Sorrento is often the starting point for a trip to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, as from here you can easily visit Pompeii, Capri, Ischia, Naples, Positano, Amalfi and more destinations by ferry/ hydrofoil and in some cases by bus or private transfers. Read on for what to do in Sorrento, suggested day trips and where to eat and drink, including some great rooftop bars and terraces with a view!
What to do in Sorrento
Sorrento is a pretty town perched on the hill above the bay of Naples. It’s known for its spectacular views, the Piazza Tasso, the artisanal shopping (see below, but which consists of primarily inlaid wood, leather goods and limoncello). The historic centre and the marinas are well worth a visit but be prepared for some uphill climbs!
Visit the historic centre
Much of the charm of a visit to Sorrento is in simply wandering through the pedestrian streets and shopping areas. Most of the historic centre is within a 500m radius of the main Tasso Square, which is also a great place to stop for a coffee or aperitif!
There are a few small museums in Sorrento, and some churches, as well as the Cathedral. There is also a wide array of bars and restaurants which cater for most tastes and budgets!
Visit the harbour and or go to the beach
Sorrento has two harbours and contrary to the names, Marina Piccola is the larger marina and the starting point for ferry and hydrofoil trips whereas Marina Grande is a small fishing port on the opposite side of Sorrento. (Is it any wonder I went to the wrong harbour in Capri!).
Marina Grande is Sorrento’s traditional fishing harbour and is a pretty setting where you can relax in one of the bathing areas or enjoy a drink/ snack at one of the restaurants or cafés at the water’s edge.
Sorrento is not famed for its sandy beaches and indeed beach access is very restricted. There is a very small public beach area at Marina Grande, but otherwise you have to pay for access to one of the beach clubs, which have a small waterfront area and sun loungers and umbrellas.
My favourite was the ristorante bagni sant anna, which was located on the pier, so there was no direct beach access, but the setting was beautiful and it was a delight to be served food while you sunbathe! It cost 20€ per day for two sunbeds and an umbrella, but you could stay all day (or leave your things and come back later) and of course, you have access to toilets and showers. It’s also worth noting that you can book the restaurant or just the sunbeds and the fresh fruit platter was delicious!
Shop for woodwork, leather goods and/ or limoncello
The main shopping street in Sorrento is the Corso Italia, and you will find a range of boutiques along this road, but in the little side streets you will also find artisanal shops, selling the local specialities!
i) Inlaid wood
Sorrento is famed for its inlaid wood furniture and art and there are a number of workshops and galleries which show and sell everything from small inlaid jewellery boxes to large items of furniture.
ii) leather goods
Sorrento and much of the Amalfi Coast is also renowned for its leather goods, and in some of the shops you can see the craftsmen at work. You can order a pair of made to measure hand-crafted sandals and there is a wide range of handbags, wallets, belts and other leather goods. I bought a leather belt and not only was it cut to my size, but also the buckle was replaced with one of my favourites from an old belt (at no additional cost).
iii) limoncello
Sorrento is one of the towns that’s famous for limoncello (a sweet lemon liquor ) and you’ll find lots of stores that sell it.
It’s worth noting that most stores are open late (most until 10 pm and some later), and Sorrento centre is a safe and friendly place to stroll around and window shop.
Suggested day trips from Sorrento
Capri
The beautiful island of Capri is just a short ferry crossing from Sorrento (Marina Piccola), and on Capri, you can visit the town of Capri, the gardens of Augustus, the Carthusian Monastery, Anacapri, the Blue Grotto and much more. See here for more ideas of what to do on Capri.
Ischia
Although it is feasible to visit Ischia for a day trip, there is so much to do and see on Ischia (castles, thermal parks, beautiful gardens, boat trips…) that a day is not enough! We stayed three days and thoroughly loved our visit!
Positano and Amalfi
Positano and Amalfi are both on the mainland but it is still possible to go by boat or you can take a bus or an organised tour. It is possible to do both in a day and some tours offer this or, if you have lots of time, then you could spend a day in each.
