Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are two of essentially the most stunning locations to go to in Italy. You have accomplished exceptionally properly when you’ve narrowed your decisions to those locations. The Cinque Terre cities are famously pastel-colored mini-destinations that spill over rocky outcroppings to small harbors. You can discover Cinque Terre as a day tour by boat, crusing up your entire part of the coast, or you’ll be able to base your self for a couple of days in your city of selection. The Amalfi Coast may also be tackled as a day tour however is barely higher suited to longer stays – with loads of luxurious resorts and lodging choices.
We have visited each and regardless of each being stunning locations in their very own proper, there are some vital variations between the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coasts. This information, which relies on our visits to the area, will inform you all you might want to know earlier than making that all-important ultimate choice.
Why Visit Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
If you don’t have time to learn this entire article, we needed to offer you a fast overview of why you need to select Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. In a really perfect world, you’d study all the ideas, tips, and important data, however this part is for these in a rush.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a simple place to go to, nevertheless it requires a bit extra effort. Set in northern Italy, it’s a possible weekend detour from Pisa or Milan. You can take a ship tour alongside the Cinque Terre cities (that are a lot simpler to entry by way of water), catch the practice, or drive round Cinque Terre.
Although, be warned, count on landslide warnings and hairpin turns. These cities are positioned 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 is subsequent to no parking, the streets are slender and it may be a hair-raising expertise. You are higher off taking the practice or boat. If you need to drive you’ll be able to park on the entrance of the villages however should stroll from there. There are some good mountaineering 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 also can prepare to go to by ferry. The Amalfi Coast is positioned in southern Italy, an inexpensive 1.5-hour drive from Naples and a simple day-tripping distance of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. It is finest suited to these renting a automotive who wish to make the most of a number of close by day journeys or who wish to keep in a resort and e-book guided day excursions.
The shoreline itself is absolutely lush and full of gorgeous seashores with a number of glitzy vacationer infrastructure. Instead of a ragged aesthetic, the Amalfi Coast is massively related to film stars and wealth. You’ll see loads of glossy lodging choices and luxurious journey alternatives. If you’re driving (like we did) simply remember that the roads alongside the coast are slender and there may be normally lots of site visitors together with busses. This could be nerve-racking for some so simply be ready.
The Main Difference Between Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
Now that you simply 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 seashore aesthetic, whereas Cinque Terre has a extra rugged draw. The distinction in their ‘personalities’ is the principle distinction between the 2 locations, particularly because the ‘personalities’ most dramatically affect your expertise when visiting. Let’s see how they weigh up towards one another.
Cinque Terre
For essentially the most half, Cinque Terre is all about rocky outcroppings, mountaineering, and boat excursions. While it will get stunning and sunny, it may be fairly dramatic on an overcast day – doused in thick fog and low-lying clouds once you attain the mountains. There are good mountaineering trails to get views of the cities from above, or you’ll be able to take one of many ‘five villages’ boat excursions. Cinque Terre is supposed to be an journey, and its ‘personality’ could be very a lot its unlikely rocky surroundings.
The distinction between the coloured homes and the jagged rock is beautiful. And the practice line between the cities is tremendous helpful, permitting you to hop between city after city to attempt scrumptious seafood and snap pictures. Remember, in case you are after a seashore vacation, the one actual seashore is Fegina Beach; most others are all rocks. Cinque Terre’s rocky structure means it isn’t your basic seashore vacation spot.
Amalfi Coast
Regarding this area’s character, go to the Amalfi Coast if you’d like luxurious inns or resorts. It is way flashier, with resort city after resort city frequented by A-listers and old-school film stars. If you need 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 affords rather more of a seashore vacation expertise, with a swanky fashion of character and a extra spacious structure.
Whether you select the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, you’ll be able to clearly see the areas’ character variations. The two provide utterly completely different packages, so take note of the expertise each can provide you.
Best Tours in Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre have an unimaginable choice of excursions which you can select to expertise the areas in a guided capability. Organized excursions have many advantages: they permit a much less demanding expertise, you don’t have to fret about transport, and so they allow you to match extra right into a smaller house. If 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 Tours
There are incredible alternatives to discover Cinque Terre by kayak. As the area is finest seen from water, we’d extremely advocate this as an adventurous and lively solution 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 good. The area has some scrumptious wine to pattern, and arranged excursions have a tendency to incorporate transport.
You ought to positively e-book a cooking class when visiting Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is thought for its tasty delicacies, particularly with seafood and pasta dishes. You can e-book an enormous vary of lessons.
Amalfi Coast Tours
Guided Path of the Gods hike
The Path of the Gods is essentially the most well-known hike on the Amalfi Coast. The path runs for five miles and covers historical mule routes, which initially linked completely different villages. You can hike this independently, however for a better expertise, a guided tour is the best way ahead. It takes round three to 4 hours to finish a technique.
