Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

Are you planning an Italian vacation and wondering which destination to choose, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast? I’ve scouted them and will help you make an informed decision.

I have considered all the important aspects of planning a vacation: accessibility, cost, activities, weather, and more. 

I believe Cinque Terre and The Amalfi Coast should be on anyone’s Italy bucket list. However, because of their location—one in the north and the other in the south—it can be a bit difficult to cover them during one vacation.

Once you go through this post and choose your destination, make sure to read my comprehensive guides for Cinque Terre here, and for the Amalfi Coast here!

This post contains affiliate links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. Read more about this on our disclosure page here.

Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast: Which one should you choose?

Before we start, let me tell you that both locations are great if you are looking for:

• Hiking 
  • Cinque Terre offers more choices, and even in the settlements, you have to climb stairs and steep slopes. On top of that, there are trails linking the 5 towns, some more difficult than others (hiking the Sentiero Azzurro, for example, is one of the easiest trails). We did the hike from Vernazza to Corniglia, which was moderate in intensity, but the vistas made it worthwhile.
  • The Amalfi Coast has several good hiking trails, including the famous Path of Gods.
• Colorful towns 
  • The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre are more laid-back, with colorful houses perched on the side of a hill. Each is different and offers beautiful sea views. Although not one of the 5, the nearby Porto Venere is as lovely and deserves a visit, if not a stay. 
  • On the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find all kinds of smaller and larger towns, not only the well-known Positano and Amalfi. Places like Atrani and Vietri sul Mare won’t disappoint and will brighten your day with their colors. 
• Natural landscapes – neither location lacks natural beauty, especially if you go on a hike or step outside of the popular areas. 

Now, let’s take the most important things one by one and see which one, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast, is better. 

Read also: 30+ Italian gifts for Italy lovers

Location and access

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is located in the northern part of Italy and is well-connected by rail lines to the larger cities in the area. You can easily travel to Cinque Terre by train, whether you are coming from Florence or Bologna. 

Milan is also a great point of arrival due to its larger airports. On your way to Cinque Terre, you can follow in our footsteps and stop in Genoa.

A train ride from Milan to the Cinque Terre through Genoa will take around 3 hours, the same for Bologna, while from Florence will take roughly 2 hours.

Book your tickets in advance here and get the best prices and timetables.

The Amalfi Coast

Reaching the Amalfi Coast is a bit more challenging. Unfortunately, taking the train all the way is not an option.

One option is to travel by train from Rome or Naples until Sorrento and then take the bus to your destination on the Coast (e.g., Positano, Amalfi, and so on). Alternatively, you can take a boat from Sorrento.

Recently, Salerno inaugurated its airport. So, if you happen to land there, you can take the bus or a boat to the Coast.

Also, you can rent a car at your (air)port of entry. Be aware, though, that driving on the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast is recommended only for experienced drivers. Moreover, finding a parking spot during peak season can be an impossible task. According to various estimates, tourist coming to the Coast list the parking fees as their second highest expense line in their vacation budget.

Still, sometimes driving can’t be avoided. When I visited on different girl trips, buses and boats were the most straightforward options. However, when I came with my husband and our small baby, driving was our only feasible alternative.

If you choose to rent a car, check out Discover Cars, an aggregator that will help you find the best offer out there and save up to 70%.

Lastly, you can book a private transfer from Naples to Positano or Amalfi town.

Accommodation

Cinque Terre

One thing I can tell you from the start: if you are looking for luxury hotels, Cinque Terre is probably not the place for you.

Still, even though most accommodation options are in apartments or B&Bs, that doesn’t mean they are not quite lovely. 

In fact, during one of our visits, we chose Riomaggiore as a base camp and booked a lovely apartment with a balcony that overlooked the whole village. It was perfect despite the numerous stairs we had to climb every day.

Don’t get me wrong! There are hotels available in the area, though not as many.

There are some good hotel options in La Spezia, or the lovely Porto Venere, only a few minutes away by train or ferry. 

Check out the Grand Hotel Portovenere, which is a great option if you celebrate a special occasion. Or the Le Ville Relais with its infinity pool, located in La Spezia. 

Long story short, although the options are a bit more limited, the Cinque Terre offers decent value for your money.

The Amalfi Coast

Since it is the go-to place for those celebrating special occasions (e.g., honeymoon, wedding anniversary) but also because it is considered a high-class destination, the Amalfi Coast is not known for cheap accommodation.

That’s why, if you choose the Amalfi Coast, be prepared to stay in posh places, but don’t forget your wallet and credit cards.

Hotels like Le Sirenuse, Buca di Bacco, or Villa Boheme, are anyone’s dream, with amazing services, stunning views, and dreamy Italian design. 

Still, there are different shades of expensive.

The further you stay from fancy Positano, the lower the accommodation prices. Staying in Sorrento can be a smart option. We once stayed in a nice Airbnb in Vietri Sul Mare (unfortunately, that specific apartment is not listed anymore, but there are other good apartments available on the app).

Getting around

Cinque Terre

Getting around the Cinque Terre is super easy and fast since the 5 settlements are connected by a train that goes from Levanto to La Spezia, stopping in every village. 

You can buy daily tickets for the Cinque Terre Express or choose to pay for every single ride.

Furthermore, ferries service each towns, and I suggest combining these means of transportation – seeing Riomaggiore or Vernazza from the sea is priceless. 

The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is serviced by SITA bus, and you can find the bus timetable here.

Please note that when you travel by bus, you should plan your trip carefully, especially in peak season. Buses can become crowded, and you might not be able to board the first bus passing by you.

One time, we waited for more than 30 minutes for a bus, and bearly made it in once it arrived. 

