Which place is cheaper, Sorrento or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Coimbra or Sorrento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra 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.
Where Should I go: Coimbra or Sorrento?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
Sorrento
Sorrento is a popular travel destination in Campania, Italy. The city has nice architecture and many shops and outdoor cafes you can enjoy. Its access via the Circumvesuviana rail system make it a great base for visiting Pompeii and Ercolano.
The city has a Mediterranean climate that has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The pleasant climate make it a popular destination year around, although you can expect crowds during the peak summer months.
You'll find no shortage of hotels and hostels in town as the city's economy is very much dependent on tourism. Hostels are generally clean and comfortable, but they may be more expensive than you expect. If you travel during the low season you're likely to save some money even if the weather isn't as nice. Mid range hotel rooms are usually smaller than their American counterparts, but they are clean and nice and often come with a complimentary breakfast. The same can generally be said for more expensive hotels.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Sorrento €140
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Sorrento is €140. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and Sorrento in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Sorrento €90
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Sorrento €180
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Sorrento
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Sorrento? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Sorrento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Sorrento €7.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sorrento
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:
-
Local Bus Ticket€4.20
-
Ferry to Capri (Round Trip)€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sorrento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:
- transfer from napoli to sorrento or back: $102
- Transfers From Naples Airport Or Train Station To Sorrento: $125
- Transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $127
- Transfer from Naples airport or station to Nerano (Massalubrense): $131
- Transfer Sorrento to Naples: $121
- Transfer Sorrento - Naples: $180
- Transfer Naples to Sorrento with stop to visit Pompeii ruins: $175
- Transfer Naples airport/station to Sorrento with stop in Pompeii: $240
- Transfer to Naples, Airport, Train Station. Port..: $102
- Transfer to Naples with Herculaneum Guided Tour: $404
- Transfer to Naples with Guided Tour of Pompeii: $404
- Train Transfer from/to Pompei: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Sorrento?
Prices for flights to both Sorrento and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayCoimbra €48Sorrento €38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Typical Food Prices in Sorrento
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:
-
Pizza€6.00
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€43
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)€21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sorrento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sorrento.
- Private Virtual Cooking Class from Sorrento : $33
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class and Wine Tasting: $48
- Sorrento Art & Food Tour on Breathless 'Views Village: $50
- Pizza Making Class at Tirabusciò Cooking School: $64
- Pizza Making Class: $64
- Sorrento Pizza Making: $65
- Pizza Making Course: $70
- Dinner in Sorrento with Love, Laugh and Spaghetti: $70
- Pizza School Experience from Sorrento: $71
- Farm Visit with Pizza Lesson, Wine, and Limoncello: $75
- Pizza School with Wine and Limoncello Tasting in a Local Farm: $76
- Private Cooking Class in Sant'Agnello: $76
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Sorrento €33
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sorrento
Here are a few typical costs in Sorrento for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Chair & Umbrella at Beach€10
-
Bike Rental (24 Hours)€20
-
Scuba Diving (Single Dive)€45
-
Blue Mini Cruise€22
Tours and Activities in Sorrento
Here are a few actual costs in Sorrento for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All inclusive Herculaneum Skip the Line Tour From Sorrento: $115
- Positano, Amalfi and Ravello Small-Group Tour From Sorrento: $130
- 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Sorrento : $199
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Sorrento with Local Food Tasting: $39
- 3 Hours Guided Boat Tour for Small Groups on the Island of Capri: $164
- 3 hours Private Capri Boat Tour : $239
- 8 Hour Tour of Capri and Anacapri: $66
- AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON ALLEGRA21: $1,390
- AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON SAVER HARD TOP: $2,299
- Amalfi Boat Tour From Sorrento with Positano Trip: $152
- Amalfi Coast Boat Tour: $206
- Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento: $166
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Sorrento €8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sorrento
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sorrento are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sorrento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sorrento:
- Walking Tour Wine Tasting and Typical Products in Sorrento Farm: $71
- Campania wine tasting with traditional foods: $75
- Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $97
- Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting : $98
- Small Group Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $104
- From Mount Vesuvius Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $107
- Wine Tasting Including Lunch: $108
- Lemon, Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $109
- From Full-Day Pompeii & Wine Tasting Tour: $136
- Full Day Small Group Pompeii Tour from Sorrento with Local Wine Tasting: $139
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Wine tasting + Easy lunch: $185
- Guided Tour of Pompei and Wine Tasting from Sorrento: $205
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra 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 Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Sorrento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Sorrento?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra 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 Coimbra 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 Coimbra or Sorrento in the Summer?
Both Sorrento and Coimbra during the summer are popular places to visit. 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, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Sorrento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Sorrento averages at about 23°C (74°F).
In Sorrento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the summer, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Sorrento. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Sorrento 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sorrento in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Sorrento. 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.
In October, Coimbra is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Sorrento 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sorrento in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Sorrento. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Sorrento in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Sorrento. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Sorrento 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sorrento in the Spring?
Both Sorrento and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Sorrento averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Sorrento 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Sorrento and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Sorrento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.