A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Monaco vs. Amalfi for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Monaco or Amalfi?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Monaco and Amalfi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Monaco

Monaco is a posh, glitzy, and glamorous coastal resort area. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a charming, picturesque, and stunning town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Monaco and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monaco or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Monaco, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Monaco is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, shopping, and big city activities. Monaco is well known for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. Amalfi is well known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline.

How is Monaco different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amalfi is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Monaco is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Amalfi has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Monaco has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Monaco is an amazing coastal resort area to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Monaco has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

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.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Resorts?

Monaco is an amazing coastal resort area to visit for its resorts. However, Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Monaco is a world class resort vacation destination. As the playground for the rich and famous, this city has its share of luxury resorts. Famous hotels include the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monaco and Amalfi both offer notable scuba diving or snorkeling spots.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Monaco. There are both beaches that offer walk-in snorkeling spots as well as boat tours that you can book that will take you to some of the best snorkeling and dive sights around Monaco.

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.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Monaco and Amalfi are notable choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Monaco to enjoy the beach. Located along the French Riviera, the beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand. The only public beach is Plage du Larvotto in Monte Carlo and there are a number of activities available including jet skis and wind-surfing. This is also a very family-friendly beach that kids of all ages can enjoy.

Amalfi has a beach worth visiting. 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 Monaco or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is well known for its old town. However, Monaco does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Monaco is not a hiking destination.

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.

Monaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Monaco or Amalfi?

Monaco is an amazing coastal resort 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 Monaco make it a world-class shopping destination. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

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 Monaco or Amalfi Better for Families?

Amalfi is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Monaco is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Monaco is not always the best place to visit. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Monaco or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Both Monaco and Amalfi are amazing destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Monaco has plenty to offer. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

Amalfi has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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 Monaco or Amalfi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Monaco and Amalfi.

You'll find some public transit in Monaco, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system.

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 Monaco or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Monaco and Amalfi both are amazing when exploring on foot.

Getting around Monaco on foot is easy. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

Amalfi is a very easy coastal resort area 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Monaco?

How long in Monaco or Amalfi?

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

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

Monaco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Monaco or Amalfi?

Monaco 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 Monaco or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monaco. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Monaco or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glitzy big city of Monaco. This coastal resort area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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 Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Monaco and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi 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 Monaco Expensive? and Is Amalfi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Monaco or Amalfi?

Amalfi has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Monaco 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.