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

Should you visit Galway or Sorrento?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Sorrento can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Galway

Galway is a cultural, historical, and vibrant 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 laid back, colorful, and historic small city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Sorrento?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sorrento. Although Galway and Sorrento are both popular with visitors, Sorrento has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sorrento is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway is known for its museums and nightlife. Sorrento is more touristy than Galway and is known for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. It is also home to Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Galway know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is notable for its resorts. However, Galway is not a resort destination.

In Sorrento, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Sorrento. There are snorkeling excursions that you can book in the area, but this is often an overlooked activity for many visitors.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a small city with good options for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sorrento. 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Sorrento is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Sorrento?

Sorrento is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sorrento is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sorrento is 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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Sorrento is a great small city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sorrento is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Galway or Sorrento Better for Students?

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

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Galway and Sorrento both are great when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Sorrento is a very walkable 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Galway?

How long in Galway or Sorrento?

Both Galway 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 Galway. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

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

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

Galway 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 Galway, 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 Galway or Sorrento?

Galway 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 Galway or Sorrento?

Galway 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 Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Sorrento?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Sorrento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Sorrento. The summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

Galway is cooler than Sorrento in the summer. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Galway as well as Sorrento. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Galway is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galway in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Sorrento averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Galway usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sorrento. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Sorrento in the Winter?

Both Sorrento and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sorrento in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Galway is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 6°C (42°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. It's quite rainy in Galway. In January, Galway usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sorrento. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Sorrento in the Spring?

Both Sorrento and Galway during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Galway is cooler than Sorrento in the spring. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Galway