The Sorrentino Peninsula, in Italy’s south, presents some of the world’s most striking vistas, vantage points and a veritable feast of local flavours guaranteed to satisfy all manner of voracious appetites.

No surprise, then, that the Amalfi Coast, located on the peninsula’s southern side, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with pastel villages, verdant mountains and sheer drops ready to spill into the ocean…it all adds up to one of the most picturesque places on the planet.

A short drive west from the Amalfi Coast – though not actually part of it – and to the peninsula’s north, you’ll find Sorrento. With quick, convenient connections to Capri, Naples and Pompei, Sorrento offers a more accessible and somewhat more peaceful experience than the sometimes crowded, less well-connected Amalfi Coast.

Today, we’re taking a look at two of main towns on the Sorrentino Peninsula and Amalfi Coast, and consider which is the better bet for a holiday. With that in mind, here we explore whether Sorrento or Amalfi is the better choice for a holiday.

CROWDS

It should be noted from the off that though Amalfi is famed for its beauty, it’s also notorious for its crowds, particularly in the high season, which runs from May to mid September. August, which is the Italian school holidays and also the hottest month here, is particularly prone to overcrowding.

The shoulder seasons (the short period of time between the low and high season) represent the best time to visit – in Amalfi, these are in April and late September to mid October. If you’re planning on enjoying a drive along the Amalfi Coast’s famous winding roads, then be warned that in the summer, traffic will render that road trip a frustrating and often fruitless experience.

Though Sorrento follows the same high season, it’s generally less busy, though it has to be said, it still gets crowded, with many using the town as a launchpad for the Amalfi Coast and Naples.

ACCOMMODATION & DINING BUDGETS

According to budgeting expert the Champion Traveller, the average cost of a couple’s holiday to Sorrento is between $188-$541 per day whilst in Amalfi, that figure rises to $373-$677.

The largest difference in average cost is down to the disparity in accommodation rental, primarily because holiday apartments to rent in Sorrento are considerably more affordable. It’s estimated that a room in Amalfi is around $50 more a night than Sorrento.

You’ll pay less for meals out in Sorrento, with Budget your Trip estimating a $20 discrepancy between restaurants there and in Amalfi. 

BEACHES

The town of Sorrento does have beaches just a pebble’s skim away, but they’re compact and, as a result, often incredibly crowded. Generally speaking, the beaches in and around Sorrento aren’t the golden-sanded kind either and are often rocky underfoot. The neighbouring towns of Positano, which incidentally is one of the best places to drink wine in Italy, the tiny fishing village Erchie, and Cetara all boast significantly more hospitable stretches of sand.

It’s a similar story in Amalfi, with the town’s main beach Marina Grande packing them in like sardines in the summer. Better to head a little out of town, either to Santa Croce by ferry or Duoglio by car, which are only a kilometre away and significantly less crowded.

Alternatively, a 15 minute drive or 30 minute bus ride away is the town of Maiori, which boasts the longest stretch of sand in the region.

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SITES

Amalfi Cathedral, in the town’s Piazza del Duomo, is well worth braving the crowds for. Its seemingly precarious perch at the top of a grand staircase bang in the centre of Amalfi town means the cathedral hovers majestically over the popular square below. Its relatively new facade (restored and reimagined in 1891 after the previous one collapsed) is stunning; striped stone and marble frames open arches; simply coming to admire the exterior is reason enough to visit. Inside, the crypt, holding the remains of St. Andrew (to whom the cathedral is dedicated) is full of aesthetic intrigue. The Baroque murals are particularly striking.

In Sorrento, the main focal point of the town is Piazza Tasso, and this is where locals and tourists alike come to enjoy a little passeggiata, the beloved Italian pastime of strolling and socialising. Close by is Chiesa di San Francesco, which was built in the 14th Century and boasts a peaceful cloister. If you’re keen to admire the town’s history and architecture further, then the Basilica Di Sant’Antonino and Cathedral Di Sorrento both have intricate facades.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If cost is your number one concern, then Sorrento town represents a more affordable way to see the Amalfi Coast, as well as offering a convenient launchpad to explore some of Southern Italy’s most famous sites. Should you wish to experience Amalfi and its coast, then it’s eminently possible to do so in a day from Sorrento, though if you’re keen to explore more exhaustively, it might be worth staying on the southern side of the Sorrentino peninsula.

If you’re thinking about making this thing more long term, then check out our 5 IDEAL tips for moving to Italy from the UK.