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

Should you visit Zurich or Sorrento?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Sorrento. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a colorful, historic, and relaxing small city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Zurich and Sorrento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Sorrento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sorrento. Although Zurich and Sorrento are popular destinations, Sorrento has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sorrento is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Zurich attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping. Zurich is famous for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Sorrento is famous for its lemon groves and limoncello, charming cafes, and access to the Amalfi coast. It is also well known for Marina Grande and Marina Piccola.

How is Zurich different from Sorrento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich 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 Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Sorrento does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Sorrento, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Zurich know how to have a good time. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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 Zurich or Sorrento Better for Music?

Zurich is a great destination for live music. However, Sorrento is not a live music destination.

Zurich has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Sorrento is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sorrento is a moderate small city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Beaches?

Sorrento is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Zurich is one of the most recognized in the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Sorrento does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Hiking?

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

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Sorrento?

Zurich is renowned for shopping. Also, Sorrento is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Zurich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Sorrento is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Sorrento are very good family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Couples?

Sorrento is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Sorrento is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Sorrento Better for Students?

Zurich is renowned for students. However, Sorrento is not popular with students.

Zurich is a very popular city for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Sorrento is not popular with students.

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

Both Zurich and Sorrento offer very good public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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.

Is Zurich or Sorrento a more walkable city?

Zurich and Sorrento both are very good when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sorrento or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Sorrento?

Both Zurich 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 Zurich. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sorrento.

Families should spend more time in Sorrento than Zurich. 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 Zurich. 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Sorrento?

The beautiful city of Zurich offers museums and nightlife. 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.

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.

A weekend in Zurich or Sorrento?

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

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.

Five days in Zurich or Sorrento?

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

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.

A week in Zurich or Sorrento?

Zurich is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Sorrento?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Sorrento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Sorrento. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sorrento this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Sorrento. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Sorrento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Sorrento. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.

Zurich is cooler than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sorrento. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Sorrento. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Sorrento in the Winter?

Both Sorrento and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sorrento for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Sorrento during winter. Zurich gets 55 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, Zurich usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Sorrento in the Spring?

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

In April, Zurich is generally cooler than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Sorrento. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sorrento and Zurich