Are you wondering what to wear on the Amalfi Coast? This guide tells you exactly what to wear on the Amalfi Coast beaches, for dinner and in the towns.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear on the Amalfi Coast along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly what and where the Amalfi Coast is, and how the seasons will affect your Amalfi Coast Packing List.
What is the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is around a 40 mile stretch of coastline in Southern Italy that overlooks the stunning Tyrrhenian Sea and Gulf of Salerno, just a bit further South than Naples and Pompeii.
There are many beautiful towns along the Amalfi Coast but some of the most famous and most visited places include:
- Positano
- Ravello
- Cetara and
- Atrani
to name but a few.
So do these towns tend to have dress codes that you should be aware of?
Amalfi Coast Dress Code
As with many places in Italy, Amalfi Coast doesn’t really have a dress code per se. The towns, given their reliance on tourism and the fantastic beaches, mean that beachwear and casual resort wear is commonly seen around the towns.
However having said that, don’t mistake beachwear and casual for unfashionable. You will see a lot of very stylish people along the Amalfi Coast so I would leave very touristy clothes like white socks and sandals, baseball caps and fanny packs at home if you want to blend in more with locals.
The only real place on the Amalfi Coast that has a strict coast is of course in churches. All Italian churches have strict dress codes so be sure to read up on what to wear here if you plan to visit a church while in this region.
Also you will notice that when out for dinner in Italy generally but specifically on the Amalfi Coast people will stick to smart casual dress codes. I would therefore have nice blouses and maxi dresses at the ready for going out to dinner on the Amalfi Coast.
It is also worth noting that being so reliant on tourism, the Amalfi Coast really comes alive during Peak season which in this part of Italy is from April to October.
However we will cover all the seasons in this guide to help you know what to wear no matter what time of year you visit.
Note: if you plan to visit Capri too be sure to check out our what to wear in Capri guide.
What to Wear on the Amalfi Coast in Summer ( June, July and August)
Chances are if you are looking to visit the Amalfi Coast and wondering what to wear is that you will be visiting during the Summer Months.
One of the biggest considerations for what to wear on the Amalfi Coast, no matter the time of year you visit is the weather. During the Summer on the Amalfi Coast you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain.
In terms of temperatures, in the summer you can expect to see highs of 85F/29C and lows of 64F/18C.
AS such we would recommend putting the below on your summer packing list:
MAxi Dresses
As I mentioned above there is lots of beach wear and resort wear seen around the Amalfi Coast.
One of our favorite things to wear on the Amalfi Coast are Maxi Dresses. Loose and flowing clothes are better for the Amalfi Coast in Summer as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Maxi Skirts
Maxi Skirts are also great for pairing with T shirts and Tank tops on the Amalfi Coast. Just be sure you have one item that covers your kness (i.e. nothing with a slit) for wearing if you decide to visit a church.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring on the Amalfi Coast and can be paired with skirts or shorts.
Shorts
Although we don’t tend to recommend wearing shorts in the cities in Italy, they are perfectly acceptable on the beaches and around the towns of the Amalfi Coast.
This are particularly great for archaeological sites and other places where you will be doing lots of walking.
Swimwear
If you are spending any time on the Amalfi Coast chances are you will be spending time on the beach or on a boat. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on the Amalfi Coast Beaches you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the Amalfi Coast Depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need. I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other.
Beach Cover
Most people on the Amalfi Coast when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Italy.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs as not everywhere on the Amalfi Coast will have Air conditioning. You may want to check out whether or not your accommodation has air conditioning before booking.
Note: For men I recommend packing a mixture of chinos and linen trousers and some smarter shorts alongside plain t shirts and polos and short sleeve shirts for summer.
And if you are visiting other areas of Italy in Summer be sure to check out our other Italian Summer packing Lists:
- what to wear to Venice in Summer
- What to wear to Cinque Terre in Summer
- What to wear to Rome in August
- What to wear to Rome in July
- What to wear to Italy in August
- What to wear to Italy in July
What to Wear to the Amalfi Coast in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time you are visiting the Amalfi Coast in Spring will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
April really kicks off peak season on the Amalfi Coast and you may find March too cold to be spending too much time on the Amalfi Coast beaches.
May is obviously the warmest month in Spring with high temperatures around 79F/26C.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer, though you may need less in terms of swimwear as the weather may be too cold.
And we also recommend adding the following additions to your packing list
Cardigan
The evenings in particular be cold in Spring on the Amalfi Coast so be sure to add a cardigan or two to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater
This is great for exploring in March and Early April on the Amalfi Coast.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting the Amalfi coast in March.
What to Wear to the Amalfi Coast in Fall (September, October and November)
What to wear to the Amalfi Coast in Fall is very similar to what to wear on the Amalfi Coast in Summer.
In particular, if you are visiting the Amalfi Coast in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in August.
However the later in Fall you visit the cooler it becomes and peak season tends to end in mid–October.
If you are visiting in late October and November you probably wont be needing lots of swimwear as it will be too cold to get in the water everyday.
Also you will want cardigans and sweaters on your packing list, and in November you may even need a jacket on the Amalfi Coast.
What to Wear to the Amalfi Coast in Winter (December, January and February)
The truth is that the Amalfi Coast is cold in Winter. So cold in fact that it is unlikely you will be able to swim and use the beach in Winter, unless you are particularly brave when it comes to cold water.
Also the Amalfi Coast is a place that can experience all the seasons so you can get rain on the Amalfi coast particularly in Winter.
Therefore we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below to the Amalfi Coast in Winter instead.
Jacket, waterproof
You will definitely want a warm jacket for the Amalfi Coast in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof one as you can get rainy days on the Amalfi Coast in Winter.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
As it gets cold on the Amalfi Coast in Winter we recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts on the Amalfi Coast in Winter so we recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for the Amalfi Coast in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are simply too lightweight in Winter. WE recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter on the Amalfi Coast and we usually pack a few pairs of darker jeans with us.
Pashmina
I never go to Italy without one.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter.
Best Shoes for the Amalfi Coast
Sneakers
Sneakers are perfect for the Amalfi Coast no matter the season you visit. The AMalfi Coast can be quite hilly so sneakers with good ankle and arch support are very helpful.
Sandals
Perfect for the beach and dinner in summer and shoulder seasons. However if you are there in Winter boots are more appropriate.
Water Shoes (optional)
Water shoes are optional for the Amalfi Coast however we recommend taking them especially if you are traveling to the Amalfi Coast with kids.
The reason for this is that the beaches in this region of Italy can be stony and rocky rather than sandy so water shoes are great for protecting your feet.
Flip Flops
If you decide against water shoes and are planning on spending time on the AMalfi Coast beaches I recommend taking a pair or flip flops however I would not wear these around town as they aren’t very supportive.
What Else to add to your Amalfi Coast Packing List
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Sunglasses
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Beach bag
FAQs About what to Wear Amalfi Coast
What to wear to Positano?
Positano is no different to the rest of the Amalfi Coast when it comes to what to wear. We recommend adding things like maxi dresses, and linen trousers and blouses to your positano packing list alongside plenty of beachwear!
But for a complete guide on what to wear in Positano check out this post.
What to wear to dinner on the Amalfi Coast?
Dinner on the Amalfi Coast doesn’t have a special dress code unless you go to a restaurant that stipulates one. We recommend Maxi Dresses and pashminas and blouses and linen trousers for summer and in winter a pair of smart trousers, blouse and a blazer.
Have you been to the Amalfi Coast? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments below!