The Mediterranean coastlines are beautiful. It only makes sense that they attract many foreigners wishing to share moments with locals and discover their culture, monuments and cuisine. Here are some criteria to help you decide which one to visit first.
Weather
The climate of these two destinations is essentially the same: temperate Mediterranean climate. The summers are particularly hot and dry and the winters quite cold. But beware of the mistral which sometimes blows violently on the French Riviera.
The best time to visit these two destinations is from April to September.
Here is a table summarizing the weather conditions on both coasts:
| French Riviera | Amalfi coast | |
| Yearly average temperature | 16.6°C | 16.8°C |
| January average temperature | 8.8°C | 8.7°C |
| April average temperature | 13.4°C | 13.4°C |
| July average temperature | 24.4°C | 24.8°C |
| October average temperature | 17.7°C | 17.9°C |
| Average rainfall | 606mm | 723mm |
| Sunshine rate | About 2,756 h | About 3,224 h |
| July-August average sea temperature | 23°C to 24°C | 26°C |
| May-June average sea temperature | 18°C to 22°C | 19.1°C to 23.8°C |
| September-October average sea temperature | 20°C to 22°C | 25.1°C to 24.4°C |
To sum up, the French Riviera is larger than the Amalfi Coast and there are twice as many beaches, although they are similar (sand and pebbles).
In both places, the landscapes are hilly. There are sometimes beautiful and colorful villages on the side of cliffs, and a multitude of small ports.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the best beaches on these coasts.
French Riviera:
- Sablettes beach in Menton (close to the Italian border)
- Mala beach in Cap d’Ail (often described as the most beautiful beach on the French Riviera)
- Garoupe beach in Antibes (paradise place on the French Riviera)
- Midi beach in Cannes (one of the largest sandy beaches on the French Riviera)
Amalfi coast:
- Marina Grande (between colorful umbrellas and clear blue waters)
- Gavitella beach (fabulous sunsets)
- Marina di Vietri (a dazzling panorama)
- Fornillo Beach (a peaceful spot on the Tyrrhenian Sea)
Prices
Here is a comparative table of prices (food, accommodation, transport, etc.) between the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast:
| French Riviera | Amalfi coast | |
| Lunch at a restaurant | €15.27 | €13.63 |
| Movie ticket | €10.05 | €8 |
| Cappuccino | €3 | €1.20 |
| 1 Night in a 3 star hotel | €88 | €107 |
| 1 Night in a 5 star hotel | €408 | €339 |
| Bus ticket | €1.70 | €1.30 |
| Car rental/day | €35 | €15 |
| Taxi/km | €1.90 | €1.90 |
Summary
The cost of daily life is generally higher (20 to 30%) in France than it is in Italy.
We note that the price of luxury hotels is often higher on the French Riviera than on the Amalfi Coast.
Even if it is possible to find restaurants and hotels for all budgets on both of them, it should not be forgotten that these are popular destinations known for their high-end services. Prices are therefore higher on the coast than in the villages in the hinterland.
Transportation
Both the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast extend through a multitude of small villages. You can easily get around by bus. And if these do not pass by the cities you want to visit, you can always rent a car or a scooter.
French Riviera
By opting for the Ticket Azur, you can travel at the single rate of €1.50 on the entire network (bus and tram). You can buy your tickets at agencies, on buses, at vending machines and at authorized retailers.
I would advise you to opt for a 10-ticket booklet costing €10 or for the 1-day pass for €5.
Lignes d’Azur (website in French) buses serve a large part of the French Riviera. The main seaside lines are lines 1, 2 and 6 (they cross through Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Eze, La Trinité…).
However, we recommend renting a car to fully enjoy the trip. For example, the Mobilize Share platform (website in French), which is a 100% environmentally friendly car-sharing platform.
You can book one of these electric vehicles by the hour or by the day. The little extra is that this platform is totally digital and self-service, a flexibility that will allow you to adjust your stay to any length.
