A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Amalfi for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Chania or Amalfi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Amalfi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a charming, picturesque, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Chania and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Amalfi?

Both Amalfi and Chania have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Chania is more popular for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Amalfi is known for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Amalfi is more touristy than Chania and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Chania is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine.

How is Chania different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chania 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 Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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 Chania or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Chania and Amalfi both to be first-rate destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Many restaurants in Amalfi have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Chania or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Chania 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 Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find good snorkeling or scuba diving in both Chania and Amalfi.

Chania has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Is Chania or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Chania is an amazing city to visit for the beache. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Chania is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

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 Chania or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Chania and Amalfi both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Chania to see the historical old town. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Amalfi is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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 Chania or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Chania and Amalfi are both places where visitors can find high quality hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Many visitors go to Amalfi for the hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Amalfi?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Amalfi and Chania.

Many visitors go to Chania to go shopping. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

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 Chania or Amalfi Better for Families?

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

Chania is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

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 Chania or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Amalfi has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Chania is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Is Chania or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Chania is a great city to visit for backpackers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for 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 Chania 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 Chania and Amalfi.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

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 Chania or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Chania 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.

Chania is very walkable. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Chania?

How long in Chania or Amalfi?

Both Chania 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 Chania. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

One day in Chania or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Chania. 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.

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 Chania or Amalfi?

Chania 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 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 Chania or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Chania or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque destination of Chania. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, 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 Chania and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Chania.

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Amalfi?

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

Both Amalfi and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chania is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°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 Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Chania during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Chania is a little warmer than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi. Chania gets 198 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. Chania usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Amalfi. Many visitors come to Chania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Chania is a little warmer than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chania as well as Amalfi. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Chania is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Chania