When to visit the Amalfi Coast: a season-by-season guide

The Amalfi Coast is never the same twice. The light changes, the wind changes, the colour of the water changes — and above all the rhythm of the villages changes. After ten years at sea in these waters, I've learnt there's no wrong time to come: there's only the right time for you.

April and May are the months of awakening. The water is still cool, but the days grow longer and the villages aren't yet overrun. It's the time I recommend to anyone looking for the most authentic Coast: restaurants have free tables, the coves are empty and the light is the clear light of spring.

June and September are, for me, the perfect months. The sea is warm, the sun is generous but not harsh, and you can still find a stretch of coast all to yourself. September in particular has a golden light that, in the late afternoon, turns the coastline into a painting.

July and August are the festive months: very warm sea, very long days, villages that never sleep. You do need to set off early and know how to move around, though: this is where knowing the right coves makes the difference between a day in the crowds and a day to remember.

October is the best-kept secret. The water stays pleasant until mid-month, the villages return to their residents and sunset comes earlier — perfect for an aperitif on board as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Whichever season you choose, my advice is always the same: see the Coast from the sea. That's where you truly understand why this coastline is famous all over the world.