A Travel Price Comparison for Italy San Remo vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit San Remo or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit San Remo 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although San Remo and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Remo is known for its beaches. Amalfi is more touristy than San Remo and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is San Remo different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Amalfi?

Amalfi is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Amalfi is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is San Remo or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Amalfi has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is San Remo or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Remo or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at San Remo attract visitors from all over. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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 San Remo or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both San Remo and Amalfi.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

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.

Is San Remo or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Amalfi?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both San Remo and Amalfi.

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Amalfi is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is San Remo or Amalfi Better for Families?

San Remo is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. 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 San Remo or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is terrific for couples. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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 San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both San Remo and Amalfi.

San Remo has some public transit options. There are local buses around town.

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 San Remo or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Amalfi?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Amalfi than San Remo. 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The beautiful town of Amalfi offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in San Remo or Amalfi?

San Remo 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in San Remo or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of San Remo. This coastal city 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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amalfi has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Remo and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is San Remo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Remo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Remo 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 San Remo.

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

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Amalfi?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of San Remo 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Amalfi in the Summer?

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

In July, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 23°C (73°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Remo. In the summer, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Amalfi. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Amalfi in the Autumn?

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

San Remo is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Remo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Remo usually receives less rain than Amalfi. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Amalfi in the Winter?

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

In the winter, San Remo is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Remo in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. San Remo usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. San Remo 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 San Remo or Amalfi in the Spring?

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

In April, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 13°C (56°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives less rain than Amalfi. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and San Remo