Sorrento is a beautiful coastal city that is a great base while you are visiting the surrounding region. It has easy access to several locations that makes it a good place to sleep while giving you access to day trips to amazing nearby locations that don’t necessarily warrant stays of their own.
Sorrento is much easier to get to than other coastal towns. While it can take several hours to reach the Amalfi Coast towns by train and bus. Sorrento is just north of the Amalfi Coast and only about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Naples by train. Many people choose to stay here (including me!) because it is much cheaper than staying in Positano or Amalfi and it is much easier to access from Rome or Naples.
We spent two days in Sorrento but I would have loved to spend more time in the area. Sorrento itself is quiet and quaint while still being larger and offering more amenities and places to stay than in Positano or Amalfi. You can most likely see all there is to see in Sorrento within a day. However, it is a great jumping point for so many day trips so you will need to spend more time here to see it all.
For a two week Italy vacation I recommend as much as 3-4 days here!
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Explore Corso Italia – Sorrento’s Main Street
The first place to visit is Corso Italia, a cute, busy street in the heart of Sorrento. You’ll find restaurants with fun foods like Queens Chips as well as sit down restaurants that are absolutely delicious. Get ready to do some shopping too as there is no shortage of boutique shops, outdoor stalls filled with food and souvenirs as well as the occasional market place to explore. The street is lined with lamp posts and benches to eat at and is honestly beautiful. The whole town is.
Day Trip to Positano
Positano is the one of the most picturesque towns I have ever seen. Located on the Amalfi Coast it is a popular destination for people from all walks of life. It is pretty pricey to stay right next to the coast but taking a day trip to Positano from Sorrento is a very affordable option.
The ferry from Sorrento to Positano costs 15 euro per person each way and leaves from the Port of Sorrento about every two hours. The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes and is available from April – October. I recommend getting a window seat if you can for beautiful views of the coastline and Capri Island. We happened to come back at sunset and the colors in the sky were stunning.
You can also drive or take a bus over if you prefer, although it may take a little longer. The bus is the cheapest option.
In Positano enjoy the beach, shop as you wander the streets and stop for delicious food and desserts as you explore.
Must Haves for Sorrento, Italy:
Day Trip to Amalfi
Amalfi is another small coastal town along the Amalfi Coast that can easily be reached by bus or ferry from Sorrento. It is a little further away and not quite as popular as Positano but it has so much to offer.
Ferry tickets to Amalfi cost about 18 euro per person each direction. The ferry to Amalfi also leaves from the Port of Sorrento.
Day Trip to Capri
Lastly, instead of visiting one of the towns along the Amalfi Coast head out to sea for a fun day trip to the island of Capri. The ferry to and from Capri costs about 20 euro per person each direction. On Capri you can visit the blue grottos, the Gardens of Augustus, shop, eat and more!
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Day Trip to Pompeii
Pompeii is only 30 minutes away from Sorrento by train making this a very simple day trip! The ruins sit about halfway between Naples and Sorrento so if you are coming from Naples then you could easily stop at Pompeii on your way to Sorrento which is what we did. The train station by Pompeii offers luggage storage for a small fee so you don’t have to carry your bags as you wander through the ruins of historic Pompeii.
We did not join any tours or use any guides when we visited Pompeii but I highly recommend that you do. There are little to no signs or plaques throughout the ruins making it difficult to know what anything is. Luckily, there are many tours you could join like a small group tour with a guide, an audio guide you do on your own, or even a Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Tour! There is no right or wrong tour, you just have to decide what best fits your travel style and the amount of time you have available.
The Pompeii ruins are large and you can spend a lot of time here. From homes to amphitheaters and even a coliseum this city had it all. My favorite part was actually the indoor exhibits showing the preserved food and artifacts. The details we know about life in that time thanks to Pompeii is astounding.
Visit a Lemon Orchard
The Amalfi Region of Italy is known for its lemons, they are more sweet than the lemons you and I are used to and they are only grown here. When you walk around town you are going to see lemon EVERYTHING. Lemoncello, a famous alcoholic drink, is made from the amalfi lemon. You’ll also see lemon candies, lemon souvenirs, even lemon paintings and of course lemon gelato.
So what better way to experience this in person than by visiting an Orchard. We went to I Giardini di Cataldo. It is free to visit and it is located in the middle of the lemon orchard itself! You can buy their gelato and limoncello (plus free samples) and sit to enjoy the environment.
There are also windows to watch how the limoncello is made which is very fascinating, adults and kids love it!
Hike the Path of the Gods
If you love amazing ocean view and getting outside then grab your hiking shoes and head over to the Path of the Gods. This popular hiking trail is an easy hike that offers breathtaking views of the coastline and ocean. The trail runs along the cliff tops up above the Amalfi Coast. The main section of the hike is well marked and about 4 miles long. Don’t forget water and sunscreen as parts of the trail do not have much shade.
Eat The Best Gelato in Italy at Raki
I wish I could go back to Italy for many reasons but one of the top ones would be to eat gelato at Raki’s again. They have extremely authentic gelato that is creamy and stored in metal containers with lids for the perfect temperature regulation.
My favorite gelato flavor is stracciatella which is a vanilla base filled with flecks of chocolate (similar to american chocolate chip ice cream but completely different tasting)! I ate it at every gelato shop we went to, and we went to a lot, and this shop had the best absolute one.
Food
One of the best places to eat at in Sorrento is La Cantinaccia del Popolo. This restaurant is slightly hidden down a small side road but it is worth the search. There is a small line even on weeknights but it moves quickly so don’t be deterred. Stay and try their delicious pasta and seafood.
The food is authentic and it tastes good plus the atmosphere was A+ complete with a small courtyard outside.
Practical Information for Visiting Sorrento, Italy
Find accommodations, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Italy Travel Guide.
Sorrento, Italy
Sorrento, Italy is a beautiful destination and one of the best perks is that it is an affordable place to stay near the Amalfi Coast with easy access to popular destinations like Positano or Capri. The whole area is very picturesque and worth exploring if you get the chance. I already can not wait to visit again.
