Please sign in to post.

Terra cinque or Amalfi Coast

hello,

This August we are planning to do Rome and either Terra cinque or Amalfi Coast.
Any suggestions most welcome and appreciated thank you
Mary

Posted by
32171 posts

Mary,

Both the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast areas are going to be hot and crowded in August. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also some significant differences. Which one to choose will depend somewhat on what type of experience you're looking for, and also on the specifics of your other destinations. If most of your other stops are going to be in the north of Italy, the Cinque Terre would be the better choice.

Once you've made a decision, it would be a good idea to get a hotel booking SOON!

Posted by
11247 posts

First, it is the "Cinque Terre".

Both places will be very busy in August, a peak vacation month for Italians and Europeans in general, with lots of North Americans laid on. No matter which you pick, you need to make reservations ASAP.

The Cinque Terre will have fewer Italian vacationers than the Amalfi Coast. The CT is easier by public transportation as the trains between villages are easy and you can take a single high-speed train to La Spezia from Rome. The trains between the villages will be crowded. The AC relies on buses out of Sorrento which are legendarily crowded in summer (I have not gone there in summer). To get to the AC from Rome requires a high-speed train to Napoli then the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Beyond Sorrento you continue on by bus. OR you can go to Salerno via high-speed train and head north to Amalfi by bus (or south to Paestum). Depends on where you want to stay and what you want to do.

Beyond these logistics, what interests you? Do you hike? If so, long hikes or easy strolls? Do stairs bother you? The AC gives you access to places like Pompeii or Paestum, depending on where you stay and how much time you have. The CT is all about outdoor activity, but beaches are probably better on the AC, especially down in Positano or Amalfi town.

Either place requires patience and an early start to the day.