Yes, May suits the Amalfi Coast for anyone who wants to walk, take boats and eat outdoors in afternoons of 78°F (25°C), with only four rainy days in the month.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 78°F (25°C)
- Night low: 62°F (16°C)
- Rainy days: 4
- Rain: 1 inch (27 mm)
- Sea: 66°F (19°C)
- Path of the Gods, Agerola to Positano: about 3 hours
What is the weather like on the Amalfi Coast in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 69°F (21°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.6 in (42 mm) | 6 | 60°F (16°C) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.1 in (27 mm) | 4 | 66°F (19°C) |
| June | 85°F (30°C) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.7 in (17 mm) | 2 | 73°F (23°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is warm and settled on the coast. Afternoons reach 78°F (25°C) in Amalfi, and nights stay near 62°F (16°C). Positano runs a little cooler, with 76°F (24°C) in the afternoon and 60°F (16°C) at night.
Four days in the month bring at least a millimeter of rain, and the total is about an inch. Keep the long walks for dry mornings and leave museums and workshops for any wet afternoon.
April is cooler, with an afternoon high of 69°F (21°C) and six rainy days. June is clearly hotter, at 85°F (30°C) in the afternoon with two rainy days. May sits between them: warm enough for terraces and boats, and still mild enough for a three-hour hike.
Where to go on the Amalfi Coast in May
Amalfi
Amalfi is a former maritime republic, and its Duomo dates from the 9th century. The town is easy to explore on foot in 78°F (25°C) afternoons. The Arsenale della Repubblica and the Museo della Carta are both here, which gives a wet day something to do.
Positano
Positano is known for its colorful little houses and its domed, majolica-roofed churches. May afternoons reach 76°F (24°C), and nights drop to 60°F (16°C), so a layer is useful for dinner.
Ravello
Ravello sits on a rocky spur at about 1,200 feet (365 meters) above the sea, in the center of the coast. It has no beach of its own. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, with its gardens and the Terrace of Infinity, are the reasons to come, and both are pleasant to see in dry May weather.
Atrani
Atrani is Italy’s smallest town, 700 meters (less than half a mile) from Amalfi.
Maiori and Minori
These two towns hold the start of the Sentiero dei Limoni (Lemon Path) and the ruins of a Roman villa. The Villa Romana Marittima complex is in Minori. The walk between the towns is simple, so May weather suits it well.
Vietri sul Mare
Vietri sul Mare is known for its artistic ceramics, and it marks the Gulf of Salerno end of the coast. Salerno, close by, is the cheapest base, with a regional railway station and ferry and bus links to Amalfi.
What to do on the Amalfi Coast in May
Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods
The path connects Agerola and Positano and takes about 3 hours from Agerola to Positano. Mild May afternoons make that walk comfortable, and starting in the morning keeps the day open for the descent into Positano.
To reach the start, take a Travelmar ferry to Amalfi, then a shuttle bus to Agerola (Bomerano). Other people on the path are almost all hikers, mostly foreigners.
Sentiero dei Limoni from Maiori to Minori
This walk lasts about 4 hours. It is simple, a mix of urban route with stairs and natural trail. The ruins of a Roman villa lie at Minori, so the walk has a clear place to finish.
With 62°F (16°C) nights and four rainy days in the month, May needs shoes with grip for the stairs. Pick a dry day and start in the morning.
Grotta dello Smeraldo at Conca dei Marini
The Emerald Grotto at Conca dei Marini can be reached by lift or by small boats. Entry costs ten euros and includes the small boat tour inside.
Arsenale della Repubblica and Museo della Carta in Amalfi
The Arsenale is a medieval architecture jewel and the only rock shipyard still existing today. Its Arsenal Experience offers multilingual guided tours of about 30 minutes each, included in the ticket price.
The Museo della Carta sits in one of the oldest paper mills of the area, at the start of the road to the Valle delle Ferriere. A guided tour follows the process of the ancient Bambagina paper of Amalfi. Both are good choices for a rainy afternoon.
Boat tours and Pompeii
Travelmar runs an Amalfi Coast Tour that visits Positano and Amalfi. Its Dreamy Town Tour explores three coastal towns in a single day by sea.
The Pompeii Ruins Tour leaves every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the visit lasts approximately 2 hours. The city was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Plan the other days of the week for the coast.
Is the Amalfi Coast busy in May?
The heavy season runs from June to August. In July and August the SS163 slows to a walking pace and SITA buses travel packed. From June, the road becomes truly congested, with ZTL restrictions active in Amalfi, Positano and Ravello.
Amalfi receives many tourists in every period of the year, especially in the warm season. Marina Grande beach is very convenient and therefore often crowded in peak season. Positano remains one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, so book rooms there early.
Sleep directly on the coast in Amalfi, Positano, Ravello or Praiano, the quietest and most residential of them. Sorrento is a practical base with a train to Naples, and Salerno is the cheapest base.
Can you swim on the Amalfi Coast in May?
The sea near Amalfi averages 66°F (19°C) in May, the same as near Positano. That is a monthly average, so a swim is refreshing and short. April is colder at 60°F (16°C), and June is warmer at 73°F (23°C).
Visitors can swim at the small beach at the bottom of the Fiordo di Furore.
What to pack for the Amalfi Coast in May
May asks for light clothes by day and one warm layer for the evening, plus gear for steps and trails.
- A light sweater or jacket for nights near 62°F (16°C)
- A packable rain jacket for the four rainy days of the month
- Walking shoes with grip for the stairs and trail of the Sentiero dei Limoni
- A small day pack for the 3-hour Path of the Gods
- A swimsuit and towel for the beach at the Fiordo di Furore, where the sea is 66°F (19°C)
What to know before visiting the Amalfi Coast in May
The Amalfi Coast is a linear strip of about 31 miles (50 km) and comprises 13 municipalities, running from Positano to Vietri sul Mare. A base that looks 20 minutes away on the map can mean an hour or more in traffic on a bus in mid-August, so allow extra time. The Pompeii excursion runs only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Villa Rufolo, in Ravello’s Piazza Duomo, has no restaurant service. Plan lunch in town before or after the visit.
Is May a good time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, May is a good time for travelers who want walks, boat days and sightseeing in warm weather before the heaviest summer season.
If you want swimming, June is the better month, since the sea there is 73°F (23°C). If you want to hike in mild weather, May is the choice.
Sources
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/campania/costiera-amalfitana), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- amalficoast-escape.com (https://www.amalficoast-escape.com/it/guide/where-to-stay-amalfi-coast/), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazioneravello.com (https://www.fondazioneravello.com/villa-rufolo/), checked 2026-10-30
- caiscuola.cai.it (https://caiscuola.cai.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/70-Ieranto-finale-rev-18_10_24.pdf), checked 2026-10-30
- travelmar.it (https://www.travelmar.it/en/index?_gl=1%2Asdbqgt%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AMTQ0MzQ3MjI5OC4xNzIyMjQ0MDU0%2A_ga_BHPJVL3B9Y%2AMTcyMjI0NDA1NC4xLjAuMTcyMjI0NDIyNC4wLjAuODM5MDcwNjg1), checked 2026-10-25
- comune.amalfi.sa.it (https://comune.amalfi.sa.it/Novita/Comunicati/Il-Capodanno-piu-lungo-d-Italia-la-rassegna-InCanti-d-Autore-con-Neri-per-Caso-Gnut-e-Compagnia-Daltrocanto-Fabbrica-di-Natale-Mercatini-e-Gruppi-Folk), checked 2026-10-30
- visitamalfi.info (https://www.visitamalfi.info/de/experience-type/outdoor-aktivitaeten/), checked 2026-10-30