Comparison · Cinque Terre vs Sorrento · Italy
Cinque Terre vs Sorrento
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and a short break; choose Sorrento for Limoncello, Bay of Naples views, nightlife and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 546 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 546 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Cinque Terre
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Sorrento
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Cinque Terre | Sorrento | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and Pesto | Limoncello, Bay of Naples views and Ferries to Capri |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 13°C (55°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 14 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | Fegina, Monterosso | Marina Grande |
| Airports | PSA, GOA, FLR | NAP |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cinque Terre for…
Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and a short break. The Cinque Terre are five villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — strung along a short, steep stretch of the Ligurian coast between Levanto and La Spezia. Inscribed by UNESCO in 1997 together with Porto Venere and its…
Choose Sorrento for…
Limoncello, Bay of Naples views, nightlife and free sights. Sorrento sits on tuff cliffs above the Bay of Naples, facing Vesuvius across the water, at the end of the Circumvesuviana railway from Naples. Its compact centre around Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia is flat and walkable, while lifts and stairways drop to…
Top sights compared
| # | Cinque Terre | Sorrento |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernazza harbour | Piazza Tasso |
| 2 | Manarola and Punta Bonfiglio | Vallone dei Mulini |
| 3 | Riomaggiore | Villa Comunale |
| 4 | Monterosso old town and Fegina | Cloister of San Francesco |
| 5 | Corniglia and the Lardarina | Sorrento Cathedral |
Food compared
| Cinque Terre | Sorrento |
|---|---|
| Trofie al pesto | Gnocchi alla sorrentina |
| Focaccia | Limoncello |
| Monterosso anchovies | Delizia al limone |
| Farinata | Spaghetti alla Nerano |
Which is cheaper?
Cinque Terre and Sorrento cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Cinque Terre and $180–$320 in Sorrento (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cinque Terre on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cinque Terre and Sorrento are about 546 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Cinque Terre and 5 in Sorrento.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cinque Terre or Sorrento cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Cinque Terre and $180–$320 in Sorrento (estimates).
+Is Cinque Terre or Sorrento better for a first trip?
Pick Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and a short break, or Sorrento for Limoncello, Bay of Naples views, nightlife and free sights.
+How far is Cinque Terre from Sorrento?
About 546 km in a straight line.