16 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Sorrento Italy

There are such a lot of great issues to do in Sorrento, Italy! This small city on the Bay of Naples is without doubt one of the hottest locations to go to in Southern Italy — and for good purpose.

Sorrento is positioned within the Campania area of Italy, proper on the Bay of Naples. It’s a brief journey from each the town of Naples and the well-connected Naples Airport. However not like that giant, busy metropolis, Sorrento is a relaxed coastal city with plenty of sun-filled spots to find.

I not too long ago spent an Italy journey cut up between Naples and Sorrento — and what a beautiful distinction it was! An ideal mix of Italy at its most frenetic and Italy at its most romantic.

Many vacationers who dream of mountaineering the Amalfi Coast, exploring Capri’s Blue Grotto, exploring the archaeological websites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and consuming the best pizza in Naples can expertise all that whereas staying in Sorrento. Sorrento is near all these locations, and is maybe probably the most strategically positioned day journey bases in Europe.

In different phrases, you’ll be able to journey everywhere in the Bay of Naples — however come house to the identical mattress in a single day. You possibly can unpack solely as soon as. It’s like taking a cruise, with out all of the horrific influence on the native area.

Come have a look — listed below are the most effective issues to do in Sorrento Italy!

This put up was revealed in September 2023.

Issues to Do in Sorrento, Italy

Discover Sorrento’s Stunning Streets

As quickly as you arrive in Sorrento, you’ll be charmed by the gorgeous streets right here. It looks like sunshine spills via each alleyway — with boutiques providing conventional Italian leather-based, vibrant and colourful buildings, fruits and vegetable sellers, and extra.

I extremely advocate exploring Sorrento on a small group guided tour. This will provide you with a better perception into Sorrento and its fascinating historical past. For 3 hours, your information will lead you down Corso Italia and thru idyllic slender streets the place you get to pattern the Sorrento road scene. 

Go to Piazza Tasso, marvel on the Sant’Antonio Church and the San Francisco Cloisters, then meander in the direction of the traditional Valley of the Mills. All through your journey, you’ll be taught in regards to the historical past of all of it and the way Sorrento residents have come to rejoice these monuments. 

Sorrento’s downtown streets are lined with tourist-oriented companies and tall cliff-top resorts, making for a fun-filled expertise for guests to Sorrento. You’ll be glad you wore snug strolling sneakers! The tour begins at 50 EUR ($55 USD).

Go to the Amalfi Coast

Let’s not beat across the bush: the Amalfi Coast may be very possible the explanation why you’re right here in Sorrento! This is without doubt one of the most visually spectacular locations to go to in Italy — and let’s be trustworthy, the world — so it’s value planning your time properly.

Visiting the Amalfi Coast is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in Sorrento, and there are a number of methods. You possibly can go to the coast by bus or by boat, and you’ll go to independently or on a tour.

Whereas there are a number of cities on this area, city of Positano is an absolute MUST. Simply strolling round and taking photographs or spending time on the seashore is value it right here! It’s among the finest locations for pictures in Italy!

Personally, I extremely advocate taking a ship alongside the Amalfi Coast at the very least in a single route from Sorrento. The views from the water are so completely different from what you see on shore.

This Amalfi Coast boat tour from Sorrento visits the cities of Positano and Amalfi, and has a restrict of 12 individuals, making for a enjoyable small group expertise.

This Amalfi Coast tour from Sorrento visits the cities of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello on an air-conditioned bus.

If you wish to go to Sorrento independently, I like to recommend taking the ferry from Sorrento to Positano, then heading onward to Amalfi or different cities at your leisure. BOOK YOUR FERRY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE when you’re visiting in the course of the summer time months, as a result of they will and do promote out.

Buses from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast are additionally an choice, and so they are likely to run later and extra usually than the boats. That is the most affordable option to journey, however bear in mind buses could also be standing room solely, and the shoreline may be very twisty — you might wish to pop a movement illness tablet.

