A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Avignon vs. Amalfi for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Avignon or Amalfi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Amalfi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a historical, quaint, and charming town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Avignon and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Avignon and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Amalfi is more touristy than Avignon and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Avignon different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amalfi and Avignon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avignon or Amalfi?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is the Food Better in Avignon or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at fantastic restaurants in both Avignon and Amalfi.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

For foodies, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Amalfi has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Amalfi. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a good destination for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Amalfi offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its old town. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Avignon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Amalfi. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Amalfi?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Avignon and Amalfi.

Avignon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Amalfi is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Avignon and Amalfi are good family-friendly destinations.

Avignon is a family-friendly town. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Amalfi. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Amalfi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Avignon is a good town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Avignon or Amalfi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Avignon and Amalfi.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Amalfi, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Avignon or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Avignon and Amalfi are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Avignon. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Getting around Amalfi on foot is easy. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Amalfi?

Both Avignon and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Avignon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Avignon, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

Couples should spend more time in Amalfi than Avignon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amalfi that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Amalfi if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Avignon.

One day in Avignon or Amalfi?

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Amalfi, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Avignon or Amalfi?

Avignon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Amalfi, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Amalfi?

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. In Amalfi, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avignon and Amalfi, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Amalfi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amalfi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amalfi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Amalfi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Avignon Expensive? and Is Amalfi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Amalfi?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Avignon and Amalfi, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Avignon or Amalfi?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Avignon or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Avignon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Avignon is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 24°C (75°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the summer, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets more rain in July than Amalfi. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Amalfi. The autumn months attract visitors to Avignon because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

Avignon is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Avignon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Avignon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during autumn. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Avignon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amalfi. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Avignon or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Amalfi. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Avignon is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Avignon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Avignon usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Avignon is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 13°C (56°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during spring. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Avignon usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Avignon