Like Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast is fabulous for boat day journeys. Experiences like this tour take you alongside the shoreline for a day, supplying you with beautiful views and probabilities to swim in the ocean – normally with meals and drinks supplied onboard. This is a superb solution to maximize your expertise of the shoreline, even when you simply base your self in Amalfi city.
Classes like this cooking class are an excellent solution to embrace the Amalfi Coast and the meals tradition in Italy. Who doesn’t love Italian meals? To learn to make dishes like tiramisu and recent pasta, cooking lessons are incredible.
Where 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? When it involves 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 seeking to mix them with a serious metropolis, like Rome or Venice? Here’s what you might want to know.
Where is Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a area of 5 small cities (generally referred to as villages) linked by a practice line and a number of working harbors. It is positioned in northern Italy on the northwest shoreline simply beneath Genoa. It can also be located inside the Cinque Terre National Park. When it involves setting, it’s fairly rural. And whilst you can simply entry it by practice, be ready to commute from a serious metropolis like Genoa or Pisa – additional south.
So, how do you get to the Cinque Terre villages from Genoa? Easy. 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 practice 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 one journey. You’ll have a beautiful time navigating Cinque Terre by practice, and you may merely test the schedule on Google Maps earlier than reserving tickets on-line.
Where is The Amalfi Coast?
In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is in southern Italy and has glitzy resort cities with stunning seashores. The shoreline is positioned on the southwest coast of Italy. It runs roughly between Positano and Salerno, an space coated in seashores and low-lying mountains. It is only a 1.5-hour drive from Naples, the perfect place to fly into if touring straight to the Amalfi Coast. It will probably be helpful when you get a rental automotive, as Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius are only a quick drive away.
So, how do you get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples? That’s nonetheless a simple reply. The finest solution to attain the Amalfi Coast from Naples is by renting a automotive. The Campania area is beautiful to drive round. If you’re assured on massive roads, you received’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. If 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 positioned on the northwest coast of Italy. In distinction, the Amalfi Coast is positioned in the southwest. The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are inside straightforward distance of a serious metropolis and worldwide flight hub. So, in the case of transport, which is less complicated to get to – the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? And how do these locations match into a bigger Italian itinerary?
We’d say that Cinque Terre is best to succeed in in case you are utilizing public transport, as its practice line is incredible and serves virtually each village on the shoreline. However, when you hire a automotive, the Amalfi Coast is the best, because the roads are simpler to navigate and there are extra driveable day journeys. When selecting Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre primarily based on location and how one can get there, we’d take into account how assured you’re driving in Italy as an influential issue.
Things to Do in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Things to do are all the time useful when selecting between two locations. When it comes to picking between the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, you need to positively issue in what every vacation spot affords in phrases of an itinerary. It is value 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 sights for each locations.
Things to do in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre’s finest issues to do are its stunning hikes, which traverse dramatic clifftops and historical tracks. Cinque Terre is good for a lot of issues, although, and these are only a choose handful of the highest sights and actions you’ll be able to take pleasure in:
Things to do in 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 seashore days, however it is usually fabulous for day journeys, with entry to Capri, Naples, and past. These are the highest actions and sights on your itinerary:
How Much Time Do You Need In Each one
How a lot time do you want in the Amalfi Coast vs Cinque Terre? It is a difficult query, however what helps is that the reply is comparable.
You can take a day journey to the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre – you’ll be able to rapidly 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 normal rule, although, you would go to both the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre in a day when you actually needed.
However, the best period of time is 3-4 days at a minimal for each the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. This is as a result of the Amalfi Coast is ideal for stress-free and having seashore days, but additionally splendid for not less than in the future 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 mountaineering trails and expertise the cities when the day trippers depart.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation is broadly comparable throughout Italy, with visitor homes as the most well-liked type of funds lodging, mid-range inns, and a few high-end luxurious lodging choices. However, there are a couple of variations between Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast is rather more luxurious and has extra of a resort vibe, whereas Cinque Terre is extra of an intimate vacation spot in Italy. Expect extra family-run companies and impartial inns and lodging in Cinque Terre.
Let’s take a look at the highest lodging decisions for every funds stage in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Which area has lodging that most accurately fits you?
Cinque Terre Accommodations
Budget: Ostello Corniglia
This hostel is true in the center of Corniglia, only a 15-minute stroll from the practice station. It is hassle-free and affords 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 in the gorgeous city of Vernazza, only a quick stroll from the practice station. For an inexpensive worth of round $120 an evening, you get a mixture of double and single rooms, plus a day by day Italian breakfast.
Luxury: Hotel Porto Roca
This 4-star resort is a lovely luxurious spot with none stiff-lipped qualities. The ‘homey’ resort has a shocking out of doors pool with a sizzling tub – each of which have pretty views over the ocean. It is in the basic Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre’s essential city.
Amalfi Coast Accommodations
Budget: La Cascina Camere – Bed & Breakfast
This low-cost and cheerful mattress & breakfast possibility is massively budget-friendly in regards to the Amalfi Coast’s regular charges. It has free parking and a day by day included Italian breakfast. So in case you are renting a automotive, it’s properly value reserving.
