Amalfi Coast or Puglia? Which one to visit?
Not sure which destination is better for you, the Amalfi Coast or Puglia? If you don’t have the time to visit both, I’ll help you decide and plan your vacation.
I’ve explored them extensively, and I understand your difficulty in choosing.
While incredibly beautiful, they are very different and are suitable for different occasions and travel experiences.
We’ll cover all that in this article.
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Table of Contents
Where to go next: Amalfi Coast or Puglia?
How to get to the Amalfi Coast

The coast is named after the town of Amalfi, a center of global trade in medieval times, famous for its exotic goods and fabulous wealth.
Located 40 kilometers outside Naples, the Amalfi Coast is easily accessible whether you land at Naples International Airport or Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
You can always rent a car, pick it up from the airport, and drive to the coast, or you can quickly get there by public transportation—trains, buses, or boats.
While driving on the coastline is not for everyone, you can easily book a private transfer and get there without any worries.
It will take roughly one hour to drive from Naples airport, depending on where you stay on the coast and how you get around.
You can travel from Rome to Naples by fast train in about one hour and then by ferry, bus, or car to Sorrento, Positano, or other places on the Amalfi Coast.
Check out ferry schedules and prices here!
How to get to Puglia
Puglia, or Apulia, is as old as the first European civilizations. It is a land of ancient myths and legends, as well as equally venerable towns and architecture. It is also home to famous red wines, such as the native Negroamaro and the Primitivo.
If you are wondering which airport you should fly to for Puglia, the answer is simple: Bari Airport.
From there, you can choose your base camp for the vacation in one of the charming towns to the south of Bari, such as Alberobello, Martina Franca, or Polignano a Mare.
Of course, you can stay in Bari and travel around by car or train, but you’ll have to spend more time traveling if you plan to explore the Salento Peninsula (Italy’s heel).
On our second visit to the region, we stayed for one month in Puglia. We decided to go further south to visit the less explored places, such as Gallipoli, Brindisi, Nardo, or Taranto.
You can also travel from the Amalfi Coast to Puglia by car, bus, or train, and I have written a comprehensive itinerary here.
How far is Puglia from Rome?
It is not impossible to create an itinerary for Rome and Puglia. However, it is a bit more challenging than seeing Rome and the Amalfi Coast together.
The distance by car between Rome and Bari is roughly 500 kilometers (depending on the itinerary you choose), and you can get there in 5-6 hours.
By high-speed train, a few daily options can take you from Roma Termini to Bari Centrale in roughly 4 hours.
I encourage you to buy your fast train ticket ahead of time if you want to save money.
Getting around
The Amalfi Coast
As you might expect from one of the most popular destinations in Italy, the Amalfi Coast is served by many means of transportation.
The most straightforward public transportation option from Sorrento to Salerno is the SITA bus. You can get on or off anywhere. Using the bus has one downside, though: it can get crowded during peak season.
Another option is to take a boat from one town to the other. This is my favorite way of traveling on the Amalfi Coast, but it won’t take you everywhere, and it’s also a pricier option.
The last option is to rent a car and drive from one town to the other. While this will offer you the most flexibility, you will find it hard to find parking spots during the peak season. And when you do, the fees are quite pricey.
Another downside to driving on the Amalfi Coast is the narrow, winding roads suitable only for experienced drivers.
Still, as dicey as it is, driving around is the best alternative for those who want to explore every town on the coast.
This being said, if you choose to rent a car, check out Discover Cars, an aggregator that will help you find the best offer out there and save up to 70%.
Puglia
When it comes to buses, the connections in Puglia are not so great, and timetables are aspirational rather than set in stone.
You have train connections between larger towns, though (e.g., Bari, Brindisi, Lecce). Check timetables on Trenitalia, Ferrovie Appulo Lucane or Omio.
Unlike the Amalfi Coast, most towns have affordable parking spots, and the roads are less busy. So, based on our experience, the best option to explore Puglia is by car.
Accommodation options
The Best Places to stay on the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast isn’t just Positano. Yes, that’s the most popular destination (particularly for non-Europeans), with luxury boutique hotels and breathtaking views, but there are plenty of other places to choose from.
In my where to stay in Positano guide, you’ll find accommodation options for most budgets.
