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Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

Positano is a stunning, picture-perfect town on the Amalfi coast in Italy. Positano in autumn, especially in October, is just as photogenic and well worth visiting as the busy peak season of summer. Imagine the ochre hued buildings stacked upon each other on the steep mountain slopes, the lights glittering in the cool evenings, and the gentle rush of the waves on the black sand beach. October is one of the best months to visit Positano. The weather is warm enough for summer dresses during the day and cool enough in the evenings for a cute jacket. Below is a guide on how to enjoy Positano in the offseason.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

Is Positano worth visiting in Autumn

So the biggest question you’ve probably got if you’ve found your way here is if Positano is worth visiting in autumn. I visited Positano in October and I can unequivocally say, yes, Positano is definitely worth visiting in autumn, especially in October. It’s even rated as one of the best times to visit!

It’s a beautiful town full of old buildings stacked on top of each other and Instagrammable restaurants and bars just waiting for that perfect sunset. Shops sell everything with painted lemons, from plates to lacy lingerie. I’d almost say autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Positano during. There are a few different factors as to why Positano is, in my mind, perfect in October and I’ll go over them below.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

Positano Is Quieter In Autumn

Positano is definitely quieter in autumn. Some hotels or guest houses have already closed for the low season in winter. If you visit Positano in autumn you will have some of the beaches and walkways to yourself in the morning. By ten in the morning, the day-trippers on the ferries and buses will start to arrive and you will have to share your idyllic paradise with a lot more people. The good news is that the crowds will start to dwindle by four in the afternoon as the tours begin to head back to Naples and the last ferries depart for Capri or Naples.

Because of this influx, it is much better to stay in Positano in autumn than just to visit it on a day trip. If you spend the night in this Italian paradise you will have the town to wander in the morning and evening. The streets are calmer, and the beaches are definitely less crowded. There’s room in restaurants so that you don’t need to worry about booking a table and you may not even have to line up for Franco’s Bar, one of Positano’s most fashionable places with a spectacular view.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

The quieter period in Positano, from October onwards, is better for photos. Sunrise is around seven in the morning, so you don’t need to get up quite so early, and you’re much less likely to have hordes of tourists in your photos. You still get all of the charms of Positano and the Amalfi Coast, you just don’t have to share them with so many people. The Amalfi coast has over 5 million visitors per year at the moment, so you definitely want to try and avoid the peak of this as much as possible.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

What Are The Prices Like In Positano In Autumn

If you visit Positano in October and November you will find that the prices are much better than the peak seasons of summer and spring. Because fewer people are visiting, the guest houses and hotels lower their prices. September is technically autumn but can still be peak season, as it is so close to summer. Positano in October, however, should have the lovely weather and views that everyone comes for but have much better prices due to the drop in traffic volume.This is a seasonality trick to get value for your travels. You can find more travel agent insider tips in my travel hacks guide.

Have a look around on different websites for deals. There’s always a few in October to find. Great websites to check out are Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Airbnb and Hotels.com. We were able to get a great deal at Casa Teresa, and it was a beautiful guesthouse.

This guide covers everything you need to know to visit Positano.

What Is The Weather Like In Positano in Autumn

Positano is a beautiful village in Southern Italy. The Amalfi Coast is stunning, and you can see why it’s one of the most visited places in the world. Because of this you definitely want to go there for good weather. Being able to enjoy the beach and outdoor restaurants and bars is definitely a priority. If you go in October, you will still be able to do all of this. The weather in Positano in autumn is in the mid to low twenties with cooler evenings. During the peak of the day, if there’s sunshine, it can still be hot, so make sure you have that pretty hat with you.

November is when it starts to cool down, so if you want the sweet spot check out Positano in October. We were there in mid-October and every day was sunny with blue skies with a max of twenty-five degrees Celsius. We ate delicious gelato, had pasta lunches in the sun and sipped on cocktails as the sun set with no need of a jacket.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast
Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

Can You Swim In Positano In Autumn

Positano is famous for its black sand beaches and brightly coloured beach umbrellas. Part of the appeal is definitely sunbaking or picnicking on the main beach with the town reaching far above you. It’s a beautiful sight and definitely something worth doing for relaxation. In September and October, you can still definitely go swimming in Positano. The sun was perfectly warm for sunbaking and the sea was refreshing when I went in to cool down.

