8 Things to Do in Amalfi in November

November coincides with the low season in this city, when winter begins, and the beaches, which in summer are full of umbrellas, sun loungers and sunbathers sunbathing, begin to empty to give way to the tranquility and relaxation that we often seek.

However, the city still offers us many interesting things to do in Amalfi framed in 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 is ideal that you make a reconnaissance of the city from a gastronomic point of view. In addition, 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 pasta and pizzas, which are a must in this region. Among the typical dishes, also worth mentioning:

• The ndunderi
• The mussels and clams Scialatielli
• Squid alla praianese
• The marinated soup
• The pastarelle of Amalfi and the babà

Another interesting option is to book a cooking class in Amalfi, as they usually include a tour of the city and the Amalfi Coast, where they tell you the secrets of its typical gastronomy, as well as including tastings of delicious food and drinks.

As usual, you probably don't feel like swimming in 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 bathing.

But that does not mean you have to give up a good swim, even if it is not in the sea. And, since you have to leave the beach aside, November is the perfect month to enjoy other attractions of Amalfi such as visiting its spa with Roman bath and experience a relaxing bath, as well as a massage.

It is a highly recommended activity to do as a couple and perfect also for rainy days in the city. The Amalfi spa is very complete and also has argillarium, Mediterranean bath, footbath, hydromassage and emotional showers. Surely after a morning of touring the city up and down this experience will 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 was remodeled several times, that's why several architectural styles coexist in it, being the most predominant the Arab-Norman Romanesque.

This church usually receives many visitors, so you will always find it as part of the best Amalfi tours, that's why I recommend you to 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 in this church there is the miracle of the manna, an oily liquid that gushes from the crypt of St. Andrew and is collected by the Archbishop, so that later the faithful can take some with them in cotton wool or cloth, as it is believed that this liquid would have produced healings or other miracles.

More 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 pm. Sundays and holidays: 07.30 am, 10 am; family mass, 11.15 am and 7 pm.

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 that, if you do, the bond will be over in a short time.

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

In this winter celebration, at the end of mass, all those present wait for the bronze statue of the apostle to leave 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 with a brass band.

The faithful give all their devotion to the protector of the city until they reach the seashore where, in a stipulated place, begins the blessing whose origin goes back to a tradition of fishermen and sailors, and which has been performed 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 (something that can happen in November due to rain, wind and cold), you don't have to waste the day, as Amalfi has some very good 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.

Pietro Scopetta Municipal Library

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 and artistic heritage of Amalfi.

• Admission: free of charge.
• 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 adjacent to the Cathedral of Amalfi and houses the works of art of the Basilica and the Cathedral.

It consists of an itinerary organized in four parts: the cloister, the wall paintings dating back to the 13th and 14th century, the Cathedral's treasure consisting of precious liturgical objects and ornaments, and the paintings and sculptures. Without a doubt, visiting it will give you a rewarding experience if you like ancient religious art.

• Location: Piazza Duomo, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy.
• Hours: 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Sundays and holidays from 11 am to 2 pm.
• Admission fee: about 4€ or 6€ for the entrance to 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 less known and ignored places in summer like 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.

Its building is considered a jewel of medieval architecture in Arabic style. In the Arsenal you can see temporary exhibitions, shows, conferences, artistic presentations, plays, and even weddings. In addition, today it houses an important part of the collection of the Compass Museum and the Maritime Duchy.

The Arsenale is the only medieval shipyard 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. Commercial and war ships were once built there for Amalfi, which was, at the time, one of the most important maritime republics of the Italian peninsula.

More information about Amalfi

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

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

This is a perfect visit to make on cloudy November days, as it allows you to learn about and research one of the city's fundamental 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 "magistri in arte cartarum" room, the "Nicola Milano" library, the ticket office and its store, where you can take the opportunity to buy a card or a parchment, and take home a genuine souvenir of Amalfi.

For more information about Amalfi

• Location: Via delle Cartiere, 23 84011 Amalfi (Sa)
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except Mondays when it is closed.
• Admission fee: 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 in November a mysterious and nostalgic tour. Among these stairs stand out those of Via Lorenzo D ́Amalfi up to Piazza Dogi, one of the most beautiful you can see.

You can go into the tunnels under the stairs of the Cathedral of Amalfi or on the paths that lead you to the Monumental Cemetery of Amalfi for some stunning images, at the same time lonely at this time of the year. November is also ideal for you to tour its squares, because 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 if you do not take some pictures of the Fontana de Cap é Ciuccio, a fountain that recalls the donkeys that drank its waters after going down the paths of Amalfi. Here, moreover, it is tradition to throw a coin to make a wish.

November is autumn in Amalfi, and its weather is characterized by a humid but pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from 4° C to 14° C as a minimum, and from 16° C to 20° C as a maximum. And although the weather in this city may vary slightly from year to year, it has an average temperature of 16° C.

Half of the days of the month, Amalfi usually gives us a good weather, but the sky remains cloudy most of the time and on several days you will be surprised by rain. Also, you should keep in mind that in November the days last less, being November 30 the shortest day of the month, with only 9 and a half hours of daylight.

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

At this time of the year, prices in Amalfi are characterized by being quite a bit lower than in the summer season. Accommodation prices are noticeably cheaper as are prices in restaurants, car rental, parking and transfers from Amafi airport, among other things.

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

Renting a car is an excellent option. During November in Amalfi 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 more freely with your vehicle and visit nearby cities such as Naples or Sorrento, or simply tour the landscapes of Amalfi.

A particularly moving sight to enjoy from the comfort of the vehicle is the rough sea breaking against the cliffs, driven by 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 incidentally get to know the best beaches in Amalfi.