If you are less inclined to splurge, I suggest you check out my comprehensive guide for where to stay on the Amalfi Coast on a budget.
Places like Cetara, Vietri, Maiori, or Sorrento offer destinations for families, couples, and even larger groups of friends. We stayed for one month in a B&B in the town of Cava De’Tirreni.
To conclude, depending on your style and budget, you can stay in an authentic Italian apartment, a hilltop villa with an infinity pool, a historical palazzo in the middle of a lush garden, or a posh hotel.
Amalfi town or Positano?
I see this question asked so often that it needs to be addressed.
Both destinations offer excellent accommodation options, have a small beach, are connected to the rest of the coast by bus or boat, and are great starting points for day trips.
Positano is more expensive, and tourists swarm it during peak season. By comparison, Amalfi town is less crowded and a bit more affordable – just don’t expect deserted streets and low rates.
In balance, I would choose to stay in Positano only for a short time (1-2 nights) or a special occasion (e.g., honeymoon, wedding anniversary). As for a complete vacation, I would go to Amalfi.
The Best Places to Stay in Puglia
Puglia is famous for its sandy beaches, clear water, and traditional architecture, among other things.
The conical stone houses, called trulli, are unique to this part of Italy. They have been transformed into guesthouses and even luxury hotels boasting swimming pools and SPA facilities. Staying in one can be an authentic experience.
Another great option would be to stay in the middle of vineyards in a masseria – former or current farming estates that cater to tourists looking for a real South Italian experience.
Although Puglia does not have big resorts or 5-star hotels, it has a specific vibe you can’t find anywhere else.
Here are a few accommodation options in Puglia:
- Stay in a trullo in Alberobello – there are many options, and the best area is Rione Monti. See the best options here!
- Stay in a trullo with a swimming pool, in the countryside close to Martina Franca or Locorotondo. I Cinque Trulli and Trulli D’Autore are both stunning options.
- Choose to stay between olive trees at Masseria Alchimia.
- Go for an elegant bio resort and SPA in the Puglia countryside – a farm transformed into a heavenly place for nature lovers, set in between fields of aloe vera, pomegranate trees, and vineyards. The resort has indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis, and charming terraces, and is the perfect place for a relaxing escape. See more here!
Budget
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the more expensive destinations in Italy. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot plan a vacation on a budget – I even have a comprehensive guide here.
That being said, unless you are flexible in terms of when to visit (i.e., not in July or August), you should prepare your wallet.
Positano, in particular, is expensive in terms of accommodation, restaurants, parking, and everything else in between.
However, the prices decrease as you move toward the two ends of the coast (Sorrento in the west and Vietri Sul Mare in the east).
Puglia
Puglia is more affordable than the province of Salerno, where the Amalfi Coast is located. This is one reason why Italians prefer it for their vacations.
Of course, Polignano a Mare has a famous restaurant in a grotto where you can expect to pay a lot for dinner (and don’t forget to book in advance), but that’s the exception, not the norm.
Good accommodations aren’t cheap, not even in Puglia. But they are significantly cheaper than their Amalfi counterparts. For example, we paid ~25% less in Puglia compared to a similar place we booked on the Amalfi Coast.
Other expenses, such as restaurants, cafes, and parking, can be as much as 50% cheaper in Puglia vs the Amalfi Coast, depending on where you go.
Activities
Best Places to Visit on the Amalfi Coast
With countless villages to see, old villas to explore, hikes with breathless panoramic views, historic sites perfect for day trips (such as Herculaneum or Pompeii), and lovely islands to sail to, it is impossible to get bored on the Amalfi Coast.
While I never seem to have enough of those Positano views, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that, the Amalfi Coast has much more in store.
You’ll find everything from day trips to luxurious Capri Island to the intense turquoise of the Blue Grotto or the stunning views from Villa Rufolo. Schedule day trips to Pompeii or Sorrento and learn about the history of these places.
Plan your vacation with my 7 days Amalfi Coast itinerary, and you will have a step-by-step guide filled with activities, places to see, hikes to go on, and restaurants to try.
You can spend weeks on the Amalfi Coast without getting bored.
Best Places to Visit in Puglia
Puglia is, in many ways, a hidden gem. Whether you are spending a weekend or a longer vacation, you will be surprised by all the activities the region has to offer.