So, the answer is a big yes to swimming in Positano in autumn. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers and towel. You can sunbake on the beaches for free or pay the beach bars for the use of their sun lounges and umbrellas.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast
Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

What To Wear In Positano In Autumn

As I’ve said above, the weather in Positano in autumn can be very mild and still feel summery. I wore short dresses and skirts during the day and was comfortable. During a walk around the beach, I was almost too hot and needed a swim. I’d definitely recommend sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen for sun protection. The highest temperature might have been twenty-five degrees Celsius, but it felt like twenty-eight. Perfect gelato weather.

As soon as the sun sets the evenings begin to cool down. If you go to dinner or a bar it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket with you to slip on when you leave. Even walking around Positano at night wasn’t too bad. I had my jacket but would usually have to take it off after walking up all the stairs!

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast
Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast
One of the most instagrammable spots in Positano is the pink Deli. The Deli is one of the best photo spots in Positano.

What To Do In Positano In Autumn

You can do almost anything in Positano in autumn that you can do in summer. It’s definitely a seasonal town, with many places closing for winter, but autumn still has several great activities.

GO SWIMMING AT THE BEACHES: As I’ve mentioned above September and October are still amazing for swimming in Positano. Bring your bathers and have a jump in the Med. The views are gorgeous, and the sea is usually calm and clear. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the beach bars while you sunbake or picnic on the beach with friends as the sun sets.

TAKE A BOAT TOUR OF THE COAST: There are many great companies in Positano offering shared or private boat tours of the Amalfi coast. The view as you pull away from Positano is simply stunning, and the rest of the coast is picture-perfect. In autumn it can still be lovely enough for a day out on the water.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

CATCH A FERRY TO AMALFI, CAPRI, SORRENTO OR NAPLES: If you want less of a boat tour and more of a village-hopping adventure then catch one of the ferries to other beautiful towns on the Amalfi coast. Some ferries will be almost like a hop on hop off service, so you can see multiple villages. It is easiest to buy the tickets at the offices at the wharf. Online was difficult to use and said it was sold out when it definitely wasn’t. If you want to know more about Naples then check out my guide.

THE PATH OF THE GODS: If you’re not feeling the relaxation at the beach or the pasta siestas, then you can get active with a walk on the Path of the Gods. Like everything in Positano, there are lots of stairs, so you need some level of fitness to complete this. One of the best things about visiting Positano in autumn is that the weather is usually milder than summer, so you won’t melt while hiking the astounding views.

GO SHOPPING There is lots of shopping in Positano. A lot of it is not cheap, but there’s usually enough to meet everyone’s budget. Grab one of the beautifully painted plates or olive oil dispensers in the ceramic shops, or browse the multitude of lemon prints in the clothes shops. You can get the usual limoncello or Italian olive oil from different shops.

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER

Positano In Autumn. Best time to visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast

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Comments:

  • Madhu

    April 18, 2020

    Wow such lovely clicks,making me wanna visit now itself.Italy is on top of my bucketlist ..hope to visit soon

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  • Jen

    April 18, 2020

    I have wanted to go here for so long! It looks so beautiful and your photos are amazing. I’ll definitely save this post for whenever I get the chance to go! 😁

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  • April 18, 2020

    I also visited Positano in autumn, well very early autumn (early September), and I loved it! The crowds weren’t crazy, the weather was hot but not crazily so, I went swimming and hiking most days and I just really enjoyed my trip, This post brought up some great memories for me, maybe it’s time to go back!

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  • Alma

    April 18, 2020

    Lovely post with great advice. I definitely think autumn would be a great time to explore, when it is not so hot.

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  • Sandra // BlueMarble Vagabonds

    April 18, 2020

    Hm, Positano is not too far from Slovenia where we live, so I think that’d be really a great weekend trip in Autumn! Thanks for the idea 🙂

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  • April 18, 2020

    This looks awesome I went in august before and it was crazy busy, this looks quieter so would love to visit in autumn!!

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  • Dani

    April 18, 2020

    I have always wanted to visit Positano – it looks so beautiful and I am all for ‘off peak’ times to travel somewhere. Thanks for sharing! ☺️

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  • April 18, 2020

    The gorgeous Amalfi coast is definitely on my travel to do list when all is well in the world again. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  • April 18, 2020

    I had clients (I’m a travel planner) visit the Amalfi Coast October 2019 and they loved it. Yes, less busy, less expensive and still lovely weather. I think a lot of Italy — especially Tuscany and Umbria and then south from there — is good in October!

