Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are two of probably the most stunning locations to go to in Italy. You may have finished exceptionally properly in the event you’ve narrowed your selections to those locations. The Cinque Terre cities are famously pastel-colored mini-destinations that spill over rocky outcroppings to small harbors. You’ll be able to discover Cinque Terre as a day tour by boat, crusing up all the part of the coast, or you’ll be able to base your self for a number of days in your city of selection. The Amalfi Coast can be tackled as a day tour however is barely higher suited to longer stays – with loads of luxurious resorts and lodging choices.
We now have visited each and regardless of each being stunning locations in their very own proper, there are some important variations between the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coasts. This information, which relies on our visits to the area, will inform you all it’s essential to know earlier than making that all-important closing resolution.
Why Go to Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
Should you don’t have time to learn this entire article, we wished to provide you a fast overview of why you need to select Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. In a really perfect world, you’d be taught all the ideas, tips, and important info, however this part is for these in a rush.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a straightforward place to go to, but it surely requires a bit extra effort. Set in northern Italy, it’s a possible weekend detour from Pisa or Milan. You’ll be able to take a ship tour alongside the Cinque Terre cities (that are a lot simpler to entry through water), catch the prepare, or drive round Cinque Terre.
Though, be warned, count on landslide warnings and hairpin turns. These cities are situated on the base of steep cliffs, dramatically sitting on jagged rocks and spreading higgledy-piggledy on angles round their harbors. We don’t actually advocate driving round Cinque Terre. There may be subsequent to no parking, the streets are slim and it may be a hair-raising expertise. You’re higher off taking the prepare or boat. Should you should drive you’ll be able to park on the entrance of the villages however should stroll from there. There are some sensible mountain climbing alternatives, scrumptious seafood, and the aesthetic of pastel-colored homes in dramatic, rugged settings.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is way simpler to go to, with extremely accessible cities dotted alongside its shoreline. You can too prepare to go to by ferry. The Amalfi Coast is situated in southern Italy, an affordable 1.5-hour drive from Naples and a straightforward day-tripping distance of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. It’s best suited to these renting a automotive who wish to benefit from numerous close by day journeys or who wish to keep in a resort and e book guided day excursions.
The shoreline itself is actually lush and full of gorgeous seashores with numerous glitzy vacationer infrastructure. As an alternative of a ragged aesthetic, the Amalfi Coast is massively related to film stars and wealth. You’ll see loads of modern lodging choices and luxurious journey alternatives. In case you are driving (like we did) simply remember that the roads alongside the coast are slim and there may be normally a whole lot of site visitors together with busses. This may be nerve-racking for some so simply be ready.
The Primary Distinction Between Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
Now that you just perceive why you need to select the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, let’s dive deeper into our comparability. We love each of them, albeit for various causes. The Amalfi Coast has that old-money, classic automotive, glitzy seaside aesthetic, whereas Cinque Terre has a extra rugged draw. The distinction of their ‘personalities’ is the primary distinction between the 2 locations, particularly for the reason that ‘personalities’ most dramatically affect your expertise when visiting. Let’s see how they weigh up towards one another.
Cinque Terre
For probably the most half, Cinque Terre is all about rocky outcroppings, mountain climbing, and boat excursions. Whereas it will get stunning and sunny, it may be fairly dramatic on an overcast day – doused in thick fog and low-lying clouds if you attain the mountains. There are good mountain climbing trails to get views of the cities from above, or you’ll be able to take one of many ‘5 villages’ boat excursions. Cinque Terre is supposed to be an journey, and its ‘persona’ could be very a lot its unlikely rocky surroundings.
The distinction between the coloured homes and the jagged rock is beautiful. And the prepare line between the cities is tremendous helpful, permitting you to hop between city after city to attempt scrumptious seafood and snap pictures. Bear in mind, if you’re after a seaside vacation, the one actual seaside is Fegina Seaside; most others are all rocks. Cinque Terre’s rocky format means it isn’t your basic seaside vacation spot.
Amalfi Coast
Relating to this area’s persona, go to the Amalfi Coast in order for you luxurious motels or resorts. It’s a lot flashier, with resort city after resort city frequented by A-listers and old-school film stars. If you’d like an Italian trip that channels the la dolce vita, the gorgeous sandy seashores, and ornate terraces alongside the Amalfi Coast match the invoice. This area presents way more of a seaside vacation expertise, with a swanky fashion of persona and a extra spacious format.
Whether or not you select the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, you’ll be able to clearly see the areas’ persona variations. The 2 provide utterly completely different packages, so take note of the expertise each may give you.
