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

Should you visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Carcassonne and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Carcassonne and Amalfi are popular destinations, Amalfi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amalfi is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Amalfi is more touristy than Carcassonne and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

How is Carcassonne different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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 Carcassonne or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

Amalfi is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Amalfi are nice family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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 Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is very popular for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Carcassonne or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Carcassonne and Amalfi.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

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 Carcassonne or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Carcassonne and Amalfi are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

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

Families should spend more time in Amalfi than Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Amalfi?

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

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the picturesque town of Amalfi. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

Carcassonne 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Amalfi. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

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

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the dramatic town of Amalfi. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the fairytale destination of Carcassonne. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical 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 Carcassonne and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Amalfi?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Carcassonne 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 the summer, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Amalfi averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Amalfi. The autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. 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 October, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Amalfi in the Winter?

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

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Amalfi in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

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

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Carcassonne gets 56 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 Carcassonne