A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sorrento vs. Pisa for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sorrento or Pisa?

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 Pisa 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.

Pisa

Pisa is a iconic, world-famous, and classic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sorrento and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sorrento or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Sorrento and Pisa are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and big city activities, while Pisa attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights. 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. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Sorrento different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pisa 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 Pisa?

Pisa 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 Pisa. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Pisa is an experience not to be missed. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Pisa know how to have a good time. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

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 Pisa Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a great small city for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Sorrento and Pisa are considered to be nice beach destinations.

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.

Pisa offers a nice beach destination. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

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

Pisa is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a great small city for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

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.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sorrento or Pisa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pisa and Sorrento.

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.

Pisa is well-known for its shopping. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Families?

Sorrento is a great small city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pisa is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Couples?

Sorrento is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pisa is a good small city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pisa is a very popular small city for backpackers and budget travelers. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is Sorrento or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is renowned for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Pisa is a very popular city for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is a great small city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Sorrento can get you around 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.

Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Sorrento or Pisa a more walkable city?

Sorrento and Pisa 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.

Pisa is a very walkable small city. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Sorrento?

How long in Sorrento or Pisa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sorrento and Pisa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sorrento than in Pisa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sorrento, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pisa.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Pisa. 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 Pisa. 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 Pisa 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 Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sorrento. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of Pisa offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Sorrento or Pisa?

Sorrento is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Sorrento or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Sorrento. This small city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Pisa 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 Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the accessible small city of Sorrento. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Pisa 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.

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 Pisa, we can see that Sorrento is more expensive. And not only is Pisa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pisa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pisa 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 Pisa.

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

Which is Bigger, Sorrento or Pisa?

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

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 Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Sorrento during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sorrento is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sorrento in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sorrento. In the summer, Sorrento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Sorrento usually gets less rain in July than Pisa. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sorrento and Pisa. 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 Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during autumn. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sorrento usually receives less rain than Pisa. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sorrento or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sorrento as well as Pisa. Most visitors come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pisa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sorrento is a little warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sorrento usually gets more rain in January than Pisa. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Sorrento are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Pisa this time of year.

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

Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during spring. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Sorrento usually receives less rain than Pisa. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Sorrento