Yes, December suits travelers who want Christmas markets, concerts and long walks, with afternoons of 60°F (16°C). The coast runs from Positano to Vietri sul Mare along the Gulf of Salerno, and the towns stay open with a festive calendar.
The days are short, with 9 hours 16 minutes of daylight in mid-December, and the sea is cool. New Year’s Eve is the date to plan around, since Amalfi’s Capodanno più lungo d’Italia is a reference point for the whole coast.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 60°F (16°C)
- Night low: 51°F (11°C)
- Rainy days: 9 in the month
- Sea: 62°F (17°C)
- Daylight on December 15: 9 hours 16 minutes
- Events: Christmas markets in Amalfi, concerts, Capodanno più lungo d’Italia
What is the weather like on the Amalfi Coast in December?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 67°F (19°C) | 56°F (14°C) | 3.8 in (96 mm) | 10 | 67°F (19°C) | 9 h 57 |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 9 | 62°F (17°C) | 9 h 16 |
| January | 58°F (15°C) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.9 in (74 mm) | 9 | 59°F (15°C) | 9 h 32 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
December is cool and changeable. Afternoons reach 60°F (16°C) in Amalfi and nights fall to 51°F (11°C), so sightseeing in daylight is comfortable with a light coat.
It rains on 9 days of the month. The sea sits at 62°F (17°C). Plan outdoor sights for the morning and keep a waterproof jacket in the bag, because wet steps and paths are slow. Daylight is short, so start walks early.
November is warmer, with afternoons near 67°F (19°C) and a sea at 67°F (19°C). January is cooler, with afternoons near 58°F (15°C) and a sea at 59°F (15°C). December sits between the two, with about the same number of rainy days as either month.
Where to go on the Amalfi Coast in December
Amalfi
Amalfi is a former maritime republic and makes an easy base in December, with the Christmas markets, concerts and the Arsenale della Repubblica all in town. The Duomo dates from the 9th century and the Museo della Carta sits at the start of the road to the Valle delle Ferriere. Amalfi’s urban minibus runs seven days a week in the historic center and the hamlets.
Ravello
Ravello sits on a rocky spur at 1,198 feet (365 meters) above sea level, in the center of the Amalfi Coast. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are the gardens to see, and a dry December morning is the time to walk the terraces.
Positano
Positano has colorful little houses and domed, majolica-roofed churches. Positano is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, so expect more visitors here than in smaller villages.
Atrani
Atrani is Italy’s smallest municipality by surface area and keeps the feel of a southern Italian fishing village. It makes a short half-day outing between rain showers.
Cetara
Cetara is a small fishing village at the foot of Monte Falerio. The year’s colatura di alici, the anchovy sauce used mainly to dress spaghetti, is drawn off and bottled in November and December. That makes the village a good lunch stop this month.
What to do on the Amalfi Coast in December
Christmas markets and concerts in Amalfi
The Christmas markets in Amalfi offer artisan crafts, vintage finds and local flavors.
Other dates in that program: the Zampogne (bagpipes) play through town on 8 December from Valle dei Mulini, and the Concerto di S. Lucia is on 12 December in the Arsenale della Repubblica.
The Path of the Gods in December light
The Sentiero degli Dei links Agerola and Positano, and takes about three to four hours. It starts at Bomerano at about 2,030 feet (618 m) and ends at Nocelle, a hamlet of Positano, at 1,380 feet (420 m). To reach the start, take a Travelmar ferry to Amalfi and then a shuttle bus to Agerola.
With only 9 hours of daylight, start in the morning and carry water. The Grotta Biscotto spring and the Nocelle fountain both have drinking water. From Nocelle, 1,700 steps lead down to the SS163 in about an hour, so shoes with good grip matter on wet days.
Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone in Ravello
Villa Rufolo was built in the 13th century, has been managed by Fondazione Ravello since 2007, and its gardens cross terraces, cloisters and panoramic areas.
