Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are two of probably the most lovely locations to go to in Italy. You’ve got executed exceptionally properly when 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 possibly can discover Cinque Terre as a day tour by boat, crusing up the whole 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.
Now we have visited each and regardless of each being lovely locations in their very own proper, there are some crucial variations between the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coasts. This information, which is predicated on our visits to the area, will inform you all it’s essential know earlier than making that all-important ultimate choice.
Why Go to Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast
If you happen to don’t have time to learn this complete article, we needed to offer you a fast overview of why you need to select Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. In a great world, you’d study all the information, tips, and important data, 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 possibly can 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 suggest driving round Cinque Terre. There may be subsequent to no parking, the streets are slim and it may be a hair-raising expertise. You might be higher off taking the prepare or boat. If you happen to should drive you’ll be able to park on the entrance of the villages however must 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. It’s also possible to organize to go to by ferry. The Amalfi Coast is situated in southern Italy, an affordable 1.5-hour drive from Naples and a simple day-tripping distance of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. It’s best suited to these renting a automotive who wish to reap the benefits of a lot of close by day journeys or who wish to keep in a resort and guide guided day excursions.
The shoreline itself is actually lush and full of lovely seashores with a lot of glitzy vacationer infrastructure. As a substitute of a ragged aesthetic, the Amalfi Coast is massively related to film stars and wealth. You’ll see loads of smooth 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’s normally quite a lot of visitors together with busses. This may be nerve-racking for some so simply be ready.
The Foremost 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 seashore aesthetic, whereas Cinque Terre has a extra rugged draw. The distinction of their ‘personalities’ is the primary distinction between the 2 locations, particularly because the ‘personalities’ most dramatically influence 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 lovely 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’ may 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 images. Bear in mind, if you’re after a seashore vacation, the one actual seashore is Fegina Seashore; most others are all rocks. Cinque Terre’s rocky format means it isn’t your basic seashore vacation spot.
Amalfi Coast
Relating to this area’s persona, go to the Amalfi Coast in order for you luxurious lodges or resorts. It’s a lot flashier, with resort city after resort city frequented by A-listers and old-school film stars. In order for you an Italian trip that channels the la dolce vita, the attractive sandy seashores, and ornate terraces alongside the Amalfi Coast match the invoice. This area presents way more of a seashore vacation expertise, with a swanky model 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 supply fully 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 choice of excursions that you could select to expertise the areas in a guided capability. Organized excursions have many advantages: they permit a much less tense expertise, you don’t have to fret about transport, and so they allow you to match extra right into a smaller house. If you happen to don’t have time to browse the choices, try these prime three for the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre Excursions
There are incredible alternatives to discover Cinque Terre by kayak. Because the area is greatest seen from water, we’d extremely suggest this as an adventurous and energetic 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 sensible. The area has some scrumptious wine to pattern, and arranged excursions have a tendency to incorporate transport.
It’s best to positively guide a cooking class when visiting Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is understood for its tasty delicacies, particularly with seafood and pasta dishes. You possibly can guide 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 historical mule routes, which initially related completely different villages. You possibly can hike this independently, however for a neater expertise, a guided tour is the way in which 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, providing you with attractive views and probabilities to swim within the sea – 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.
Lessons 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 discover ways to make dishes like tiramisu and recent pasta, cooking courses are incredible.
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? In relation to 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 know.
The place is Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a area of 5 small cities (generally known as villages) related 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 throughout the Cinque Terre Nationwide Park. In relation to setting, it’s fairly rural. And whilst 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 bounce 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 a beautiful time navigating Cinque Terre by prepare, and you may merely examine 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 lovely 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. It will likely be helpful when 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. The easiest way 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 large 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 happen to aren’t comfy driving in Italy, you’ll be able to guide 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, on the subject of transport, which is less complicated 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 incredible and serves nearly each village on the shoreline. Nevertheless, when 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 primarily based on location and tips on how to get there, we’d contemplate how assured you’re driving in Italy as an influential issue.
Issues to Do in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Issues to do are at all times useful when selecting between two locations. In relation to 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 value noting that each areas supply 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 greatest issues to do are its lovely hikes, which traverse dramatic clifftops and historical 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 get pleasure from:
Issues to do within the Amalfi Coast
It goes with out saying that there are a whole bunch of wonderful issues to do on the Amalfi Coast. The coast could be identified for seashore days, however additionally it is fabulous for day journeys, with entry to Capri, Naples, and past. These are the highest actions and points of interest on 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 comparable.
You possibly 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 might go to both the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre in a day when you actually needed.
Nevertheless, the best period of time is 3-4 days at a minimal for each the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. It is because the Amalfi Coast is ideal for stress-free and having seashore days, but additionally excellent for at the least 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 permits you to get pleasure from all of the mountain climbing trails and expertise the cities when the day trippers depart.
