French Riviera vs. Italian Riviera: Which Vacation Is Better?
While there’s no way you’ll lose when trying to decide between a vacation in the French Riviera vs. Italian Riveria – there’s a lot to consider before heading to either the French Riviera or the Italian Riveria in terms of cost, atmosphere, cuisine, and more depending on what you’re looking for out of your vacation.
Beaches on Italian Riveria on Monterosso al Mare in Italy; July 2018
What Are the Main Differences Between the French Riviera and Italian Riveria?
The French Riveria is more chic than the Italian Riveria, which gives off a more causal personality than the perfectly-painted places in the French Riveria like Cannes or villages nearby Nice.
The table below will break down the main differences between the French Riviera and the Italian Riveria at a glance:
French Riviera 🇫🇷 vs. Italian Riviera 🇮🇹
| 🌍 Category | 🇫🇷 French Riviera | 🇮🇹 Italian Riviera |
|---|---|---|
| 🎭 Atmosphere | Glamorous, polished, posh, and luxurious — perfect for people-watching and upscale escapes. | Low-key, rustic, casual charm rooted in authenticity and slow living. |
| 💸 Cost | Much more expensive — expect high prices for food, drinks, and accommodations. | More budget-friendly overall, especially when it comes to meals and lodging. |
| 🏖️ Beaches | Pebbled but stunning — Plage Mala in Cap D’Ail is a standout with turquoise water and cliffside views. | Similarly scenic — beaches like Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre offer the same visual drama and charm. |
Amalfi Coast vs. French Riviera: Which One Is Better?
Personally, I prefer the French Riviera over areas like the Amalfi Coast in Italy – as it’s easier to see all of the nearby towns and tourist attractions in places like Nice than in the Amalfi Coast and Positano, where renting a car makes getting from one place to another significantly easier.
I also felt that the Amalfi Coast was more of a relaxed, family-friendly beach vacation spot – which is perfect for those looking to relax, but for high-energy, adventure and photographer seeking solo travelers like me: the French Riviera better suits my style.
Amalfi Coast in Italy; July 2018
French Riveria vs. Italian Riveria
Having traveled to both the French Rivieria and the Italian Riviera, I’m going to provide a full breakdown to compare and contrast the French Rivieria vs. Italian Riviera in terms of cost, cuisine, beaches, family friendliness, and more.
Cost: Italian Riviera
The Italian Rivera is definitely much cheaper than the French Riviera, which is a popular summer getaway not only for international travelers – but people within in Europe.
While both the Italian and French Riviera get crowded during high season in the summer, your wallet will still take less of a hit on a trip to the Italian Riviera. This is because high-end cities on the French Riviera like Cannes and even the nearby Monte Carlo are extremely costly for accommodation and waterfront restaurants.
View of Cinque Terre; July 2018
Accommodation: Both (depending on what you’re looking for)
Finding accommodation in either the French or Italian Riviera can be challenging if you’re planning a summer vacation, but deciding which one is better is contingent on what you’re looking for.
If you want a nicer, more luxurious hotel – I found these to be much more common on the French Riviera, but remember that the prices will be higher. The Italian Riviera is more affordable for backpackers or budget travelers, but the places I stayed in near the Italian Riviera leaned more towards two-star type hotels.
If you’re someone who enjoys a nice hotel, the French Riviera may be more suited for you. If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers cheaper accommodation and is almost never in the room then the Italian Riveria may be a better fit.
Beaches: Both
Europeans love to argue about who has the best beaches, but the truth is – I found the beaches on the French and Italian Rivieras to be nearly identical in both look and feel.
Both lean towards more gravely, rocky beaches with turquoise water and a large-family feel – and both the French Riviera and Italian Riviera had public and private beaches.
Beach at Villefranche-sur-mer in France; June 2025
Beauty: French Riviera
While Cinque Terre was my favorite place in all of Italy, I do find the French Riviera to be more jaw-dropping with surreal-like views similar to those found in Santorini or the Cliffs of Moher.
Ultimately, both are beautiful – but I do find the French Riviera to be more encapsulating to the eye and “stunning” in comparison to the Italian Riveria.
Atmosphere: Both
While the French Riviera and the Italian Riveria are close in proximity, their personalities couldn’t be any more different from one another.
I believe this is mainly due to the cultural differences between France and Italy in a general sense, as the French are more posh, sometimes mistaken for snobbery, where Italians are more laid-back.
“French people are Italian people in a bad mood”
Ultimately, the French Rivieria has more of an infinite glamour and manicured aesthetic, whereas the Italian Riviera exudes a more rustic, blue collar kind of charm.
View of Èze in French Riveria; June 2025
Family Friendliness: Both
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a family vacation in either the French or Italian Riveria – as both places are extremely family friendly.
The only thing that I can think of that might be different and easier with kids is food on the Italian Riveria, as pizza, pasta, and gelato tend to be more kid-friendly cuisine than brasserie style French food.
Besides that, both cities are accessible for children with numerous family-friendly beaches and atmospheres – with several swimming areas and additional activities appropriate for children.
Romantic: French Riviera
I know many couples on the internet rave about the Italian Riveria and how much they loved it for a honeymoon or couples vacation, but I ultimately find the glittering, timeless, and enchanting vibe of the French Riviera to be more conducive to a romantic getaway than the Italian Riviera.
View of Nice from Castle Hill; March 2024
Restaurants & Cuisine: Both (depends on your food preferences)
Restaurants on both the French Riveria and the Italian Riveria will be charming and capture the vibe of summer, with lots of waterfront restaurants and fresh seafood available.
However, Italian food is easier to please everyone – especially kids. This is because food in the French Riviera is bound to be more casual, French-styled cuisine catered to tourists like burgers, fries, and seafood – where as Italy offers a mix of seaside cuisine and traditional Italian food to try like pasta, pizza, and cannoli. Plus, food on the Italian Riviera is significantly cheaper than on the French Riviera.
View of waterfront restaurant in Villefranche-sur-mer; June 2025
French Riviera vs. Italian Rivera: How to See Both in One Trip
Given their close proximity, it’s very easy to see both the French Riveria and Italian Riveria on one trip via train.
Below is my suggested itinerary to see iconic places in both the French Riveria and Italian Riveria such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Cinque Terre, and Genoa.
🇮🇹➡️🇫🇷 How to See the Italian + French Riviera in One Trip
Still trying to decide between the French Riveria and the Italian Riveria?
Watch my video below to hear more about the French Riveria vs. Italian Riveria!
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Last updated: July 28, 2025