Amalfi coast
All line changes are made in Amalfi. Just like in France, depending on the season, buses run very frequently between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. (and until 11 p.m. on weekends).
There is a 1 or 3-day Unico Costiera pass, valid on SITA buses and Circumvesuviana trains.
In Italy it is impossible to buy a ticket while you’re on the bus, so you have to go to the kiosks or stations beforehand.
Here the roads are winding and very quickly congested so I would advise you to rent a scooter to avoid traffic. You can easily rent one for 18€ per day.
Transport Price Table
| French Riviera | Amalfi coast | |
| Bus ticket | €1.70 | €1.30 |
| Scooter rental/day | Starting at €26 | Starting at €18 |
Summary
The cost of transport is lower on the Amalfi Coast than it is on the French Riviera.
The traffic is much denser in Italy. Which can quickly become problematic, if you are the type to organize everything to the minute.
Note that the French Riviera is bigger, so it is best to plan some time to go from one point to another.
Activities
French Riviera
The French Riviera is reputed to be the cradle of splendor and luxury. But don’t be fooled by that golden, glittery facet. The region holds a large number of museums and monuments.
Museums
Picasso Museum in Antibes
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The Picasso Museum is located in the heart of the Grimaldi castle founded on the Greek city of Antipolis (ancestor of Antibes). This building, listed as a historic monument, also houses other collections: Nicolas de Staël, Fernand Léger, Hans Hartung.
Matisse Museum in Nice
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It brings together one of the world’s largest collections of his works, which makes it possible to retrace his artistic career and his evolution from his beginnings to his latest works.
International Museum of Perfume in Grasse
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This museum retraces all the techniques and the savoir-faire of the creation of perfumes as well as their uses during the History of Antiquity to our days. It is separated into thematic parts: elegance and classicism, magic and dynamism, frivolity and hygiene.
Cannes Underwater Ecomuseum
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Located under the sea, 100 meters from the coast of Sainte Marguerite Island, one of the Lérins Islands. Visiting this original museum requires you to bring fins, mask and snorkel. Immersed 5 meters deep, these 6 statues represent the faces of men and women from Cannes. As the 1st underwater museum in France, the Ecomuseum is an invitation to discover the statues submerged in the sea by the artist Jason deCaires Taylor.
Monuments
Gardens and Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild
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This Villa dating from 1912 will offer you a good day of beauty and history. You will find nine magnificent gardens adorned with patios, waterfalls, ponds, flowerbeds, shaded paths and trees with rare species: Florentine, Spanish, French, exotic, lapidary, Japanese, Provencal, rose gardens and finally the Sèvres garden.
Villa Aurélienne in Fréjus
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The Villa is one of the most beautiful ones on the coast. This architectural work of neo-Palladian style extends over a splendid park of a twenty-three hectare surface. It is a perfect place for a nice digestive stroll.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Nice
Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox religious building, it is one of the most important outside of Russia. It has also been classified as a historical monument by decree of August 11, 1987 and has received the “Heritage of the 20th century” label.
Saint-Honorat Island off Cannes
Saint-Honorat Island is one of the two Lérins Islands located in the bay of Cannes, where the Abbey of Lérins is located. This little piece of paradise with rich biodiversity is occupied by a small community of monks.
Amusement park/theme park
Marineland
Marineland is the number one marine park in Europe. You can attend the fascinating shows of dolphins, killer whales or sea lions with your children. Nocturnal performances are scheduled in summer.
Aquasplash
Located right next to Marineland, this gigantic water park offers you a multitude of water attractions and sensational slides. The perfect place to spend a fun day out with the family.
Antibes Land
Located by the sea between Nice and Cannes, at a stone’s throw from the famous Siesta, this park will offer you more than 30 attractions and numerous food stands that will satisfy your appetite! On the program: thrill rides – Adrenaline, Twister, Coco Bongo, Wild Mouse and new ones every year! Family attractions: Big Gliss, Crazy Bees, Adventure River, Bumper Cars, 5D Cinema… and many activities dedicated to children: Rickshaw, Paradise Island or the traditional duck fishing.
