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

Should you visit Marseille or Sorrento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Sorrento, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a accessible, laid back, and colorful small city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Sorrento?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than Marseille, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Sorrento is well known for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. Also, Sorrento is famous for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola.

How is Marseille different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Sorrento both to be first-rate destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

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.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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 Marseille or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Sorrento is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Sorrento have notable beaches worth visiting.

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

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.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sorrento. 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.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Sorrento?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Marseille and Sorrento.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

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.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for its Christmas markets. However, Sorrento does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Sorrento does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sorrento. 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Sorrento has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sorrento, as it is a very popular small city for 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.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or Sorrento Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Sorrento can get you to most 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.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Marseille and Sorrento are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Sorrento is very walkable. 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 Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Sorrento?

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

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

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the small city of Sorrento. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Sorrento?

Marseille 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 Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Sorrento. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Sorrento?

Marseille 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing small city of Sorrento. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this small city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this small city has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Sorrento?

Marseille is a great place to explore. 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.

Sorrento is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sorrento, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Sorrento, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is Sorrento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Sorrento?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marseille is around the same temperature as Sorrento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°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 Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Sorrento. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Sorrento. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Sorrento in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Sorrento. Many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Marseille is cooler than Sorrento in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Sorrento. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Sorrento in the Spring?

Both Sorrento and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marseille is around the same temperature as Sorrento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Sorrento averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Marseille gets 48 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 Marseille