Things to Do in Positano in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Positano
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Positano in December is about 80% cheaper than July. That quiet, pastel-painted house clinging to the cliffside? It might be a hotel you could afford for a few nights, with a terrace overlooking a Tyrrhenian Sea that's a deeper, moodier blue.
- + The soundtrack shifts from buzzing scooters and chatter to the clang of rigging against masts in Marina Grande and the soft hiss of a winter sea against the pebbles at Spiaggia Grande. You'll get a table at the legendary Chez Black, a 50-year institution right on the sand, without the two-hour July queue.
- + The scent of woodsmoke from the chimneys of the villas stacked above town replaces the usual sunscreen and salt air, mixing with the sharp, damp-earth smell of the terraced hillsides after a rain. It's a more private, interior version of Positano.
- + Festive lights are strung along Via Cristoforo Colombo, the switchback road that is the town's spine, casting a warm, golden glow on the slick, wet cobbles after dusk, while the December air carries a crisp, clean chill that makes the occasional afternoon sun feel earned.
- − The sea temperature dips to about 16°C (61°F), which is bracing even for locals. Swimming becomes a very brief, invigorating ritual for the brave rather than a day-long activity.
- − A good 40% of the smaller boutiques, family-run trattorias, and boat rental operators simply close their shutters from mid-November through February. The famous Path of the Gods hiking trail above town is often slick with mud and can be shrouded in mist that obscures the views it's famous for.
- − Getting around the Amalfi Coast by local bus, the SITA line, becomes less reliable as the seasonal ferries to Amalfi and Capri stop running, and you're left navigating the winding, cliffside roads which can feel treacherously narrow when slick with winter rain.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 6°C | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 15°C | 7°C | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Apr | 20°C | 11°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| May | 23°C | 15°C | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C | 21°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jul | 31°C | 22°C | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Aug | 31°C | 21°C | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C | 19°C | 1.0 inches (25 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C | 13°C | 1.5 inches (38 mm) |
| Nov | 18°C | 9°C | 8.0 inches (203 mm) |
| Dec | 15°C | 6°C | 4.0 inches (102 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Positano in December is a quiet revelation. The thrumming pulse of summer tourism has receded, leaving the village to its own rhythm, one dictated by the cadence of winter light on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the rhythms of local life. You will feel a cool, often damp breeze coming off the water, a sharp contrast to the stored warmth of the sun on the lemon grove terraces. The air carries the scent of woodsmoke from kitchen hearths mingling with the crisp, mineral smell of recent rain on the stone staircases. The soundscape shifts from crowded chatter to the echoing call of gulls and the gentle, constant wash of waves on Spiaggia Grande. Most shops remain open, their windows glowing with festive lights that reflect on the wet cobblestones after a shower. But the pace is unhurried, allowing for a more intimate connection with the architecture tumbling down the cliffside. Locals reclaim their piazzas, and the seasonal focus turns inward, toward home, family, and the quiet appreciation of a landscape that, while less predictably sunny, possesses a dramatic, sometimes moody beauty. The weather is variable, with cool temperatures and a higher chance of rain compared to the dry summer. But this brings a clarity to the air, making the pastel houses of Positano appear vividly sharp against the grey-green slopes, and the sea a deeper, more serious shade of blue.
The BEST Private Amalfi Coast Vespa Tour
guided_experienceExploring the Amalfi Coast by private Vespa in December has a visceral, open-air freedom few other experiences can match. The roads are significantly less congested than in peak season, allowing you to feel the cool wind on your face and hear the sputter of the engine echoing against stone retaining walls without the soundtrack of summer traffic. You will see the coastline's dramatic cliffs and coves under soft winter light, with the occasional mist clinging to the hillsides adding a layer of mystery.
Discover the Magic of the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast by Vespa
otherDiscovering the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast by Vespa in December shifts the focus from battling crowds to pure immersion in the landscape's winter personality. The ride takes you past dormant lemon groves under their characteristic pagliarelle roofs and through villages where you can smell the faint scent of chestnuts roasting from a quiet bar. The views across the bays are often sweeping and unobstructed, the sea a choppy, deep cobalt blue under the variable sky.
Ravioli & Tagliatelle Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Positano
foodA ravioli and tagliatelle cooking class in a local's home in Positano captures the heart of winter in Campania. This is the season for hands-on, indoor pleasures, and you will feel the warmth of the kitchen, hear the rhythmic thud of pasta dough being kneaded on a marble slab, and taste the bright, tangy flavors of a freshly made tomato sauce or a rich ragù simmering on the stove. The experience is one of genuine hospitality, away from the empty tourist kitchens of summer.
Private boat tour of the Amalfi coast or Capri
cruiseA private boat tour along the Amalfi Coast or to Capri in December is a study in contrasts. The sea can be calm and brilliantly reflective one moment and briskly choppy the next, with the cool, salty spray feeling invigorating on your face. You will see the coastline's famous villas and coves from a perspective of near solitude, the water a deeper, more profound shade of blue, and hear only the sound of the boat's engine and the waves.
Amalfi Coast Gems; Private Tour of Amalfi, Ravello, Minori,Maiori
private_tourA private tour of Amalfi Coast towns like Ravello, Amalfi, Minori, and Maiori in December allows for deep, unhurried exploration. You can appreciate the intricate marble work of Ravello's cathedral without jostling, hear your footsteps echo in Amalfi's cloister, and taste a warm sfogliatella from a pasticceria in Maiori without waiting in a line. The driving routes between towns offer clear, sweeping vistas of the terraced landscape under the soft winter sun.
Amalfi Coast tour
guided_experienceAn Amalfi Coast tour in December is defined by accessibility and atmosphere. The roads are navigable with less traffic, allowing more time at viewpoints to see the way light plays on the cliffs and villages, and the towns themselves have a quiet, lived-in authenticity. You might feel the chill of a stone church interior and smell the distinct aroma of espresso and baking bread from a cafe that caters to residents.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
From early December, nearly every church in Positano and the surrounding villages sets up an elaborate presepio. These are intricate, often mechanical dioramas built into grottos or entire rooms, featuring local landscapes and hundreds of hand-painted figurines. The one in the main church, Santa Maria Assunta, is a focal point. But wandering the quieter upper lanes to discover smaller, family-like displays in tiny chapels is the real joy.
On December 8th, Positano marks the official start of the Christmas season with a solemn yet beautiful procession. A statue of the Virgin Mary is carried from the Santa Maria Assunta church down to the marina, accompanied by the town band and the soft glow of lanterns against the dusk. It's a local event, less a spectacle for tourists and more a quiet, moving tradition that gives you a sense of the town's deep-rooted community spirit.
If your visit stretches into late December, New Year's Eve in Positano is an experience. The main piazza fills not with a raging party. But with families and visitors sharing a midnight toast. There's often a local band, the clinking of prosecco glasses, and at midnight, a modest but heartfelt fireworks display launched from a boat in the bay, their reflections dancing on the dark water. It's intimate, charming, and feels a world away from the crowded mega-events elsewhere.
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