Go to Capri

Capri is the island of so many individuals’s desires — however do you know that it’s solely 20 minutes from Sorrento? Because of this I like to recommend individuals time their go to to Capri whereas staying in Sorrento, quite than doing a day journey from Naples. You’ll save money and time.

Capri has a longstanding repute as an island for the wealthy and well-known. Within the city of Capri, you’ll discover Italian’s most wanted manufacturers, like Bulgari, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana (together with Chanel, Dior, and Hermes, after all).

However what I like most on Capri is its nature. Hike across the island, take the chairlift up Monte Solaro, and naturally, go contained in the Blue Grotto! (Take into accout the Blue Grotto can’t be visited if it’s too windy. Sadly it was too windy by myself go to!)

Just like the Amalfi Coast, Capri will be visited by tour or independently. In case you have your coronary heart set on the Blue Grotto, a tour is perhaps a greater choice because it all comes bundled collectively.

This extremely rated Capri boat tour from Sorrento consists of three hours on the island of Capri, a go to to the Blue Grotto, and a ship journey across the island.

To go to Capri independently, you’ll be able to take the ferry from Sorrento to Capri, which takes 15-25 minutes relying on the ferry. You possibly can test schedules and guide your tickets right here. I urge you to guide forward of time in excessive season. These tickets go FAST.

Go to Ischia and Procida

Wish to go to some lesser-known, extra native islands than Capri? Head to Ischia (EES-kee-ah) and Procida (PRO-chee-da). These islands are the place Neapolitans go to get pleasure from themselves — they don’t have the posh component of Capri, however they’ve plenty of lovely streets, seashores, and fabulous meals.

This boat tour from Sorrento consists of each Ischia and Procida. You’ll have 3-4 hours in Ischia and 1-2 hours in Procida, plus some swim stops and plenty of scenic views.

If you wish to go to Ischia or Procida independently by ferry, I like to recommend selecting one island quite than two.

Which island is best as a day journey from Sorrento? I like them each, however Procida is rather a lot smaller and extra compact. You possibly can simply see most of Procida in a day journey, whereas I feel Ischia is best fitted to a multi-day journey.

You possibly can guide the ferry from Sorrento to Ischia right here (1 hour 10 minutes), and the ferry from Sorrento to Procida right here (30-45 minutes). As soon as once more, guide as early as you’ll be able to when you’re visiting throughout excessive season.

Eat All of the Lemons

Sorrento is all in regards to the lemons — and boy, do they know what to do with them within the kitchen. Sorrento is a superb place to deep dive into all of the lemon dishes, as lemon groves cowl the countryside right here.

Initially, pasta al limone. This pasta is so easy — the sauce is made out of lemon juice, heavy cream, parmigiano, butter, salt and pepper. It emulsifies into a wonderful concoction served with spaghetti.

Secondly, delizia al limone. You could find this dessert throughout Campania (I particularly love the model at Grand Caffe Gambrinus, one in every of my favourite issues to do in Naples), and it’s a should. This sponge cake is stuffed and topped with lemon custard and makes the right afternoon indulgence.

Lastly, limoncello! It looks like everybody in Sorrento has a grandparent or two making limoncello of their pantry, infusing the liquor with recent, candy lemons. You could find limoncello throughout city in Sorrento — every model claims to be the most effective!

One of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Sorrento is to go on a farm foodie go to with limoncello tasting, introducing you to many native specialties of the area.

Go to Marina Grande

It’s an extended downhill stroll from the historic middle of Sorrento, and also you’ll be greeted with a totally completely different environment. Marina Grande (to not be confused with the Marina Grande on Capri) is house to excessive cliffs, a couple of small seashores, and loads of beachside eating places serving native seafood hauled in by fishermen that morning.

Marina Grande makes an amazing spot for lunch in Sorrento. And you may get pleasure from views of Mount Vesuvius and Naples within the distance, throughout the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll get a number of the greatest views of Sorrento right here (and I’m certain you’ll have higher climate than I had on my grey day!).

