Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast: The Best Villages in Italy

Italy is home to two of the world’s most beautiful vacation village destinations, the quaint Cinque Terre and the stunning Amalfi Coast. Both offer an insight into Italian culture, as well as its stunning landscape and coastlines. But if you had to choose between the two regions, both of which are home to some of the best villages in Italy, which would it be? The Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?

To help you to make that tough decision, here’s our guide to Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast:

Attractions

The coastline of the Amalfi Coast is what makes this place so attractive. Covering Italy’s Sorrento Peninsula, the distinctive rugged cliff edges, pastel-colored houses, and tiny beaches offer holiday goers plenty to see and do. Take exciting cliff-edge walks, explore the tiny town of Ravello and its famous 11th-century Villa Cimbrone, or check out the impressive Duomo Cathedral in Amalfi Town for some of the region’s elaborate history.

Cinque Terre, on the other hand, is a National Park and is famous for some of the most thrilling walking trails in Italy. Visit quaint seaside villages such as Vernazza, the ancient town of Manarola or take a dip at the largest beach in Cinque Terre in Monterosso. Serious hikers can take the High Path, which allows you to stop off at various untouched villages, but be wary; it can take up to 12 hours to complete!

Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast?

Cinque Terre. The region wins for its extensive trails, beaches and villages – there is just so much to see and do here.

Eating/Drinking

Cinque Terre is jam-packed with authentic eating and drinking experiences that do not cost over average. The coastal region is well-known for its delicious local seafood, as well as more common varieties, and local white wines. Dishes come served in all kinds of styles, but expect walnuts and pesto to make up at least one of your dishes. Local grapes make the wine in this region sweet and gelato is tasty and popular in fishing villages.

Seafood is also the dish of the day on the Amalfi coast, and the region offers both high-class dining as well as local rough-and-ready cuisine. You can also find traditional pizzas and pastries for the budget traveler and the boundless visitor. Try locally-made cheeses, such as mozzarella, in the countryside for a more authentic Italian food experience. Famous for producing one of the world’s most popular drinks, Limoncello, find vendors selling their version from the numerous lemon trees grown in the region.

Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast?

Amalfi Coast. You just can’t beat Limoncello – make sure you take a bottle home with you, although watch out for the watered-down tourist versions.

Getting around

Driving in both the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre is the best way to get around. Renting a car and taking to the windy cliff-edge roads is all part of your experience in Italy’s coastal regions. While public transport does exist in both regions, it can be unreliable and isn’t the best way to see the small villages that are usually only accessible by car. Some villages do not like any transport to enter the village, but you can park at the village entrance and walk into the village from there.

Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast?

Both are equally sparse in terms of public transportation. Get yourself a car and brave the coastal roads, it will be well worth it for the spectacular views in either of these stunning locales!

Culture

The Amalfi Coast has captivated famous artists for centuries, from Tennessee Williams to Richard Wagner, the beautiful coastline is a place where famous authors, poets, composers and playwrights have set up home. Today celebrities and writers alike visit the coast to holiday or take inspiration.

Many of the villages in Cinque Terre are filled with culture and history – visit the park dedicated to poet and Eugenio Montale in Monterosso. With architecture and ports dating back to the Roman and Gothic eras, Cinque Terre is shrouded in celebrated history. Food and wine is also a big part of the culture here, although expect it to be a little more rustic than the Amalfi Coast.

Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast?

Amalfi Coast. The age-old glamorous lifestyle here is something to be seen, visit famous villas and gardens of the rich and famous on the Amalfi Coast.

Where are the Best Villages in Italy?

Of course the decision is yours. Cinque Terre offers outdoor-lovers great hikes, lazy beach days and plenty of local food, while the Amalfi Coast has fine dining, beautiful beaches and a rich cultural history. Both regions require a car to get around and offer a fantastic insight into Italian history and culture. If we really had to choose it would have to be the Amalfi Coast for a glamorous yet authentic Italian experience!

When you decide which spectacular coastal region you would most like to visit, remember to give us a call (toll-free at 1-877-820-0668) for cheap car rentals in Italy and more of the best travel deals around. Kemwel offers all sorts of travel services including comfortable hotels and airfare to Europe, so you can arrange your whole trip in one place!