Mid-range: Locanda Costa Diva – Praiano
This beautiful 3-star resort was as soon as a standard farmhouse and now serves as a fairly little resort with an adjoining restaurant that overlooks the ocean. You can take pleasure in villa-style aesthetics, with choices to e-book sea-view rooms.
Luxury: Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina is massively competitively priced in comparison with different luxurious inns on the Amalfi Coast, which regularly checklist as excessive as $2,000 an evening for traditional rooms. Instead, for round half the value, this elegant, stylish resort affords easy accessibility to a seashore by way of an elevator. Plus, there may be an indoor pool, fitness center, spa, and day by day breakfast buffet. Select rooms have ocean-view terraces.
Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
We are nice lovers of shoulder seasons – it’s no secret. As a normal rule throughout the board in Italy, avoiding the summer time excessive season is a good suggestion. During the excessive season, you’ll discover the most costly costs, packed sights, and, fairly frankly, essentially the most hectic expertise of each locations. Picking a shoulder season like April to early June or late September to early November is an excellent hack when visiting Italy.
But what about these particular locations?
Cinque Terre: September to November
Cinque Terre has the advantage of being extra of a mountaineering and sightseeing vacation spot than a seashore day and swimming vacation spot, merely because it has barely any actual seashores. This means 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 this motive, September to early November are the perfect months to go to Cinque Terre. We vote October as the final word month, because the high-season crowds are passed by then. You’ll have spectacular views and plenty of mountaineering potentialities, and also you received’t be battling crowds to understand them.
Amalfi Coast: June or September
With the Amalfi Coast, you’ll possible spend a number of time on a sandy seashore. For this motive, it’s value reducing your shoulder season tremendous to ensure heat climate and a heat sea for swimming. For occasion, visiting in early June, you’ll nonetheless narrowly keep away from the first excessive season, but you’ll get the heat and nice seashore day vibe. September is one other good possibility. If you care about warmth and swimming, the Amalfi Coast is value visiting as near the excessive season as potential to maximise the climate.
Costs in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Budget is all the time important to think about, and understanding what you’re stepping 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 rapidly. 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 Costs
Both areas can get costly, however Cinque Terre is the higher possibility when you have a decrease funds. Cinque Terre doesn’t have the identical celeb fame because the Amalfi Coast, and it isn’t constructed primarily based on luxurious resorts and eating places. Instead, Cinque Terre constructed its fame off of being (initially) an off-the-beaten-track location. Because luxurious isn’t a part of the area’s id, it doesn’t appeal to the identical costs. It is less expensive as an entire to go to.
That mentioned, Cinque Terre has restricted sources, which implies costs can get aggressive. Its cities are solely small. And because the area has change into more and more in style, there have change into extra vacationers than lodging in peak seasons, and eating places have additionally clocked on. Book in advance and keep away from peak season journey in case you are actually budget-conscious.
Amalfi Coast Costs
Generally 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 a number of 5-star inns and fine-dining eating places with stunning views.
The Amalfi Coast additionally has a caveat, although, which is which you can nonetheless go to on a funds. The similar rule applies: e-book in advance, letting you snag the perfect offers. You must also get lodging with self-catering services. You can make the most of grocery purchasing 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 you street 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 a beautiful time. Both areas are beautiful. As a fast ultimate level earlier than you go, although, take a look at these FAQs.
Which is best, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
Both Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast provide completely completely different vibes. The Amalfi Coast is rather more luxurious, with extra space and seashores. At the identical 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 essentially the most moderately priced rooms earlier than they promote out (lodging choices are rather more restricted). While each Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are comparatively costly, Cinque Terre is thought to be barely extra budget-friendly with enough planning.
Which coast of Italy is best?
The Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, lined with wealthy inexperienced house, because of volcanic soils and delightful seashores. It is straightforward to entry by way of automotive and has beautiful clifftop roads overlooking the ocean. The northwest coast – alongside Cinque Terre – is rather more rugged, with fewer seashores and extra dramatically perched villages with rocky harbors. If you need seashores, go to Amalfi Coast cities. If you need dramatic surroundings, Cinque Terre villages rapidly take the biscuit.
What is the prettiest city in the Amalfi?
Ravello wins this title. The resort city is dwelling to the Terrace of Infinity, which you’ll be able to 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? Both locations provide an actual sense of genuine tradition and uniqueness in Italy. The Amalfi Coast has its luxurious character with luxe inns and resorts and, in fact, freshly squeezed lemon juice on scenic clifftop laybys. Cinque Terre has a extra rugged attraction, with romantically desolate cities seemingly perched on jagged ocean cliffs. By now, you’ll know which one most accurately fits your journey fashion and upcoming journey to Italy. But maybe the actual query is, are you able to squeeze in each?
For extra concepts, when 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. While, for Cinque Terre, see this information on the place to remain – which features a rundown of the 5 villages and past.