Marina Grande can be the place the ferries depart to additional locations within the Bay of Naples area.

Don’t miss close by Marina Piccola, the mini model of its grander sibling, which can be a great place for photographs. There are additionally some Italian-style seashore golf equipment right here, with chairs on platforms on the ocean.

Go to the Cloister of San Francesco

Inbuilt a wealthy baroque type to supply non secular experiences or just marvel at its unimaginable structure, the 14th-century Cloister of San Francesco can’t be missed as one in every of Sorrento’s greatest locations to go to. Located throughout from Sorrento’s patron saint church and monastery, it makes for an unforgettable go to. There are three primary sections of the architectural marvel: the Monastery, the Church, and the Cloister.

The cathedral’s spectacular exterior is made out of white and grey marble, however what awaits inside will blow your thoughts. This Roman Catholic cathedral showcases beautiful spiritual art work, intricate frescos, and even its unique wood choir relationship again to the sixteenth Century – a formidable murals in itself!

In the summertime months, the cloister hosts classical music live shows, offering a particular ethereal backdrop to the occasion. After touring the cloister, don’t overlook to cease at Fauno Bar for some scrumptious artisanal ice cream and native pastries, together with scrumptious cocktails or wine and admire Sorrento’s breathtaking sundown.

Go to Sorrento’s Museums

Correale Museum of Terranova stands out as Sorrento’s greatest museum; an intimate but charming venue positioned inside an previous villa that was once a non-public mansion. It’s a wonderful selection for these with an appreciation of delicate ceramics and exquisite inlaid woodwork. It additionally comprises a formidable array of wonderful Neapolitan furnishings relationship from the sixteenth via Nineteenth centuries.

The Artwork Museum Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea is a novel museum that showcases intricate wooden inlay furnishings, packing containers, and footage made by Sorrento’s Nineteenth-century marquetry masters. Organized into varied rooms to show the evolution in strategies and ornamental motifs used at the moment, guests are offered an summary of how work was accomplished.

At Sant’Antonio church there’s an ecclesial environment enhanced by medieval work and Roman artifacts from antiquity. Chances are you’ll even spot bones attributed to St Antonino saving whales from dying in an act that made him well-known.

Simply up the highway is Parci di Villa Fiorentino, the place you’ll uncover archaeological finds relationship from the Greek period, similar to scale fashions of Villa of Pollius Felix and Terracotta Vases found in 1971 by Sorrento residents. There’s additionally an incredible marble statue found throughout excavation work!

Go to Pompeii and Herculaneum

Within the 12 months 79, the city of Pompeii was leveled by Mount Vesuvius. This eruption wrecked hellfire upon the town, trapping the residents in its ash. To this present day, Pompeii is without doubt one of the most immaculately preserved Roman cities, the place you’ll be able to see how life was up till the explosion.

Pompeii is a deeply transferring place to go to, the place you’ll be able to see individuals as they lived their final moments.

This half-day Pompeii tour from Sorrento consists of transport by air-conditioned van, knowledgeable information, and visits to the preferred locations in Pompeii, together with the Discussion board, Thermal Baths, Lupunare, and extra.

Herculaneum is one other distinguished web site that was destroyed in the identical eruption — however this metropolis was buried extra deeply in slower-falling ash, so the ruins listed below are higher preserved than Pompeii. You possibly can even expertise full homes!

For those who’d prefer to hit up each websites in a single day, this double-header tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento comes extremely rated and consists of lunch with wine.

Wherever you go, be sure that to carry water and solar safety — there isn’t a lot shade at both web site.

Go Kayaking or Paddle Boarding Alongside the Craggy Coast

The Sorrentine Peninsula is known for its scenic shoreline, so to expertise it to its full potential you need to kayak or paddleboard the world. 

