8 Things to Do in Amalfi in November

November coincides with the low season in Amalfi, when winter begins and the beaches, which in summer are full of umbrellas, sun loungers and sunbathers tanning, begin to empty to make way for the peace and relaxation that we often seek.

Nevertheless, the city still offers many interesting things to do in Amalfi, framed by its beautiful landscapes and rich history, such as visiting museums, attending religious festivals, tasting its gastronomy or simply going for a walk to visit places and take the best pictures enjoying the Arab-Sicilian architecture and the Mediterranean landscape.

In Amalfi you can taste the best typical dishes of the Amalfi Coast, so it's ideal to do a gastronomic reconnaissance of the town. Moreover, the November temperatures are perfect for tasting typical hot dishes in the best restaurants in Amalfi.

There are many delicious dishes that you can try in this city, such as the ever-present pastas and pizzas that are a must in this region. Among the typical dishes, also worth mentioning:

• Ndunderi
• Scialatielli mussels and clams
• Squid alla praianese
• Marinated soup
• The pastarelle of Amalfi and the babà

Another interesting option is to book a cooking class in Amalfi, which usually includes a tour of the town and the Amalfi Coast, where you will learn the secrets of the typical Amalfi gastronomy, as well as tastings of delicious food and drinks.

As usual, you probably don't feel like swimming off the Amalfi coast in November. Although the temperatures are moderate, as we are in the Mediterranean, the water is colder than the rest of the seasons and does not encourage swimming.

But that does not mean that you have to give up a good swim, even if it is not in the sea. Since you have to leave the beach behind, November is the perfect month to enjoy Amalfi's other attractions, such as visiting its spa with Roman baths and experiencing a relaxing bath and massage.

This is a highly recommended activity for couples and perfect for rainy days in the city. The Amalfi spa is very complete and also has an argillarium, Mediterranean bath, footbath, hydromassage and emotional showers. After a morning of touring the city from top to bottom, this experience is sure to relax you completely.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, or more commonly called the Cathedral of Amalfi is a large architectural complex built in the 11th century in the Piazza del Duomo. It is dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, and has been remodelled several times, so it is home to several architectural styles, the most predominant being Arab-Norman Romanesque.

This church usually receives many visitors, so you will always find it as part of the best Amalfi tours, so I recommend that you visit this complex in November, as the weather is still usually quite pleasant, with many sunny days, and tourists are few.

It is said that this church is the site of the miracle of the manna, an oily liquid that gushes out of the crypt of St. Andrew and is collected by the Archbishop, so that the faithful can take some of it away with them in cotton wool or cloth, as it is believed that this liquid would have produced healings or other miracles.

Further information

• Location: Piazza Duomo 1, 84001 Amalfi, Salerno, Italy
• Visiting hours: daily from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
• Mass hours: weekdays, Saturdays and vespers at 7.00 pm. Sundays and public holidays: 7.30am, 10am; family mass, 11.15am and 7pm.

Lorena's Traveller Tip

There is also another belief that may interest you: if you go with your partner and/or lover, do not go up the stairs holding hands, as it would bring bad luck, and if you do, the bond will be over in a short time.

On 30 November every year, the town of Amalfi dresses up to commemorate the town's patron saint, St. Andrew the Apostle, with its most beloved religious feast, the festival of Sant' Andrea.

In this winter celebration, at the end of the mass, all those present wait for the bronze statue of the apostle to be brought out and accompany it in a procession through the streets of Amalfi. The figure of the saint, carried by several men dressed in red, begins its journey down the steps of the Duomo accompanied by a brass band.

The faithful give all their devotion to the protector of the city until they reach the seashore where, at a stipulated place, the blessing begins, the origin of which goes back to a tradition of fishermen and sailors, and which has been carried out for centuries. The procession comes to an end when the statue of St. Andrew the Apostle returns to the Piazza del Duomo and is carried up the stairs.

When the weather is bad (which can happen in November due to rain, wind and cold), you don't have to waste the day as Amalfi has some great cultural options to enjoy and take shelter from the weather.

Among them, both the Biblioteca Comunale Pietro Scopetta and the Museo Diocesano di Amalfi have comfortable facilities for you to spend a pleasant moment while learning about the culture and history of the city.

Biblioteca Comunale Pietro Scopetta

The Biblioteca Comunale Pietro Scopetta has more than 20,000 volumes that you can consult and enjoy in its reading room, as well as audiovisual material and permanent activities that promote the historical-artistic heritage of Amalfi.

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm; and Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm. Weekends closed.
• Location: Supportico Sant'Andrea, 3, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.

Diocesan Museum

The Diocesan Museum is an art museum located in the Basilica of the Crucifix, which was the first nucleus of the Episcopal complex. It is next to the Cathedral of Amalfi and houses the works of art of the Basilica and the Cathedral.

