light (4-6pm) creates incredible photo conditions on the cliffs.
Wine Tasting in Tramonti Valley
Tramonti sits 3km (1.9 miles) inland and 400m (1,312ft) above sea level, where 14 mountain hamlets produce wines that rarely leave Campania. September is vendemmia season - you will see harvest happening in real time, and winemakers are present at their cantinas rather than traveling for sales. The microclimate here differs notably from the coast; expect temperatures 2-3°C (4-5°F) cooler and less humidity. Tastings typically include 4-5 wines (Falanghina, Piedirosso, Tintore) with local cheeses, salumi, and bread for 25-40 euros per person. The drive from Amalfi takes 25 minutes on winding mountain roads.
Ceramics Shopping and Studio Visits in Vietri sul Mare
Vietri sul Mare, at the eastern end of the coast, has produced hand-painted ceramics since the 15th century. September brings comfortable conditions for wandering the town's steep streets (elevation changes of 80-100m or 262-328ft from port to upper town) without August's oppressive heat. Studios offer demonstrations showing how artisans hand-paint the distinctive yellow-and-blue Mediterranean patterns. This is not a quick stop - plan 2-3 hours to properly explore workshops, watch painters work, and browse without the cruise ship crowds that overwhelm the town in peak season. Prices range wildly from 15-euro lemon dishes to 300-euro serving platters.
September Events & Festivals
Regata Storica delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare (if 2026 is Amalfi's year)
This historic boat race rotates annually between Italy's four ancient maritime republics - Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice. Amalfi hosts every four years, and 2026 falls in the rotation (last hosted in 2022). The event typically occurs the first Sunday of September, featuring crews in medieval costume racing traditional wooden boats, preceded by a historical parade through town with hundreds of participants in period dress. The entire waterfront becomes impassable with spectators, and hotels within 5km (3.1 miles) book solid 6-8 months in advance.
Grape Harvest Festivals in Tramonti and Furore
Multiple small hamlets celebrate vendemmia with weekend sagre (food festivals) featuring local wines, grape-stomping demonstrations, live music, and traditional foods. These are genuinely local events, not tourist productions - expect older residents speaking dialect, handwritten signs, and zero English menus. Furore's festival typically happens mid-month in the tiny village center, while Tramonti's various hamlets host separate celebrations throughout September. Entry is usually free, with food and wine sold at individual stalls for 3-8 euros per item.