A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sorrento vs. San Remo for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Beaches

Should you visit Sorrento or San Remo?

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 San Remo 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. 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Sorrento and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sorrento or San Remo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sorrento than San Remo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sorrento is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while San Remo is more popular for its beaches and historical sights. Sorrento is more touristy than San Remo and is popular for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. Also, Sorrento is famous for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. San Remo is well known for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Sorrento different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sorrento is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Sorrento or San Remo 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 San Remo has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a resort destination.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at San Remo attract visitors from all over. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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 San Remo Better for its Old Town?

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

San Remo is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sorrento or San Remo?

Sorrento is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Families?

Both Sorrento and San Remo are excellent 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, San Remo is very family-friendly. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Couples?

Sorrento is terrific for couples. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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 San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Is Sorrento or San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

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

Sorrento is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sorrento offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Sorrento or San Remo a more walkable city?

Sorrento and San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very walkable small city. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Sorrento?

How long in Sorrento or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sorrento or San Remo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sorrento than San Remo 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 San Remo.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than San Remo. 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 San Remo. 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 San Remo 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 San Remo?

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.

The beautiful coastal city of San Remo offers nightlife and food. 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 San Remo?

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.

San Remo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city 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 San Remo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sorrento or San Remo?

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.

San Remo 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 San Remo?

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.

San Remo 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 coastal 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 comparing the travel costs between Sorrento and San Remo, we can see that San Remo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Sorrento or San Remo?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Sorrento and San Remo, 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo in the Summer?

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

In July, Sorrento is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Sorrento average around 23°C (74°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Remo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In the summer, Sorrento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo. Sorrento gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Sorrento usually gets more rain in July than San Remo. Sorrento gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or San Remo in the Autumn?

Both San Remo 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 San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during autumn. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Remo. It's quite rainy in Sorrento. In October, Sorrento usually receives more rain than San Remo. Sorrento gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sorrento or San Remo in the Winter?

Both San Remo 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sorrento is around the same temperature as San Remo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sorrento in January average around 8°C (47°F), and San Remo averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Sorrento often gets less sunshine than San Remo. Sorrento gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. Sorrento usually gets more rain in January than San Remo. Sorrento gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sorrento or San Remo in the Spring?

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

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

Sorrento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during spring. Sorrento gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sorrento usually receives more rain than San Remo. Sorrento gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Sorrento