A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sorrento vs. Lake Garda for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sorrento or Lake Garda?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sorrento and Lake Garda can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sorrento and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Sorrento and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and beaches. Sorrento is famous 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. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Sorrento different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

Lake Garda is a lake with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Lake Garda is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its beaches. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

The beaches at Lake Garda attract visitors from all over. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Both Sorrento and Lake Garda are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an extremely popular lake to visit for families. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Sorrento is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Sorrento and Lake Garda.

Public transit in Sorrento is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Lake Garda has some very good public transit options. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Sorrento or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Sorrento and Lake Garda both are excellent when exploring 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable small city. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Sorrento Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Sorrento?

How long in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Sorrento or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sorrento due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sorrento, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Sorrento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake Garda, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sorrento than Lake Garda. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sorrento that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sorrento than Lake Garda 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 Sorrento or Lake Garda?

With shopping and nightlife around the colorful small city of Sorrento, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sorrento, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the food. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

Sorrento, a popular small city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this small city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda 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.

A week in Sorrento or Lake Garda?

Sorrento is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this small city makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this small city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda 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 lake offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sorrento and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Sorrento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sorrento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sorrento 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Sorrento.

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

When is the best time to visit Sorrento or Lake Garda?

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 Sorrento or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sorrento as well as Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sorrento is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sorrento in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In the summer, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Sorrento usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Sorrento are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sorrento is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 17°C (63°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. In October, Sorrento usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sorrento or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Sorrento during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lake Garda can be very cold. Sorrento is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. Sorrento usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sorrento and Lake Garda. The spring months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

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

Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lake Garda. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Sorrento