10 Things to Do in Amalfi in January

On the shores of the Gulf of Salerno lies the beautiful Italian town of Amalfi, surrounded by a series of rugged cliffs on the Amalfi Coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tourist destination not to be missed.

Among the best things to do in Amalfi in January, you can enjoy the celebration of the Befana, attend a cooking class to learn how to prepare winter season recipes, take advantage of the low prices in the shops and markets, visit the Cathedral or the Arsenale of Amalfi without crowds or queues, among others.

If you find yourself in this picturesque seaside town on 1 January, after completing your itinerary of the best things to do in Amalfi in December, you can attend the town's eagerly awaited New Year's Concert. There are also parades and street performances to enjoy throughout the day.

Head to the Antico Arsenale della Repubblica di Amalfi, which is located in the centre of Amalfi. There, every year from 11:00 am there is a New Year's Concert by the SCS Internationale Harmonia Chamber Orchestra, with a repertoire of traditional and classical music.

You will also have the opportunity to dance to the rhythm of the local New Year's folk band, which usually performs outside the Valle dei Mulini after midday. But if you are on via delle Cartiere, you will also see this spectacle, as the parade moves there and ends in Piazza Duomo.

You can also go to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle at about 6.30 p.m., as the bishop performs a special ceremony (solemn Pontifical Mass). You will live a unique experience and feel like a local and continue the next day with one of the best tours of Amalfi during your stay.

In case you are in Amalfi on the 6th of January, you will have the opportunity to discover one of the most popular traditions in this town and in the whole of Italy. This is the arrival of the Befana Witch, who annually rewards good children with sweets, while those who have not behaved well receive coal.

This is definitely a fun activity for children and adults alike, which you can incorporate into your itinerary of things to do in Amalfi in winter. You'll enjoy a celebratory atmosphere throughout the town.

You'll see locals walking the streets dressed in the costume of the friendly witch. You will also enjoy some of the troupes accompanying the Befana through the iconic old town. You'll have the chance to take photos with her and, if you're lucky, receive some sweets.

In addition, restaurants, bars, cafés and discotheques join in the celebrations. In fact, if you visit any of the tourist attractions or use any of Amalfi's airport transfer services, the guide in charge or the driver, as the case may be, is sure to tell you the story of the Befana.

If you are an enthusiast of Italian cuisine, you will probably want to learn how to prepare some recipes from scratch during your 2-day stay in Amalfi or longer in January. Take advantage of the low tourist influx this month and take part in a gastronomic experience led by a professional chef.

These types of activities usually take place at the Amalfi Heaven Gardens, a 4-minute drive from the town centre, or at any other private kitchen in the town. Whatever the case, the culinary expert will take you to collect some fresh ingredients.

You will then go to a private kitchen to start the class. You will have to watch the chef carefully and follow his lead in carrying out each sweet and savoury dish, according to the selected menu.

Although preparations often vary, generally the best cooking classes in Amalfi incorporate traditional recipes such as Italian bruschettas, homemade pasta such as stuffed lemon ravioli and courgette flowers stuffed with anchovies. Also, lemon tiramisu, chocolate aubergines, among others.

Useful information

• Price: the average price of the cooking class is 109€ per person. However, this varies according to the type of sweet or savoury preparations.
• Duration: around 4 hours.
• Advantages: you will learn how to prepare various traditional Italian dishes from scratch.

In January some of the best day trips from Amalfi by sea may not be available due to the season. However, you can embark on a scenic land tour at your own pace. You will be amazed by the incredible scenic charm of this region in winter.

You can travel along the Via Matteo Camera from Amalfi to Positano, via Conca dei Marini and Praiano. This is an approximate route of 56 minutes by bus or 37 minutes by car.

Alternatively, you can drive along the SS163 towards Via Giuseppe Mazzini from Amalfi to Vietri Sul Mare. This is a stretch by car (44 minutes) or by bus (1 hour and 10 minutes), which will allow you to discover the villages of Atrani, San Cosma, Minori and Cetara.

Whether you use a rental car or take the corresponding public bus route, you will have the opportunity to travel quickly along the Amalfi Coast. You will get privileged panoramic views where the protagonists are the sea and the rich vegetation (pines, olive groves, lemon trees, oleanders) clinging to the rocks.

Believe it or not, visiting the beach of the Mermaids, or Il Duoglio Spiaggia, is a good option during the month of January. You'll enjoy a magical natural setting on two of the best beaches in Amalfi. You can relax, take amazing pictures and even go surfing.

Take a stroll along Amalfi's beaches

If you want to feel the sea breeze on your face as you breathe in the salty air and take in the scent of the Mediterranean scrub, then take a stroll along the beaches of Amalfi. You can lie on the sand, do yoga, relax and enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the season.

Take amazing pictures

The wintry atmosphere of Amalfi's beaches in January is the ideal backdrop for photo enthusiasts. You will see different perspectives of the sea merging with the sky, creating truly special compositions. All this, thanks to the cool tones, shadows, effects of natural light, among other aspects.

Get on your surfboard for a few minutes

Although the average water temperature in Amalfi in January is 14ºC, this will not be an impediment for surf lovers. You'll be able to take advantage of the choppy winter waters, which give way to big waves. Of course, you'll need to use the right equipment to avoid hypothermia and have experience surfing, as the sea is often rough.

