Please vote: Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?

Question

I am backpacking through Italy next week. At the moment, I cant really decide between these two coastal destinations: Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. I will definitely go to one of them only due to time and money limitation. I am very into swimming at the beach and coastal scenery. Which destination is better for swimming and sightseeing as well. Which particular towns are not to be missed from each destination? Is Capri island really that worth it to go? Thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

go to Capri!

Also Cinque Terre are wonderful. There are tons of Americans. Spend there 2-3 days. Good for walking and scenery, not much for swimming. If you wanna go to the sea, go southern.

Bye (an Italian)

Answer 2

Cinque Terre-be sure to go to Vernazza and just chill!

Answer 3

Amalfi coast

Answer 4

I absolutely LOVED the Amalfi coast, we also went to the island of Capri, and went to the top (anna capri) in these little ski lift type swings with our feet just barely grazing flower tops.  There was also the blue grotto there...

I've never been to cinque terra, so i can't really comment on it.  but i can definately say that i would not hesitate to return to amalfi given the opportunity!

Answer 5

my vote would be Cinque Terre also - less "touristy" and great views, secluded beaches, friendly people - look for an add to this post - I stayed at a really cool pensione while there but I cannot remember the name at the moment.

Answer 6

i live in florence for the last 4 years, and ive been to both cinque terre once and the entire amalfi/napoli/pompeii/capri area 3 times. you can guess why. this third time was just this past august. and i promise myself to go again, i LOVE that area. i mean cinque terra is also nice, the pics i took are nice, but if you are comparing both of these areas, i would choose amalfi, why? because for three reasons.

one, its more beautiful, the cliffs are incredible and the hidden beaches are unique! in cinque terre, the beaches were okay, nothing big, cute nice water, but nothing in comparison to amalfi and sorrento's beaches.

second, if you go to amalfi, you would have the chance to equally visit the town of napoli, pompeii, sorrento, amalfi, positano, the island of capri, the island of prosita..or prosta..i dont remember that name, and other little towns around the area. in cinque terra, what else do you have around to see and visit? only cinque terra.

third, if you go to cinque terre, its recommended in any way to rent a car, because to get from area to another, its not like its all at walking distance, i know its hard to find parking, but if you go all by foot, youll get tired easily and you wont get too far. if you go to amalfi, you will either way need to rent a car in order to go from town to town like from napoli to pompeii, to sorrento, to cath a boat to capri, nothing is even close to walking. unless you want to go and see ONLY amalfi, but that would be ridiculous, you pay so much money to go all the way down there and you only see amalfe?? you gotta take advantage and see everything!

ok, those are my reasons. if i you take my advice, contact me back and i can give you the exact directions to finding that exotic hidden beach i went to (THEY WERE NOT WRITTEN IN MY GUIDE BOOK) we foudn them just of darn luck. and all the things to see and do in capri, napoli, sorrento, positano, ecc...

good luck!

Answer 7

Cinque Terre every time.  It is far more interesting than the Amalfi Coast and I am sure the Cinque Terre walk will soon be in the Global Top Ten.  Take a leap and enjoy!

http://budget-travel.brilliant4biz.com

Answer 8

Can I choose both??? Either choice you will have fun!

Answer 9

For nature / relaxation - Cinque Terre

For sightseeing - Amalfi (esp. Sorrento, Pompeii and either Positano or Amalfi)