Amalfi Coast v.s. Lake Como May 2025 Trip

Begin with Lake Como and focus on Bellagio and/or Varenna. We always stay in Bellagio, up at the top of town where it’s less crowded, less touristy. We always rent apartments but there also are many hotels there.We didn’t care for the Amalfi Coast.

We liked both Lake Como and Amalfi Coast. My husband liked Amalfi better than both CT and Lake Como. We stayed in Varenna on Lake Como and enjoyed the little town. However, we also liked Bellagio so I'd base the choice on where you can find accommodations you like at a price you like.

Yes, the Amalfi area can be busy. We stayed in Sorrento. I believe that in May, the ferries will be running so that would be another transportation option. We decided if we went to Amalfi area again, we'd stay in Amalfi City/Ravella, or one of the smaller towns south of Amalfi City. If you don't get out of the heavy touristed area, yes, you may not enjoy it. But, like many places in Italy, you just have to do some research on how to handle crowds and get off the busy streets a bit. We liked Amalfi Coast enough that we might day trip into it for a day from Salerno during our upcoming trip.

That all said, you don't really have a lot of time. Have you been to Florence? You could stay there at least 5 days. You could spend your whole trip in Tuscany and not be bored. Honestly, with the amount of time you have, I'd consider dropping the idea of both Amalfi and Lake Como.

Have you watched the Rick Steves' TV shows and videos on this website? That might help you determine what appeals to you.

I'm assuming you know about Jubilee being held in Rome and most likely affecting other parts of Italy.

It would help if you described what you want out of the trip. I'd be a bit hesitant about planning a trip to the Amalfi coast right now because the attention to it seems to have reached a fever pitch, but I know how to get aroudn and avoid crowds to the extent possible. But it is important to note that there are dramatic coastal beauty spots in other parts of Italy too, so you are not limited to just that very popular one. What led you to consider it in the first place? The sea part, the seafood part, the hiking?
I'm not one who is as drawn to lakes, but you'll get plenty of good advice on that regard.

How many nights do you actually have on the ground? Do you fly on ten 13th, or arrive then? If possible, add a few days.
I'd suggest flying into Venice,
then onto Lake Como,
and fly out of Milan.
Lots of great day trips out of Venice (eg Padua).
You could also consider Florence/Tuscany area.
Be cause of the crowds, I'd skip both the CT and/Amalfi, even in May. These areas have no shoulder season anymore.
Have a great trip, enjoy planning, but I'd book accommodations asap, as you're only five months out, and many folks book 8-9 months out, if you want a choice of reasonably-priced accommodations. Safe travels!

Both these areas book up 9 or months in advance. It may be true that crowds are smaller up north, but the hotels regularly sell out. The two destinations are not really comparable. The Amalfi Coast can be sweltering by the middle of May, and has tremendous year-round demand from budget tourists, especially the US and the UK. I'm sure there are lower priced options in the lake district, but there's a reason celebrities have homes there! I don't much care for the beaches in Sorrento and on the AC. There are many much better beaches in the USA, and in the Caribbean. (I've only been to Hawaii once.)

I have NOT been to Lake Como.