A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Biarritz vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Biarritz or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Amalfi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a dynamic, cultural, and relaxing seaside town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Amalfi

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

Biarritz and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Biarritz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Biarritz is more popular for its resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm. Amalfi is more touristy than Biarritz and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Biarritz is well known for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere.

How is Biarritz different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amalfi is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Amalfi offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Amalfi is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Biarritz is an experience not to be missed. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Both Biarritz and Amalfi have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Biarritz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

The people in Amalfi know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is well known for its resorts. However, Amalfi is not a resort destination.

In Biarritz, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Biarritz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Biarritz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is well known for the beache. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches at Biarritz attract visitors from all over. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

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.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Biarritz is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Biarritz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Families?

Biarritz is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Biarritz is a very kid-friendly seaside town. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. 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 Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Amalfi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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 Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Is Biarritz or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Biarritz is a great seaside town to visit for backpackers. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Biarritz and Amalfi.

Biarritz has some public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

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 Biarritz or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Biarritz is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Biarritz?

How long in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Both Biarritz and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Amalfi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Amalfi than Biarritz. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Biarritz, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

Families should spend more time in Biarritz than Amalfi. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Biarritz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Amalfi than Biarritz. 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.

One day in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Amalfi offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Biarritz is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Amalfi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Biarritz or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Biarritz. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amalfi is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Biarritz or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic destination of Biarritz. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 Biarritz and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Biarritz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Biarritz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Biarritz 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 Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi than you might in Biarritz.

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

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Amalfi?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Biarritz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Biarritz is cooler than Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Biarritz. In the summer, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Biarritz in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Amalfi. The winter months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In January, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 8°C (47°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Biarritz