Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast: Which Is Right for You?

Which is better, Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast?

Getting there: Amalfi Coast wins

The Amalfi Coast is anchored by Sorrento and Salerno, both with excellent train connections. By car, it's about an hour from Naples, and two hours from Rome.

Cinque Terre is about three hours by car from Florence or Milan. Trains from the major cities go to La Spezia, from where you take a ferry, train, or taxi to Cinque Terre. Cars are only allowed to the top of Riomaggiore and outside Monterosso, the two bookends of Cinque Terre. See my trip report on hiking Cinque Terre from La Spezia.

Many cruises will stop in Sorrento or La Spezia. And, of course, numerous buses run throughout Italy.

Getting around: Tie

The five towns of Cinque Terre are close together and well connected by buses, trains, and ferries (except cliff-top Corniglia, which does not have a port).

The Amalfi Coast is linked by ferries and buses. You do not want to drive on the Amalfi Coast (trust me on this), but you can be driven between and into the towns.

Aside from namesake Amalfi, the Amalfi Coast's primary towns are Positano, Atrani, Praiano, Ravello, Minori, and Maiori. Cinque Terre's towns are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

Amalfi has much steeper stairs and streets than Cinque Terre. Both must be experienced high up by foot and at eye level by sea.

Ferry view of Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Ferry view of Positano, Amalfi Coast

Great hiking: Tie

Cinque Terre is famed for beautiful trails that connect all five towns. An average hiker on a nice day could go from Riomaggiore to Monterosso in five to six hours on the easiest seven-mile "blue" path. But there are often path closures requiring detours to steeper mountain routes, which stronger hikers often choose for the challenge. You'll need to build in much more time to soak in the sights at each village and viewpoint.

Amalfi has one famous hike called the Path of the Gods, which takes about four hours to go 4.5 miles from Agerola (Bomerano) to Nocelle along the coastal ridge. Then it's a car transfer, bus, or walk down 1,700 steps to Positano. But there are actually many great hikes in the area, especially from Amalfi up to Minuta and toward Ravello.

Ravello view from the hike to Minuta, Amalfi Coast

Vernazza view hiking from Corniglia, Cinque Terre

Positano from Path of the Gods hike, Amalfi Coast

Variety: Amalfi Coast

From shopping to dining to beaches, the Amalfi Coast bustles with energy. While Positano and Amalfi quiet down after the day trippers leave, there is ample nightlife to keep you entertained. Plus, you can easily ferry to Capri or take a day tour to Pompeii.

Cinque Terre is smaller and quieter with fishermen still waking in the wee hours to go out to sea. Monterosso, the largest town, draws local families to its beaches and shops.

Beach at Amalfi Town, Amalfi Coast

Cost & crowds: Cinque Terre

Because it is more work to get to, Cinque Terre has fewer crowds and is still reasonably priced, mostly. The Amalfi Coast is packed with crowds swarming into town from the ferries. Hotels and restaurants have raised prices to match the high demand. And yet, we still heed its call.

Beach at Monterosso, Cinque Terre

Pure visual beauty: Cinque Terre

I used to think the Amalfi Coast was the most spectacular combination of azure water, emerald forests, glistening granite, and picturesque villages. But now I'm captivated by the more intimate, more vivid, more authentic (and less crowded) Cinque Terre.

Corniglia with Manarola behind, Cinque Terre

The Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? The answer to which you should pick is simple: both! You need to plan multiple trips to Italy to explore this amazing country. I'd love to help!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Italy page.