A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sorrento vs. Rijeka for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sorrento or Rijeka?

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 Rijeka 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 relaxing, accessible, and laid back 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. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a accessible, diverse, and slow-paced town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sorrento or Rijeka?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than Rijeka, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rijeka is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Sorrento is more touristy than Rijeka and is 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. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Sorrento different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rijeka is a town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Sorrento has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Rijeka know how to have a good time. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

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 Rijeka Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sorrento. 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.

Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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

Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

Many people head to Sorrento to enjoy the beach. 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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Sorrento is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sorrento or Rijeka?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Families?

Both Sorrento and Rijeka are superb 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, Rijeka is very family-friendly. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Sorrento is renowned for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Sorrento 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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is renowned for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sorrento is a very popular small city to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a town with good options for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Rijeka is popular with students. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Sorrento is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Rijeka has some public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Sorrento or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Sorrento?

How long in Sorrento or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sorrento or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sorrento than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sorrento, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sorrento. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Rijeka offers food and shopping. 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 Rijeka?

Sorrento is a great place to explore. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Rijeka is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rijeka, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sorrento or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sorrento. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Sorrento. This small city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Rijeka is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sorrento or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Sorrento and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Sorrento or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sorrento and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Sorrento in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sorrento is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 23°C (74°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In Sorrento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sorrento usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sorrento or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sorrento as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Sorrento for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Sorrento is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sorrento averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Sorrento often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Sorrento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sorrento usually gets more rain in October than Rijeka. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Sorrento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the winter, Sorrento is much warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sorrento in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Rijeka averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Sorrento usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. In January, Sorrento usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sorrento or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Sorrento during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Sorrento is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 13°C (55°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Sorrento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Sorrento usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Sorrento