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

Should you visit Chartres or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a picturesque, stunning, and dramatic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Chartres and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Amalfi?

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

How is Chartres different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Amalfi.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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 Chartres or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a popular place for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is great for its old town. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is great for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

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.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Amalfi?

Amalfi is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Amalfi. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Families?

Amalfi is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Chartres is a good town to visit for backpackers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

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

Chartres 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 Chartres can get you around easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

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 Chartres or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Amalfi?

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

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

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

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 Chartres or Amalfi?

Chartres 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 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 Chartres or Amalfi?

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

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 Chartres or Amalfi?

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

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Chartres and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres 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 Chartres.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Amalfi?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Amalfi. Many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Amalfi. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere 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.

In the autumn, Chartres is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums 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 Chartres can be very cold. In January, Chartres is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

Amalfi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Amalfi. The small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Chartres is cooler than Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Chartres