A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sorrento vs. Reykjavik for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sorrento or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik 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 accessible, laid back, and colorful small city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Sorrento and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sorrento or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sorrento. Although Sorrento and Reykjavik are both popular with visitors, Sorrento has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sorrento is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Sorrento is popular for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. It is also home to Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Sorrento different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sorrento is an amazing small city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Sorrento is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Sorrento or Reykjavik has a better nightlife scene.

Sorrento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Sorrento is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Sorrento has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

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

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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 Sorrento or Reykjavik?

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Both Sorrento and Reykjavik are high quality to visit with kids.

Sorrento is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Sorrento is an amazing small city to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Sorrento has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is an amazing small city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

Reykjavik is a good small city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Sorrento. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Sorrento or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Sorrento and Reykjavik both are high quality 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable small city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Sorrento?

How long in Sorrento or Reykjavik?

In either Sorrento or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sorrento than Reykjavik because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sorrento, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the small city of Sorrento. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Sorrento or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the colorful destination of Sorrento. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sorrento or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing small city of Sorrento. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this small city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this small city has to offer.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sorrento or Reykjavik?

Sorrento is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sorrento, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sorrento and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sorrento or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Sorrento and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sorrento as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Sorrento is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In the summer, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Sorrento usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Sorrento are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In the autumn, Sorrento is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sorrento in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. In October, Sorrento usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sorrento or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Sorrento during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In January, Sorrento is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 8°C (47°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. Sorrento usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sorrento and Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Sorrento is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sorrento usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Sorrento