Oh, Italy. Why must you make choosing so hard?
You’ve picked Italy for your next vacation. Molto bene! And you know you want balmy evenings, fresh seafood and sea views. So, naturally, you’ve narrowed it down to two of Italy’s most iconic coastal destinations: Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast.
But now you’re stuck.
Do you go for Cinque Terre’s rustic fishing village vibes? Or indulge in the Amalfi Coast’s glamorous beach clubs – did someone say sunset Spritz?
Ideally, you’d do both (like on Intrepid’s Best of Italy Family Holiday). But if annual leave or budget only allows for one, which should it be?
Don’t fret, mio amico. By the end of this guide, you’ll know which coast is for you.
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Why go?
The UNESO-listed Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre share many similarities. Both offer gorgeous scenery, delicious food and ample ways to explore. But the vibe? Quite different.
Cinque Terre, meaning ‘five lands’, is made up of five pastel-coloured fishing villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso – along the Ligurian coastline in northwest Italy. Cars are banned within the villages, so everything’s connected by scenic hiking trails, ferries and the efficient Cinque Terre Express train. Accommodation is largely guesthouses, B&Bs and small hotels, and despite the day trippers who roll in en masse, life moves slower here.
The Amalfi Coast is bigger with 13 towns stretching along the Sorrentine Peninsula in Campania, southwestern Italy. While it also has picturesque cliffside villages, sweeping sea views and old-world charm, it offers more luxury hotels, beach resorts and bars, making it a great choice for those who like a livelier atmosphere. Because it’s more spread out, it may also be a better option if you have more time to explore.
Getting there and around
If you’re on a tight schedule, logistics matter. Here’s how the two regions weigh up.
Cinque Terre
- Best if you’re also visiting: Tuscany (Florence, Chianti, Pisa, Lucca, etc.) or Lake Como.
- Nearest airports: Pisa and Genoa (1.5 hr drive). Florence and Milan are further away (2-3 hr drive) but have more international flights.
If you’re coming from Milan, Genoa or Pisa, hop on a regional train to La Spezia, where you can then take the Cinque Terre Express train to any of the five villages. Cars aren’t allowed in the villages (probably for the best considering the narrow roads), but the train makes it super easy to get around. Ferries also connect all villages (excluding Corniglia) for a scenic alternative, as does the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), but more on that shortly.
The Amalfi Coast
- Best if you’re also visiting: Rome, Capri, Naples or Pompeii.
- Nearest airports: Salerno (30 min drive) and Naples (1 hr drive). Rome (3.5 hr drive) is further away but offers more international flights.
The nearest major airport is Naples. From here, take a high-speed train to Salerno or Sorrento (1-2 hours), followed by a ferry, bus or taxi along the Amalfi Coast. Salerno is usually a better train-to-ferry option, while Sorrento is better for buses or taxis. If you’re coming from Rome, expect a 3-4 hour journey. Once you arrive, you’ll need to use ferries or buses. Renting a car is possible, but not for the faint of heart, with narrow roads, heavy traffic and limited parking in the peak summer season.
Hiking and scenery
If exploring on foot is your thing, both regions offer stunning trails.
With over 120 kilometres of trails, Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s top hiking destinations. These routes were once mule tracks and a lifeline for villagers, and while you won’t see mules today, you’ll gain an appreciation for how life thrived on such rugged terrain.
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) is the most famous trail, linking all five villages through hamlets, vineyards and olive groves. The full 12 km trail takes about five hours, but the beauty is that you can do a couple of sections and hop on the Cinque Terre Express if you get tired (or have one too many afternoon aperitivos!). With challenging uphill stretches, steep cliffs and footbridges, it requires a good fitness level – but the views are totally worth it.
While the Amalfi Coast isn’t as well known for hiking, it still delivers. Its star trail is the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), a 7 km route that hugs a high mountain ridge between Bomerano and Positano. It snakes past orchards and vineyards and up to spine-tinglingly tall cliffs that look out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. With over 1700 stairs, it can be tough on the knees, but the views – and the seafood linguine waiting for you on the other side – make it all worthwhile.
Beaches
Craving beach time? There could be a clear winner depending on whether you prefer quiet swimming coves or a Riviera atmosphere.
