rcab

We are two couples researching a trip to Italy in late March 2014, and are interested in possibly including the Amalfi coast in our itinerary. It seems that many hotels in Positano, for example, are closed until April. Even if we find a hotel, will restaurants etc. be closed and is it better to go on a future trip at a different time of year?
We appreciate any input and help...thank you!

nytraveler

We have been twice - in the second half of May - and at that point everything is open, the hotels are opening their pools, the weather is nice (for the most part) and ferries are running.

At the end of March you may get a day that's 60 and sunny - or you may get 45 and rainy. And yes, a lot of things are either closed or on the winter schedule. Not sure why you would want to go to a beach resort in winter. You can still sight see (although major sights - like Pompeii will have much shorter opening hours) and ferries will be few and far between.

Rubicund

If your dates are fixed through work etc. then avoid the resort areas and stick to cities. Few hotels and restaurants will be open before Easter, which falls on the weekend of the 18th April in 2014. There are those who will confirm that they were on the AC and the weather was in the 80's in March, but that doesn't really happen very often, if at all.

If your dates are flexible, then wait a couple of months. It's still not very busy in May but the weather is so much better and places are open.

rcab

Thank you so much for this information...very helpful!!

arnthal

March, as your other readers have already said, is not ideal at all, because of the changeability of that month's. Not for nothing Italians call March - marzo pazzo - crazy March. If you must go that month, try some of the B&Bs to broaden your selection.

jgg

We were just in the Amalfi Coast at the end of March this year. We stayed in Sorrento and tons of hotels/restaurants/stores, etc. were open, although our hotel pool was not filled, but it was too cold for that anyway. We were there for 4 nights and had cooler weather with some rain. Best day was the day we went to Capri where everything was opened there as well.

DRJ

What the hell. Go. You'll love it.

aliced

We too were in Sorrento/Amalfi Coast in third week of March few years back; had one rainy day in Sorrento, our days in Capri, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast (2 days there, one in Positano another out to Ravello) were splendid as was last day in Sorrento. Everything seemed open from what we saw. Cool, but sun was strong so for the most part, no jackets except for the rainy day in Sorrento (which was quite cool). Then stayed another 5 days in Tuscany and weather was perfect(long sleeves and spring jackets for evenings). Last time in Rome was also another year in March and we had one chilly rainy day out of five. Typically, we've had best luck in Sept/Oct in Western Europe.

rcab

Thanks to all for your responses!