Lodging Choices
Lodging is broadly related throughout Italy, with visitor homes as the preferred type of funds lodging, mid-range lodges, and a few high-end luxurious lodging choices. Nevertheless, there are a couple 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. Count on extra family-run companies and impartial lodges and lodging in Cinque Terre.
Let’s take a look at the highest lodging selections for every funds stage in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Which area has lodging that most closely fits you?
Cinque Terre Lodging
Price range: Ostello Corniglia
This hostel is true in the midst 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 lodge is located within the lovely 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 lodge is a ravishing luxurious spot with none stiff-lipped qualities. The ‘homey’ lodge has a shocking outside pool with a sizzling tub – each of which have beautiful views over the ocean. It’s within the basic Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre’s fundamental city.
Amalfi Coast Lodging
Price range: La Cascina Camere – Mattress & Breakfast
This low cost and cheerful mattress & breakfast possibility is massively budget-friendly regarding the Amalfi Coast’s common charges. It has free parking and a every day included Italian breakfast. So if you’re renting a automotive, it’s properly value reserving.
Mid-range: Locanda Costa Diva – Praiano
This beautiful 3-star lodge was as soon as a standard farmhouse and now serves as a reasonably little lodge with an adjoining restaurant that overlooks the ocean. You possibly can get pleasure from villa-style aesthetics, with choices to guide sea-view rooms.
Luxurious: Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina is massively competitively priced in comparison with different luxurious lodges on the Amalfi Coast, which frequently checklist as excessive as $2,000 an evening for normal rooms. As a substitute, for round half the value, this elegant, stylish lodge presents quick access to a seashore through an elevator. Plus, there’s an indoor pool, fitness center, 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 normal rule throughout the board in Italy, avoiding the summer season excessive season is a good suggestion. In the course of the excessive season, you’ll discover the costliest 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 good thing about being extra of a mountain climbing and sightseeing vacation spot than a seashore 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 get pleasure from al fresco eating and nice sightseeing with out crowds. Because of this, 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 mountain climbing 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 lot of time on a sandy seashore. Because of this, it’s value slicing 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 seashore day vibe. September is one other good possibility. If you happen to care about warmth and swimming, the Amalfi Coast is value visiting as near the excessive season as potential to maximise the climate.
Prices in Cinque Terre vs the Amalfi Coast
Price range is at all times important to contemplate, and figuring out 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 guide out rapidly. With that in thoughts, although, let’s contemplate how value can influence your selection between the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.
Cinque Terre Prices
Each areas can get costly, however Cinque Terre is the higher possibility you probably have a decrease funds. Cinque Terre doesn’t have the identical movie star fame because the Amalfi Coast, and it isn’t constructed primarily based on luxurious resorts and eating places. As a substitute, Cinque Terre constructed its fame 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 mentioned, Cinque Terre has restricted sources, which implies costs can get aggressive. Its cities are solely small. And because the area has turn into more and more in style, there have turn into 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
Typically talking, the Amalfi Coast is the costliest 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 lot of 5-star lodges and fine-dining eating places with lovely views.
The Amalfi Coast additionally has a caveat, although, which is that you could nonetheless go to on a funds. The identical rule applies: guide upfront, letting you snag the perfect offers. You also needs to get lodging with self-catering services. You possibly can reap the benefits of grocery procuring and lower 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 street journey throughout Italy to go to Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast or a day journey to or guide a brief keep in only one, you’ll have a beautiful time. Each areas are beautiful. As a fast ultimate level earlier than you go, although, try these FAQs.
Which is healthier, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
Each Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast supply completely completely different vibes. The Amalfi Coast is way more luxurious, with extra space and seashores. On the identical time, the Cinque Terre is a bit more quirky, with a desolate attract and rugged aesthetic. We’d suggest Cinque Terre for an adventurous vacation and the Amalfi Coast for an opulent one.
Is Cinque Terre costlier than Amalfi Coast?
No, Cinque Terre is a little bit cheaper than the Amalfi Coast, as long as you guide to buy probably the most moderately 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 sufficient planning.
Which coast of Italy is healthier?
The Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, lined with wealthy inexperienced house, 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. In order for you seashores, go to Amalfi Coast cities. In order for you dramatic surroundings, Cinque Terre villages rapidly 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 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 can you select? Each locations supply an actual sense of genuine tradition and uniqueness in Italy. The Amalfi Coast has its luxurious persona with luxe lodges and resorts and, after all, 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 closely fits your journey model and upcoming journey to Italy. However maybe the true query is, are you able to squeeze in each?
For extra concepts, when you select to go to the Amalfi Coast, try this information on the prettiest and greatest 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.