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Sorrento

A Complete Guide to Visiting Sorrento and the Sorrentine Peninsula

By Sara MaxwellFebruary 2nd, 20252 Comments

Sorrento is possibly the most quintessential Italian holiday destination you’ll ever find.

Bright yellow lemons everywhere, colorful buildings, incredible views and wonderful food are all on offer wherever you look, plus it’s ideally situated between Naples and the Amalfi Coast further south.

View of Sorrento Marina Grande
We challenge you not to fall in love with Sorrento in the same way that we have!

Everything you need to know about visiting Sorrento and the surrounding area from Naples

Sorrento’s many benefits mean that it is an extremely popular destination, but there is so much to like about the town that even when it is full of visitors, it is still a great place to travel to.

Our recommendation is to spend at least one night in Sorrento, you just won’t get the same experience if you only visit on a day trip!

Whether you’re planning a trip for the quiet winter months or height of summer, there’s lots of reasons why Sorrento is one of our favorite places to visit so let’s dive into this guide where we’ll be talking about:

Where is Sorrento?

Firstly, Sorrento is NOT part of the Amalfi Coast.

As you travel along the coast south from Naples, you will reach the Sorrentine Peninsula which sticks out into the sea, facing the city of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

The island of Capri sits just off of the tip of the peninsula, making Sorrento the ideal starting point for visiting this famous island.

Sorrento is the main town in the area, but there are many smaller towns and villages along the coast, such as Vico Equense, Castellamare di Stabia, Piano di Sorrento and Massa Lubrense which all have their own charms and are well worth exploring in their own right.

The Amalfi Coast faces towards Salerno and is further south, starting from Positano.

View of Mount Vesuvius from Sorrento with a ferry crossing the bay
Sorrento is on the opposite side of the Bay of Naples from the city of Naples and offers a unique view of Mount Vesuvius

A brief history of Sorrento

The Sorrentine Peninsula has been inhabited since at least 600 BCE, with evidence of small communities living there and trading with each other.

Never a highly populated area, it was not until the ancient Romans took control of the Campania area that a more permanent settlement was established. Known as Surrentum in Latin (named after a local temple to the Sirens), this part of the coast became a popular place for rich Romans, senators and later, emperors, with many ruins of ancient villas having been found in and around the modern town.

Ancient Roman column at Sorrento's cathedral
An example of an ancient Roman column now being reused in Sorrento’s main church
sorrento bathing platform view with mount vesuvius in the background
This photo looking out at Vesuvius was taken from inside an ancient Roman cistern – a structure for collecting and storing fresh water

After the western Roman empire fell in the 5th century, Sorrento was under the control of various powers including the Ostrogoths, Lombards, Byzantines and Normans, before the Spanish rulers brought the whole of southern Italy into their kingdom.

This kingdom ended in 1861 when Italy was unified, and it was around the same time that foreign visitors started to discover the beauty of Sorrento. Rich nobles started traveling all over Europe on what was known as the Grand Tour, with famous writers like Keats, Byron and Goethe sending home accounts of what they’d seen, and this drove visitors to come and see Sorrento for themselves.

When you visit Sorrento therefore you are continuing a tradition that has been in place for well over a hundred years, and this continued popularity is well deserved!

Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!

Why you should include Sorrento in your Italy itinerary

As you may have gathered, we love Sorrento and when people ask us for Italian travel recommendations, it’s always high on our list!

This is because Sorrento is a great destination in its own right and also acts as an ideal base for exploring Campania.

Want to spend your days relaxing? Sorrento’s beautiful deep blue waters and bathing platforms will serve you well during the day, before enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants.

View of Sorrento's Cathedral bell tower and town streets
There aren’t many things better than exploring Sorrento’s alleyways when they look like this

Want to see Pompeii, Herculaneum or visit some of Naples’ sights? The Circumvesuviana train line connects Sorrento with all of these places – it takes less than an hour to reach Pompeii for example.

Prefer to head south and hop along the Amalfi Coast, or visit Capri? There are many ferries and boat trips that leave from Sorrento which take you to these iconic destinations.

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What to see and do in Sorrento

Being in Sorrento is a joy, meandering through the narrow streets down to the marina and port before people-watching with a gelato or spritz in the Piazza Tasso (the main square) is one of my favorite activities!

However there’s much more to see and do in Sorrento – here are some of our top suggestions:

  • Visit the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James, Sorrento’s main church, which was originally built in the 11th century before being enlarged in the 1500’s. The church has many interesting elements, including pieces from ancient Rome, a beautiful Neapolitan majolica floor and a lovely bell tower.