Positano is found at the end of a very, steep winding road! I had initially planned a private tour (via minibus), but as there were only four of us, we were taken by taxi, which given the hairpin bends was a great relief! Positano itself is a very beautiful town with a large beach and lots of small boutiques and restaurants.
Amalfi is a little further down the Coast and is known for its Cathedral, beach and ‘Emerald Grotto’. It’s a small but pretty town, which used to be significantly bigger!
On the trail of a volcano
It would be hard to talk about the Amalfi Coast and not mention Mount Vesuvius, the famous volcano that erupted in Roman times (AD 79) and buried Pompeii. The volcano is just 6 miles from Naples and a visit to the Mount Vesuvius National Park can easily be combined with a visit to Pompeii or Herculaneum.
We chose to visit Mount Vesuvius in the morning and Pompeii in the afternoon and to visit Herculanuem another day.
It’s a little scary to think that Mount Vesuvius is not a dormant volcano and has an eruption cycle of about 20 years (although the last eruption was in 1944.).
Still, I was assured that it was not unsafe to visit, and that the site is closed if there is any suspicious volcanic activity! You can drive (or take the shuttle bus from Pompeii) part way but then you have about a 30 minute hike to the crater!
Pompeii and Herculaneum (Ercolana)
You can drive to Pompeii from Sorrento or take the Circumvesuviana train (so called because it circles under Vesuvius) which takes about 20 minutes. The entrance to the site is right opposite the station. If you drive, be careful where you park and don’t leave any belongings in the car.
The partially buried Roman town-city of Pompeii is part of a set of five archeological sites in the area, and you can buy combination tickets covering all the sites or just tickets for an individual site. Pompeii attracts by far the most tourists and is a vast site. However, I personally preferred the visit to Herculaneum.
When visiting Pompeii, there is minimal shade so come prepared and remember suncream and water!
Again, you can drive or take the Circumvesuviana train to Ercolano (about 40 minutes from Sorrento). When you leave the station, follow the main road downhill about 500 meters to the entrance of the archaeological site.
Like Pompeii, this is a buried city, but the site is more compact and there are a fewer crowds.
Where to stay, eat and drink in Sorrento
Have a look below for a selection of accommodation in Sorrento.
Booking.comRooftop bars in Sorrento
The rooftop bars in Sorrento are a great place for pre-dinner drinks as the views over the bay of Naples are spectacular and if you time it right they are a great place to watch the sunset!
My two favourite roof bars were part of hotels, which looked as though they would also be great places to stay
i) La Favorita Hotel
The Grand Hotel La Favorita has a rooftop bar and swimming pool and was a beautiful place for an aperitif! The views were breathtaking and the staff were friendly and helpful.
The view was also amazing!
ii) The Hotel Continental
The terrace of the Hotel Continental also offered spectacular views over the bay, and we were lucky enough to arrive during ‘happy hour’ so the drinks were very reasonably priced!
The hotel also has a beach with access via a tunnel, and a panoramic restaurant.
Restaurants with a terrace/ view in Sorrento
i) The artis domus
The Artis Domus is a small hotel in the centre of Sorrento (not too far from the Cathedral) and the gardens are a beautiful setting for a drink or a meal. We had dinner there and were not disappointed! Their dog ‘Milo’ is such a cutie and you can see rabbits wandering around the garden!
If you have dinner there, I recommend the white chocolate sphere, which was absolutely delicious! Unfortunately, I was too busy eating it to remember to take a photo!
There is also a small swimming pool for guests of the hotel and you can also use it if you eat there.
ii) The “Terrazza delle Sirene” at the ‘Foreigner’s club’
The Terraza delle Sirene offers a beautiful setting for a relaxed dinner, and we were lucky enough to have a table on the terrace with a view over the sea, even though we hadn’t booked. However in summer months I would recommend booking in advance.
iii) The ‘Pergola Terrace’ at the Bellevue Syrene
Another beautiful location for drinks or a meal, with lovely views over the Gulf of Naples
The Pergola terrace is in the Piazza della Vittoria, and is part of the ‘Bellevue Syrene’ hotel, which boasts a beautiful swimming pool and private beach.
iv) The Café Latino
The ‘Café Latino’ is an oasis of calm, situated on the Via Corsa. The restaurant is situated in an orange and lemon tree garden, typical of the area, and the menu is extensive and reasonable priced. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo, but there are lots on their site!
