Naples and Sorrento are two of Italy’s prized Mediterranean destinations in the Campania region. Whilst located within an hour’s car drive from each other, you may be short on time and can only pick one. Here are some tips on how to pick between Naples and Sorrento.
City size
One of the main differences between Naples and Sorrento is that one is a city, and one is a town. Naples is Italy’s third-largest city (after Rome and Milan) with approximately 960,000 residents, while Sorrento is a coastal township with only 16,500 residents.
Weather
There is not much difference between Naples and Sorrento’s weather patterns. With only 50 kilometres between them, both boast a beautiful Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot, dry and sunny, and winters are mild and sometimes rainy. The only difference would be that Sorrento is a little cooler during the year due to its coastal location.
Ambience
If you’re after a true city atmosphere, Naples is the best option for you. Naples is filled with bustling markets, late-night wine bars and music venues, and a famous street art scene. There are a few pockets that are grittier, but we think this adds to its overall charm.
Sorrento is the complete opposite. If you’re after a laidback holiday, Sorrento is for you. Known for its beauty, Sorrento has plenty of places for you to soak it all in – from one of its beaches or gardens, to al fresco dining or a high-end spa. Life tends to operate at a slower pace when you’re by the coast.
Food
Since Naples and Sorrento are both in the Campania region, you’ll find some similarities in their cuisine. However, each place has their own signature food items that you must try!
Photo by Gabrielle Claire Marino on Unsplash
Of course, Naples is the birthplace of pizza so a slice of margherita pizza is a great way to begin your time here. Naples’ cuisine is more traditional, with a focus on creating hearty meals with simple, locally grown ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. Its street food is also some of the best in Italy! Try a sfogliatella (a shell-shaped, cream-filled pastry) and a cone of cuoppo (filled with deep-fried bites of seafood and/or vegetables).
Sorrento has developed a lighter style of cuisine to suit its seaside location. It is most famous for growing large, delicious lemons which are featured in limoncello, desserts and even savoury dishes. You’ll also be tempted by fresh seafood pastas and refreshing gelato treats.
Architecture
Both places have their own unique architecture. It comes as no surprise that Naples is home to more ancient sights and buildings given its longstanding history. We love exploring its Old Town where famous landmarks are found, from Baroque churches to underground catacombs. Even though it’s smaller, Sorrento is more spread out than Naples. Its Mediterranean style has produced colourful homes, manicured gardens, and classic Italian arches and columns on most of its buildings.
Activities
If you’re looking to pack a lot into your holiday, Naples is just the ticket. During the day, you can explore museums, historical sites, art galleries and cafes; and during the night, you can bar hop and immerse yourself in its nightlife. For some R&R, park yourself on one of Sorrento’s beaches or unwind in a cafe or garden. If you want to get out and about in Sorrento, hit the trail to hike the Path of the Gods – a historic trail previously used by donkeys that connects the villages along the Amalfi Coast.
Day trips
You can explore more of the Campania region on a day trip from either Naples or Sorrento. The gorgeous Amalfi Coast villages and the island of Capri are easily reachable by car or public transport.
Public transport
While both places have regularly scheduled buses, trains and ferries, Naples’ public transport is better purely because it’s a major transport hub. There are also metro lines, funiculars, and suburban and regional trains that are easily navigable. Naples is also flatter than Sorrento, making it more walkable.
Travel budgets
With a bigger focus on tourists, Sorrento is more expensive than Naples. Being such a tourist-centric town, things like restaurants and accommodation tend to be priced on the higher side. Being a big city, Naples can afford to offer a range of options to suit all budgets.
Ultimately, we hope that you can visit both Italian destinations because they both have their own wonderful unique qualities. Discover Italy on a Globus or Cosmos tour.