Buy your ticket in advance from a tabaccheria in any town and validate it as soon as you board.

Renting a car and driving around would be another option, but that’s not always easy. Read our relevant guide here.

One of the best options is the ferry. Several boats depart daily from Salerno, Positano, or Amalfi town. And it is faster than the terrestrial transportation alternatives. 

Book your ticket online here.

Please note that the ferries run only from the 1st of April to October 31st.

Sightseeing

Cinque Terre

You can easily hike from one village to the other, explore La Spezia, Porto Venere, spend time on the beach in Monterosso a Mare, and hunt for the most Instagrammable places in the Cinque Terre.

Or, you can go on wine-tasting tours, go kayaking, take a day trip to Florence, or even take the train and explore the famous and picturesque Portofino. 

The Amalfi Coast

While I never tire of the views in Positano, the Amalfi Coast has much more in store. 

From boat trips to luxurious Capri Island to the intense turquoise of the Blue Grotto, or the stunning views from Villa Rufolo.

If you love history, you should schedule day trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The two ancient cities were buried under volcanic ash and pumice in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

The death and the destruction of that faithful day were preserved under the ash for millennia, offering a window into how people lived at the height of the Roman Empire.

Beaches

Cinque Terre

Don’t expect to find sandy beaches or wide strips of them. For that, you should plan a vacation in Puglia instead.

The best beach in the Cinque Terre in Monterosso al Mare, but it is a pebble one.

Another town where people come for vacations at the beach is Vernazza. The small strip in the town proper gets crowded, so look for the beach behind the cliffs, a few minutes outside of town.

The bathing place in Manarola, which is not actually a beach, consists mainly of cliffs and crystal-clear water. 

If you prefer a wider strip of beach, drop by Levanto and Bonassola.

The Amalfi Coast

Similarly to the Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast is not known for its great beaches. Every town has at least one small beach, but they are mostly pebble and rough volcanic sand rather than the white-golden velvety sand you might find in Puglia or Sardinia.

Positano‘s beach is popular with tourists, so expect it to be crowded during peak season.

You’ll find better beaches in Vietri sul Mare, Erichie, Furore, and Maiori.

When we stayed on the eastern end of the Coast, our go-to beach was the one in Cetara. Although small, it was clean and not crowded, so Baby Iris could chase the seagulls and pigeons without disturbing too many people. There is also a small playground near the beach, which is a plus for those traveling with smaller children.

Day trips

Cinque Terre

With plenty of day trips available, Cinque Terre is well-located for exploring Tuscany and its vineyards.

Florence, La Spezia, and Pisa are within reach, but you can visit also hidden gems like colorful Rapallo, Genoa, Lucca, and Montecatini Terme. 

The Amalfi Coast

If you stay in Sorrento or Positano, you can easily go on day trips to Capri or Ischia, but also to famous historical sites like Pompeii or Herculaneum. 

However, even if you stay on the eastern side of the Amalfi Coast, you can still reach the same points of interest – it just adds 30-60 minutes more to your journey.

Check out our Amalfi Coast guide for more details.

Food

Cinque Terre

It is unanimously accepted that food is great anywhere in Italy. Or so I thought until our Asian friends confessed that they did not like the cuisine during their visits.

Differing tastes notwithstanding, there are some specialties you should try while in the Cinque Terre area.

The famous Pesto Genovese is used with fresh pasta and focaccia.

I also loved the lemon, mint, and basil ice cream with its amazingly refreshing taste. 

Finally, you can’t visit the seaside without trying some fish or seafood, especially misto fritto – the deep-fried daily catch.

The Amalfi Coast

Famous for its lemons, this ingredient is present in most dishes available on the Amalfi Coast.

When not driving, have a shot of limoncello and try the local lemon sorbet. And don’t forget that you are on the Coast—go for the fresh fish and seafood. 

Weather

Cinque Terre

Due to its location in the North of Italy, Cinque Terre’s weather is a bit colder during winter, so it’s not a good time to visit for those looking for sun and warmth.

However, spring and fall are great!

The best time to visit is from the second part of March up to the beginning of June and from September to November.

Summer can be torrid, not to mention the crowds. If you can, avoid this period.

Please note that the official season is between 1st April and 31st October, so if you come earlier or later, some activities and sights might not be available.

The Amalfi Coast

With a warmer climate, the Amalfi Coast could actually be visited year-round. However, many hotels, tours, and ferries operate only between the 1st of April and the 31st of October.

Even though I visited once in August, I wouldn’t do that again. Prices are the highest, and the heat can be unbearable. We had our best experience on the Amalfi Coast in late April – early May.

Why you should choose Cinque Terre

If you are looking for a more affordable destination with plenty of hiking options and beautiful natural landscapes, the Cinque Terre is for you. Moreover, historical and cultural icons like Florence, Bologna, and Genoa are within reach. 

The vibe is more authentic and less commercial, and Ligurian cuisine is delicious.

Why you should choose the Amalfi Coast

It might be thronged with tourists and overpriced, but the Amalfi Coast is the jewel of the crown for a reason. Stunning views, glamorous hotels, and colorful towns are just a few reasons to visit at least once in a lifetime.

I suggest you reserve the Amalfi Coast for special events, such as a honeymoon or wedding anniversary.

So, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?

Being a travel blogger (married to a writer) has some disadvantages compared to our previous lives as corporate people. However, it also comes with numerous blessings, such as the opportunity to spend ample time in both the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast.

So, I understand the difficulty of the choice before you. My advice is to go to Cinque Terre and then plan a vacation to the Amalfi Coast the next time. 

Check out these great vacation options:

• Best Amalfi Coast vacations
• Cinque Terre: Hike, bike & kayak

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