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

Should you visit Cork or Amalfi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cork and Amalfi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cork

Cork is a cultural, seaside, and youthful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Cork and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cork or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Cork and Amalfi are popular destinations, Amalfi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amalfi is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Cork attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Cork and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Cork is famous for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer.

How is Cork different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cork 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 Cork. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

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 Cork or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Cork has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both Cork and Amalfi.

Cork has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

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.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Cork is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Cork is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a town with good options for its beaches. However, Cork is not a beach destination.

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.

Cork is not a beach destination.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is notable for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

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.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Cork is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Cork is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cork or Amalfi?

Cork is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Cork is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

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 Cork or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Cork and Amalfi are nice to visit with kids.

Cork is a family-friendly place to visit. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Amalfi is a family-friendly city. 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 Cork or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Amalfi is a great town 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.

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Is Cork or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Cork is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

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 Cork or Amalfi Better for Students?

Cork is well known for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Cork. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Amalfi is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Amalfi has a few public transit options. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Cork or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Amalfi 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.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Cork?

How long in Cork or Amalfi?

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

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

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

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 Cork or Amalfi?

Cork 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 Cork or Amalfi?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the seaside destination of Cork. This city 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 shopping and museums when visiting the dramatic 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, 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 Cork and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Cork.

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

Which is Bigger, Cork or Amalfi?

Cork has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Cork 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 Cork 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 Cork or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cork and Amalfi. The summer months attract visitors to Cork because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In the summer, Cork is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cork in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Amalfi averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. Cork usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Cork gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cork usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Cork gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cork or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cork as well as Amalfi. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cork this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Amalfi for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cork is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 11°C (52°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Cork often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Cork gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Cork usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Cork gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cork or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Cork are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cork is cooler than Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Cork averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Cork usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Cork gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. It's quite rainy in Cork. In January, Cork usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amalfi. Cork gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cork or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Cork during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cork in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Cork is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cork in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Cork often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Cork gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Cork usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Cork gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Cork