Sea 17 °C

Amalfi in December for a calm coastal holiday

Published 5 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

Amalfi in December is a good choice for Christmas markets, quiet coastal walks and festive meals beside the Mediterranean. Plan around Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, keep daily stops manageable and allow for seasonal rain. A week gives enough time to explore without making every day feel hurried.

In December, expect average highs of 15 °C in Amalfi and 13 °C at night, and the sea is 17 °C. The sun shines for about 4 hours a day, rain falls on 11 days of the month.

7 days in Amalfi in December, Culture, from London Gatwick on your own

Plan a trip

Daytime highs in December: 15 °C
Sea temperature: 17 °C
Sun per day: 4 h
Flight from London Gatwick, nonstop: about 2 h 26

Why visit Amalfi during December

December brings a gentler side of the Amalfi Coast, with Christmas decorations, seasonal food and a pace shaped by shorter days. The December average reaches 15 °C, while nights average 13 °C, so jackets belong beside lighter layers in your wardrobe. It is a month for town walks, café breakfasts, viewpoints and evenings spent around the centre of town.

Rain falls on 11 days through the month, yet the month records 4 hours of sunshine each day. This creates a useful rhythm of bright sightseeing periods and slower indoor or town-based moments. Keep the flexible days near the middle of the holiday and use them for the activities that benefit most from clear skies, especially coastal paths and ferry journeys.

The Christmas holidays also make December convenient for UK families, with many schools breaking up around the same period. Some travellers combine Amalfi with a New Year visit to Naples or another Italian city. That approach gives the coast a festive start and adds a second base for urban food, art and easy winter sightseeing.

December compared

November is warmer, with 18 °C by day and 19 °C in the sea; January is cooler, with 14 °C by day and 15 °C in the sea.

November18°19 °C sea5 h sun
December15°17 °C sea4 h sun
January14°15 °C sea4 h sun

Climate by month
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day °C	14	13	14	17	20	24	27	27	25	22	18	15
Night °C	11	11	12	14	18	22	25	25	23	19	16	13
Sea °C	15	14	14	16	19	23	25	26	24	22	19	17
Sun h/day	4	5	7	8	10	12	13	11	9	7	5	4
Rain days	13	11	11	8	8	6	5	5	9	11	15	11

Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

Where is it warmest in Italy in December?

The warmest place in December is in Pantelleria with 17 °C, followed by Syracuse with 16 °C and Ischia with 16 °C. Amalfi has 15 °C and ranks number 7.

iAmalfi15 °C air, 17 °C sea

Choosing the right base for a winter break

Amalfi itself works well for travellers who want immediate access to the seafront, the cathedral, shops and transport connections. Stay near the centre to make everyday movement simple, then walk towards the upper lanes and viewpoints at your own pace. This base suits a first visit and gives couples or families an easy rhythm after a day exploring the coast.

Positano offers another strong choice for scenery, Christmas dining and a relaxed atmosphere beside the water. Its steep layout rewards travellers who are comfortable with steps and sloping streets. A central or upper Positano position can balance panoramic views with convenient access to the main services, although checking the position of the lift can shape each day considerably.

Ravello suits those who value gardens, music and views across the coast. It also works as a quieter overnight base, provided you are comfortable returning to the main coastal towns for ferries and boats. Ravello can form part of the itinerary rather than serving as the sole base, allowing you to experience its calm atmosphere while keeping the whole journey varied.

A 7 day Amalfi itinerary for December

Begin in Amalfi with an easy orientation walk, the cathedral and the waterfront. After lunch, follow the coast towards the village of Atrani if the route and conditions suit your group. Keep the evening free for a local meal and let the first day establish the pace you want for the rest of the week.

Positanoi

Ravelloi

Take a day for Positano, starting with the upper lanes and working down towards the beach and church area. Leave room for a long lunch and a pause beside the sea. In December, this feels different from the height of summer, so build in time for a coffee, a warm drink or a browse through the shops rather than planning a continuous sightseeing schedule.

Use another day for Ravello, with time for Villa Cimbrone, the gardens and the views from the village. Returning to the coast provides a different perspective on the landscape. On a weather-sensitive day, move this visit earlier and keep a town-based day available for when rain shapes the route.

Positanoi

Ravelloi

December weather in Amalfi

In December, Amalfi shows its cooler side, good for culture and cosy days. Average highs sit at 15 °C, lows at 13 °C, and the sun shines for around 4 hours daily. The month counts 11 rain days and 81 mm of rain, so keep one flexible day a week.

