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

Should you visit York or Sorrento?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit York or Sorrento? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

York

York is a historic, medieval, and fanciful city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a historic, relaxing, and accessible 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. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

York and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Sorrento?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sorrento. Although York and Sorrento are both popular with visitors, Sorrento has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sorrento is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while York is known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights. York is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. 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.

How is York different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in York or Sorrento?

York 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 York. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both York and Sorrento both to be terrific destinations.

For foodies, York is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

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.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in York know how to have a good time. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

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 York or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its resorts. However, York 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.

York is not a resort destination.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, York 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.

York is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a popular place for its beaches. However, York is not a beach destination.

Sorrento is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

York is not a beach destination.

Is York or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

York is renowned for its historic old town. However, Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

The old town of York is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

Sorrento is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, York 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.

York is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in York or Sorrento?

Sorrento is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Families?

York is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

York is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for romance. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

York makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Is York or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sorrento is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sorrento is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Many backpackers visit York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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

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

Public transit in Sorrento is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

York has some public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Is York or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Sorrento is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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.

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or York?

How long in York or Sorrento?

Both York and Sorrento have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sorrento than in York. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in York than Sorrento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in York, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sorrento than York. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sorrento that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sorrento than York 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 York or Sorrento?

The city of York offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

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.

A weekend in York or Sorrento?

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

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.

Five days in York or Sorrento?

York is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

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.

A week in York or Sorrento?

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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between York and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento 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 York Expensive? and Is Sorrento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, York or Sorrento?

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

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 York or Sorrento in the Summer?

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

York is cooler than Sorrento in the summer. The daily temperature in York averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. York usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, York usually receives more rain than Sorrento. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit York or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to York as well as Sorrento. Most visitors come to York for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, 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.

In the autumn, York is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in York in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Sorrento averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, York often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. York usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Sorrento in the Winter?

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

The weather in York can be very cold. In January, York is generally much colder than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in York average around 4°C (39°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. In January, York usually receives less rain than Sorrento. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit York or Sorrento in the Spring?

Both Sorrento and York during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

York is much colder than Sorrento in the spring. The daily temperature in York averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, York often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in April than Sorrento. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and York