A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Amalfi for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Granada or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Granada 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.

Granada

Granada is a charming, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Granada and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Granada and Amalfi are popular destinations, Amalfi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amalfi is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Granada attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Amalfi is more touristy than Granada and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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 Granada or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Both Granada and Amalfi have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

The people in Amalfi know how to have a good time. 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 Granada or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a popular place for its beaches. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Granada offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Granada and Amalfi both have excellent trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

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 Granada or Amalfi?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Granada and Amalfi.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Amalfi offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Amalfi.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Amalfi. 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 Granada or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Granada frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Is Granada or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities 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 Granada or Amalfi Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Granada and Amalfi.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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 Granada or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of 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.

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Granada?

How long in Granada or Amalfi?

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

Families should spend more time in Amalfi than Granada. 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 Granada. 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 Granada 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 Granada.

One day in Granada or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Granada. 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.

In Amalfi, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Granada or Amalfi?

Granada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

In Amalfi, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Granada. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. In Amalfi, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, 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 Granada and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Amalfi?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Granada in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Amalfi averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Amalfi. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Amalfi. The winter months attract visitors to Granada because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

Granada is much warmer than Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Granada