It consists of an itinerary organised in four parts: the cloister, the wall paintings dating back to the 13th and 14th century, the Cathedral treasure consisting of precious liturgical objects and ornaments, and the paintings and sculptures. Visiting it will certainly be a rewarding experience if you like ancient religious art.

• Location: Piazza Duomo, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
• Opening hours: 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-4.30pm. Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 2pm.
• Admission fee: around €4 or €6 for the Museum and the Cathedral of Barbastro.

As the water will already be a bit cold in November, it is the perfect time to visit lesser known and ignored places in summer such as the Arsenale di Amalfi, located at the entrance of the old town. This site offers a varied cultural offer, ideal to take advantage of the rainy days of November.

The building is considered a jewel of medieval Moorish architecture. In the Arsenal you can see temporary exhibitions, shows, conferences, artistic presentations, plays and even weddings. Today it also houses an important part of the collection of the Compass Museum and the Maritime Duchy.

The Arsenale is the only medieval dockyard still open in the West. It is important to note that most of its structure, with its two long vaulted halls, is the original one. In the past, commercial and war ships were built here for Amalfi, which was at that time one of the most important maritime republics of the Italian peninsula.

Further information about Amalfi

• Location: Largo Cesareo Console, Largo Cesareo Console, Amalfi: Largo Cesareo Console, 4, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-1pm / 3pm-7pm. Closed on Mondays.
• Admission: free of charge

The Museo della Carta is the most important museum on the Amalfi Coast. In ancient times it was a paper mill, and in 1969 it was transformed into a museum. Here you can see the machinery and equipment used in the old mill and even create a sheet of Amalfi's precious handmade paper.

This is a perfect visit on a cloudy November day to learn about and research one of the town's most important trades. Amalfi was one of the first to discover the existence of paper in the 12th and 13th centuries and this was a key part of its heyday.

In this museum you can also visit the canal system and power towers, the room of the "magistri in arte cartarum", the "Nicola Milano" library, the ticket office and its shop, where you can take the opportunity to buy a card or a parchment and take home a genuine souvenir of Amalfi.

For further information

• Location: Via delle Cartiere, 23 84011 Amalfi (Sa)
• Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 5 pm, except Mondays when it is closed.
• Admission: adults from 4,50 EUR, children from 3 EUR, children under 4 years free.

The old town, with its labyrinth of ancient staircases and tunnels, will offer you a mysterious and nostalgic journey in November. Among these staircases, the Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi to Piazza Dogi is one of the most beautiful you can see.

You can enter the tunnels under the stairs of the Amalfi Cathedral or the paths that lead to the Monumental Cemetery of Amalfi for some stunning, yet solitary images at this time of the year. November is also the ideal time to wander around the squares, as this is when they show their most intimate and local side. In particular, Piazza Duomo and Piazza Dogi.

Finally, this winter photo tour would not be complete without taking some pictures of the Fontana de Cap é Ciuccio, a fountain that commemorates the donkeys that drank its waters after descending the paths of Amalfi. It is also a tradition here to throw a coin to make a wish.

November is autumn in Amalfi and the weather is characteristically damp but pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 14°C minimum and 16°C to 20°C maximum. And although the weather in Amalfi can vary slightly from year to year, it has an average temperature of 16°C.

Half of the days of the month, Amalfi usually has good weather, but the sky remains cloudy most of the time and on several days you will be surprised by rain. Also, keep in mind that in November the days are shorter, with the 30th of November being the shortest day of the month, with only 9.5 hours of daylight.

In Amalfi there is usually a foggy dawn, and the sea is rough. It is important to wear clothes that are suitable for the low temperatures, and don't forget to bring a hat, scarf, gloves and mackintosh so that you can take advantage of the peace and quiet and solitude that the town offers in the low season, especially if you are staying until winter in Amalfi.

At this time of year, prices in Amalfi are characteristically much lower than in the summer season. Accommodation prices are significantly cheaper, as are restaurant prices, car hire, parking and transfers from Amafi airport, among other things.

Flight prices to Amalfi are also considerably reduced in the low season, so travelling in November is a very good option if you want to relax in a dream place without spending so much.

Renting a car is an excellent option. During November in Amalfi the ferries do not run, there is less public transport and traffic is much lighter than at other times of the year, so you can move around more freely with your vehicle and visit nearby towns such as Naples or Sorrento, or simply tour the Amalfi landscapes.

A particularly moving sight to enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle is the rough sea breaking against the cliffs, driven by the wind and rain. If you like stunning scenery with a bit of romance, you can't miss an opportunity to visit them by car, and get to know Amalfi's best beaches in the process.