A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Como vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Como or Amalfi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Como 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.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Como and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Como or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Como and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights, while Como is known for its shopping. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Amalfi is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline.

How is Como different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in Como or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at first-rate restaurants in both Como and Amalfi.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Amalfi has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Como or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Como or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Both Como and Amalfi have good beaches worth visiting.

Como has a beach worth visiting. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Amalfi. 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 Como or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Amalfi to see the historical old town. 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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Como or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Como or Amalfi?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Como make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Como or Amalfi Better for Families?

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

Como is a very kid-friendly lake area. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

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 Como or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Como and Amalfi are both first-rate to visit as a couple.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Amalfi is a great lake area for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Is Como or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Como is a great lake area to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Como and Amalfi.

Como has some public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

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 Como or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Como?

How long in Como or Amalfi?

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

Couples should spend more time in Amalfi than Como. 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.

One day in Como or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Como or Amalfi?

Como 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 fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Como or Amalfi?

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

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the dramatic destination of Amalfi. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Como or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun destination of Como. This lake area 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque town of Amalfi. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Como and Amalfi, we can see that Como is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Como or Amalfi?

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

Both Amalfi and Como during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Como is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Como average around 23°C (73°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Como. In the summer, Como often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Como gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Como usually gets more rain in July than Amalfi. Como gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Como or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Como and Amalfi. Many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amalfi in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Como is cooler than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Como averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Como usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Como gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Como usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Como gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Como or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Como as well as Amalfi. Many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Como is much colder than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Como in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Como often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi. Como gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Como usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Como gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Como or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Como are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Como is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Como average around 13°C (55°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Como usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during spring. Como gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Como usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amalfi. Como gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Como