Alberobello, with its charming streets and trulli houses, shouldn’t be missed.
Polignano a Mare is set on coastal cliffs and has a joyful vibe that is perfect for a vacation.
Martina Franca and the white town of Ostuni are on top of hills and will catch your attention as you approach them.
Go further south towards Italy’s heel, and beaches with clear blue water, delicious food, and local wine will welcome you.
Towns like Gallipoli, Otranto, or Lecce are as charming and unique as the more famous towns of northern Puglia.
From Bari or Alberobello, you can easily cross the border to the region of Basilicata and take a day trip to Matera, a unique town built of stone.
Overall, Puglia won’t disappoint and offers many activities and things to do.
Beach and water sports
The Amalfi Coast
Sure, you will be on the coastline, by the sea, but the beaches aren’t an essential attraction in this area. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t get to swim in the sea or spend a day or two under the sun.
There are plenty of small beaches along the coast, and almost every town has its own. Maiori and Vietri sul Mare have longer beach strips, but Positano or Amalfi have small beaches.
Don’t expect white sand and palm trees. You’ll find pebble and black sand (volcanic) beaches where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
Puglia
Some beaches in Puglia are rocky and not very appealing. However, as you go further south, you’ll not be disappointed.
The area between Torre Lapillo and Punta Prosciutto has some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches I have ever seen. They remind me of our Caribbean and South East Asian adventures.
Santa Maria de Leuca, the southern tip of the peninsula, is considered the Maldives of Italy.
Add to this the various caves and natural sinkholes in which you can dive, and you’ll understand why Puglia is a hot spot for beach and sea lovers.
For this reason, Puglia is also better if you are vacationing with your kids.
Driving around
The Amalfi Coast
As I wrote in a previous section, driving on the Amalfi Coast is not easy. Yes, the views are scenic, but the roads are narrow and winding. Not to mention the heavy traffic.
Moreover, during the peak season, finding a parking spot is challenging and expensive.
Although we usually travel by car to the Amalfi Coast, we use the public bus and boat connections whenever it is practical and leave the car at our base camp.
Puglia
Puglia is best explored by car. The region is large, the roads are good, and the traffic is relatively light. The only drawback is the reckless driving of the locals.
My husband and I have driven hundreds of thousands of kilometers in dozens of countries from different continents, and we have yet to find a place with a greater disregard for basic safety and traffic rules than southern Italy.
Still, if you keep your eyes peeled, discovering Puglia by car is a great experience.
Based on our experiences, we created a guide for renting a car and driving around Puglia.
Food and restaurants
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its lemons, which are used in all its dishes. You can taste limoncello at almost every meal, and you should go for the freshest fish and seafood.
There are plenty of Michelin-star restaurants, luxury places, and authentic ones, all serving fresh food made with local products.
Don’t be afraid to try some of the basic-looking venues because that’s where locals go, and food is the best.
Puglia
Southern cuisine is simple, made with few ingredients, yet extremely delicious.
I enjoyed one of the best breakfasts ever in a 3* hotel in Alberobello. It was simple yet tastier than the fancy but tasteless dishes I sampled in hotels all over the world.
In the end, food is a matter of preference, so you might not agree with my evaluation. Still, I suggest you try some of the Puglian specialties, such as:
- vegetarian antipasti – grilled, deep-fried, you name it
- fresh fish dishes
- caciocavallo cheese
- local hand-made pasta
- taralli pugliesi – a kind of Puglian pretzel
- puccia – a sandwich made of pizza-like dough with lots of delicious flavors
Why should you choose the Amalfi Coast?
A vacation on the Amalfi Coast is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you have the opportunity to visit, don’t miss it!
Whether you choose to come for a special occasion or just to reward yourself for months of hard work, try to make the most of your time there, no matter how long or short.
Treat yourself to a more sophisticated vacation in the fairytale-like setting of the Amalfi Coast.
Why should you choose Puglia?
Sunny Puglia is about Italian-style slow living – good food, excellent wine, an azure sea, and intricate architectural wonders.
Less sumptuous than wealthy Amalfi, Puglia is an excellent destination for those who aim to combine relaxation with sightseeing.
Whether you choose the Amalfi Coast or Puglia, you can’t go wrong. We love them both and return every time we have the chance.
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