Have a really distinctive expertise in a pure heart-shaped pool of emerald waters in a kayak amongst the ruins of a Roman villa circa 41-54 AD. The ruins characteristic frescoes and mosaics that mix completely with watery nature. Your kayak journey begins from Marina Grande the place the guides will take you to Punta del Capo – the location of an historical Roman villa.

Or if paddleboarding it extra to your liking, this outing will begin with an intro to SUP method and security, earlier than heading out alongside the beautiful coast of Sorrento to the Baths of Queen Giovanna. Guests will discover this pure pool for swimming and paddleboarding, with loads of picture ops. A go to to the surface of Pollio Feclice’s Roman villa is subsequent earlier than a sluggish return to Marina Grande.

Need one thing extra excessive? Why not parasail over Sorrento’s coast? Glide 300 ft within the air from Sorrento Bay alongside the island of Capri, Ishchia, and extra. No expertise is important!

Discover Sorrento’s Delicacies

What higher option to expertise genuine Sorrento than by spending a leisurely few hours sampling the delicacies? I like doing meals excursions in Italy, and Sorrento isn’t any exception! Take this 5-hour tour and get a real style of native produce: we’re speaking precise Neapolitan pizza, wealthy mozzarella and provolone cheeses, gnocchi alla sorrentina, and limoncello, for starters. 

What’s extra, you get to make your personal pizza! Tour the Sorrento Peninsula on this meals tour, which features a round-trip switch out of your metropolis middle lodge. Sorrento is known for its olive oil, and one option to be taught its secrets and techniques is by visiting the Oil Mill of Schiazzano; providing a glance into how additional virgin olive oil is made, and tasting classes. You then’ll see how recent Italian mozzarella is made.

Or, savor the Sorrento farm expertise with this guided tour together with tasting, limoncello, and extra pizza making! It’s much like the above 5-hour meals tour, solely this one dives into family-run farm life (also called an agriturismo), which incorporates espresso and dessert. An agriturismo is the right place to be taught to cook dinner Italian-style.

Take an Italian Cooking Class

For those who get pleasure from cooking together with sampling native delicacies, this exercise might be good. Attempt your hand at creating Sorrentine classics similar to Ravioli caprese in a savory tomato sauce, or genuine Italian type pizza as taught by actual Italian cooks. 

This cooking class will information you thru the steps of how you can make a ravioli with meatballs in a savory sauce, or fish with citrus fruits – with recent native substances. Pair your creation with wine or limoncello!

This pasta-centric cooking expertise will information you thru how you can make recent, do-it-yourself pasta as taught by Italian nonnas! Utilizing native substances recent from the backyard, pattern pasta will be tortelloni with recent cherry tomatoes, ravioli with pesto, or spaghetti alla chiattara with cacio e pepe sauce.

Pizza lovers will wish to be part of this class, held at a standard Sorrento farm. That is one other enjoyable agriturismo choice that allows you to discover the agricultural facet of the Bay of Naples.

Go on an Ebike and Meals Tour

There’s nothing fairly like occurring a straightforward bike journey traversing down a rustic path after which stopping alongside the best way to style the native delicacies. I like ebikes as a result of they make it a lot simpler to rise up hills!

On this enogastronomic bike tour, you’ll start at Massa Lubrese and bike to Sant’Agata sui due Golfi on an previous Sorrento mule observe.

Using via Sorrento citrus groves with the scent of lemon permeating all through, cease to partake of olive oil, cheese, and limoncello tastings, then get again in your ebike to proceed the journey. Discover Sorrento’s again roads and escape from the crowds to expertise the historical past and native tradition of rural Sorrento.

Go Wine Tasting in Sorrento

Sorrento is the place to go if you wish to pattern a few of Campania’s famed wines. Develop into a greater wine drinker with this wine tasting tour that can cowl the historical past of the grapes and solis that go into completely different forms of Italian wines. Be taught to understand the assorted notes of taste, as guided by an area sommelier. 

Right here in Sorrento, purple and white wines are lined, together with a pairing of small bites similar to cheese and cured meats. Be taught in regards to the varied varietals across the area as you sip and nibble your approach via the countryside.