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View of the inside of Sorrento's cathedral
Not only is the interior of Sorrento’s cathedral beautiful, it offers a welcome break from the heat in the summer
  • See the ancient Roman defensive wall that served as protection for the town for centuries at Piazza Antiche Mure.
  • Head to the 1930’s Villa Fiorentino, which is right in the center along Corso Italia. A married couple, Antonino Fiorentino and Lucia Cuomo, bought the land and built the villa as they loved Sorrento. They established a beautiful garden as well as building the villa, and in a last act of love, they donated the property to the town in its entirety. Today you can visit the gardens for free and there are often exhibitions inside the villa as well – check the official website for details.
  • Visit one of the many parks with impressive views of the Bay of Naples, which all have benches, greenery and offer a relaxed place to take in the atmosphere or enjoy a picnic lunch. My favorite is at Piazza della Vittoria.
  • Take a 40 minute walk (or jump on a local public bus) to the Bagni di Regina Giovanna. This natural pool is surrounded by the remnants of an ancient Roman villa (with stucco and mosaics still visible!), which is believed to have been frequented by Queen Joanna II of Naples during her reign in the 1400’s, giving the pool it’s modern name.
  • Explore the many shops and stalls along the main street, Corso Italia, and the narrow streets that run parallel to it. Yes, some of these are extremely touristy, selling lemon-themed items that have definitely not been made in Italy, but many are run by locals who are passionate about what they do. Don’t miss Vizi e Sfizi, which sells great Italian food and drink, as well as all sorts of accessories which make ideal souvenirs. Opposite is Nicky’s, one of the best shops for handmade ceramics with beautiful designs.
  • Make the most of Sorrento’s position on the sea and head out on the water. You can book all manner of boat trips, but for us, the best way to see the Sorrentine coastline is by kayak. Head out from Marina Grande and see Sorrento from a very different perspective!
Local Campanian produce on shelves inside the shop Vizi e Sfizi, Sorrento
At Vizi e Sfizi you’ll find a fantastic range of local produce as well as gifts and household items
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How do the beach clubs work in Sorrento?

This is a good question!

In Sorrento you’ll find a number of beach clubs which can be accessed with a short walk after taking the elevator down from Villa Comunale di Sorrento, or from the Marina Piccola via bus from the town center/train station.

To access these beach clubs, and make use of their facilities, you need to pay.

There are small sections of free-to-access beach (with some parts reserved for Sorrento residents only so check signage accordingly) but these fill up quickly.

If you have your heart set on a beach day, consider spending a bit of money to access a paid club.

Prices start from 12€ per person, per lounger/bed for a day. Items such as parasols or the use of a cabin or store your stuff will cost extra. Note that rates can vary depending on the time of day and year.

We recommend arriving early (around 8.30am) and walking along the stretch of different clubs, assessing which you like the look of most. Ask the staff how much it will cost for the services you want, and don’t feel pressured to answer ‘yes’ if you’re not feeling it – go and check out another one until you find one you are 100% happy with.

For a unique way to see Sorrento, check out Kayak Sorrento based in the Marina Grande.

They run daily excursions offering traditional one person kayaks, as well as two person and even three person options, which explore the Sorrentine coast.

You’ll see ancient Roman ruins up close, local wildlife and venture to otherwise inaccessible coves and bays.

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How to get to Sorrento from Naples

Sorrento is located around 50km/30m from Naples and you have a few options for traveling there.

Sorrento by train

The most popular route is to take the train. Trains on the Circumvesuviana line run between Naples central station and Sorrento regularly, ticket prices are inexpensive and the train also stops at other places such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The Circumvesuviana line is separate from others, so when you reach Napoli Centrale station, you will need to head downstairs, following the clear signs.

There is a dedicated ticket office with departure information where most people purchase their tickets. You can buy online with the EAV smartphone app (EAV is the company who run the train line) but from personal experience this is not particularly user-friendly and it’s easier to buy your tickets in person at the ticket desk.

Train ticket desks at Napoli Centrale station for the Circumvesuviana line
There are multiple ticket booths for the Circumvesuivana trains so don’t worry if you see a queue here

The trains are not the most modern, and certainly are nowhere near as comfortable as the high speed Italian trains, but they are generally reliable.

There is a Campania Express train on the line which doesn’t stop at every station, reaching Sorrento sooner. This is a newer and slightly more comfortable train, but it only runs once an hour and costs more.

