What to Pack for the Amalfi Coast in September: The Ultimate Packing List
Planning what to pack for the Amalfi Coast in September turned out to be much easier than I expected.
Before our five-day trip, I kept checking the weather forecast, expecting I’d need to pack plenty of warmer clothes for the evenings. Instead, the forecast looked almost identical to a typical summer week, with warm temperatures every day and only one day showing rain—which, as it turned out, was accurate.
Because of that, I packed almost exactly the same way I would for a summer vacation.
Looking back after spending five days exploring Positano, Capri, Amalfi and Salerno, I wouldn’t change much about what I brought. There were a few items I was glad I packed, a couple of things I barely used, and a few practical travel essentials that made the trip much easier.
If you’re planning a trip but aren’t sure what to pack for the Amalfi Coast, this guide covers exactly what I packed for my five-day trip—and everything I’d recommend bringing.
Quick Packing Checklist
| Category | What I Packed |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Dresses, matching sets, cardigan, leggings |
| Shoes | Sandals, ballet flats, flip-flops |
| Beach | Bikini, one-piece swimsuit, cover-up, towel |
| Electronics | Phone charger, long charging cable, power bank |
| Toiletries | Mini toiletries and makeup |
| Documents | Passport/ID, cards, euros, insurance |
| Extras | Hair ties, blister patches, plastic bags, paper shopping bag |
What to Pack for the Amalfi Coast in September:
Clothes to Pack for the Amalfi Coast in September
Since the weather forecast predicted warm temperatures throughout our trip, I packed almost exactly as I would for a summer holiday.
For five days, I brought:
- 3 dresses
- 1 matching vest and shorts set
- 1 matching linen shirt and shorts set
- 1 top
- 1 lightweight cardigan
- 1 pair of leggings
- 1 lightweight tulle underskirt
- Pajamas
- Underwear
Planning my outfits before leaving made packing surprisingly easy.
Instead of throwing random clothes into my suitcase, I already knew which outfit I wanted to wear in Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. That also helped me avoid bringing lots of “just in case” clothes that I never would have worn.
One item I especially loved packing was my lightweight tulle underskirt. I wore it underneath my A-line dresses to give them a little more volume, and I loved how they looked in photos without making the dresses feel heavy or uncomfortable.
Looking back, the amount of clothing I packed was perfect for five days.
The only item I never ended up wearing was my leggings. Although I packed them in case the evenings turned chilly, the temperatures stayed pleasantly warm, and we were usually back at our accommodation before it became cold enough to need them.
Shoes to Pack
Shoes were probably the hardest part of packing because I wanted to bring enough options without taking up too much space.
For my five-day trip, I packed:
- One pair of elegant flat sandals
- One pair of flip-flops for the beach and our accommodation
- One pair of ballet flats
That turned out to be exactly the right amount.
I wore my elegant white sandals almost every day because they matched nearly every outfit I had packed. However, even though these sandals had always been comfortable before, the amount of walking we did eventually caused them to rub and give me blisters.
The Amalfi Coast involves far more walking than I expected, especially in places like Positano, so I’d definitely recommend packing a few blister patches just in case.
I wore my ballet flats while travelling between destinations and during our day in Capri, where they felt like the perfect balance between comfort and a slightly more elegant look.
Overall, three pairs of shoes were more than enough for five days, and I wouldn’t pack any more than that.
Swimwear & Beach Essentials
Although sightseeing was our main focus, we also spent time at the beach and on the water, so I wanted to pack swimwear that worked for different situations.
I brought:
- One bikini
- One black one-piece swimsuit
- One long black beach cover-up
- One lightweight linen shirt that also worked as a cover-up
- One compact travel towel
- One foldable beach bag
- One wide-brim straw hat
- Two pairs of sunglasses
I found myself wearing the bikini mostly for relaxing and sunbathing, while my one-piece swimsuit felt like the better choice for our boat trip around Capri.
One thing I’m especially glad I packed was my matching linen shirt. Besides wearing it as part of one of my outfits, I also threw it over my swimsuit several times as a lightweight beach cover-up, making it one of the most versatile pieces in my suitcase.
My foldable beach bag was another item that didn’t take up much room while packing but turned out to be incredibly practical throughout the trip.
Ferry Essentials
One thing I quickly learned during my trip is that ferry rides can feel much cooler than the temperature on land, especially in the morning or later in the evening. Even though September was warm, I was really glad I had packed a lightweight cardigan. It didn’t take up much space in my bag but was perfect whenever it got windy on the boat.
If you tend to get seasick, I’d also recommend bringing motion sickness tablets. The sea was generally calm during our trip, but there were moments when the ferry rocked quite a bit, and I can imagine that some people might find it uncomfortable.
Besides that, I always made sure to have my sunglasses, phone, power bank, and some water with me before boarding. We used ferries almost every day, so having these essentials within easy reach saved me from constantly searching through my luggage.
Toiletries
To save space, I packed almost everything in travel-sized bottles, which was more than enough for a five-day trip.
