Visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February?

There are pros and cons to visiting the Amalfi Coast in February, and this is what I invite you to examine below.

Visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in winter may not be something you would consider. However, no matter how unappealing a trip to Italy in winter may seem to you, there are some advantages to travelling in the low season. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February. As well as the most recommended locations in this part of the country.

According to Travel US NEWS.com, the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast receives 10 million visitors every year, making it one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe. With so many tourists around, you can imagine how crowded the Amalfi Coast must be in summer. You can avoid the crowds by visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in the winter months (December, January and February, i.e. low season).

In my experience, February can be a good month to visit the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast. The temperature is still warm enough for outdoor activities and the weather remains dry most of the time. While there are many advantages to visiting a place in the low season, there are also some disadvantages that make people reluctant to take this type of holiday.

The pros of visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February.

Visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts in February has many advantages. You can get cheap plane tickets and enjoy a less crowded Naples, which is what everyone wants from a holiday abroad. We explore the top 5 advantages of travelling to Italy in February.

1. Cheap flights

As I have already pointed out, cheap flights are one of the advantages of travelling to Italy in the low season. Ryanair and EasyJet are known to operate cheap flights to most European destinations, including Italy. I always use Skyscanner to compare flight prices.

Tip: if you live in England, the best airport to fly from is Stanstead Airport (this is where most European flights in the UK depart/land) and sometimes Gatwick Airport.

2. Less crowded

If you feel like visiting a less crowded Italy, then the winter months are perfect for this. When I visited the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February, there were hardly any tourists. It was different from the image I had of Italy in summer, when the country is full of tourists.

3. (Still) good weather

If you are worried about the weather, let me tell you why you should not be. The climate on the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast is good all year round. When I visited the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February, I did not experience any rain. It was not as sunny and warm as in summer, but it was perfect if you wanted to escape the low temperatures of northern Europe.

If you are like me and do not like extreme heat, then visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in winter might be for you. The temperature can be as low as 15 degrees Celsius which, in my opinion, is perfect for outdoor activities.

4. Lots of (cheaper) accommodation available

You may not experience the summer weather that everyone expects in Italy, but you will definitely appreciate the variety of accommodation options available. As much as we love summer, I am sure that searching for the perfect hotel/house is not a fun thing for anyone to do. The best hotels and houses disappear faster in the summer due to high demand. They are also significantly more expensive.

In February, there is less competition and you can secure the best accommodation on the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast for a fraction of the price they would cost in the summer. So, you do not have to stress that your favorite hotel might be sold out and you will also end up spending less.

When I visited the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February, I decided to base myself in Sant’Agnello and plan day trips within the region from there. At the time, I was not traveling alone, so I chose to stay in a house. I used to book a beautiful house in the heart of the town of Sant’Agnello.

However, if you are not the type of person who travels on a budget, there are many other accommodation options to choose from. I would still base myself in Naples as it has good transport links to all the towns on the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast, the airport and ferry services. As well as easy access to well-stocked supermarkets, restaurants and museums.

With a little extra money to spend (if you decide to stay in a house), make sure you don’t miss out on the delicious Italian food. Yes, it might be low season, but you will be able to enjoy the best food and desserts that everyone enjoys in the high season. Most of the restaurants are still open and serve traditional dishes. You can also get the gelato that is available in every corner of the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast.

5. Enjoy an authentic travel experience

With fewer tourists around, visiting Italy in February feels more authentic. Walking down the street and hearing only Italian will make everything seem more real. If you are looking for authentic travel experiences, I think you should definitely skip the peak tourist season (at least once) and try visiting a country in the off-season.

If you want to learn more about how to avoid the crowds in Europe during the peak tourist season, you might want to check out another blog post:

For travellers on a budget, visiting Italy in February can be a game changer. You can still enjoy decent weather while taking advantage of lower prices. You could seriously save money on accommodation, flights, entertainment and food. I managed to get some good bargains because I chose to visit Italy in February.

The cons of visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts in February

Despite the obvious advantages of visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts in winter, there are also some drawbacks. And this is what we will examine below.