The sea is at 17 °C, refreshing for a quick dip and lovely for coastal walks. By daytime warmth it ranks 9 of 12 months for Amalfi.

November, December or January?

With 18 °C in November and 14 °C in January, December sits on the way down. Rain days run 15 in November, 11 in December and 13 in January. December trades a little warmth for a slower pace than November.

November: 18 °C, sea 19 °C, 15 rain days, 5 h of sun
December: 15 °C, sea 17 °C, 11 rain days, 4 h of sun
January: 14 °C, sea 15 °C, 13 rain days, 4 h of sun

A day in Amalfi in December

Ease into the day indoors, with a café, a gallery or a market hall. Around midday it reaches 15 °C, ideal for the outdoor highlight of the day. By night it is 13 °C: a cosy restaurant suits the evening.

The best weeks in December

The official calendars show Christmas holidays (Kent County Council), Christmas holidays (Department of Education Northern Ireland), Christmas holidays (City of Edinburgh Council) in this month. The weeks clear of school breaks are 1 December to 7 December and 8 December to 14 December. 15 December to 21 December, 22 December to 28 December and 29 December to 31 December overlap with school holidays, so stays fill faster then.

Already started

Your trip in Amalfi

15 °C by day in December
Sea 17 °C
from London Gatwick about 2 h 26

Day 1
Arrival in Naples
Flight from London Gatwick in 2 h 26, direct. Settle in, first evening by the harbour or in the centre.
Day 2
Mar di Cobalto Blue Beach
Beach day: the sea is around 17 °C in December.
Day 3
Tonino O' Beach
Beach day: the sea is around 17 °C in December.
Day 4
Lido "La Bussola" Maiori - SA
Beach day: the sea is around 17 °C in December.
Day 5
On to Positano
A new base for the next few days; explore Positano on foot.
Day 6
Torre Capo di Conca
Beach day: the sea is around 17 °C in December.
Day 7
Last morning and flight home
One last coffee with a sea view, then back to London Gatwick.

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Weather in Amalfi month by month

January14 °C15 °C
February13 °C14 °C
March14 °C14 °C
April17 °C16 °C
May20 °C19 °C
June24 °C23 °C
July27 °C25 °C
August27 °C26 °C
September25 °C24 °C
October22 °C22 °C
November18 °C19 °C
December15 °C17 °C

Getting there

The quickest way is from London Gatwick: you're in Amalfi in about 2 h 26 on a direct flight. Direct flights leave from 8 UK airports. The nearest airport is Naples International Airport (NAP), 24 miles away.

NAPNaples International Airport24 miles to the destination
QSRSalerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport16 miles to the destination

Flight times from UK airports
From	Flight time	To	Direct flight
London Gatwick LGW	about 2 h 26	NAP	Direct
London Stansted STN	about 2 h 28	NAP	Direct
London Luton LTN	about 2 h 31	NAP	Direct
Bristol BRS	about 2 h 37	NAP	Direct
Birmingham BHX	about 2 h 38	NAP	Direct
Manchester MAN	about 2 h 44	NAP	Direct
Edinburgh EDI	about 3 h 01	NAP	Direct
Glasgow GLA	about 3 h 04	NAP	Direct
London Heathrow LHR	about 2 h 29	NAP

Flight times estimated from the distance, direct routes from OpenTravelData.

Travel advice for Italy

The current advice on safety, health and entry is published in full by GOV.UK Foreign travel advice. Check it before you book and again shortly before you leave.

Travel advice

How far is Amalfi?

Amalfi lies {{dist.home:LHR}} from London Heathrow in a straight line. London Gatwick lies {{dist.home:LGW}} away. Manchester lies {{dist.home:MAN}} away.

Flight times to Amalfi

from London Gatwick2 h 26direct
from London Stansted2 h 28direct
from London Luton2 h 31direct
from Bristol2 h 37direct

The plan adds the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares from our partners, and the transfer to your first stay.

Flight times to Amalfi

from London Gatwick2 h 26direct
from London Stansted2 h 28direct
from London Luton2 h 31direct
from Bristol2 h 37direct

What to pack for December

Plan for changeable mild weather: 15 °C in the day, 13 °C after dark, 11 days of rain. The packing list in your plan adjusts itself to the month and the days you pick.

Comfortable walking shoes
A warm layer for the evenings
A packable rain jacket or umbrella
A travel adapter for your chargers

Live prices for Amalfi

The cards below pull today's partner prices for Amalfi in your currency, so the number you see is the one you pay.

Finish the week with Naples and the wider coast

Naples adds history, street life and a strong food culture to an Amalfi holiday. A final overnight stay can place the city within reach before departure, with a day for the historic centre, a local pastry stop and a walk through the neighbourhoods around the centre. This is also a practical way to add variety when coastal weather leaves you wanting a change of scene.

Naples

Caprii

For travellers with more time, the wider itinerary can include Capri by boat or a scenic return along the coast. December sea temperatures average 17 °C, which suit active swimming for some guests, though the daily weather should guide your decision. Pack a warm layer for boat journeys and choose a route that leaves time to enjoy the view from the water.

A Christmas-period itinerary should separate activity days from travel days. The final week of December is convenient for a city extension because the festive calendar extends the sense of occasion, while the coast itself provides space to pause. A relaxed final evening in Naples can also make the journey home feel like part of the holiday rather than an abrupt finish.

Naples

Caprii

Practical advice for a December family or group trip

December is a good month for older children and adults who enjoy a holiday with structure, history and seasonal food. Younger travellers will benefit from choosing a stay with space to relax and from pairing each outing with a clear indoor or waterfront pause. The planner can read a description of the group, the month and the preferred pace, then place the main stops on a map.

Start the day with the most demanding walk or attraction, because the afternoon can become cooler and wetter. Keep shoes with good grip for steep lanes, cobbles and coastal paths. A compact folding umbrella is useful, while a warm waterproof layer handles the difference between a sunny square and a sea breeze. The packing list can reflect the December climate and the activities included in the plan.

Group members can open the same itinerary link, comment on stops and vote on changes. The plan remains editable if the group decides to spend longer in Positano, move Ravello to another day or make one afternoon lighter. Live partner prices appear within the plan, allowing stays, tours and transport to be checked in the same place as the route.

Build the trip with HolidayWow

Describe the holiday in one sentence or by voice, including the month, group and preferred pace. HolidayWow reads the destination and creates a map first itinerary, with each stop pinned and each day arranged as a route. Dates are optional, so you can begin with December and add the travel days later when your flights and accommodation are confirmed.

The planner offers relaxed, balanced and packed days, allowing the itinerary to suit a family with mixed energy or a couple who wants room for long lunches. Drag a stop to another day, swap a visit and let the plan checker reorder the sequence. The side-panel assistant can make further changes using the same planning actions, so the route stays clear as your ideas develop.

For UK travellers, the Bank Holiday planner supports holiday and leave-day planning, while December also sits within many families’ Christmas breaks. Share the final route with everyone, assign viewing or editing roles and keep documents beside the trip in the document vault. HolidayWow is free to download and use for planning, and its climate information draws on NASA POWER and NOAA OISST data.

Amalfi in December: frequently asked questions

Is Amalfi a good place to visit in December?

Yes, Amalfi in December suits travellers who want festive Italian towns, coastal scenery and a slower pace. Average daytime temperatures reach 15 °C, with 13 °C at night and a 17 °C sea temperature. The month also brings Christmas events, seasonal menus and a welcome change from the summer crowds.

What can I do in Amalfi in December?

You can explore Amalfi’s streets and cathedral, visit the waterfront, walk towards Atrani and take a day trip to Positano. Ravello gardens and viewpoints are also worth time, while Naples adds history and food. Short days and seasonal rain make flexible planning helpful, so leave room for cafés, shops and slower town-based afternoons.

How many days should I spend in Amalfi in December?

A 7 day stay gives you time for Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and a final city extension. Four or five days work well for a focused coast break, especially if you prefer one main base. A longer stay makes it easier to adapt to rain, explore nearby towns and enjoy meals without placing every activity into the same few days.

What clothes should I pack for Amalfi in December?

Pack layers for 15 °C daytime temperatures and 13 °C nights, including a warm jacket, sweater, long trousers and comfortable walking shoes. A waterproof outer layer and compact umbrella will help during seasonal rain. Choose smart outfits for Christmas dinners and bring swimwear if you enjoy the sea, checking the live weather before each beach or boat day.

Can I plan an Amalfi holiday for the Christmas break?

Yes, December works well for UK families travelling during the Christmas holidays. The Bank Holiday planner helps turn public holidays and leave days into a longer break, while the Amalfi plan can be shared with the group. Add flights and live partner prices when ready, then keep the route editable as everyone confirms the dates.

Everything about a holiday in Amalfi

Plan your holiday in Amalfi in December

Describe your trip in one sentence. When, who with and what matters to you.