While in most cases the train is the simplest way to reach Sorrento, I would not advise you to take the train if you will have a lot of luggage with you when you are traveling. There is no luggage storage on the trains themselves and navigating the train stations is difficult if you have big suitcases – there are plenty of steps involved!

Similarly, the Circumvesuviana platforms at Napoli Centrale are not accessible for people who use wheelchairs or cannot take the stairs.

Sorrento by ferry

The more enjoyable way to travel to Sorrento is by ferry.

You can easily reach the port of Naples from the airport or Napoli Centrale station, either using public transport or taxi, and then from there you have the choice of multiple companies who run ferries and hydrofoils to Sorrento (and beyond!).

There isn’t really any difference between the companies so what we do is get to the port, see what time the next ferry is leaving for Sorrento and purchase tickets for that one.

The tickets are more expensive than train tickets but you get to see the coastline of the bay, the trip is a bit quicker and the ferries tend to be more comfortable. You can also bring luggage with you (for a small additional fee).

View of Mount Vesuvius from a ferry in the Bay of Naples
The views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples make it worth getting the ferry, let alone the fact it’s generally quicker than the train

Ferries dock at Marina Piccola in Sorrento, and then you can take a taxi or one of the local SITA buses up the cliff to the main part of the town.

The ferries and port are far more accessible than the train, with wheelchair-friendly ramps and seating.

This ferry route is at its best during the spring and summer when the train is hot and busy and the weather conditions mean they run regularly. During the winter the ferry service is much less reliable and sea crossings can be rough so take this into account when thinking about your travels!

Booking tickets in advance is a good idea if you’re traveling at the height of the busy season, as ferries fill up fast.

Sorrento by road

You have a few options if you want to go by road to Sorrento.

Firstly, if you are flying into Naples airport, there is a regular coach service run by Curreri Viaggi which runs between the airport and Sorrento, stopping at other towns along the Sorrentine Peninsula along the way. This is inexpensive and convenient as you don’t have to go into Naples itself.

If you are coming from the city itself, there is a bus station to the side of the main train station where coach services leave for Sorrento. There is no public bus option, these are private company coaches, such as Flixbus.

For greater convenience you can also arrange for a private driver to get you to your destination in Sorrento.

While the most expensive of all the transport options, a private driver means door to door service, help with luggage and you can expect a more comfortable journey.

With all the road routes, there is no way to escape the traffic on the one road to Sorrento. During high season this can be extremely slow and easily double your journey time so if you have time restraints this may not be the best option for you.

Using Sorrento as a base for exploring the Campania region

Once you’re in Sorrento, you are perfectly placed to explore further afield.

You can use the Circumvesuviana train line to get to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius, as well as visit a different town along the Sorrentine Peninsula. Vico Equense is one of our favorites but there are a lot to choose from!

Don’t overlook Naples itself, the city is packed with beautiful churches, fascinating museums and art galleries and excellent restaurants which you could enjoy as a day trip from Sorrento.

welcome to positano sign with busy beach behind
Positano is just a ferry trip away from Sorrento
piazza dante clock tower and statue of dante
Use the Circumvesuviana train to get to Naples easily from Sorrento

Sorrento’s port at Marina Piccola has boats that will take you to Capri, the towns of the Amalfi Coast including Positano and Amalfi itself as well as the islands of Ischia and Procida.

There are also local bus options that travel all over, but if planning to take these I highly recommend having a back-up plan.

For example, the bus that goes along the Amalfi Coast stops in Positano, then Praiano, then Amalfi and so on. When it returns, it follows the same route so if you get off in Positano, when the return bus comes for Sorrento, there is a good chance the bus is full when it gets back to Positano. This means that you are stuck waiting for the next one, paying for a taxi or you can head to the port and catch a ferry instead.

Exterior of Amalfi Cathedral
For a small town, Amalfi has a very impressive cathedral

There are multiple rental car agencies based in Sorrento, but unless you’re used to driving in Italy I would not recommend this option. Between the traffic, Italians in a hurry, expensive and limited parking options, as well as restrictive rules about what cars can be on the roads on what days, a rental car will rarely make your life easier in Sorrento.

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Where to eat and drink in Sorrento

Competition is fierce in Sorrento and therefore the quality of food and drink all around is high, making it hard to go wrong here.

There are some more obviously touristy options but you won’t struggle to find good places to eat and drink. Of all the great dining spots, these are our absolute favorites – in fact, they’re on our list of top places to eat anywhere in Italy!