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  • April 18, 2020

    Your pictures are great!! It’s still my dream to come here one day! 🙂

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  • April 18, 2020

    What a lovely place! I would love to visit Positano and combine it with a visit to Pompeii. Pinned your post for future travel planning!

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  • April 18, 2020

    I would love to visit the Amalfi coast some day and go down to explore Southern Italy.

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  • April 18, 2020

    This just answered so many questions I had about visiting this part of Italy during fall. We had to postpone our trip that was supposed to happen next month and now we’re thinking of going in autumn. We didn’t know if it would be too cold, but it looks amazing!

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  • April 18, 2020

    Wow looks so beautiful! It doesn’t even look real! Can’t wait to get back to Italy!

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  • April 18, 2020

    What a great idea. I visited Positano in last week of May in 2019. The summer was just round the corner and the peak season was about to come. But autumn looks even more serene and peaceful. Your pictures are so beautiful. Positano is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places I have visited in my life!

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  • April 19, 2020

    These pictures are beautiful and really make me miss Positano!! I can’t wait to go back and you have some great tips here, I’ve pinned it so I can read it again before my next visit here!

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  • April 19, 2020

    It’s been quite a few years since I was last in Positano and your photos are making me wish I was back there right now! I’ll definitely look into going in Autumn next time I think about visiting!

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  • April 19, 2020

    Wow, Positano looks beautiful and your pictures are simply amazing! If your picture of the view from Franco’s Bar is of how crowded it is in Autumn, I can’t imagine the crowds in Summer, so autumn is definitely a great time to visit!

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  • April 19, 2020

    Incredible! Your photos are amazing! You have certainly sold me on an Autumn visit!!

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  • April 19, 2020

    I want to go to Positano so badly! All of your pictures look amazing, I had to quickly scroll through the food part because it looked so incredibly delicious! I honestly would have never even thought of going here during the fall – but you said it was the perfect time to swim. I’d love to go during this time to avoid the crowds!

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  • April 19, 2020

    I had never heard of this place before, but your photos look so beautiful they make me want to visit! And it seems like a great post-corona travel destination…

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  • April 19, 2020

    Great post, I haven’t heard about this place before but now I definitely know when to visit it

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  • April 19, 2020

    I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with Positano before reading your post, but it looks so magical! I love to travel in Autumn to avoid the summer rush and I always find it is a nice stop-gap between summer and Christmas! Positano isn’t the typical destination I’d choose, but it looks lovely, I think I’ll keep it in mind for an escape when it is safe to travel again. Thanks for the great guide and the inspiration!
    Hannah | https://getlost.blog/

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  • Caroline Muller

    April 19, 2020

    Ok now I am totally hoping Italy opens up again the second half of the year so I can go visit.

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  • April 19, 2020

    I had wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast for so long and finally got the opportunity about two years ago. Even though these images are STUNNING it’s so hard to capture the beauty in pictures. It really is something you need to see in person! This really inspires me to try and make a return visit when we can travel again! Thanks so much for the informative and beautiful post!

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  • April 19, 2020

    Great post! I’d love to visit Positano. I’ve been to Cinque Terre, which I’ve heard is a little similar. I can’t wait to get back to Italy!

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  • April 20, 2020

    Ugh, it is my absolute DREAM to visit in Positano. This post is such amazing wanderlust inspiration! It’s the greatest post I’ve seen on the area and has already made me start planning my 30th birthday trip. Thank you for putting a smile on my face today!

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  • Francesca

    April 20, 2020

    Positano is so gorgeous! I heard it can be a little on the pricey side which is why I would definitely go in the shoulder seasons in the hope it’s a little cheaper. Also, off-seasons mean fewer tourists which is definitely better!

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  • April 21, 2020

    Now that the pandemic messed up all my travel and moving plans, I was actually thinking if things get back to normal…what I would do in September? As I’m about to move to Italy… Well, when all this is over… For couple of months, I can’t really travel away too much, and I don’t even want traveling too much for the upcoming period outside my future country, so Positano and as a usual, the Amalfi Coast is actually a super cool tip, as in the summer was overcrowded, too hot and couldn’t see too much. Thanks for the tip!

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  • Yukti Agrawal

    April 21, 2020

    First of all, I must say, you have taken amazing photos of Positano. And in autumn it looks amazing and worth visiting too.

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  • Peggy

    August 22, 2022

    Do the shops close on any particular day in October? Wondering if they close on Sunday or Monday?

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