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

Should you visit Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a charming, picturesque, and stunning town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bilbao and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Bilbao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bilbao. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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 Bilbao or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Amalfi, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bilbao and Amalfi.

Bilbao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Many people head to Amalfi for the nightlife scene. 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 Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a good destination for the beache. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Amalfi?

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

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

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 Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Bilbao and Amalfi are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bilbao. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

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 Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bilbao is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other 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 Bilbao or Amalfi Better for Students?

Bilbao is a city with good options for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Bilbao or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Amalfi?

Both Bilbao 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 Bilbao. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amalfi than Bilbao. 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

One day in Bilbao or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Bilbao. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Amalfi?

Bilbao 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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bilbao or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bilbao or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Bilbao. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dramatic destination of Amalfi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 Bilbao and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Amalfi?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao or Amalfi?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities 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.

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

It's quite sunny in Amalfi. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In the autumn, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Amalfi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Amalfi. The museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Amalfi. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Amalfi. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Bilbao