8 Things to Do in Amalfi in December

December, despite the cold and low season, is the busiest and busiest month of the winter period. Some of the bars, restaurants, shops and hotels, especially those on the coast, which are closed at this time of year, reopen their doors in December to welcome tourists.

If you love New Year's Eve celebrations and are looking to travel and see fascinating places, visiting this town in December is one of the best things to see and do in Amalfi as you will be able to participate in traditional events that have been taking place in the town for a long time.

Although lemons and mandarins are harvested several times a year, some say that the citrus fruits harvested in December are especially good for making two liqueurs characteristic of the Amalfi Coast: limoncello and mandarincello.

Tasting these regional liqueurs in Amalfi's bars and restaurants, while taking in the scenery of this town steeped in history, is an experience that will give you an insight into the spirit of the place.

What's more, the region's lemon, known as Sfusato Amalfitano or Limona Costa d' Amalfi, is a variety you will only find on the Amalfi Coast.

Where to taste citrus liqueurs

• Antichi Sapori D'Amalfi: a liquor shop offering excellent quality limoncello.
• La Distilleria del Limoncino: where you can experience the production of these citrus liqueurs up close.
• La Valle Dei Mulini - Limoncello Store: another important place in town to taste these liqueurs.

If, in addition to tasting these exquisite liqueurs, you wish to get to know the special gastronomy of the Amalfi Coast, you can sign up for a gastronomic tour or book a cooking class, where you will undoubtedly be told the culinary secrets of the region, while getting to know the best dishes of the Amalfi Coast.

If you like sports, you can take part in a 27 km race that starts in Sorrento, a town located 30 km from Amalfi. The Sorrento-Massalubrense-Positano Panoramic is held every year and is considered one of the most awaited events in the region.

It consists of a magnificent route between the two gulfs of Campania, where you will see beautiful landscapes all the way to Positano.

Moreover, it is a race that is not only designed for athletes, but also for families. In other words, you can sign up to run (or walk) just 2.5 km and enjoy this experience with your family or friends.

More information about the race

• Price: from 35 € to 60 € per person. 5 € for the family race for adults, and children under 10 years old and adults over 65 years old are free. Pre-registration is required on the La Panorámica website.
• When does it take place? The first week of December.
• How to get there: you can take bus 5070 from Largo Piccolomini stop to Positano Chiesa Nuova stop.

If you want to see more

If after the race you still want more adventure, I encourage you to book a trek to the Valle delle Ferriere, a natural landscape of unparalleled beauty.

It is full of waterfalls, vegetation, streams and exuberant nature. Moreover, the difficulty of the route is medium-low, so that people of very different physical condition can participate.

The most characteristic winter spectacles in Amalfi are those related to Christmas celebrations, such as the Neapolitan nativity scenes, an art that emerged in the 13th century in what is now Italy.

In Amalfi, you can find them in all their forms: open, closed, artistic, traditional and living. Among the most beautiful nativity scenes you can see in the town are the following:

• The traditional living nativity scene in the neighbourhood of Pogerola.
• The two nativity scenes located in two fountains, the one at the Fontana di Cap é Cuiccio and the one at the fountain in the small Largo Scario square, places you are sure to see on one of the best tours of Amalfi.
• The permanent nativity scene at the Fontana di Cap é Cuiccio, which is not dismantled after the festivities, features workers and traders from the region. Another peculiarity is that part of the scene is submerged.
• Thenativity scene in Piazza Largo Scario is even more striking and around the figures of the Christ Child, Joseph, Mary, the Magi, the shepherds, the animals and the angels, the town of Amalfi is represented.

The birth of Jesus is one of the traditional celebrations of Christian culture and, of course, in Amalfi these celebrations are carried out with a great display of resources: the Christmas Eve fireworks.

The bronze doors of the Duomo of Amalfi open after the last mass and a massive procession climbs the stairs. This is the moment when, all over Italy, the child is placed in the manger.

Then, a fireworks star is lit just after midnight, and a spectacle begins that lights up the whole sky over the Piazza Duomo signalling the beginning of Christmas and being one of the most visited fireworks displays in all of Italy, as well as one of the best things to do at night in Amalfi.

