Cinque Terre Vs. Amalfi Coast: Should You Visit Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you might be wondering whether you should visit Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast. After all, they look pretty similar in photo, with the perched houses, green cliffs and beautiful sea.

However, they’re actually pretty different destinations, both in terms of budget, crowds, things to do, and vibe. If you need help figuring out which one is for you, you’ve come to the right place!

My family is from Cinque Terre and I visited the Amalfi Coast multiple times, so I know fairly well how they compare. In this article, I have outlined the main differences between Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast.

Including prices, crowds, things to do, vibe, and how easy or not they are to explore. So what are you waiting for? Read on, and settle the Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast debate!

Which is Cheaper: Cinque Terre Vs Amalfi Coast

Is the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre better in terms of price? It’s a good question. For a lot of people, they both sound as though they’re going to be pretty expensive, but that’s not actually the case.

The prices of various things are a little bit lower in Cinque Terre compared to Amalfi. While still somewhat expensive, food, transport and accommodation in Cinque Terre, tend to be on the more affordable side.

Generally speaking, Cinque Terre has less of a luxury reputation than Amalfi Coast, which is where the island of Capri is, and that’s well known for its celebrity connections.

Even Positano has a pretty glamorous reputation, and you’ll find lots of fancy hotels in Amalfi Coast in general.

The same goes for restaurants and activities. While there are some affordable options, the majority will be on the higher end.

Ultimately it depends on what your Italy travel budget is, but if cost is a deciding factor then this is just something to bear in mind.

Which has Fewer Crowds: Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast for Crowds? 

Neither! They’re both really popular destinations. Amalfi Coast is the home of what everyone dreams about when they think “dolce vita” and book a holiday to Italy.

It’s got those famous coastline views. The towns are beautiful, and it’s close to Naples, making transport to and from the area fairly simple.

Cinque Terre is also famous (it’s a a UNESCO World Heritage Site after all), and very busy in peak season.

People love to hike the Sentiero Azzurro between the towns here, so the paths get super crowded, accommodation is booked up, and the local trains and buses can be really busy.

But between the two, the Amalfi Coast is larger and has more towns to explore. Even though there might be more people, you have better chances of escaping the crowds in Amalfi.

Amalfi Coast Vs. Cinque Terre: Which Has More Things to Do?

It’s a tough one, but I would say that Amalfi Coast has more things to do. Firstly, this area is set over a larger area, so naturally there’s more places to visit.

Although it’s not “technically” the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento on the opposite coast is a destination in itself.

It’s also close to Napoli, which is cool to visit, and the ancient wonder of Pompeii, so there’s loads you can do by staying in Amalfi Coast.

Cinque Terre, on the other hand, has smaller towns in a generally more rugged, rural area. The “Five Towns” themselves (and a couple of others) are the main attractions.

So, if you’re wondering, “Is the Cinque Terre similar to Amalfi Coast?” I’d say kind of.

They’re both coastal areas with pretty towns, lots of hiking, gorgeous views and boat trip opportunities, except there is just more of it in Amalfi Coast.

One thing I will say is that the boat trips in Cinque Terre are better than those in Amalfi Coast, simply because of the more stunning views.

If you’re planning an Amalfi Coast itinerary I would say you need minimum five days to see everything on the coast and beyond it, like Pompeii and Capri.

Whilst you could easily visit Cinque Terre in two days, with many people even squeezing it into a Cinque Terre day trip.

Which is Easier to Visit: Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?

When I talk about easier, I’m referring to ease of transport, and how easy or not it is to get around and explore.

Personally, I would say Cinque Terre comes out on top. Each of the towns — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — has its own train station.

Travel between them is simple. And as the track runs along the dramatic coastline, these are some of the most scenic and coolest train rides ever!

Amalfi Coast is lacking in trains. The town of Amalfi itself doesn’t even have a train station; the nearest one is at Vietri (officially Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi) around 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) away, or around a 45-minute drive.

Sorrento also has a train station.

To get around the Amalfi Coast you’ll have to rely on ferries and the SITA bus service, connecting a whole lot of towns and villages including Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori and Minori, Positano, Praiano and Ravello. 

It’s not complicated, but the public transport doesn’t run very regularly, and if you’re visiting Italy in summer when the crowds arrive, often there just aren’t enough for everyone.

You either do the journey crammed next to strangers, or end up missing it and having to wait for the next one.

Simply because of its smaller area, Cinque Terre is easier to get around. Plus going from town to town by hiking is one the major things to do in Cinque Terre anyway!

Is the Vibe of Cinque Terre Similar to Amalfi Coast?

Firstly, they’re in completely different regions. Cinque Terre is in Liguria, which is next door to Monaco, right up in the northwest corner of Italy. Amalfi is in Campania.

But the landscapes are pretty similar. Both have quite rugged cliffs, colourful towns clinging to the rocks, beaches, and cobbled streets, with plenty of churches and palazzos to explore.

Cinque Terre tends to attract outdoorsy types, who come for the relatively easy but very rewarding hiking between the Five Towns.

Often, it’s a more alternative kind of person who travels to Cinque Terre, even though it’s now just as touristy as Amalfi Coast. 

Arguably Cinque Terre only really became globally famous after being made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Amalfi Coast still has good hiking, but it’s better known as the place to indulge in the coastal charm of it all. Think lunches overlooking the sea, boat trips to the islands of Capri and sunset boat tours in Positano. 

It also has prettier beaches than Cinque Terre, and more of them too. 

Which Has Better Food Scene, the Italian Riviera vs. Amalfi Coast?

While both the Italian Riviera (Cinque Terre is part of this) and Amalfi Coast have delicious, good quality food, Amalfi Coast just about wins this round.

The reason being is that there are more restaurants with more established chefs.

Amalfi Coast has more restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide (or with stars) — Hostaria Baccofurore in Furore, for example — than Cinque Terre. 

The two regions have different food cultures too. 

Cinque Terre is informed by Genovese cuisine, which means things like pesto (which originated there), farinata (a type of pancake made from chickpeas) and ravioli alla genovese (a classic).

Seafood, of course, plays a big part in coastal cuisine.

Campanian cuisine is bold, with the Amalfi Coast having a focus on fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood.

Amalfi has its own special pasta called scialatielli (it’s extra thick), and pomodori pachino (cherry tomatoes) are used in abundance. 

Final thoughts on visiting Cinque Terre or Positano?

There you have it, the ultimate guide to help you choose whether you should visit Cinque Terre or Positano! Have you been to either town before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

I’m partial to Cinque Terre as my grandma lived there and I visited loads of times growing up, but the Amalfi Coast is also an incredibly stunning area.

Last time I visited I was impressed by the sheer size of it, and just how much there is to see and do.

Personally I would say that for an Italy itinerary to be complete, you should include both a visit to Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. If you have 2 weeks in Italy it’s doable, however any less than that would probably be tight.

If you have to choose between the two, I hope this guide has helped you figure out which is best for you and your Italy bucket list!

If you still need help deciding whether to visit Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast, ask any questions you may have below!

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