A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Sorrento for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Amsterdam or Sorrento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Sorrento, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a accessible, laid back, and colorful small city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Amsterdam and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam and Sorrento are popular destinations, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sorrento attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Sorrento and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Sorrento is famous for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast.

How is Amsterdam different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Sorrento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Sorrento is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is world class and you'll find most Italian classics here including pizza, fine cheeses, and fresh seafood. Many visitors enjoy taking a pasta or pizza making class while they're in town. You'll also find Limoncello everywhere, made from the locally grown lemons, which are impressive in both their size and flavor. Also make sure you allow for plenty of stops at gelato shops.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for nightlife. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Amsterdam is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

If you're looking for night time activities Sorrento has a few options to choose from. The city is known for its laid back atmosphere, but there are still a number of clubs where you can dance the night away. While the main city center has its share of bars and activities, some of the best known clubs are actually a bit outside of the city center. Many visitors dress to impress and don't show up until after midnight, which is when the party really starts.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for live music. However, Sorrento is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is a world class music destination. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Sorrento is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is well known for its resorts. However, Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Sorrento is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The city offers a wide selection of luxury and budget hotels, particularly in the Piazza Tasso area. Because of its accessibility, many people use it as a base for exploring the area, or stop off for a day or two in route to other towns.

Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a small city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sorrento has a few snorkeling spots. There are snorkeling excursions that you can book in the area, but this is often an overlooked activity for many visitors.

Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Sorrento has a beach worth visiting. The rugged coastline is filled with dramatic hills and rocky inlets that offer hidden beaches. Many of the most unique beaches can be challenging to access and the beaches closer to town get very crowded. Some of the best beaches in the area include Marina Piccola Beach, Regina Giovanna, and Puolo. Some beaches are public while others are private and come at a price.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sorrento. The area has a number of walking trails that you can explore. Many follow historic donkey trails that once connected the villages and today offer a well-established route with stunning views and pristine landscapes. The trails navigate the region's steep hills and offer a breathtaking look at the rugged coastline.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sorrento and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sorrento. Head to the heart of the city around Piazza Tasso for the best shopping opportunities. You can simply enjoy window shopping or pop in one of the many local boutiques or larger European brand stores. Popular items to purchase include leather goods, Limoncello, and inlaid wood items.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Sorrento is a very kid-friendly small city. It makes a good base or first stop for families who want to enjoy the area. It's well connected with transportation and has all the kid approved foods you could need. The whole family will also enjoy taking a pasta making class or going for a swim in the Mediterranean. And make sure you allow plenty of time for everyone to eat their fill of gelato.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Sorrento has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful romantic destination is one of the world's top honeymoon areas. It's a small city that offers access to the many nearby destinations, so it makes a good base or gateway city for visiting places like Capri and the Blue Grotto as well as the Amalfi Coast. You can enjoy romantic hikes full of stunning views, explore by kayak, dine at romantic restaurants, or experience a one-of-a-kind farm tour. If you base yourself in Sorrento, you'll likely be doing a lot of day trips.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam and Sorrento are first-rate places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

A large number of backpackers visit Sorrento, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Because its a small city with accessible transportation, you'll find a decent number of hostels that make it an affordable base for exploring the area. You can hit many nearby sights as day trips or use this as a first stop off point as you make your way along the coast.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is renowned for its public transit. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Amsterdam has a great public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Sorrento has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town and you can also visit nearby areas using the Circumvesuviana train line, EAV and Sita buses, Cooperativa Tasso minibuses, or one of the many ferry companies.

Is Amsterdam or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is renowned for its walkability. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Sorrento is a very walkable city. The old town is fun to walk around and window shop, but bring good walking shoes as the area has a lot of hills.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Both Amsterdam and Sorrento have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sorrento has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sorrento than Amsterdam. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sorrento than Amsterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sorrento that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Sorrento 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the small city of Sorrento. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Amsterdam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the colorful destination of Sorrento. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the accessible small city of Sorrento. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this small city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this small city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Sorrento is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sorrento, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Sorrento, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Sorrento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sorrento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sorrento 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Sorrento.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Sorrento, 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 Amsterdam or Sorrento?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Sorrento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sorrento in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Amsterdam is much colder than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Sorrento. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Sorrento. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Amsterdam