Cinque Terre isn’t your typical beach vacation. It has beaches, but they’re more rugged and pebbly, so it depends on how granular (pardon the pun) you want to go. If you like the sound of swimming in secluded harbours, rocky outcrops and hidden bays, Cinque Terre won’t disappoint – especially at Manarola, Canneto Beach and Riomaggiore. For a ‘beachier’ beach, head to Fegina in Monterosso, Cinque Terre’s most famous spot, where stripy umbrellas and deck chairs stud the shoreline.
Like Cinque Terre, you won’t find stretches of powdery sand along the Amalfi Coast. but you will find plenty of pebbly beaches. There are more options, they’re bigger and they often have bars so you can order drinks and snacks between sea dips. Positano’s Spiaggia Grande is the most famous (and photogenic) with bright blue water and umbrellas set against a backdrop of colourful buildings stacked along the mountain. Spiaggia di Atrani is a great alternative for pristine swimming conditions but a fraction of the crowds. For dramatic views, though you’ll need to go early, head to the fishing hamlet of Fiordo di Furore where you can relax on a tiny beach wedged between a narrow gorge.
Food
This is Italy, so you’ll be well-fed no matter where you go. That said, the flavours in each region may sway your decision.
Cinque Terre is all about pesto, seafood and crisp Ligurian wines. Liguria is the birthplace of pesto Genovese, and you’ll find it slathered on trofie pasta in most trattorias. After learning how to make traditional pesto with a local cook on Intrepid’s Italy Experience, you’ll never look at the stuff on the supermarket shelves in the same way again.
Focaccia is another local specialty, as are anchovies (fried, pickled, stuffed – you name it). Meals in Cinque Terre tend to be relaxed affairs enjoyed in family-run restaurants along the water’s edge or in piazzas. It’s not known for nightlife, but there are a few bars that stay open late, mainly at weekends, in Monterosso.
The Amalfi Coast, in Campania, is famous for lemons. And what do the Campanians do when life gives them lemons? They make limoncello! You’ll find plenty of lemony dishes on the menu too, from scialatielli al limone, a shorter, fatter version of spaghetti in a rich lemon sauce, to delizia al limone, a cream-filled sponge with a citrusy glaze. Seafood is also abundant, as is traditional Neapolitan pizza thanks to its proximity to Naples. Intrepid’s Italy Family Holiday includes a hands-on pizza-making class at a farm overlooking Mt Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples – take that for family pizza night.
The Amalfi Coast has more high-end restaurants than Cinque Terre, especially in Portofino which is often frequented by the rich and famous. So if you fancy dressing up and treating yourself, the Amalfi may be a better choice.
Best time to visit
The best time to experience everything Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast offer is in summer (June to September). But if you visit during this time, be prepared for crowds – especially in hotspots like Positano and Vernazza. The trick? Base yourself in Cinque Terre. Most tourists are day trippers, so if you stay overnight, you’ll experience quieter mornings and evenings and get a feel for local life. On the Amalfi Coast, venture beyond popular Positano and Amalfi to quieter but equally pretty pockets like Minori or Praiano.
For a balance of pleasant weather and thinner crowds, consider visiting in spring or autumn. Winter is the low season throughout Italy, but if you don’t mind cooler temps, a bit of rain and fewer restaurant options, you’ll enjoy cheaper accommodation prices and quieter hiking trails.
Final verdict
So, will it be Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast?
Cinque Terre is perfect for travellers who love hiking and a laidback atmosphere. The train makes it super easy to get around, so it may be a better option if you don’t have a car or are short on time.
The Amalfi Coast, on the other hand, is ideal if you like a little more luxe and a vibrant nightlife. You’ll still find plenty of trattorias and pizzerias, but it definitely caters more to those who enjoy fine dining and cocktail bars. It also has more beaches if that’s your thing.
But honestly, you can’t go wrong either way. And if you still can’t decide, why not do both? Italy is fairly easy to get around thanks to its extensive train network.
Ready for an Italian adventure?
With small group travel, the hardest decision you’ll make is choosing between spaghetti alla puttanesca and spaghetti alle vongole. There’s no need to stress about bus timetables or booking a hotel during peak season. Just rock up and leave the rest to the experts.