Alternatively, this natural wine tasting and lunch expertise features a tour on the slopes of Vesuvius in an natural household winery. Visitors are proven the wine and storage cellar and do some wine tasting. However come hungry! As a result of a full lunch will likely be served, together with dessert.

Take a Sundown Boat Tour Alongside the Sorrento Coast 

Bask within the glory of a small group outing alongside the enchanting Sorrento Coast. The best possible time to sail is when the solar goes down, and this is without doubt one of the most romantic issues to do for {couples}, or a soothing night with pals. Sip a glass of prosecco together with some mild bites and watch the main over the Gulf of Naples. 

Alongside the best way, Alberto, an skilled native information reveals visitors the previous fishing village of Marina Grande, in addition to Sarecena Tower and the Roman Villa of Pollio Felice. Get able to take photographs aplenty!

Go to Naples

This one is perhaps a bit counterintuitive — however you’ll be able to completely go to Naples as a day journey from Sorrento! I completely love Naples and it’s one of many locations in Italy I’ll fortunately go to anytime by any means.

Sure, Naples is on the soiled facet, and it’s removed from the prettiest metropolis in Italy — however the streets are ALIVE and filled with JOY and PASSION. Neapolitans are a lot enjoyable and have an amazing humorousness. And the meals is a number of the greatest (and least expensive!) yow will discover in Italy.

Lots of Sorrento guests begin or finish their journey in Naples, and that does make logistical sense. However when you solely have time for a day journey, I like to recommend taking the Campania Categorical prepare to Naples and spending the majority of your time wandering the previous city and consuming plenty of pizza. You could find extra data in my Naples information, linked under.

Learn Extra: 28 Fabulous Issues to Do in Naples, Italy

The place to Keep in Sorrento, Italy

One of many benefits of staying in Sorrento quite than the Amalfi Coast or the islands is that you simply get much more to your cash right here. There’s a giant number of lodging, too, with loads of choices at completely different worth factors.

I like to recommend staying throughout the metropolis middle. Some guests like to remain down by Marina Grande, however needless to say it’s a steep journey right down to the shoreline, so that you’ll consistently be strolling uphill and downhill.

I personally don’t suppose staying by the seashore is value it in Sorrento. Save that for one in every of Italy’s stronger seashore locations.

High-Rated Resorts in Sorrento, Italy

I’ve hand-picked a couple of of the top-rated resorts in Sorrento at completely different worth factors, all which might be in the most effective space to remain on the town.

• High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Sorrento Italy: Lodge Antiche Mura is correct within the coronary heart of city with spacious rooms with balconies, a beautiful swimming pool, and earns rave critiques for his or her breakfasts.
• High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Sorrento Italy: Lodge Sorrento Metropolis is super-central with clear and brilliant rooms, and a wonderful shaded rooftop terrace.
• High-Rated Funds Lodge in Sorrento Italy: Ulisse Deluxe Hostel is technically a hostel, sure, nevertheless it’s tremendous good and central. Along with dorms, they’ve a number of non-public rooms with non-public loos.

Discover offers on resorts in Sorrento right here.

Learn how to Get to Sorrento, Italy

The closest airport to Sorrento is in Naples, Italy, about an hour away. Naples airport may be very nicely related throughout Europe, and even a bit past, with tons of price range flight routes. I like to recommend utilizing Skyscanner to seek out the most affordable flights.

There are a couple of straightforward methods to get to Sorrento from Naples:

You possibly can take a shared shuttle from Naples airport. For those who’re arriving and going straight to Sorrento, that is what I like to recommend. These bus shuttles depart usually and take you proper to the middle of Sorrento.

You possibly can guide a non-public shuttle from Naples Airport or anyplace in Naples. That is the costlier choice, nevertheless it’s essentially the most handy by far, and it’s not so dangerous when you’ve got a bunch.

