A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Essaouira vs. Sorrento for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Essaouira or Sorrento?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Essaouira and Sorrento can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Essaouira or Sorrento?

Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.

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 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Sorrento or Essaouira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Essaouira is $46, while the average daily cost in Sorrento is $150. 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 Essaouira and Sorrento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Essaouira $26
    Sorrento $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Essaouira $52
    Sorrento $192
Compare Hotels in Essaouira and Sorrento

Looking for a hotel in Essaouira 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.

Hotels in Essaouira


Hotels in Sorrento


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: Essaouira Hotel Prices and Sorrento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Essaouira $1.99
    Sorrento $8.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfert Marrakech to Agafay-Private Agafay to Marrakech : $87
  • Airport Transfer From Essaouira Airport To Medina: $22
  • Essaouira : Private Transfer from or to Agafay Desert: $160
  • Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $38
  • Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $138
  • Hinterland Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $27
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport (ESU): $22
  • Scenic Hinterland Quad Ride with Transfer: $80
  • From Beachside Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $70
  • From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $321
  • From Private Transfer to Marrakech: $123

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sorrento

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $4.50
  • Ferry to Capri (Round Trip)
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sorrento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:

  • Transfer to Naples with Herculaneum Guided Tour: $404
  • Transfer to Naples with Guided Tour of Pompeii: $404
  • Private transfer from Sorrento to Rome: $281
  • Private Transfer from Sorrento to Amalfi: $251
  • Transfer Naples airport/station to Sorrento with stop in Pompeii: $240
  • Naples: Private transfer to Sorrento one way: $235
  • Naples Airport (NAP): Private One-Way Transfer from Sorrento: $235
  • Private Transfer by Minivan from Sorrento to Naples Airport, Train Station, Port: $235
  • Sorrento to Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $224
  • Private Transfer by Car from Sorrento to Ravello or from Ravello to Sorrento: $218
  • Private transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $218
  • Private Airport Transfer from Sorrento to Naples Station: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Essaouira or Sorrento?

Prices for flights to both Sorrento and Essaouira 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 day
    Essaouira $14
    Sorrento $41
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:


  • Baklava
    $1.40
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.50
  • Fish for Lunch
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira

For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $55
  • Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $170

Typical Food Prices in Sorrento

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:


  • Pizza
    $6.43
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $46
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $23

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.
    Essaouira $12
    Sorrento $35

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.

  • Highlights Tour with Tasting the Ocean City: $19
  • Full Day Tour From Marrakech To Essaouira Mogador: $21
  • Private City Tour: $26
  • From Marrakech: Guided tour of Essaouira the coastal city: $26
  • Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $31
  • 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
  • Cultural & Historical Sightseeing Tour - half day: $41
  • Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $48
  • Half-Day Old Town Guided Tour: $48
  • Essaouira : 1H quad bike tour and 1H camel ride: $57
  • Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $57
  • 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $58

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
    $11
  • Bike Rental (24 Hours)
    $21
  • Scuba Diving (Single Dive)
    $48
  • Blue Mini Cruise
    $24

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 day
    Essaouira $9.16
    Sorrento $9.34

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 Essaouira and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Essaouira is in Africa and Sorrento is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Essaouira.

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


Which is Bigger, Essaouira or Sorrento?

Essaouira has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Essaouira 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.