Villa Cimbrone in Ravello has gardens and the Terrace of Infinity. Pick a morning without rain, as the views are the point.
Arsenale della Repubblica and the Museo della Carta
The Arsenale is a medieval architecture jewel and the only rock shipyard still existing. It offers multilingual guided tours of about 30 minutes, included in the entrance ticket.
The Museo della Carta is in one of the area’s old paper mills. A guided tour follows the making of the ancient Bambagina paper of Amalfi. Both sights are indoors, which suits a rainy day.
The Sentiero dei Limoni from Maiori to Minori
The Lemon Path starts near Maiori and Minori and takes about 4 hours. It is a simple route that mixes stairs and natural trail. Lemon harvest is in spring, so the walk is about the terraces and the sea views.
Minori also has the ruins of a Roman villa, a useful stop at the end of the walk.
Is the Amalfi Coast busy in December?
December falls outside the summer rush. The SS163 coast road is truly congested from June to August, and Amalfi is visited by many tourists in every period of the year, especially in the warm season. December crowds gather around the market dates and above all around New Year’s, since the Capodanno più lungo d’Italia runs from the afternoon of 31 December to dawn.
For New Year’s, book rooms early. Salerno is the cheapest base, with a regional railway station and ferry and bus links to Amalfi. Sorrento is a practical base with a train to Naples. Sleeping directly on the coast works in Amalfi, Positano, Ravello or Praiano.
Can you swim on the Amalfi Coast in December?
The sea near Amalfi averages 62°F (17°C) in December, a monthly average. That is cool enough for a quick dip at most, and wetsuit comfort is a personal choice. Positano’s sea is almost identical at 62°F (17°C).
The small beach at the bottom of the Fiordo di Furore is open to swimmers. Marina Grande in Amalfi is very convenient and often crowded in peak season, which December is not. Wind and swell are not covered, so check the day’s sea before heading out.
What to pack for the Amalfi Coast in December
December asks for layers, a rain shell and shoes for steps. Each item below comes from the month’s weather and the walks.
- A light coat or fleece for nights near 51°F (11°C)
- A waterproof jacket, since it rains on 9 days
- Shoes with good grip for wet stairs, such as the 1,700 steps below Nocelle or the Lemon Path
- A water bottle to refill at the Nocelle fountain or the Grotta Biscotto spring
- A swimsuit only if a dip at the Fiordo di Furore beach appeals, with the sea at 62°F (17°C)
- A small daypack for walks, as daylight lasts about 9 hours
What to know before visiting the Amalfi Coast in December
For public transport, SITA Sud Costiera lines serve Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento, Amalfi, Maiori and Salerno, Amalfi and Agerola, and Scala, Ravello and Amalfi. Travelmar runs sea tours and ferries. December timetables are not given, so check them before a day trip.
The U.S. State Department rates Italy Level 2, exercise increased caution due to terrorism, as of September 10, 2026. It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance before you go.
Is December a good time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, December is a good time for travelers who want Christmas markets, concerts and walks without the summer traffic. It is less suited to anyone who wants beach days, with a sea at 62°F (17°C).
If you want swimming, November is a better bet. If you want fewer crowds, go in the quiet weeks between the market dates and New Year’s. With children, the markets and the Arsenale’s 30-minute tours fit a short day.
For the markets, early December is the time to arrive. For New Year’s, plan for 31 December and 1 January, and book accommodation early.
Sources
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- amalficoast-escape.com (https://www.amalficoast-escape.com/it/guide/where-to-stay-amalfi-coast/), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazioneravello.com (https://www.fondazioneravello.com/villa-rufolo/), checked 2026-10-30
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- amalficoastitalytours.com (https://www.amalficoastitalytours.com/food-and-wine/), checked 2026-10-30
- travelmar.it (https://www.travelmar.it/it/visita-la-costiera-amalfitana), checked 2026-10-25