Inn Bufalito

This restaurant specialises in buffalo produce from the Campania region, meaning you’ll find steaks, cured meats, fresh cheeses and more from the local buffaloes.

Quality is the priority with a regular specials menu changing all the time based on what’s in season. They also offer a range of pastas, salads and seafood if meat isn’t your thing, and of course a range of traditional Italian desserts!

The restaurant is a short walk from Corso Italia and the simple, rustic decor

Reservations are recommended but not mandatory.

Inn Bufalito is open all day so this is an ideal location if you’re looking for a late lunch or early dinner.

Buffalo steak and sauces at Inn Bufalito in Sorrento
You can’t go to Inn Bufalito and not try the buffalo steak
Buffalo mozzarella and mortadella at Inn Bufalito in Sorrento
Move over pork, it is all about buffalo mortadella

Terrazza Vittoria

For something a little more special, head to the rooftop terrace bar and restaurant of Hotel Continental.

Open to non-hotel guests, you can enjoy aperitivo and/or dinner with the most incredible view of the town and across the water to Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

We’ve not found anywhere else in Italy where the service and quality matches Terrazza Vittoria. This might sound like a bold claim, but it’s wholeheartedly true!

What makes this place so special? The answer is a combination of the staff, food and drink quality and the spectacular view. The bar is open from 6:30PM until late during the main season, with the restaurant opening at 7:00PM.

The sunset viewed through a glass of wine at Terrazza Vittoria, Hotel Continental in Sorrento
Treat yourself to an unforgettable aperitivo at Hotel Continental’s Terrazza Vittoria
A Delizia al Limone at Terrazza Vittoria, Hotel Continental in Sorrento
Terrazza Vittoria’s menu features a lot of Italian classics – such as this Delizia al Limone – but with a modern twist

Reservations for the bar are not possible so I’d recommend getting there around 6:45PM/7:00PM to get yourself a good seat with a view. This is where you can get yourself some 100% authentic Limoncello – the best in town as far as we’re concerned!

Reservations are highly recommended for the restaurant and while its possible to get a table without a reservation, it’s unlikely. The restaurant does not feature a typical Italian menu but instead it offers a modern interpretation of classic regional and national dishes (including vegetarian and seafood dishes), with an extensive wine list to go with your dinner.

This is the perfect place to come if you’re celebrating a special occasion!

A’Marenna

This small, unassuming deli offers what might very well be some of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tried.

A’Marenna specialize in panuozzo, a Neapolitan bread that is long and flat, as well as selling regular ciabatta and salads. You choose your bread and then your filling, which ranges from traditional to more unique combinations.

All ingredients are locally sourced and while some of their flavor combinations might sound a little odd at first glance, when you take your initial bite you’ll forget any doubts you had! They have both vegetarian and vegan options as well.

Grab one to go, head to the nearby Piazza della Vittoria with a view of Vesuvius and enjoy!

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Where to stay in Sorrento

There are two main areas to stay in Sorrento, the town itself or further up the hill. We always prefer to stay in the town as this makes it easy to get around (Sorrento is a very walkable town) and we don’t have to worry about taxis in the evening after dinner. It’s also quicker to reach the port or train station if you’re planning on doing some day trips.

In town there are many hotel and B&B options to choose from, along with vacation apartments. These range from budget to 5 star hotels with extensive facilities.

As you head up the hill, it’s primarily bigger hotels that you can stay in, which come with swimming pools, restaurants and other amenities. These often run shuttle buses up and down the hill for their guests but the frequency of these buses can vary considerably so check this before booking.

where to stay in naples - The pool at Hotel Continental in Sorrento
Hotel Continental is our go-to place to stay when visiting Sorrento – I’m sure you can see why

We’ve stayed in a number of different places in Sorrento over the years, but our favorite is far and away Hotel Continental. We stay there at least once a year and always have a wonderful stay.

Hotel Continental is just a 15 minute (flat) walk from the train station and 10 minutes from the Marina Grande, so very centrally located.

This is an ‘old world’ hotel where the staff are professional but approachable, the quality high but accessible, and the environment refined but comfortable, plus the breakfast buffet is just exceptional!

Wherever you choose to stay, think about what your priorities are. Access to the bathing platforms, a swimming pool, proximity to the restaurants and shops, whether it’s near the busier and louder parts of town and so on all make a huge difference to your Sorrento stay.

To sum up…

Sorrento is one of our favorite places in the world and hopefully you can see why from this guide! Be sure to visit Sorrento as part of your trip to Naples and Campania – you won’t regret doing so!

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2 Comments

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