Here’s what I brought:
- Mini perfume
- Mini shower gel
- Mini shampoo
- Mini hairspray
- Mini deodorant
- Travel toothbrush
- Small hairbrush
- My everyday makeup essentials
- Two lipsticks
I didn’t feel like I had packed too much makeup either. Since most of our days were spent sightseeing, I only brought the products I actually use instead of packing my entire makeup collection.
Health & Medications
I always pack a small pouch with a few basic medications whenever I travel, even if it’s only for a few days. Thankfully, I didn’t need to use any of them during my Amalfi Coast trip, but having them with me gave me peace of mind.
For this trip, I packed:
- Pain relievers
- Sore throat medication
- Motion sickness tablets for the ferry
- My regular prescription medication
They don’t take up much room in your backpack, but they can save you a lot of stress if you need them unexpectedly.
Electronics
Besides my phone, there were a few electronics that turned out to be absolute essentials.
I packed:
- Phone charger
- A long charging cable
- Power bank
The power bank was probably one of the most useful things I packed. Between constantly using Google Maps, checking ferry schedules, taking hundreds of photos, and filming videos throughout the day, my phone battery drained much faster than usual.
I’m also glad I packed a longer charging cable. Not every hotel room has power outlets next to the bed, so having a longer cable made charging my phone much more convenient.
Italy uses Type C, F, and L power outlets. During my trip, my standard European two-pin charger worked perfectly everywhere I stayed. However, if you’re travelling from a country that uses different plug types, don’t forget to bring a suitable travel adapter.
I personally didn’t bring a camera or headphones, but if you enjoy photography or want something to keep you entertained during the flight, both could be worth packing.
Travel Documents
Before leaving home, I made sure I had all my travel documents ready.
Here’s what I packed:
- Passport or national ID card
- Bank cards
- Some euros in cash
- Travel insurance
- Boarding passes
I always recommend arranging travel insurance before your trip. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but having it gave me extra peace of mind while travelling.
Things I Was So Glad I Packed
Some of the items I packed didn’t really fit into any category, but they ended up being incredibly useful throughout the trip.
An Elegant Paper Shopping Bag
This might sound a little unusual, but one of the most practical things I brought was an elegant paper shopping bag.
Every morning before leaving our accommodation, I filled it with everything that wouldn’t fit inside my small handbag, including my power bank, long charging cable, lightweight cardigan for ferry rides, a bottle of water and sometimes even an extra pair of shoes or a change of clothes.
It was much more useful than I expected.
Plastic Bags
I also packed a few simple plastic bags, and I used every single one of them.
They came in handy for storing wet swimwear after the beach, keeping bakery items from getting grease on everything else, carrying small purchases, and even separating dirty laundry from clean clothes in my suitcase.
They’re lightweight, take up almost no space, and can be surprisingly useful.
Hair Ties
This is another small item that’s easy to forget.
Between the wind on the ferries and the warm afternoons, I found myself tying my hair up much more often than I expected.
Blister Patches
I honestly can’t recommend these enough.
Even though my white sandals had always been comfortable before, all the walking on the Amalfi Coast eventually gave me blisters. I was so glad I had packed blister patches because they made the rest of the trip much more comfortable.
Things I Almost Didn’t Use
Looking back, there wasn’t really anything I regretted packing.
The only item I never ended up wearing was my leggings because the evenings stayed warmer than I expected. Still, I don’t regret bringing them. Weather can change quickly in September, so I’d rather have packed one extra layer than wished I had one.
My Top Packing Tips for First-Time Visitors
Plan Your Outfits Before You Pack
One of the best decisions I made was planning my outfits before the trip. Knowing what I wanted to wear in Positano, Amalfi, and Capri helped me avoid packing unnecessary clothes and made getting ready each morning much easier.
Pack Clothes That Match Each Other
Choose colours that work well together so you can mix and match different pieces if your plans change. This gives you more outfit options without needing to pack extra clothes.
Wear Your Bulkiest Items on the Plane
If you’re travelling with hand luggage only, wear your biggest shoes and any heavier clothing while travelling. It saves valuable space in your suitcase.
Don’t Overpack
It’s tempting to throw in a few extra outfits “just in case,” but for my five-day trip, everything I packed was enough. I was much happier travelling with a lighter suitcase than carrying clothes I never wore.
Be Prepared for Unexpected Weather
Although September felt like summer during most of my trip, we were caught in a sudden heavy rainstorm one afternoon. A lightweight cardigan or an extra layer doesn’t take up much space but can be useful when the weather changes unexpectedly.
FAQ
Is a backpack enough for a 5-day trip to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, although I packed it to its limit. I travelled with just a backpack for five days and managed to fit everything I needed by planning my outfits in advance and avoiding unnecessary “just in case” items.
Should I bring cash to the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. Most places accepted card payments during my trip, but I was still glad I had some euros in cash for smaller purchases and situations where paying by card wasn’t convenient.
Can you buy forgotten items on the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, you’ll find pharmacies, supermarkets, and small shops in most towns. However, prices can be higher in popular tourist destinations, so it’s still worth packing the essentials before your trip.
Do I need to pack differently for September than for summer?
In my experience, not really. During my early September trip, the weather felt very similar to summer. I packed one extra layer for cooler evenings and unexpected rain, but otherwise my packing list was almost identical to what I’d take on a summer holiday.
