Which place is cheaper, Positano or Sorrento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sorrento and Positano 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 is a colorful, historic, and relaxing 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 food, beaches, and hiking.
Positano is a picturesque, colorful, and stunning Mediterranean village. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and food.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than Positano, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Positano is more popular for its resorts, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Positano is more touristy than Sorrento and is popular for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. 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.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Positano and Sorrento. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at fantastic restaurants in both Sorrento and Positano.
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.
Eat your way through Positano, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.
Sorrento is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.
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.
Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.
Positano is renowned for its resorts. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.
Positano is a world class resort vacation destination. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.
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.
Both Sorrento and Positano offer respectable scuba diving or snorkeling.
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.
There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.
Both Sorrento and Positano are considered to be notable 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.
Positano offers a nice beach destination. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.
Positano is renowned for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.
The old town of Positano is one of the most recognized in the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.
Sorrento does not have a historic old town.
Both Sorrento and Positano are destinations which offer very good 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 Positano for the hiking trails. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Positano 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.
Positano is well-known for its shopping. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.
Sorrento is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village 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.
Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.
Both Sorrento and Positano are fantastic destinations for a couple's getaway.
Sorrento is a great small city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.
Positano is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.
Sorrento is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village 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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.
Sorrento is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village 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.
Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.
Positano is renowned for its walkability. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.
Getting around Positano on foot is easy. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.
Sorrento is a very walkable small city. 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 Sorrento Worth Visiting? and Is Positano Worth Visiting?.
Both Sorrento and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sorrento has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sorrento than Positano. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sorrento, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.
Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Positano. 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 Positano than Sorrento. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Positano that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sorrento than Positano 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.
The beautiful small city of Sorrento offers nightlife and food. 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.
Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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.
Sorrento is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Positano is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this Mediterranean village makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Positano, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Sorrento is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sorrento, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Positano is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Positano, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Sorrento is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sorrento has to offer. This small city offers something for everyone.
Positano is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Positano has to offer. This Mediterranean village 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sorrento is €140, while the average daily cost in Positano is €222. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sorrento and Positano in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Sorrento or Positano? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Positano and Sorrento change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sorrento.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Sorrento for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Sorrento for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sorrento are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sorrento:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sorrento and Positano, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive?.
Sorrento has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Sorrento and Positano, 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.
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.
Both Positano and Sorrento during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Positano for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sorrento is generally around the same temperature as Positano. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 23°C (74°F), and Positano fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
In Positano, 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 Positano. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun.
Sorrento usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Positano. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Positano receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sorrento and Positano. Many travelers come to Sorrento for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Positano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sorrento is around the same temperature as Positano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Positano fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Positano during autumn. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Positano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of rain as Positano. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Sorrento as well as Positano. Many visitors come to Sorrento in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Sorrento is around the same temperature as Positano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sorrento in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Positano averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Sorrento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Positano. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 115 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Positano. Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sorrento usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Positano. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Positano receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Positano and Sorrento are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Sorrento is generally around the same temperature as Positano. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 13°C (55°F), and Positano fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Positano during spring. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of rain as Positano. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Positano receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Sorrento | Positano | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Jul | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |