Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in October – Weather and what to expect

What is it like to visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in October?

To cut to the chase, October is a great time to visit the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts!

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in mid to late October are beautiful.

With warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies during our visit, the weather is perfect. At this time of year, crowds are calming down, making it easier to travel along the Amalfi Coast, get reservations at restaurants and book boat trips and excursions.

We explore what to expect during a visit to the Amalfi Coast in October.

WEATHER ON THE AMALFI AND SORRENTINE COASTS IN OCTOBER

Typically, it has been slightly warmer than average for October. Most days, the average high has been 80°F (26°C) and the average low has been 60°F (15°C). Some days have a few clouds, but other than that, it’s clear and sunny skies all 10 days.

This is totally different from what we read about what to expect along the Sorrento Coast to Amalfi Coast in October.

The weather pattern is changing. Now, the weather in October is what you would expect in September: warm weather and maybe a rainy day here and there, just like we’ve been experiencing.

And the typical October weather has moved into November. In November, the weather gets cooler and the chances of rain increase, but there are still more sunny days than rainy days. It’s getting a little too chilly to go swimming, but the weather is still very nice for sightseeing.

The average high for October is 24°C (75°F) and the average low is 15°C (60°F). Expect a few rainy days during the month, but sunny skies are more common than cloudy, drizzly days.

Of course, there may be a weather disturbance that produces a series of rainy days, but that can happen anywhere in Italy from September to December.

We use Meteo.it to track the weather when we visit Italy. The forecasts are very accurate and better than other sources like Weather.com or Accuweather, in our experience. You can also download the Meteo.it app, add the cities you will be visiting during your trip to Italy and easily get the upcoming forecast.

SUNRISE AND SUNSET TIMES

In early October, the sun rises at 7:00 a.m. and sets at 6:45 p.m. In late October, sunrise is at 7:30 a.m. and sunset is at 6:00 p.m.

On the last Sunday of October, daylight saving time ends in Europe, so the clocks go back one hour. In 2023, this falls on October 29. On October 28, sunset is at 6:00 p.m. On October 29, due to the time change, sunset is at 5:00 p.m.

WHAT WILL BE OPEN IN OCTOBER?

October is the transition from the busy summer season to the low season. Although the weather is still warm, beach clubs close for the season around mid-October. Some shops will also close, between mid-October and early November. However, there will still be plenty of restaurants and hotels open if you plan to visit the Sorrento Amalfi Coast in late October or November.

Ferries run through October, generally ending for the season in late October or early November. They will not run again until next spring, usually in April.

To get around the Sorrento Coast in November, you can still use public buses, hire a private driver, or rent a car and drive the Amalfi Coast.

THE ADVANTAGES OF VISITING THE AMALFI COAST AND SORRENTO IN OCTOBER

In October, crowds are much lower in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Even so, it still seemed pretty busy, especially on weekends, so it won’t feel deserted.

Driving along the Sorrento Coast wasn’t a problem (the legendary traffic jams are rare in October), but we still had trouble parking in some towns. If you want to drive the Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts, a good time to do so is late October through November, when the weather is still nice and traffic is light.

Since there are fewer tourists, it’s easier to get reservations at the better restaurants, but some of the really good places, like La Sponda in Positano and Il Buco in Sorrento, still have to be booked weeks in advance.

If you want to book a boat tour or day trip to Pompeii or Capri, it’s also easier to do so in October, compared to the busier months of June through September.

You’ll also spend less time waiting in line for a bus or ferry, and you won’t have to deal with long traffic jams on the Amalfi Coast Highway (whether you’re driving a rental car or sitting on a bus or in a private car).

Finally, the weather is still warm, but you most likely won’t have to deal with the hot summer temperatures, which makes it more pleasant to visit.

THE DISADVANTAGES OF VISITING THE AMALFI COAST IN OCTOBER

There are not many.

The water is cooler, so for some people, October is not a great time to visit the Sorrento Coast if you plan to swim.

If you want to visit the beach clubs, get here before mid-October, as they close around the middle of the month.

IS IT WORTH VISITING THE AMALFI COAST IN OCTOBER?

Absolutely! With good weather and lower crowds, October is one of the best months to visit the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast.

In our opinion, October is a better month to visit than September, as it is less crowded during this period. You might get some rain, but talking to locals, sunny skies are becoming the predominant weather pattern in October.

I also think November would be a very nice time to visit the Amalfi Coast. The chances of rain increase a bit, and not everything will be open (like the beach clubs and some shops and restaurants), but during this month, the weather can still be very pleasant, and the crowds will still be less than in October.

VISITING THE AMALFI AND SORRENTINE COASTS IN NOVEMBER

In early November, many hotels and a good number of restaurants close. However, not all of them close, so you will be able to find a place to stay and eat, you just won’t have the same number of choices as in September or October.

Ferries also stop running in early November, so to get around, you can drive, take the bus, or hire a driver.

The weather gets cooler, with average highs ranging from 63°F to 73°F (check out this 62°F to 74°F). The number of cloudy and rainy days increases, but from what we’ve been told, you can get 1 to 2 rainy days per week during November.

If you want low crowds and don’t mind the cooler, less open weather, November is a great time to visit the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is October a good time to visit the Amalfi Coast? Amalfitana?

October is one of the best times of the year to visit the Amalfi Coast. The weather is warm, the skies are generally sunny, and the crowds are easing as the region transitions into the low season. Beach clubs tend to close in mid-October, so if you plan to visit a club, plan your visit for the first half of the month. If you like the idea of driving the Amalfi Coast, plan your visit for late October, or even early November.

What’s the weather like on the Amalfi Coast in October?

The average high in October is 24 °C (75 °F) and the average low is 15 °C (60 °F). Expect some rainy days during the month, but sunny skies are more common than cloudy and drizzly days.

What is the best way to travel along the Amalfi Coast?

During the summer months, the best way to travel around the Sorrento Coast is by boat (ferry, small boat tour or private boat). The views are beautiful and you can avoid the traffic jams on the Statale Amalfitana. If you are travelling on a tight budget, travel by ferry or bus. From June to September, avoid driving the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast if possible, as traffic jams are frequent, parking is a nightmare, and rental car traffic is limited by the new alternating number plate system.