A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Calais vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Attractions

Should you visit Calais or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a charming, picturesque, and stunning town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Calais and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Calais and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Calais and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Calais or Amalfi.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Amalfi is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Calais or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Amalfi is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Calais or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Calais and Amalfi are good choices.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Many people head to Amalfi to enjoy the beach. 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 Calais or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is Calais or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Amalfi?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Amalfi and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Amalfi. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Calais or Amalfi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Amalfi.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Amalfi.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

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 Calais or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Calais?

How long in Calais or Amalfi?

Both Calais 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 Calais. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

Families should spend more time in Amalfi than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Amalfi than Calais 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 Amalfi.

One day in Calais or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Calais or Amalfi?

Calais 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 Calais or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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 Calais or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. 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 charming 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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Calais and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais 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 Calais.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Amalfi?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Calais is generally cooler than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Amalfi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Calais is cooler than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Calais gets 119 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. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Amalfi. The winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Amalfi. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Calais is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Calais