December is a month full of surprises and a special atmosphere, thanks to the spirit of celebration found everywhere, and Amalfi could be no exception. If you visit the town in December, you can't miss the traditional local festival: the InCanti d'Autore.

This festival hosts a line-up of shows that are renewed every year and cater for all tastes, from traditional Christmas storytelling and opera to musicals and concerts.

Further information

• Location: Arsenale della Repubblica, Largo Cesareo Console, 4, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
• Duration: from a few days before 24 December until the first days of January.
• Admission fee: free of charge

If you want to experience an unforgettable moment of celebration and Christmas spirit, don't miss the Christmas markets in Amalfi, with enchanting objects and super original ideas for your Christmas presents.

It is ideal to visit after a stroll through the beautiful narrow streets of Amalfi, or after a trip along the coast, because even in winter, you can't miss the best beaches of Amalfi.

The association La Soffitta in Piazza is in charge of organising this market which offers small antiques, vintage objects, period collectibles and creative handicrafts, highly recommended for the curious and passionate seekers of artistic and cultural objects from bygone eras.

More info

• Location: Lungomare dei Cavalieri Street 84011 Amalfi, Salerno, Italy.

• Starting: early December.

• Opening hours: from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

New Year's Eve in Amalfi offers you the chance to take part in the town's celebrations, which mix tradition with the contemporary. These celebrations take place from a few days before 31 December until 6 January.

The custom on New Year's Eve, after a traditional Amalfi meal, is to go out at around 11.30 p.m. to watch the parade of folk groups through the town and the amazing fireworks display over the sea.

The next day, the groups resume their performances in the squares, greeting tourists and residents to the New Year with satirical verses and ancient tarantellas. And on January 6th there is the Cavalcade of the Little Shepherds, performances by folklore groups, the Calata della Stella and the repositioning of the Infant Jesus in the Cathedral.

December, the month of the Catholic tradition of Christmas, is a special month to delve into the history and art of this religion, so it is a good time to visit the Diocesan Museum of Amalfi.

It preserves the works of art of the Basilica and the Cathedral and is housed in the Basilica of the Crucifix. Opened in 1995, the museum is housed in a 12th century medieval structure, which is accessed through the Cloister of Paradise.

The museum consists of four sections: the Cloister, the mural paintings, the Cathedral treasure and the paintings and sculptures. Don't miss the sculpture of the Virgin and Child, a Renaissance high relief on the back of the marble slab of the Cathedral, whose author remains anonymous.

Further information

• Location: Piazza Duomo, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

December brings with it the last days of autumn and the first days of winter in Amalfi, and compared to the previous month, the weather is rather drier, but the maximum and minimum temperatures tend to drop a little and vary between 8 and 15° C, keeping the usual average at 14° C.

As for sunlight, it usually lasts about 9 hours. Sunrise is usually around 7.30 am and sunset starts around 4.30 pm, so it is important to start your day early to make the most of your stay in Amalfi.

If you wear the right winter clothes, the weather will be quite pleasant and, although it is usually cloudy most of the time, the rainfall is quite low, so you will be able to enjoy this beautiful town a lot.

Of the winter months in Amalfi, December is the busiest month for tourists. This is due to the many celebrations and festivities, especially Christmas and New Year, which are traditionally held in high esteem throughout Europe.

Although prices in December are slightly higher than in the other months of the low season, they are not as high as in the high season. In addition, many businesses, such as shops, restaurants and lodgings, which are usually closed for the winter season, open their doors during December. Airport transfers are also often cheaper.

The most important thing is to pack clothes that are suitable for winter temperatures, whether you're staying in Amalfi for 2 days or more. You should bring thick long-sleeved shirts, jumpers, thick trousers and, of course, a hat, scarf, gloves and a good mackintosh in case it rains.

It is important that you take into account that your footwear is appropriate, that is, not only warm, but also comfortable for walking and climbing stairs, which can be a bit dangerous in the humidity.

Of course, your luggage would not be complete without an umbrella and, if you want to capture the stunning scenery in high quality, a good camera.