Le Bois des lutins
Located in Villeneuve-Loubet, a stone’s throw from the Village des Fous, this Elven tree climbing course will take you for three hours of unusual activities in the heart of the forest.
Phoenix Park in Nice
It is home to 2500 species of plants and has the largest greenhouse in Europe: a 7,000 m2 surface and is 25m high! In the gardens, swans, chickens, ducks and peacocks will come to greet you. Throughout your visit, you’ll discover an otter pond, exotic birds (cranes, parrots, flamingos), an enclosure housing wallabies, porcupines, marmosets and lemurs and finally a small farm…
Amalfi Coast
Museums
Paper Museum (Museo della Carta)
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Housed in a fully functioning historic mill, this museum recalls the importance of the town of Amalfi in the production of paper in Europe centuries ago.
Amalfi Caves (Grotta dello smeraldo e presepe subacqueo)
Discover an emerald-colored underground world. This treasure is one of the most prized places on the coast. You can navigate in boats through more than 20 underground natural sites.
Arsenali delle Repubblica amalfitana
A short walk from Amalfi’s main beach is the town’s Arsenal, where the many trading ships of the Republic of Amalfi were built in the Middle Ages. In addition to testifying to the golden age of the Italian navy, it houses a museum dedicated to the country’s maritime activity throughout history.
Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso)
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This pure white building, built in the 17th century, combines Romanesque austerity with Arab fantasy. Its galleries house beautiful sarcophagi and marble mosaic decorations.
Monuments
Mount Vesuvius
Located above the Bay of Naples, Monte Vesuvio erupted in AD 79 and covered Pompeii with ash. The volcano itself is still active – the only active one in mainland Europe – and, although dormant, is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.
San Francesco Cloister (Chiostro di San Francesco)
This cloister is an oasis of tranquility, a few steps from the Sant’Antonino central square. It brings together a religious complex of a 7th century monastery and a late medieval church, both dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, and is a centerpiece of various architectural styles ranging from pre-Roman to Arabic including the medieval.
Li Galli (Sirenuse)
According to local legends, mermaids once inhabited this small group of islands known as Li Galli or Le Sirenuse. Today, one mainly encounters intrepid travelers making their way through the calm waters and picturesque coastal landscapes to the three main landmasses of this archipelago: La Castelluccia, Gallo Lungo and La Rotonda.
Gardens of Villa Cimbrone
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Located above the Amalfi Coast is the town of Ravello, home to the magnificent Villa Cimbrone surrounded by beautiful gardens and open to the public. The gardens feature long paths, lined with trees, flowering plants and statues. There are statues and other works of art seemingly hidden in different parts of the property, many of which are away from the main paths.
Amusement park/theme park
You will not find amusement parks or fairgrounds near the coast, the only way is to get closer to Naples.
You will find:
Valle dell’orso
Valle dell’orso is a family leisure park with water slides, wave pools, relaxation pools and a shallow lagoon for children.
Edenlandia
This large family park has several attractions ranging from roller coasters to scenic courses, including traditional carousels. You will surely find many similarities with Disneyland.
Summary
Both coasts have a rich biodiversity and heritage which will allow you to make beautiful visits and walks.
However, if you are going with your family, the French Riviera will be a little more appropriate because it has a greater number of parks and attractions.
Food
The French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast being close to each other, we find almost the same culinary influences. Each of them has a rich and varied cuisine.
French Riviera
Here are some culinary specialties of the Riviera:
Pissaladière
This creation halfway between pizza and flammkuchen is very well known in the region. Mainly garnished with anchovies and onions, it is most often eaten as an aperitif.
Fougasse
Sweet or savory, you will love this typical Provençal bread. The base is always the same: flour, yeast and olive oil… For the rest, there is something for everyone. Olives, bacon, anchovies, or cheese, it’s up to you to choose how to enjoy your fougasse.
