The Biggest Pros And Cons Of Taking An Amalfi Coast Vacation In November

Nowadays, it seems like everyone is visiting the Amalfi Coast — and for good reason. This region of Southern Italy is full of enchanting villages and beautiful cliff-lined beaches, not to mention all the fresh seafood and a rich culture and history dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, this romantic coastal region is so charming that it has understandably earned it's place on the travel bucket lists of many, while others have even seriously thought about how to move to the Amalfi Coast permanently. However, as one would expect, with this rise in global popularity, the region has become quite busy. In fact, traffic jams are quite common along the coast during peak travel months along with full parking lots, packed restaurants, and crowded beaches.

Because of this, despite what is typically considered to be the "best" time to visit the Amalfi Coast, many people have begun considering whether or not to plan their trip to this once-in-a-lifetime destination in off-season months like November. There are a few advantages to visiting the Amalfi Coast at this time of year, including smaller crowds and lower prices; however, you will also have to plan for cool temperatures and rainy weather. So, if you are thinking of visiting the Amalfi Coast in November, here are the pros and cons that come with planning your trip to the dreamy Italian seaside in the off-season.

For most travelers, the biggest drawback of visiting the Amalfi Coast in November will be the weather. Not only are temperatures in November quite cool (with highs around 64 degrees Fahrenheit), but November is also the month with the highest rainfall of the year, with an average of around 10 rainy days. In fact, November on the Amalfi Coast is known for cool waters, cloudy skies, and choppy seas — which means that this time of year isn't really the best choice if you want to sunbathe on the Amalfi Coast's famously stunning beaches. Furthermore, the cool weather also means you will likely have to rethink your travel wardrobe and bring sweaters and a few light jackets instead of the colorful sundresses, classy linen pants, or fashionable sun hats that are typically worn by travelers in the South of Italy in summer.

While some may be willing to trade beach days and summer clothes for no crowds and more affordable travel, one aspect of visiting the Amalfi Coast in November that may be a bigger dealbreaker is that many restaurants and businesses actually close on November 1 (All Saints Day) and don't reopen until after Easter. The same goes for the ferries that connect Positano to the medieval city of Amalfi which also close down in winter due to the rough seas and few travelers. This means that, while you may get better prices on hotels rooms, food, and experiences, you will likely also have much fewer options to choose from in each of these categories and you may need to do quite a bit of research beforehand to make sure that you will still be able to do and see what you want to.

This isn't to say that visiting the Amalfi Coast in November is all bad. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of going to this travel hot spot in the off-season (besides prices that are around 30% lower than peak season) is that the almost non-existent crowds allow for easier and faster travel. You can even drive from town to town without getting stuck in traffic jams and walk through the twisting lanes of some of the most popular towns like Amalfi and Positano almost completely alone. Because of the cool temperatures, November is also a great time to explore Atrani, one of the best-preserved medieval villages on the Amalfi Coast, without suffering from walking in the scorching sun in temperatures in the upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, if you are willing to leave the sundresses at home, forgo the sunbathing on the beach, and work around a few rainy days, it is possible to have a lovely vacation to the Amalfi Coast in November — and you may even get a more authentic experience of local life in this dream vacation destination. To help make your bookings and travel easier during your visit in November, it's a good idea to use Sorrento as your home base because most hotels and businesses stay open year round in this beautiful seaside town. Sorrento is also close to other popular Amalfi Coast destinations like Positano and Amalfi that can be easily visited during a day trip.