Of course, there are many more restaurants in Sorrento, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to try them all! I definitely plan to go back though, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments below!
I hope you enjoyed this feature about What to do in Sorrento, and have a look here for more of our travel guides.
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PS If you enjoyed this article, please check out some of our other travel guides, such as what to do in Capri, Barcelona, Los Angeles, and Lisbon!
Wow this is gorgeous! I love this guide, has such great places to go! I need to be there right now!
Elise
Thank you Elise! I’m glad you found the guide useful xo
Love this travel guide! Definitely bookmarking for a future visit! And these photos are so beautiful!!!
xo
Kathryn
http://fashionwithoutthefortune.com/
Thank you Kathryn ! I’m so glad you enjoyed it xo
What gorgeous sunsets!!! Rooftop bars sound so fun. I would love to buy some leather goods from Sorrento. Seems like the perfect place to buy genuine goods! Thanks for documenting your time there!
Kim
I”m glad you enjoyed the post Kim! Sorrento is a great place to buy leather goods and rooftop bas are always a good idea! xo
What a beautiful place! I love your gorgeous photos. 🙂
http://www.lifeofardor.com
Thank you Yana 🙂
Absolutely amazing photos, Juls! Love your adventures!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Have a wonderful week!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
Thank you so much Len! Hope you’re having a great week so far! xo
Wonderful post! Everything is just so pretty! Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thank you Gemma! I’m glad you liked the post x
The Amalfi Coast, Positano specifically was one of my favourite stops during my past trip to Europe. The hubby and I plan to visit Italy again next year and spend more time in Amalfi because it was so beautiful! We only had half a day in Positano and it wasn’t nearly enough.
xoxo
Rina Samantha
http://www.andshedressed.com
I agree, Rina! Positano was one of the highlights for me too! xoxo
This place looks absolutely amazing!! Wow, hope to visit this place one day and enjoy beautiful Italy!! Xx Susanne – http://bagatyou.com
Thank you Susanne!I’m going back to Italy in three weeks, and I can’t wait! xx
What an amazing place!!! I love all those photos!
– Cielo
Mermaid in Heels
Thank you Cielo xo
I got to visit Sorrento on a day trip from Naples a couple years ago, and it was definitely one of my favourite cities I’ve ever been to! Great photos & writing 🙂
Thank you Hannah! Glad you liked the post 🙂
amalfi looks amazing!
xoxo
style frontier
Yes, it is definitely worth a visit xoxo
Your photos are beautiful! And I have to try limoncello soon!
-Lena
Thank you Lena! Yes, you should definitely try limoncello! xo
OMG the place looks fantastic <3 thanks for the tips!
http://www.pinkoolaid.com/
Thank you Angel xo
Oh very interesting post!
xx
Thank you xx
The Amalfi coast is beautiful. Thanks for this guide to all things amazing while there. You look fabulous too.
http://www.fashionablyidu.com/
Thank you so much Idu! xo
Hi! You have a great blog ..
Text, photos – all perfect.
Thank you for your nice comments – I’m glad you like my blog 🙂
Amazing photos dear!
http://iameleine.blogspot.com/
http://www.instagram.com/iameleineblog/
Thank you xo
Absolutely love these sunset shots, it looks so pretty here. Your hotel looks spectacular too in terms of the views, I can see why you stayed here. Shamefully, I’ve never visited Italy but I would love to go. Capri looks fab too!
Jaz xoxo
http://www.thelifeofasocialbutterfly.co.uk
Thank you Jaz! The sunsets were spectacular! xoxo
I love this post.
xo
New post:http://blondepow.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-best-5-jeans-for-this-season-los.html
Blog:http://blondepow.blogspot.com
I’m so glad you liked it xo
These photos are absolutely beautiful!
