Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast? There is One CLEAR Winner!

When people dream of traveling to Italy, they often picture pastel-colored villages perched on cliffs above the sparkling Mediterranean. For some, this bucket-list vision points to Cinque Terre in northern Italy; for others, it’s the Amalfi Coast in the south.

We’ve been to both during spring break, and after experiencing each firsthand, we have a clear favorite. (Drumroll, please...)

Spoiler alert: One of these places completely stole our hearts, and the other? Not so much.

CT's Manarola

Here’s how they stack up:

Timing Our Trips: Why Season Matters

We visited both regions in early spring (late March to early April), which is considered shoulder season. The plus side? Fewer tourists. The downside? Not everything is open—some restaurants and shops take the off-season to renovate or take a break.

We weren’t looking for a beach vacation either—just beauty, charm, and a sense of local life.

Spring Weather

Spring weather in Italy can be unpredictable. During our trip to Cinque Terre, temperatures ranged from the 40s to the low 70s, with two rainy days and two beautiful ones. It even snowed the day we left—no joke!

Amalfi, being further south, generally has more stable and milder weather. So if sunshine is a priority in spring, Amalfi might have a slight edge.

Spring Weather Winner: +Amalfi Coast

Almafi Town CT's Monterrossa

Tourists

We’re not fans of big crowds, and our enjoyment drops as the tourist count rises.

In Cinque Terre, we found the early spring crowds manageable. We hiked, rode the train between villages, and enjoyed each town without feeling overrun. I’ve heard summer is another story, especially with cruise-ship day-trippers, but in spring? Pretty dreamy.

Positano, in particular, felt like a theme park. Picture-perfect people everywhere, dressed to the nines for Instagram photos. It felt artificial and performative—very “Disney,” which is not our vibe. Amalfi was slightly better with more breathing room---but there were still quite a few tourists hanging out at the main piazza.

Fewer Tourists Winner: +Cinque Terre

Positano CT's Vernazza

Authenticity and Vibe

Positano felt like a fashion show set. Streets were packed with influencers-in-training, and the lemon-themed drinks tasted more artificial than fresh. (Coming straight from a real lemon orchard in Basilicata, we could spot the difference.)

Amalfi town felt slightly more authentic but still geared heavily toward tourism.

In contrast, Cinque Terre felt real. I loved waking up to watch fishermen prepping their boats, wandering the quiet alleyways, and taking in the hillside views. Despite being a tourist destination, people live there—and you can feel it.

If Amalfi is for luxury-seekers, Cinque Terre is for the backpackers—and that’s definitely us.

Vibe Winner: +Cinque Terre

Positano Manarola

Transportation and Walkability

Cinque Terre is a car-free dream. You can hike between villages or hop on the local train. No cars in the towns means no stress—just stairs, alleys, and stunning views. It’s peaceful and walkable (as long as you're OK with stairs—leave the roller bag at home).

Amalfi Coast requires ferries, buses, or—if you’re feeling reckless—a car. Towns are full of vehicles even in pedestrian zones, which makes exploring feel chaotic and crowded.

Transportation Winner: +Cinque Terre

Positano CT's Montereggio

Beauty and Charm

The hikes in Cinque Terre—from Manarola to Corniglia and Vernazza to Monterosso—offered breathtaking views. Each village is a palette of colors stacked dramatically against the sea, framed by terraced vineyards and charming alleys around every corner.

Amalfi has its picturesque spots too—ceramic domes, cliffside hotels—but it didn’t quite match the lived-in whimsy and color of Cinque Terre. The alleys we explored felt more like back exits than magical nooks.

Beauty & Charm Winner: +Cinque Terre

Food

It’s hard to go wrong with Italian food anywhere, but we have to shout out Trattoria da Billy in Manarola—one of the best meals we’ve had in Italy. Being based in Cinque Terre longer gave us more time to explore the food scene, and it didn’t disappoint.

Food Winner: +Cinque Terre

Final Verdict

After comparing weather, crowds, vibe, charm, walkability, and food, Cinque Terre wins—hands down in our opinion.

If you’re looking for luxury hotels, Instagrammable outfits, and don’t mind the crowds, you’ll probably love the Amalfi Coast. But if you crave authenticity, hikes with jaw-dropping views, and a quieter slice of Italy, head to Cinque Terre.

Just do yourself a favor—go in the off-season. All bets are off in the summer!

Best view in Positano--- away from the crowds.