Whether you're spending 1 to 4 days in Amalfi or even longer, you'll need to incorporate a visit to the Piazza Duomo into your itinerary. In this important shopping artery, you will find numerous shops with low prices in January.

Along your walk through this pedestrian area, which starts from Via Lorenzo, you will find dozens of shops where you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts. Such is the case of locally made paper, spices and herbs grown in the farms of the region.

You can also sit down in a pastry shop or restaurant terrace to take a break and enjoy, for example, a lemon tiramisu with a delicious Italian coffee or drink a glass of wine. All this while you enjoy the panoramic view of this picturesque city.

You can also take a close look at the Fountain of the Apostle Saint Andrew, which stands out in the centre of the square, just in front of the Cathedral. This is an emblematic marble monument, dedicated to the patron saint of the town.

Travelling to Amalfi in January you can discover the naval history of the town by visiting the Antico Arsenale, located in the historic centre. You'll see a series of exhibits with documents, artefacts and sculptures. All this, while you shelter from the winter cold of the season.

When you arrive at this ancient armoury, you will find inside the Museum of the Compass and the Maritime Duchy, which preserves collections belonging to the golden age of the ancient Marine Republic.

Among the objects to be seen are the following:

• The Tabula of Amalpha: this is a maritime code written in Latin.
• Several copies of Tarì: a coin minted by Amalfi for Mediterranean exchanges.
• Collection of historical garments, made and used during the Byzantine New Year procession.
• Nautical orientation tools such as the compass.

You will also see paintings by Domenico Morelli. In them, you will see the pediment of the Cathedral of Amalfi and some apostles.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm (winter). Every day from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm (summer).

Your 3-day itinerary in Amalfi or more cannot be complete without a glimpse of the town 's lively nightlife. You will soothe the January winter chill with delicious drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in the local bars and restaurants.

This is a tour you can undertake on your own, always being sure to enjoy a warm atmosphere, surrounded by locals and other tourists, who, like you, want to have fun.

Some of the bar-restaurants you can visit include:

• The Blue Sirena Bar: located on Via Duca Mansone I. You will enjoy theme nights, aperitif bar, a beautiful terrace and modern music.
• The Bar Masaniello Art Café, in via Matteo Camera. You will find a lively atmosphere, cocktails, beer and live DJs.

The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea is a must-see destination in winter or summer. So, no matter if you are passing through this town because you are touring the Amalfi Coast, or you plan to spend more or less than 5 days in Amalfi, you should take a tour of this historic monument.

You can stroll freely in the Cathedral of Amalfi, to contemplate its interior built in marble and decorated with baroque frescoes. You will see the high altar, the three inner naves in Gothic style and the amazing predominant details (mosaics, frescoes).

In addition, you will have access to other areas that make up the cathedral. For example:

• The exterior façade in Gothic and Renaissance style.
• The crypt, built over the tomb of the apostle Saint Andrew, who is the patron saint of this coastal town. There, you will see some of his relics brought from Constantinople.
• The 12th-centurybell tower, which stands adjacent to the monumental cathedral.

On the other hand, there is the cloister, which dates from 1268 and whose Norman style is evident through its six chapels. This area and the Cathedral's Diocesan Museum require an entrance fee. However, they are usually closed in January.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free except for the cloister and the museum, for which you have to pay an average price of 3€ per person.
• Opening hours: November to February (10am-1pm and 2.30pm-4.30pm). From March to June (9:00 to 18:45) and from July to September (9:00 to 19:45).

A walk through the narrow alley that runs through the heart of Amalfi to the Rione Vagliendola neighbourhood is definitely a must-do activity in January. You can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the winter season while enjoying a different perspective from the top of the cliff.

You will walk along Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi along one of the streets that connects to the side of Piazza dei Dogi. You will ascend a flight of steps with narrow arches to the Rione Vagliendola quarter, which in the 12th century once served as a shelter for the noble houses of Amalfi.

You can stop to observe how the city, the rough January sea and the cloudy sky that gives way to some rays of light, manage to come together harmoniously to give you a postcard panoramic view. In fact, you can incorporate this activity among the 10 things to do in Amalfi at night and enjoy an even more breathtaking perspective.

January in Amalfi belongs to the winter season. Therefore, during this month the thermometer usually registers a minimum temperature of 7°C, while the maximum does not exceed 13°C.

Moreover, it is important to take into consideration that January days are not only cold, but also short, with approximately 9 hours and 35 minutes of daylight (sunrise at 7:24 am and sunset at approximately 4:59 pm). Average rainfall is 148 millimetres, for a total of 7 days of rain.

If you visit Amalfi in January you will need to protect yourself from the cold and rain that are characteristic of this winter month. To do so, you will not only have to check the weather forecast. You will also need to put some recommendations into practice:

• Dress in layers like an onion. Start with a thermal, close-fitting garment. Next, wear a set of loose-fitting clothes (trousers and a T-shirt) and finish with a coat.
• Wear closed shoes with good traction. This will keep your feet warm and protected and prevent unexpected slipping when walking.
• Keep a mackintosh or umbrella handy, as it may rain unexpectedly.
• Drink coffee, tea and other hot beverages, so that your body temperature does not drop due to the cold weather.