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

Should you visit Cardiff or Sorrento?

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

Should I visit Cardiff 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.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a green, industrial, and up-and-coming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a historic, relaxing, and accessible 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Cardiff and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Cardiff and Sorrento are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cardiff attracts visitors for its museums. Sorrento is more touristy than Cardiff and is known 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. Cardiff is famous for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Cardiff different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Cardiff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

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 Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a great destination for its resorts. However, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff is not a resort destination.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Cardiff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a popular place for the beache. However, Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Sorrento is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

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

Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Sorrento?

Sorrento is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento Better for Students?

Cardiff is a city with good options for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is a great destination for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Sorrento is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Sorrento is a very walkable small 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.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Sorrento?

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

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

The city of Cardiff offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Sorrento, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This small city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cardiff or Sorrento?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Sorrento, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Cardiff or Sorrento?

Cardiff 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.

Sorrento is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sorrento has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cardiff or Sorrento?

Cardiff 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sorrento. In Sorrento, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Sorrento?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the summer for 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 July, Cardiff is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°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 Cardiff. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Cardiff during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, 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.

Cardiff is much colder than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Cardiff gets 95 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Sorrento in the Winter?

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

The weather in Cardiff can be very cold. In the winter, Cardiff is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Cardiff 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, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Sorrento in the Spring?

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

In April, Cardiff is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Cardiff