Finest Excursions in Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre have an unbelievable collection of excursions you could select to expertise the areas in a guided capability. Organized excursions have many advantages: they permit a much less hectic expertise, you don’t have to fret about transport, they usually allow you to match extra right into a smaller area. Should you don’t have time to browse the choices, take a look at these prime three for the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre Excursions
There are implausible alternatives to discover Cinque Terre by kayak. Because the area is finest seen from water, we’d extremely advocate this as an adventurous and lively strategy to immerse your self in Cinque Terre and its surroundings. This tour is a superb instance.
Cinque Terre isn’t simply seafood; the wine tasting is equally sensible. The area has some scrumptious wine to pattern, and arranged excursions have a tendency to incorporate transport.
It’s best to positively e book a cooking class when visiting Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is understood for its tasty delicacies, particularly with seafood and pasta dishes. You’ll be able to e book an enormous vary of courses.
Amalfi Coast Excursions
- Guided Path of the Gods hike
The Path of the Gods is probably the most well-known hike on the Amalfi Coast. The path runs for five miles and covers historic mule routes, which initially linked completely different villages. You’ll be able to hike this independently, however for a better expertise, a guided tour is the way in which ahead. It takes round three to 4 hours to finish a method.
Like Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast is fabulous for boat day journeys. Experiences like this tour take you alongside the shoreline for a day, providing you with attractive views and probabilities to swim within the sea – normally with meals and drinks offered onboard. This is a superb strategy to maximize your expertise of the shoreline, even in the event you simply base your self in Amalfi city.
Courses like this cooking class are an excellent strategy to embrace the Amalfi Coast and the meals tradition in Italy. Who doesn’t love Italian meals? To discover ways to make dishes like tiramisu and contemporary pasta, cooking courses are implausible.
The place Is the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre – and How Do You Get There?
So, the place precisely is the Amalfi Coast? And the place is Cinque Terre? On the subject of deciding between Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, it helps to have the ability to pinpoint them for a number of causes. Do you have already got flights booked? Or are you trying to mix them with a significant metropolis, like Rome or Venice? Right here’s what it’s essential to know.
The place is Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a area of 5 small cities (generally known as villages) linked by a prepare line and a number of working harbors. It’s situated in northern Italy on the northwest shoreline simply beneath Genoa. It’s also located inside the Cinque Terre Nationwide Park. On the subject of setting, it’s fairly rural. And when you can simply entry it by prepare, be ready to commute from a significant metropolis like Genoa or Pisa – additional south.
So, how do you get to the Cinque Terre villages from Genoa? Simple. Genoa is an enormous transportation hub with many worldwide flights. Genoa is the capital of the Liguria area, and you may simply soar on a high-speed prepare to succeed in Monterosso al Mare, the primary city on the Cinque Terre coast. This takes over an hour; if you want, you’ll be able to proceed combining completely different cities in a single journey. You’ll have an exquisite time navigating Cinque Terre by prepare, and you may merely test the schedule on Google Maps earlier than reserving tickets on-line.
The place is The Amalfi Coast?
In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is in southern Italy and has glitzy resort cities with stunning seashores. The shoreline is situated on the southwest coast of Italy. It runs roughly between Positano and Salerno, an space coated in seashores and low-lying mountains. It’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Naples, the perfect place to fly into if touring straight to the Amalfi Coast. Will probably be helpful in the event you get a rental automotive, as Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius are only a brief drive away.
So, how do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples? That’s nonetheless a straightforward reply. One of the simplest ways to succeed in the Amalfi Coast from Naples is by renting a automotive. The Campania area is beautiful to drive round. In case you are assured on huge roads, you gained’t have any points driving to Amalfi after you fly into Naples. As talked about above, it takes simply 1.5 hours to drive from Naples to the Amalfi Coast – however you’ll be able to simply spend a full day detouring to Pompeii. Should you aren’t snug driving in Italy, you’ll be able to e book a switch or take public transport. By public transport, it takes round 2 hours by bus to succeed in Positano, the primary city on the Amalfi Coast.
To summarize, Cinque Terre is situated on the northwest coast of Italy. In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is situated within the southwest. The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are inside simple distance of a significant metropolis and worldwide flight hub. So, with regards to transport, which is simpler to get to – the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? And the way do these locations match into a bigger Italian itinerary?
We’d say that Cinque Terre is best to succeed in if you’re utilizing public transport, as its prepare line is implausible and serves nearly each village on the shoreline. Nevertheless, in the event you hire a automotive, the Amalfi Coast is the simplest, because the roads are simpler to navigate and there are extra driveable day journeys. When selecting Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre based mostly on location and tips on how to get there, we’d take into account how assured you might be driving in Italy as an influential issue.
Issues to Do in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Issues to do are all the time useful when selecting between two locations. On the subject of selecting between the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, you need to positively consider what every vacation spot presents by way of an itinerary. It’s price noting that each areas provide completely different day journeys, too, such because the Amalfi Coast providing higher entry to the ruins of Pompeii. In distinction, Cinque Terre offers entry to Pisa. These are the highest points of interest for each locations.
