A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santiago de Compostela vs. Sorrento for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela 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.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a inspirational, iconic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

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. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Santiago de Compostela and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santiago de Compostela. Although Santiago de Compostela and Sorrento are popular destinations, Santiago de Compostela has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking, while Sorrento attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Sorrento and is known for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. It is also well known for the Cathedral of Santiago. Sorrento is famous for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast.

How is Santiago de Compostela different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its museums and landmarks. However, Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Santiago de Compostela that are not to be missed. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sorrento is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Sorrento is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Santiago de Compostela know how to have a good time. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.

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 Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is well known for its resorts. However, Santiago de Compostela 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.

Santiago de Compostela is not a resort destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a small city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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

Santiago de Compostela is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a popular place for the beache. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Sorrento is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Santiago de Compostela is not a beach destination.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Santiago de Compostela is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Santiago de Compostela is renowned for its hiking experiences. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Santiago de Compostela visitors will find world-class hiking trails. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sorrento and Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sorrento. 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 Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Families?

Sorrento is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Santiago de Compostela offers lots of family activities. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Sorrento makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Santiago de Compostela is a good city for couples to visit. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is terrific for backpackers. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Santiago de Compostela. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento Better for Students?

Santiago de Compostela is a city with good options for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Santiago de Compostela is popular with students. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is well known for its public transit. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Santiago de Compostela offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.

Is Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Santiago de Compostela and Sorrento both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable city. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.

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 Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting? and Is Sorrento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Santiago de Compostela?

How long in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

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

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Santiago de Compostela. 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 Santiago de Compostela. 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 Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

The city of Santiago de Compostela offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The small city of Sorrento offers shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

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

The relaxing destination of Sorrento offers nightlife and food. This small city offers something for everyone. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Santiago de Compostela 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. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 fun place to experience. The destination of Sorrento offers shopping and nightlife. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this small city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento in the Summer?

Both Sorrento and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the summer for the hiking 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, Santiago de Compostela is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 19°C (66°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Sorrento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento in the Autumn?

Both Sorrento and Santiago de Compostela during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, 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.

Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Sorrento. The winter months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela 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, Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Sorrento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Sorrento. The natural beauty are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 13°C (55°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Sorrento. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Santiago de Compostela