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

Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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.

Nice

Nice is a chic, glamourous, and beautiful seaside destination. The famous beauty of Nice is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Nice travel costs.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty in Amalfi as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Amalfi travel costs.

Nice and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Nice, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its museums and attractions and hiking, while Nice is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is well known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Amalfi is well known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline.

How is Nice different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amalfi is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at world-class restaurants in both Nice and Amalfi.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Eat your way through Amalfi, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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 Nice or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Nice has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or Amalfi Better for Resorts?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its resorts. However, Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Nice and Amalfi offer notable scuba diving or snorkeling.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Is Nice or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Nice is well known for the beach. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Amalfi offers a nice beach destination. 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 Nice or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Both Nice and Amalfi have great historic old towns worth visiting.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

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 Nice or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice 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.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Amalfi?

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

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice or Amalfi More Beautiful?

Nice and Amalfi are somewhat similar when it comes to the world-class scenery.

You'll find world class beauty in Nice as well. A premiere destination in the French Riviera, this town is known for it's luxury, glitz, charm, and personality.

Amalfi is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The coastline is world renowned for its beautiful villages, striking cliffs, and stunning blue water. The weaving roads make for a dramatic and breathtaking drive.

Is Nice or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Nice and Amalfi are notable to visit with kids.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Amalfi is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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 Nice or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Both Nice and Amalfi are world-class destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Amalfi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 Nice or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a seaside destination with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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

Nice is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

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 Nice or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Nice and Amalfi both are world-class when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Nice on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Nice?

How long in Nice or Amalfi?

Both Nice 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 Nice. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

Families should spend more time in Nice than Amalfi. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nice, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nice than Amalfi. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nice that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Nice or Amalfi?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Nice or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. 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 Nice or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the chic destination of Nice. This seaside destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 stunning 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, 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 Nice and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Nice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nice 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 Nice.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Amalfi?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice 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 Nice or Amalfi in the Summer?

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

Nice is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nice as well as Amalfi. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nice is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Nice receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Amalfi in the Winter?

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

In January, Nice is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Nice usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Nice during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nice in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Nice is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nice usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Nice