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

Should you visit Bruges 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 Bruges 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a colorful, historic, and relaxing small city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and hiking.

Bruges and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Sorrento?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than Bruges, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Sorrento and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Sorrento is well known for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. Also, Sorrento is famous for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola.

How is Bruges different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges 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 Bruges. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Sorrento, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Bruges and Sorrento.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sorrento. 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 Bruges or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is great for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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

Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is great for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Sorrento for the hiking trails. 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.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Sorrento?

Sorrento is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sorrento. 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.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is very popular for couples. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Sorrento is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Is Bruges or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sorrento, as it is a very popular small 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Sorrento. 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.

Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Bruges or Sorrento a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Bruges on foot is easy. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Sorrento?

Both Bruges 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 Bruges. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Bruges. 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 Bruges. 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 Bruges 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 Bruges or Sorrento?

The beautiful city of Bruges offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Bruges or Sorrento?

Bruges 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 Bruges, 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 Bruges or Sorrento?

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Bruges or Sorrento?

Bruges is a great place to explore. 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 city offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Sorrento?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges or Sorrento?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bruges or Sorrento in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Sorrento. Most visitors come to Bruges for 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 the summer, Bruges is cooler than Sorrento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Sorrento averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Sorrento. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. 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.

In October, Bruges is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Sorrento in the Winter?

Both Sorrento and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bruges in the winter. Bruges is much colder than Sorrento in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun.

Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Sorrento. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Sorrento. Many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sorrento in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bruges is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Sorrento averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Bruges