Southern Italy is on my bucket list for the next few years so I have pinned this post for later
xx
Lizzie
Thank you Lizzie! I’m so glad you liked the photos xo
OMG these photos are beautiful, Juls! Sounds like an amazing adventures.
Thank you so much for sharing! Have a fabulous weekend ahead!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
XO
Thank you so much Len! Hope you’re having a great start to your week xo
Some family friends just jaunted off on holiday there the other day. It’s their first time so this is a great post to read. Beautiful photos. <3/Madison
Thank you Madison! Hope your friends have a great time!
Sorrento looks amazing! I love the architecture! I’m also loving your off the shoulder dress!
Jill
Doused in Pink
Thank you so much Jill xo
Such an amazing place!
Hugs, http://nouw.com/bellss
It is a beautiful destination, Bella! I’m sure you would love it xo
It looks so lovely! The photos are just beautiful – those flowers!! So informative.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thank you Amy Ann, I’m glad you found it informative xo
This makes me want to go to the Italian coast so badly. It’s been on my bucket list forever, and it looks absolutely breathtaking!
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Thank you Siffat! You would love the Amalfi Coast xo
SO many amazing photos! I love Italy! We went there on our honeymoon.
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thank you Samantha! You must have some lovely memories of Italy xx
Wow amazing Post<3
We wish you a great Weekend.
Kiss
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it xo
This looks incredible! This is definitely top of my list of places I want to go!
District of Chic
You will love it! Thanks for reading xo
Loves this post, you have a really cute blog!!
Thank you Andrea x
Very very beautiful. Spectacular images and places, such a great post!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Xx Caroline
http://www.foreverdolledup.net
Thank you Caroline! I’m glad you liked the post xo
Your stunning pictures made me want to pack my bags and travel the world! I would definitely love to visit the Amalfi coast. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Deborah! I’m sure you would love the Amalfi Coast xo
I love Italy! Amalfi Coast is so pretty! Lovely photos!
Have an amazing day!
xx Kris
Thank you Kris! Hope you’re having a great start to the week xx
Sounds like a lovely place to visit! Thanks for sharing and informing about not leaving valuables in the car.
xo Yvonne
Thank you for reading Yvonne! I’m glad you found it interesting xo
These photographs are so picture perfect, I haven’t visited the Amalfi Coast before but it looks absolutely and utterly enchanting gazing at these photographs.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Laura xo
http://www.shehearts.net
Thank you Laura! I’m glad you liked the photos xoxo
Oh gosh, what a beautiful place! I would love to visit Amalfi coast with my husband in a couple of years. We went to Italy last summer. I didn’t know about Mount Vesuvius!! Interesting!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks Carrie! It’s a bit scary that it’s not dormant!
Sorrento looks so amazing- Italy is definitely on my must-visit list!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you Ashley! I love Italy so much that I’m going back again in three weeks! xo
All these towns are so beautiful! I wish I could be there right now! Thanks for the tips and hope you had a great time!
Thank you Violette! I had a lovely time, thank you xo
I would love to visit Italy someday! It’s on my bucket list. These photos are incredible and you look so beautiful on the terrace. Thanks for taking me away from reality with this amazing post!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much Kathrine! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and you would love Italy xo
This place is extremely gorgeous Julia and you look so stunning!
Camila,
Thank you so much Camila xo
Such a beautiful place! Every corner is indeed instagram-worthy!
Angelie
It is indeed beautiful! xo
Wow what a comprehensive post. Have visited those places. Would love to have read this before I went.
Thank you Hilda! I’m glad you enjoyed the post! xo
Such beautiful photos! I’ve never been there, but it’s now on my travellist! Especially Pompeii I would like to visit.
Thank you Darina! I’m glad you enjoyed the post x
I’ve always wanted to visit Sorrento, and now your pictures has me looking at flights. All that limoncello looks pretty darn tasty. I want to try all of the different kinds. You look gorgeous in this dress Julia Look at those cute shoes.
Thank you so much Mary!
Love your work Julia
Thank you so much! xo