1. (Some) tourist attractions may be closed

You have to be aware that visiting a place in low season means that some tourist attractions may be closed. When I visited the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February, I was lucky because the tourist attractions I intended to visit (Pompeii, Herculaneum, etc.) had visitors. However, visiting Capri will seem a bit deserted because not much happens on the island in winter. In fact, most things were closed and the island seemed more like a normal island than one of the most popular destinations that people visit in Italy during the summer. Another downside is that the water is too cold in February, so swimming should be off your list. That said, however, the climate is perfect for hiking activities.

2. Less frequent transport

Another drawback is that there is less frequent transport to popular destinations. One example is the island of Capri. Fewer ferries travel between the island and Naples and Sorrento in the winter months. And this is understandable because there is less demand. On the day I took the ferry, there were mostly locals travelling with me to the island.

3. Shorter opening hours

A final drawback is that the opening hours of tourist attractions may be shorter in winter. Once again, this is due to the low number of tourists visiting the region. It is best to plan tourist activities in the morning and aim to finish sightseeing in the afternoon.

As can be seen, visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February has some drawbacks. However, there are also some advantages for those who are willing to compromise on some traditional holiday activities such as swimming or sunbathing.

Highlights of the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February

We have just agreed that visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts has many advantages. Some of these advantages are less crowded tourist attractions. So what tourist attractions are worth visiting if you come to the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February?

Some of the main attractions of the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast are Naples (the largest city in the region), Mount Vesuvius, the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the island of Capri, and finally the coastal towns, such as Sorrento, Sant’Agnello, Positano, etc.

Geographically, the Amalfi Coast is located in the south of Italy. It starts at Punta Campanella, at the southern end of the Sorrento Peninsula, and ends in the town of Vietri Sul Mare. One of the easiest ways to visit the Amalfi Coast is to fly to Naples.

Naples

Naples is a city of contradictions. On one hand, Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza, one of the most popular foods in the world. On the other hand, Naples has a bad reputation because the city is associated with the Italian mafia group, the Camorra. As a tourist, I didn’t feel unsafe wandering the streets of Naples. And I must confess, their pizza is truly amazing.

Despite being a city of contradictions, Naples is ultimately a popular tourist destination.

The ancient city of Naples grew over time to become what is now modern Naples. However, the structure of the historic center is still visible and tourists can visit several gates and towers that once formed the historic center. They are all scattered around the city. Porta Capuana or Porta Nolana are some of the gates that once defended the historic center.

Naples also has a beautiful waterfront area. Head to the Gulf of Naples for some nice walks. Castel dell’Ovo is particularly beautiful and, in my humble opinion, is one of the most photogenic places in Naples. Naples has many castles and palace-style buildings, so there is plenty of beautiful architecture to admire.

Naples also has the Royal Forest of Capodimonte, a beautiful palace surrounded by a picturesque park.

If you visit Naples in the summer, there is a beach you can enjoy called Mappatella, which is not too far from the city center.

The historic center is pretty and quite busy, even in February. Take a walk and be sure to stop by the Galleria Umberto, an elegant glass and iron arcade that houses many cafes and other small shops.

For panoramic photos of Naples, head to Castel Sant’Elmo or Villa Floridiana. The walk and the views will certainly not disappoint. Even in February, when I visited Naples, tourists were visiting both of these places.

There is also a selection of Catholic churches you can visit, some of which are truly unique and beautiful.

Naples is a walkable city. The city center is relatively small but very fun, with lots of restaurants and small shops. Most of the architecture is typical Italian, elaborate, full of ornaments and statues.

Naples has something to offer everyone who visits the city. Naples has many museums and places that you can visit if you are interested in architecture and historical sites. Surprisingly, Naples also has a good selection of outdoor activities available in the city. Not to mention the day trips that can be organized from Naples, some of which are listed below.

All in all, if you have already been elsewhere in Italy, I think you should definitely consider Naples the next time you visit Italy. It is a charming city and well located if you want to organize day trips in the region.

