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

Should you visit Calais or Sorrento?

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

Should I visit Calais or Sorrento? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a historic, relaxing, and accessible 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Calais and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Sorrento?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than Calais, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its museums. Sorrento is more touristy than Calais and is 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. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Calais is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calais and Sorrento.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

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 Calais or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

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

Sorrento is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a small city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Calais and Sorrento are notable choices.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Many people head to Sorrento to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Sorrento?

Sorrento is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Sorrento is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sorrento is a very popular small city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

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

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.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Calais or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Sorrento is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Calais?

How long in Calais or Sorrento?

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

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

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. 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 Calais or Sorrento?

Calais 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, 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 Calais or Sorrento?

Calais 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 Calais or Sorrento?

Calais is a great place to explore. 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 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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Calais 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 Calais Expensive? and Is Sorrento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Sorrento?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Calais is cooler than Sorrento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Calais in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Sorrento averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Sorrento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Calais gets 119 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. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Sorrento. The winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. Calais is much colder than Sorrento in the winter. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Calais gets 57 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Sorrento. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Calais is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Calais in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Sorrento averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Calais