A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Piazza Armerina vs. Sorrento for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a authentic, historic, and charming town. It's also known for food and museums.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a colorful, historic, and relaxing 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. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Piazza Armerina and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Piazza Armerina and Sorrento are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Piazza Armerina attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Sorrento is more touristy than Piazza Armerina and is known 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. Piazza Armerina is famous for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Piazza Armerina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

Sorrento is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

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.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is notable for its resorts. However, Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a resort destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a good destination for the beache. However, Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

Piazza Armerina is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Piazza Armerina 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Sorrento is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sorrento is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Sorrento is a very kid-friendly small city. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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.

Piazza Armerina is a good town for couples to visit. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Sorrento. 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.

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.

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

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

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.

Piazza Armerina has some public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Is Piazza Armerina or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina and Sorrento both are very good when exploring on foot.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable town. You can explore most of the old and new towns 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 Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Both Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Piazza Armerina, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

The town of Piazza Armerina offers museums and food. 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.

The historic destination of Sorrento offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

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

The small city of Sorrento offers shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Piazza Armerina 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.

Sorrento is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This small city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Piazza Armerina 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 town offers something for everyone.

The colorful small city of Sorrento offers food and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, and The Best Adventure Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Sorrento?

Piazza Armerina has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Sorrento in the Summer?

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

In July, Piazza Armerina is generally a little warmer than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 26°C (79°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In Piazza Armerina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piazza Armerina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during summer. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Sorrento. Also, 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.

Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Sorrento in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Piazza Armerina is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piazza Armerina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Piazza Armerina gets 153 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, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Sorrento in the Spring?

Both Sorrento and Piazza Armerina during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sorrento in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Piazza Armerina is generally a little warmer than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 15°C (58°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. In the spring, Piazza Armerina often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Piazza Armerina