Bourride
Considered the cousin of Marseille’s bouillabaisse, bourride is a fish soup made from white fish (unlike bouillabaisse which consists of rock fish). Cream, lemon and aioli give it its special taste.
Tapenade
The tapenade are crushed seasoned olives, spread on small pieces of oiled bread. It is usually eaten as an aperitif.
Tropezian tart
A must-have cake during your visit This creamy cake is actually a brioche cut lengthwise, filled with pastry cream. It is best to have a light meal before taking a slice of this cake.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is also full of surprising Mediterranean specialties:
Amalfi lemon “the Gold of the peninsula”
The city of Amalfi is famous for this citrus fruit, it is also here that you will find the best Limoncello in the world.
Ndunderi
This typical dish from the Amalfi Coast is considered by Unesco to be one of the oldest types of pasta in the world.
Anchovy
The anchovies of Cetara (a small fishing village on the Amalfi Coast) are famous throughout the region and you just cannot come to Amalfi without trying them.
Scialatielli mussels and clams
This famous pasta dish with mussels, clams and tomatoes is as famous in its city as in the rest of the country.
Chocolate eggplant
This sweet flan made from fried, breaded and then dipped in chocolate aubergines is called “mulugnane c’a ciucculata”. This typical mid-August specialty is prepared on the occasion of the patronal feast of the town of Maiori (coastal village).
Summary
The gastronomy of the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast is made up of the same ingredients and products. There are lots of olives, seafood (anchovies, clams, white fish) and citrus fruits.
Hotels
These two Mediterranean coasts have a wide choice of accommodation. There are numerous hotels and all fit different budgets.
Here is a comparative table of hotels on both coasts:
| French Riviera | Amalfi coast | |
| Number of hotels (according to the number of hotels listed on Booking) | About 16,000 | About 2,250 |
| Average price 1 star hotel (per night) | €51 | €76 |
| Average price 3 star hotel (per night) | €88 | €117 |
| Average price 5 star hotel (per night) | €408 | €339 |
French Riviera
Affordable Hotels
- Hotel La Corniche d’Or
Price: starting at 107 €
- Hotel Reine d’Azur
Price: starting at 66 €
3 star hotels
- Hotel Les Jardins de Sainte Maxime
Price: starting at 118 €
- Hotel Beau Site
Price: starting at 112 €
5 star hotels
- Château Eza
Price: starting at €663
- Domaine du Mas de Pierre
Price: starting at €194
Click this link for all our best addresses for original and unusual accommodation on the French Riviera.
Amalfi Coast
Affordable Hotels
- Hotel Ristorante La Pergola
Price: starting at 73 €
- La Margherita – Villa Giuseppina
Price: starting at €111
3 star hotels
- Hotel La Ninfa
Price: starting at 75 €
- Hotel Zi’Ntonio
Price: starting at €113
5 star hotels
- Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa
Price: starting at 779 €
- NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi
Price: starting at €207
Summary
High-end hotels are more expensive in France than in Italy. However, if you take an entry-level hotel, it will be more advantageous to go to the French Riviera.
Airbnbs
And if you don’t like hotels that much and you’re more the type to prefer having your own little place, they are both also full of Airbnbs.
French Riviera
- A beautiful and stylish apartment in Cagnes-sur-Mer
Price: starting at €64/night
- This cute tiny house in Antibes overlooking the French Riviera
Price: starting at €60/night
Amalfi Coast
- A stunning bay view apartment with a garden in Scala
Price: starting at €70/night
- This beautiful apartment with a private terrace and a view on the sea in Amalfi
Price: starting at €122/night
Summary
Airbnb prices are higher on the Amalfi Coast than on the French Riviera.
Conclusion: French Riviera VS Amalfi Coast
The French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast are popular for their favorable climate, picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. Families will prefer the French Riviera for its many attractions and better accessibility. The Amalfi Coast will suit cost-conscious travelers better with its lower cost of life.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
