Most of the villages of Amalfi Coast have their own small beach, but they are made up of pebbles, not sand. Maiori and Vietri sul Mare have proper, long, sandy beaches. There are also some amazing hidden beaches on Amalfi Coast. If beaches are a top priority for you, then Amalfi Coast is the undeniable winner here. Dramatic cliffs meet the sea in both Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, and so hiking opportunities abound in both regions.
There is a gorgeous hiking trail connecting all five villages of Cinque Terre, called the Blue Trail. It takes about five hours from one end to the other, not counting stops. However, the sections between Riomaggiore and Manarola, and Manarola and Corniglia, are presently closed due to landslides and set to reopen in There are numerous other smaller hiking trails in the national park. There is also no shortage of hiking possibilities on Amalfi Coast.
But rather than connecting villages along the coast, which have more distance between them, many of these walks take trekkers up into the hills backing the towns. Both regions offer dramatic hiking opportunities, but we especially loved being able to hike between villages in Cinque Terre and then taking the train back. Both Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast are very touristy.
If you come at the peak of summer, though, you will still find Cinque Terre overrun with tourists. Amalfi Coast is without a doubt more touristy. The towns of Positano and Amalfi village feel more like a hangout for the rich and famous, and package tourist central, respectively.
Things are also priced accordingly. There are way more luxury resorts and accommodations, too trying search for the best ones here. Having said that, Amalfi Coast is really big, and parts of it are not touristy at all. When we stayed in the fishing village of Cetara, we felt we were the only tourists in town, and nearby Erchie was even more off-the-grid.
Both are touristy. But generally speaking, Cinque Terre has backpacker vibes while the main villages of Amalfi Coast are ultra-touristy. Choosing Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre for your trip to Italy is certainly not an easy decision to make. Because both of them are so rewarding in so many ways, I would say that the easiest way to make a decision is this: Plan out the other places you intend to visit in Italy first.
If your trip is focused on the north, then adding Cinque Terre makes sense. With kids, Amalfi Coast has more family-friendly accommodations and things to do but takes more time to explore.
In a single Italy trip, though? Still having trouble choosing whether to visit the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Let geography by your guide! Personally, we prefer Cinque Terre slightly over the Amalfi Coast, but it entirely depends on what you are looking for—and plenty of people will disagree with us! We live in South Florida. Can you tell me what order you would do each place.
Fly into where and go in what order to each place I mentioned. We have 14 days to use. I need itnerry.
WHere to I start and end? I have been reading articles including yours that indicate that maybe I might be better off removing Cinque Terre from the itinerary, perhaps adding another night in Sorrento and Tuscany instead, making for a more relaxing trip.
I have been reading about Ischia and Procida that sound interesting and also that Cinque Terre is so crowded that the towns are actually trying to reduce tourism.
I should add that I will be 58 and my fie 60 when we take this tour. My big worry is that this will be the trip of our lifetime and we may never be back to Italy, which is why my itinerary is fairly aggressive.
Do you have any thoughts that might help me? Ultimately the choice is up to you: if you really want to see both and think you might not go back to Italy, you should! You can never have too much time in Tuscany—the list of possible things to see and do is a mile long. One trip is never enough to see it all, and any combo of the destinations you mentioned is worthy of being called the trip of a lifetime. Most areas are easily accessible via car, train, or bus.
There are also regular boat trips to the island of Capri, a popular haunt of celebrities filled with designer shops, fine restaurants, the famous Blue Grotto, and sculpted gardens. The most popular towns are Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. The region is populated by five beautiful villages, some serene, others bustling with markets, seafood restaurants, and ancient castles and churches. You can walk, sail, or catch a train between the villages.
Each has a unique history to explore with churches, Roman villas, and hilltop gardens. The old town of Sorrento is filled with lively markets and piazzas, a marina, and shops selling all things limoncello.
The archaeological site of Pompeii is easily accessible too. Leisurely days can be spent wandering the atmospheric streets of old Napoli , feasting on pizza in its place of birth and lounging on privately chartered boats as you sail to the glamorous island of Capri. Just over an hour by train, Pisa offers insight into the lives of Galileo, Puccini, and the Medici family.
The city is home to an ancient basilica, bustling piazzas, and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Many Amalfi Coast resorts are seasonal. Therefore many places close between early November and mid-April. In the summertime, main beaches offer sun loungers and parasols which can be rented for the day, although there are more secluded beaches where you can take a towel and sunbathe for free.
Positano Beach is popular with Italians and tourists. There are amenities available including bars, shops, restaurants, and water sports. Monterosso Al Mare, the largest village, has one of the best beaches of the five villages.
Typically either Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast will be part of a larger Italian itinerary, but your overall circuit and flow may dictate which coastal destination works best for you. International travelers will ideally fly into Naples but Rome is a reasonable alternative depending on flight access.
A private transfer, a ferry, or a bus will deliver you to the heart of the coast. The Amalfi Coast would most easily be combined with the isle of Capri, Rome and possibly Tuscany for a longer trip.
When I wrote a similar post once upon a time about Anguilla vs. St Barths , I noted that the vibe was probably the best way to describe the difference between the two. For many travelers, the atmosphere itself is a make-it-or-break-it component and understanding the differences in the overall feel can be helpful in your decision making.
Let me also note that vibe and experience is a bit subjective and will differ depending on the season in which you travel so take this as a general sentiment. While both regions are composed of a collection of picturesque seaside towns, Cinque Terre feels more like a low-key fishing area in my opinion.
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