Issues to do in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre’s finest issues to do are its stunning hikes, which traverse dramatic clifftops and historic tracks. Cinque Terre is sensible for a lot of issues, although, and these are only a choose handful of the highest points of interest and actions you’ll be able to take pleasure in:
Issues to do within the Amalfi Coast
It goes with out saying that there are lots of of fantastic issues to do on the Amalfi Coast. The coast could be recognized for seaside days, however it is usually fabulous for day journeys, with entry to Capri, Naples, and past. These are the highest actions and points of interest to your itinerary:
How A lot Time Do You Want In Every one
How a lot time do you want within the Amalfi Coast vs Cinque Terre? It’s a tough query, however what helps is that the reply is analogous.
You’ll be able to take a day journey to the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre – you’ll be able to shortly dip your toes in and briefly expertise both of those locations. Cinque Terre is barely extra suited to this, because it is a bit more compact. The Amalfi Coast is normally mixed with Pompeii and Vesuvius, whereas Cinque Terre is handled as a standalone attraction. As a common rule, although, you possibly can go to both the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre in a day in the event you actually wished.
 Nevertheless, the best period of time is 3-4 days at a minimal for each the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. It’s because the Amalfi Coast is ideal for stress-free and having seaside days, but additionally perfect for a minimum of at some point journey to see the archaeology at Pompeii or perhaps a day journey to Capri. With Cinque Terre, 3-4 days is ideal as a result of it means that you can take pleasure in all of the mountain climbing trails and expertise the cities when the day trippers depart.
Lodging Choices
Lodging is broadly comparable throughout Italy, with visitor homes as the most well-liked type of price range lodging, mid-range motels, and a few high-end luxurious lodging choices. Nevertheless, there are a number of variations between Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast is way more luxurious and has extra of a resort vibe, whereas Cinque Terre is extra of an intimate vacation spot in Italy. Anticipate extra family-run companies and impartial motels and lodging in Cinque Terre.
Let’s take a look at the highest lodging selections for every price range degree in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Which area has lodging that most closely fits you?
Cinque Terre Lodging
Finances: Ostello Corniglia
This hostel is correct in the course of Corniglia, only a 15-minute stroll from the prepare station. It’s hassle-free and presents a mixture of mixed-gender, single-sex, and personal rooms. You additionally get a communal kitchen and eating space.
Mid-range: Pensione Sorriso
This 2-star resort is located within the stunning city of Vernazza, only a brief stroll from the prepare station. For an affordable worth of round $120 an evening, you get a mixture of double and single rooms, plus a every day Italian breakfast.
Luxurious: Resort Porto Roca
This 4-star resort is a phenomenal luxurious spot with none stiff-lipped qualities. The ‘homey’ resort has a surprising out of doors pool with a scorching tub – each of which have pretty views over the ocean. It’s within the basic Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre’s principal city.
Amalfi Coast Lodging
Finances: La Cascina Camere – Mattress & Breakfast
This low cost and cheerful mattress & breakfast choice is massively budget-friendly in regards to the Amalfi Coast’s standard charges. It has free parking and a every day included Italian breakfast. So if you’re renting a automotive, it’s properly price reserving.
Mid-range: Locanda Costa Diva – Praiano
This beautiful 3-star resort was as soon as a conventional farmhouse and now serves as a reasonably little resort with an adjoining restaurant that overlooks the ocean. You’ll be able to take pleasure in villa-style aesthetics, with choices to e book sea-view rooms.
Luxurious: Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina is massively competitively priced in comparison with different luxurious motels on the Amalfi Coast, which regularly listing as excessive as $2,000 an evening for normal rooms. As an alternative, for round half the worth, this stylish, stylish resort presents quick access to a seaside through an elevator. Plus, there may be an indoor pool, gymnasium, spa, and every day breakfast buffet. Choose rooms have ocean-view terraces.
Finest Time to Go to Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
We’re nice lovers of shoulder seasons – it’s no secret. As a common rule throughout the board in Italy, avoiding the summer time excessive season is a good suggestion. Through the excessive season, you’ll discover the most costly costs, packed points of interest, and, fairly frankly, probably the most hectic expertise of each locations. Choosing a shoulder season like April to early June or late September to early November is a superb hack when visiting Italy.
However what about these particular locations?
Cinque Terre: September to November
Cinque Terre has the advantage of being extra of a mountain climbing and sightseeing vacation spot than a seaside day and swimming vacation spot, merely because it has barely any actual seashores. This implies it’s ideally suited to a shoulder season go to, the place temperatures are nonetheless heat sufficient to take pleasure in al fresco eating and nice sightseeing with out crowds. For that reason, September to early November are the perfect months to go to Cinque Terre. We vote October as the last word month, because the high-season crowds are passed by then. You’ll have spectacular views and lots of mountain climbing potentialities, and also you gained’t be battling crowds to understand them.
