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

Should you visit Beaune or Sorrento?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beaune and Sorrento. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Beaune

Beaune is a historic, culinary, and quaint town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a colorful, historic, and relaxing 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 food, beaches, and hiking.

Beaune and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beaune or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Beaune and Sorrento are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Beaune attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Beaune is famous for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. Sorrento is famous for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. It is also well known for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola.

How is Beaune different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beaune 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 Beaune. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Beaune and Sorrento.

Eat your way through Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

For foodies, Sorrento is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beaune or Sorrento has a better nightlife scene.

Beaune has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

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 Beaune or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a great destination for its resorts. However, Beaune is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Sorrento to choose from. 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.

Beaune is not a resort destination.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a small city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Beaune 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.

Beaune is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a good destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

Sorrento offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is renowned for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Beaune is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beaune 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.

Beaune is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beaune or Sorrento?

Sorrento is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Sorrento is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Beaune and Sorrento both fantastic destinations for a couple.

Beaune is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Sorrento makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Is Beaune or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is terrific for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Sorrento. 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.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

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

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

The public transit in Sorrento can get you around easily. 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.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Beaune or Sorrento a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Sorrento is a very walkable town. 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 Beaune Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Beaune?

How long in Beaune or Sorrento?

Both Beaune and Sorrento have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sorrento than in Beaune. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Beaune, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Beaune. 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 Beaune. 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 Sorrento than Beaune 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 Sorrento.

One day in Beaune or Sorrento?

The town of Beaune offers food and shopping. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sorrento. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Beaune or Sorrento?

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

Sorrento is a great place to explore. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Beaune or Sorrento?

Beaune is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sorrento. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Beaune or Sorrento?

Beaune is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Sorrento. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beaune and Sorrento, we can see that Beaune 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 Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune 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 Beaune Expensive? and Is Sorrento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beaune or Sorrento?

Beaune has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Beaune 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 Beaune 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 Beaune or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Beaune are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beaune for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beaune is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Beaune average around 21°C (70°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 Beaune. Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Beaune gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Beaune usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Beaune gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beaune or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Beaune during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Beaune because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

Beaune is cooler than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beaune averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Beaune often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Beaune gets 121 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. Beaune usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Beaune gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaune or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beaune and Sorrento. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beaune this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Beaune in the winter. In the winter, Beaune is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beaune in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Beaune gets 53 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, Beaune usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Beaune gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beaune or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beaune as well as Sorrento. Many travelers come to Beaune for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Sorrento in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Beaune is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Beaune average around 11°C (53°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Beaune often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento. Beaune gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Beaune usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Beaune 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 Beaune