Capri

Capri is an island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea that is only 45 minutes to 1 hour from Naples or 20 minutes from Sorrento. You can take a ferry from Naples or Sorrento and spend a whole day on the island. As you can imagine, in the low season, there is not much going on on the island. Expect most restaurants to be close by, as well as the main seasonal entertainment activities.

In saying that the island remains beautiful all year round. You don’t have to go to Capri in the summer to enjoy its breathtaking scenery. If you are a nature lover, the island is perfect for a long hike, even in the winter. One advantage of traveling in the low season is that you will not encounter anyone on the hiking trail. The trails are marked so you can choose between easy and challenging ones. I tried to walk around and come back to the same spot because I had to take the ferry to Naples the same day.

Hiking on what seemed like a deserted island is an experience everyone should try. As you can see in the photos, the trail is marked, so you don’t get lost. Since it is February, expect some cloudy and more humid weather. Bring good hiking shoes as some parts of the hiking trail can be slippery and even muddy.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can try rock climbing. I really liked that they had the chain to help you. If you don’t mind getting dirty, I thought it was a fun thing to do.

The rest of the trail was mostly uphill, after which it starts to descend. The trail takes you to the main spots on the island. You can see some really nice panoramic views of the island a couple of times during the hike.

The hiking trail I completed on the island of Capri was pretty self-explanatory, starting and ending at the harbor.

Vesuvius

Vesuvius is famous for the devastating eruption that destroyed the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although Vesuvius is still an active volcano, it has not erupted recently.

If you are in the region, a visit to the crater is a must. A shuttle bus will take you to the ticket office. From there, visitors begin the ascent. The walk is not difficult, but come prepared with good walking shoes because it can be a bit slippery at times.

I have seen people cycling or hiking from Naples; however, good transport connections are available. If you travel from Naples, you can easily use public transport to get back.

Allow between 1 and 2 hours to visit the crater. Visiting Vesuvius can be a relaxing half-day trip outside Naples, perfect for those who do not feel like doing much during the day.

Herculaneum and Pompeii

Herculaneum and Pompeii are the two famous Roman cities that were destroyed by one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions that Italy has ever experienced. When Vesuvius erupted, no one expected that TWO cities would completely disappear and everything would turn into ash.

Herculaneum and Pompeii are not that close together, so allocate 2 days to visit the 2 locations. I was surprised by how large both Herculaneum and Pompeii are.

These ancient Roman cities were very complex and included a public square, a Roman amphitheater, different types of houses, public baths, etc.

You can buy an audio guide which I highly recommend in this case because it tells you the history of each building you pass by. Without the audio guide, the visit is less interesting.

It is very easy to get to any of the ancient cities by public transportation. In fact, the train that takes you there lets you know which station is closest to either of them. Since ancient cities are so popular with tourists, public transportation to and from Herculaneum and Pompeii is good. If you are staying in Naples and traveling around the region, which is what I did, it will be really easy to visit the ancient cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

I think most of us were impressed by how well preserved everything is. Usually when you think of ancient cities, you visualize a few columns and some defense walls. The truth is that both Herculaneum and Pompeii have most of the important buildings in good condition. Some of the buildings still have the original paintings. Even the streets are in better condition than I imagined. Visiting the ancient cities will feel like traveling back in time. I recommend visiting both sites if you have time.

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Sorrento is one of the many coastal towns worth visiting along the Amalfi Coast. If travelling from Naples, take the same train that takes you to the ancient cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

A day trip to Sorrento is a perfect day trip away from Naples. Since the city is relatively small, you can walk almost anywhere and enjoy the beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast. You could venture further afield and discover other coastal towns, but Sorrento should not be missed as it is definitely one of the most beautiful locations on the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast.

Visiting the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast in February definitely has some advantages, especially if you are more of a budget traveller. The whole region, including Naples, which sometimes has a bad reputation, seemed pretty safe. So, I’d say that if you’ve ever had security problems in Naples, you should forget about it. Visiting Naples as a solo traveller was a smooth experience and I would not hesitate to return one day and visit the Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts more.