For those who’re in Naples, you’ll be able to take the Campania Categorical prepare. This can be a vacationer prepare down the coast that solely takes 50 minutes, and the Campania Categorical workers on the prepare station will really stroll you right down to be sure you get on the fitting native prepare! In my view, among the finest methods to get to Sorrento.

Additionally when you’re in Naples, you’ll be able to take the boat to Sorrento! The ferry takes between 35 and 45 minutes, and naturally is scenic, with unmatched views of Mount Vesuvius. You possibly can test the schedule and guide right here. I like to recommend reserving prematurely when you’re visiting in excessive season.

Finest Time to Go to Sorrento Italy

Earlier than you go to Sorrento, you need to work out what sort of journey you wish to have. Would you like a summer time journey, with boat journeys, swimming within the Tyrrhenian Sea, sporting maxi clothes, and consuming spritzes within the sunshine? Then I like to recommend you goal for early June, late September, and even early October.

July and August are an especially busy and costly time to go to Sorrento — and sadly, nowadays peak season is now spilling into mid-June and mid-September. I like to recommend avoiding throughout this time when you can. It’s simply approach too crowded presently of 12 months. The ferries, for one, is perhaps booked out.

However if you need a nice journey to Sorrento with spring or fall temperatures, April, Might, October, and early November are nice occasions to go to. This can be a nice option to expertise well-liked Bay of Naples locations with smaller crowds, get decrease charges, and revel in sunshine in the course of the day (although you’ll positively want a jacket at night time). This is a perfect time of 12 months for mountaineering, too.

Winter is a really quiet time in Sorrento — nevertheless it’s nonetheless far more occurring right here than on the Amalfi Coast or within the islands, as Sorrento is a good-sized metropolis the place loads of individuals dwell year-round.

How A lot Time to Spend in Sorrento

You possibly can get pleasure from the most effective of Sorrento city itself in a single day. The place Sorrento excels, nevertheless, is its day journey potential. This can be among the finest day-tripping locations in Italy, if not all of Europe.

So which day journeys are greatest? I feel the Amalfi Coast is the highest Sorrento day journey you need to prioritize. After that, I’d prioritize one of many islands — ideally Capri, because it’s so shut — and both Pompeii and/or Herculaneum, or Naples itself.

All in all, that comes out to 3 to 4 days. I feel that makes a beautiful period of time to be primarily based in Sorrento, both as a standalone journey or as a part of an extended Italy journey.

However is it value it to remain for longer? ABSOLUTELY! There’s a lot to do within the Bay of Naples that I feel a complete week spent primarily based in Sorrento can be nicely value your time.

Journey Insurance coverage for Sorrento

And as we wrap up this put up — it’s completely important to have journey insurance coverage earlier than touring to Sorrento, or anyplace in Italy. For those who get sick or injured in your journey, when you get robbed, or even when you must be flown house for extra care, journey insurance coverage will shield you from monetary smash. World Nomads is an organization I’ve used for journeys to Italy.

Journey insurance coverage will make it easier to in your hour of want when you come down with appendicitis throughout your time in Sorrento, or journey and break an ankle whereas climbing the steps on the Amalfi Coast, and in case your flights get canceled, you will get lodging and new flights paid for.

As all the time, you’ll want to learn your coverage fastidiously and ensure it’s a match for you. See what World Nomads covers right here.

Is Sorrento Price It?

Sorrento is a fully great place to go to in Italy, brimming with sunshine and the juiciest lemons you’ve ever tasted. However contemplating all that you are able to do whereas primarily based in Sorrento, that makes it a unbelievable vacation spot — to not point out glorious worth for cash.

You received’t remorse on a regular basis you spend within the Bay of Naples. I wouldn’t be stunned if this turns into your favourite area in all of Italy — and Sorrento stays the cornerstone to these completely satisfied reminiscences.

Get pleasure from your time in Sorrento! It’s a particular place.

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Have you ever been to Sorrento? What’s your favourite factor to do? Share away!