A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Rochelle vs. Sorrento for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Hiking

Should you visit La Rochelle or Sorrento?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle 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.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a historic, relaxing, and accessible small city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

La Rochelle and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although La Rochelle and Sorrento are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Sorrento is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. It is also well known for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both La Rochelle and Sorrento offer terrific local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Sorrento has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both La Rochelle and Sorrento.

If you're looking for night time activities La Rochelle has a few options to choose from. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sorrento. 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 La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is great for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Sorrento is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both La Rochelle and Sorrento are nice choices.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Many people head to Sorrento to enjoy the beach. 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 La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is great for hiking. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

Sorrento is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sorrento is very family-friendly. 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.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Sorrento make for a terrific place to visit.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

For those traveling as a couple, Sorrento 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.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Sorrento is extremely popular 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.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

La Rochelle is popular with students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Sorrento can get you to some places easily. 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.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is La Rochelle or Sorrento a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Sorrento are excellent when it comes to walkability.

La Rochelle is a very walkable coastal town. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Sorrento is a very walkable destination. 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 La Rochelle Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

Both La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than La Rochelle. 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 La Rochelle. 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 La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful small city of Sorrento. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town 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 La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the accessible destination of Sorrento. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This small city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the laid back small city of Sorrento. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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 coastal town offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Sorrento. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the food. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this small city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Sorrento?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle or Sorrento in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Sorrento. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in July than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. 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.

La Rochelle is cooler than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Sorrento in the Winter?

Both Sorrento and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

In the winter, La Rochelle is cooler than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun.

Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in January than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Sorrento. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, La Rochelle is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Sorrento. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and La Rochelle