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

Should you visit Ghent or Sorrento?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Sorrento. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a colorful, historic, and relaxing 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 food, beaches, and hiking.

Ghent and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Sorrento?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sorrento. Although Ghent 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, and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Sorrento is more touristy than Ghent 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. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Sorrento, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is renowned for nightlife. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Ghent is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Ghent is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Sorrento to choose from. 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.

Ghent is not a resort destination.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a good destination for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

Ghent is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Sorrento?

Both Ghent and Sorrento are very good shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Sorrento is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Sorrento is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or Sorrento Better for Students?

Ghent is renowned for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Ghent is a very popular city for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is renowned for its public transit. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Ghent has a great public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Sorrento has some very good public transit options. 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.

Is Ghent or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Ghent and Sorrento both are very good when exploring on foot.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Sorrento?

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

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

The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Sorrento, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this historic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the food. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Ghent or Sorrento?

Ghent 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sorrento. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Sorrento?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 fun place to experience. In Sorrento, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ghent or Sorrento?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

In Sorrento, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this accessible destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Ghent.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Sorrento?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or Sorrento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Sorrento. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ghent is cooler than Sorrento in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°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. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Sorrento. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

In the autumn, Ghent is cooler than Sorrento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Sorrento averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Sorrento in the Winter?

Both Sorrento and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally much colder than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Ghent gets 47 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. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Sorrento in the Spring?

Both Sorrento and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Sorrento in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Ghent is much colder than Sorrento in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Ghent