Amalfi Coast: June or September
With the Amalfi Coast, you’ll probably spend numerous time on a sandy seaside. For that reason, it’s price chopping your shoulder season wonderful to ensure heat climate and a heat sea for swimming. For example, visiting in early June, you’ll nonetheless narrowly keep away from the first excessive season, but you’ll get the heat and nice seaside day vibe. September is one other good choice. Should you care about warmth and swimming, the Amalfi Coast is price visiting as near the excessive season as doable to maximise the climate.
Prices in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Finances is all the time important to think about, and realizing what you might be entering into cost-wise earlier than you arrive is useful. Cinque Terre and the area surrounding the Amalfi Coast are main locations when visiting Italy, so know that lodging will get costly and e book out shortly. With that in thoughts, although, let’s take into account how price can affect your selection between the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.
Cinque Terre Prices
Each areas can get costly, however Cinque Terre is the higher choice when you have a decrease price range. Cinque Terre doesn’t have the identical celeb status because the Amalfi Coast, and it isn’t constructed based mostly on luxurious resorts and eating places. As an alternative, Cinque Terre constructed its status off of being (initially) an off-the-beaten-track location. As a result of luxurious isn’t a part of the area’s id, it doesn’t appeal to the identical costs. It’s less expensive as a complete to go to.
That stated, Cinque Terre has restricted sources, which implies costs can get aggressive. Its cities are solely small. And because the area has turn out to be more and more well-liked, there have turn out to be extra vacationers than lodging in peak seasons, and eating places have additionally clocked on. E-book upfront and keep away from peak season journey if you’re actually budget-conscious.
Amalfi Coast Prices
Usually talking, the Amalfi Coast is the most costly of the 2 areas. It has a historical past of being a luxurious vacation spot and, as such, it has the lodging and fancy eating places to match. You’ll discover numerous 5-star motels and fine-dining eating places with stunning views.
The Amalfi Coast additionally has a caveat, although, which is you could nonetheless go to on a price range. The identical rule applies: e book upfront, letting you snag the perfect offers. You also needs to get lodging with self-catering amenities. You’ll be able to benefit from grocery buying and reduce prices with a kitchen.
Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast: FAQs
Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast is a query that passes many lips. Whether or not you highway journey throughout Italy to go to Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast or a day journey to or e book a brief keep in only one, you’ll have an exquisite time. Each areas are beautiful. As a fast closing level earlier than you go, although, take a look at these FAQs.
Which is best, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
Each Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast provide completely completely different vibes. The Amalfi Coast is way more luxurious, with extra space and seashores. On the similar time, the Cinque Terre is a bit more quirky, with a desolate attract and rugged aesthetic. We’d advocate Cinque Terre for an adventurous vacation and the Amalfi Coast for an expensive one.
Is Cinque Terre costlier than Amalfi Coast?
No, Cinque Terre is a bit cheaper than the Amalfi Coast, as long as you e book to buy probably the most fairly priced rooms earlier than they promote out (lodging choices are way more restricted). Whereas each Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are comparatively costly, Cinque Terre is understood to be barely extra budget-friendly with satisfactory planning.
Which coast of Italy is best?
The Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, lined with wealthy inexperienced area, because of volcanic soils and exquisite seashores. It’s simple to entry through automotive and has beautiful clifftop roads overlooking the ocean. The northwest coast – alongside Cinque Terre – is way more rugged, with fewer seashores and extra dramatically perched villages with rocky harbors. If you’d like seashores, go to Amalfi Coast cities. If you’d like dramatic surroundings, Cinque Terre villages shortly take the biscuit.
What’s the prettiest city within the Amalfi?
Ravello wins this title. The resort city is residence to the Terrace of Infinity, which you’ll go to on the Villa Cimbrone. It additionally has spectacular structure and extra surroundings from its terraced gardens.
So, the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, which is able to you select? Each locations provide an actual sense of genuine tradition and uniqueness in Italy. The Amalfi Coast has its luxurious persona with luxe motels and resorts and, in fact, freshly squeezed lemon juice on scenic clifftop laybys. Cinque Terre has a extra rugged enchantment, with romantically desolate cities seemingly perched on jagged ocean cliffs. By now, you’ll know which one most closely fits your journey fashion and upcoming journey to Italy. However maybe the actual query is, are you able to squeeze in each?
For extra concepts, in the event you select to go to the Amalfi Coast, take a look at this information on the prettiest and finest Amalfi Coast cities to go to in 2023. Whereas, for Cinque Terre, see this information on the place to remain – which features a rundown of the 5 villages and past.
