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

Should you visit Chania or Sorrento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania 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.

Chania

Chania is a charming, picturesque, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a accessible, laid back, and colorful 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 shopping, nightlife, and food.

Chania and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Sorrento?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Chania than Sorrento, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chania is better known for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Sorrento is more popular for its resorts, shopping, and impressive beauty. Chania is well known for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. Also, Chania is famous for The Venetian Harbor. Sorrento is well known for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast.

How is Chania different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chania 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 Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chania and Sorrento both to be first-rate destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Many restaurants in Sorrento have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Chania or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

Chania has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

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 Chania or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is well known for its resorts. However, Chania 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.

Chania is not a resort destination.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sorrento is a small city with minimal options for its diving and snorkeling.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

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.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Chania is renowned for its beaches. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Chania is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

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.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Chania and Sorrento are both places where visitors can find high quality hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Sorrento?

Sorrento is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chania 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 Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Families?

Chania and Sorrento are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Sorrento is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Chania is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Is Chania or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Chania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

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

Sorrento is well known for its public transit. Also, Chania 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 Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Is Chania or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Chania and Sorrento both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

Sorrento is very walkable. 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 Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Chania?

How long in Chania or Sorrento?

Both Chania 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 Chania. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sorrento than Chania. 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 Chania 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 Chania or Sorrento?

The city of Chania offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Chania or Sorrento?

Chania is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Chania or Sorrento?

Chania 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 Chania or Sorrento?

Chania is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Sorrento?

Chania has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania 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 the summer, Chania is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chania in July average around 26°C (80°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 Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Chania during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. 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.

In October, Chania is generally a little warmer than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 20°C (68°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento. Chania gets 198 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. Chania usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Sorrento. Many visitors come to Chania 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.

Chania is a little warmer than Sorrento in the winter. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chania as well as Sorrento. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city 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 the spring, Chania is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chania in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Sorrento averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Chania