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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a cultural, historical, and vibrant 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Galway and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Galway 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 Galway attracts visitors for its big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Galway and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Galway and Amalfi have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Amalfi offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Galway or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both Galway and Amalfi.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a town with good options for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Amalfi?

Both Galway and Amalfi are nice shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

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.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Galway and Amalfi are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Amalfi Better for Students?

Galway is a city with good options for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Both Galway and Amalfi offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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

Is Galway or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway 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.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Galway?

How long in Galway or Amalfi?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Galway. 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 Galway or Amalfi?

Galway 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 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 Galway or Amalfi?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Galway. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Galway and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Galway much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galway would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galway 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 Galway.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Amalfi?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Amalfi. The summer months attract visitors to Galway 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, Galway is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway 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. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Galway as well as Amalfi. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway 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, Galway is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Galway usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Amalfi. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway 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.

Galway is cooler than Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Galway gets 59 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 Galway. In January, Galway usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amalfi. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Galway during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Galway 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, Galway is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Galway