The world agrees that Italy's Amalfi Coast is a dreamy place to visit, with its jagged mountain coastline overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Naples.
And therein lies the problem, as this is a place that draws massive crowds in the summer high season, clogging the two-way road that winds from Salerno to Amalfi and on to Positano and Sorrento, and jamming the scenic streets with wall-to-wall pedestrians.
I suggest foregoing Amalfi altogether on your next Italian sojourn, and swapping it for the region of Puglia instead.
Puglia is spectacular, with its own craggy cliffs and scenic ancient towns, and like Amalfi, replete with UNESCO World Heritage Sites to discover.
Add in Puglia's famous beaches on the shores of both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, which create the "boot heel" of eastern Italy, plus relatively reasonable pricing, and the choice is practically made for you.
Still not convinced? Let's compare the two and you decide.
In this article
Puglia is a Year-Round Destination. Amalfi is Mostly Seasonal.
The Amalfi Coast is a seasonal place that opens up in May and mostly closes down by November, as the winter brings rain, wind, and chill.
Many (but not all) hotels, restaurants, and shops are shuttered from November to April, leaving limited experiences along the coast.
Meanwhile, Puglia is a year-round destination, with large cities like Bari, Taranto, and Foggia that are always lively, with concerts, nightclubs, and other vibrant life happening throughout the seasons, plus fascinating museums highlighting the region's history, famed cathedrals, chic shops, and restaurants overlooking the sea.
May to October is warm, with long sunny days and breezy nights; there's really no down season in usually dry Puglia, just a rainy day now and then in winter.
Puglia's Beaches Truly Have It All
If spending quality time at the beach is a key element of your summer vacation, then Puglia wins in the Amalfi comparison.
While both places have beautiful beaches sitting at the bottom of a cliffside village, only Puglia has wide sandy beaches with room for locals and tourists alike. Amalfi’s beaches are often rocky and narrow.
Some of Puglia's beauties include the Maldive de Salento beach on the Ionian side, as well as Spiaggia Padula Bianca and Spiaggia de Lido Conchiglie near Gallipoli. The difference between a public beach (spiaggia) and an "equipped" beach (lido) is amenities: lidi supply and charge visitors for umbrellas, lounge chairs, bathrooms, etc.
Pick your favorite beach over on the Adriatic side, too, where it feels more like Amalfi, with small, often rocky beaches carved out of hillsides.
Lama Monachile beach is south of Bari in Polignano di Mare, while the Grotta della Poesia near Roca is an ancient natural pool you can jump right into. Both are unforgettably beautiful, especially in the early fall.
Puglia's Culinary Delights Match Amalfi's, for Fewer Euros
Imagine sitting in a seaside restaurant, eating seafood plucked out of the waters right before your eyes. In Amalfi, that's often on a cliff high above the water, delicious, and very expensive to experience.
But in Puglia, you can be at the water's edge with frutti di mare piled high on your plate for a more reasonable price.
And yes, Puglia has acclaimed restaurants with Michelin stars, including Primo in Lecce and Pashà in Polignano di Mare, where prices are high and quality is assured, but the region has numerous delicious eateries that are easier on the wallet.
Consider Osteria 203 in Lecce or Ristorante Borgo Antico 45 in Bari, or do as I do: wander the streets of one of Puglia's small towns, read the menus on display, or ask the locals you meet along the way where they go out for a meal.
Wherever you choose, be sure to try pane di altamura, burrata di Andria, and orecchiette con cime de rapa, which are three of Puglia's most famous native dishes.
Puglia Has Far More Vineyards, Wine Producers, and Wineries to Visit
If, like me, an Italian visit means exploring the wines that are produced in one of the country's wine regions, then a visit to Puglia is a distinct winner over Amalfi.
Amalfi has a single DOC (Italy's quality regional designation, equivalent to the French AOC or the AVA in the U.S.), while Puglia has 28, plus four DOCG areas that mark the pinnacle of wine made in Italy.
Welcoming wineries dot the Puglia region, plus there are designated wine trails for visitors to follow. The Strada de Vini DOC Castel del Monte is one, located outside of Bari, where wineries like Torrevento, Cantine Capentiere, and Tormaresca welcome wine lovers to come and taste perhaps less-familiar grape names like Primitivo, Bombino Nero, and Negroamaro.
It's a wine lover's paradise all over Puglia, I promise you.
Puglia is a History Buff’s Dream Destination
With its unique position near Greece, Albania, and Africa, and of course being part of the Roman Empire, Puglia has a long and storied history.
It's also home to several different UNESCO sites, from the prehistoric Trulli of Alberbello, which represent limestone huts constructed thousands of years ago, to the iconic Castel del Monte constructed in 1240 by German Emperor Frederick II.
And if visiting famous places where movies were shot (aka "set-jetting") is one of your favorite vacation pastimes, be sure to see the James Bond "No Time to Die" Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella bridge in Gravina, where a memorable scene played out.
Add in medieval Ostuni, with its whitewashed limestone buildings, if you're a fan of the torrid Netflix hit film "365 Days," as it was partially shot there.
The Shortcut
The Amalfi Coast mostly shuts down from November to April, while Puglia stays open year-round. If you're visiting in winter, Puglia is your pick.
Puglia has 28 wine regions to the Amalfi Coast's one. There are several marked wine trails you can follow to taste varietals like Primitivo, Bombino Nero, and Negroamaro.
Puglia has Michelin-starred spots like Primo and Pashà, but also budget-friendly favorites for the same regional dishes at a fraction of the price.
Puglia's beaches include actual sand, not just the rocky coves you'll find in Amalfi. The Adriatic side has cliffside pools like the Grotta della Poesia; the Ionian side has wide, walkable stretches like Maldive de Salento.
If Venice is also on your radar, consider our case for why Corfu may be the better choice.
