Things to do in Sorrento: the town, Capri, Amalfi and Pompeii
Sorrento is a small cliff-top town on the Bay of Naples with a lemon-scented old center, two little harbors and a view of Vesuvius. Three days is a good length. The one thing to know: much of the pleasure is what you reach from it, by boat, bus and train, so plan around the timetables.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend half a day in the town, then use Sorrento as a base for Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
- Where to stay
- The old center for walking, Marina Grande for the sea, Sant'Agnello for calm, or near the station for trains.
- How many days
- Three days: one for the town, two for day trips. Add a fourth for Amalfi and Positano without rushing.
- Best time to go
- May, June and September. July and August are hot and crowded, and many ferries stop in winter.
- Book ahead
- Pompeii entry in busy months, and any restaurant dinner in summer.
- From the airport
- Naples airport is the nearest. A direct coach, or the Alibus plus the Circumvesuviana train, takes about 90 minutes.
Where to stay in Sorrento, in brief
The old center
first-time visitors
Around Piazza Tasso, Corso Italia and the lanes behind it. Restaurants and shops are at the door, and so is the evening noise. Ask for a back room.
Marina Grande
the sea and fish dinners
The old fishing harbor, a steep walk down from the center. Quiet in the morning and evening, with few rooms and a climb back up.
Sant'Agnello and the station side
calm and train links
East of the center, with quieter streets and a Circumvesuviana stop. Handy for Pompeii and Naples, less so for evenings in the old town.
Capo di Sorrento
sea views and a slow pace
The headland west of town, with big views and a ruined Roman villa by the water. You will need buses or taxis for most things.
Things to do in Sorrento
Piazza Tasso and the old center
The main square sits over a ravine, with lanes of shops, cafes and tiny churches leading off it. Walk Via San Cesareo and Via Fuoro away from the crowds.
Villa Comunale
A small public garden on the cliff edge, with one of the best views of the bay and Vesuvius. Free, and best near sunset.
Chiostro di San Francesco
A quiet 14th-century cloister beside the church, with arches and a garden. It is used for exhibitions and weddings, so check it is open.
Marina Grande
The old fishing harbor, a walk down from the center. Small beaches, painted boats and seafood restaurants on the water.
Marina Piccola and the ferries
The main port, reached by a long ramp or lift from the town. Boats leave for Capri, Naples, Ischia and, in season, Positano and Amalfi.
Capri by boat
About 20 to 30 minutes by ferry or hydrofoil. Take the funicular up, walk the lanes and the Gardens of Augustus, and go home before the evening rush.
A few days ahead in summer
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Pompeii is about 35 minutes by Circumvesuviana train, and Herculaneum a little closer to Naples. Herculaneum is smaller and easier in a morning.
1 to 2 weeks ahead from June to September
Amalfi Coast road and boats
Positano and Amalfi are reached by bus along a narrow cliff road, or by seasonal ferry. Leave early and check the last return.
Museo Correale di Terranova
A small museum of decorative arts, ceramics and local archaeology in an old villa with sea views. A good option when it rains.
Lemon groves and limoncello
Sorrento's lemons are large and fragrant. Several family farms and shops show how limoncello is made, and offer tastings.
Inlaid wood and craft shops
Sorrento is known for intarsia, wood inlay in boxes and tabletops. Look in the workshops along Via San Nicola and Via Fuoro, not the stalls on the main square.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Sorrento can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Sorrento, and which to pick- Pompeii entry1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
The park limits numbers on busy days, and queues at the gate in July and August are long.
- Capri boats in high seasonA few days ahead
Morning boats fill in July and August, and boats stop when the sea is rough.
- Dinner in summerA day or two ahead
Seafront and garden restaurants fill early, and Il Buco needs a longer lead time.
What to skip in Sorrento
- Driving the Amalfi road in summer
The road is narrow, jammed and has little parking. Take the SITA bus, a ferry or a private driver instead.
- Eating on Piazza Tasso
You pay for the view of the square. Walk five minutes into the side lanes or down to Marina Grande.
- Cramming Capri, Pompeii and Amalfi into one day
You will spend the day on boats and in queues. Pick one per day.
Best time to visit Sorrento
May, June and September are the best months: warm sea, long days and boats running. July and August are hot, busy and dearer, and the Amalfi road and Pompeii are at their most crowded.
From November to March many hotels, beach clubs and seasonal ferries close, and Capri is quiet. October is still mild, though rough seas can cancel boats. Winter suits you if you want an empty town and do not need the coast.
- From Naples airportCurreri coaches run direct to Sorrento in about 75 to 90 minutes, with a few departures a day. Alternatively take the Alibus to Naples Centrale and the Circumvesuviana train, about 90 to 110 minutes in all.
- Circumvesuviana trainThe line runs from Naples through Herculaneum and Pompeii to Sorrento, which is the terminus. It is cheap and frequent, but old, crowded and warm in summer, and pickpockets work it, so keep your bag in front of you.
- On footThe center is flat and compact. Marina Grande and Marina Piccola are downhill, so the walk home is a climb. Lifts and ramps connect the town to the port.
- Ferries and the SITA busFerries leave from Marina Piccola for Capri and Naples, with Amalfi Coast boats in season. The SITA bus from the station runs along the coast to Positano and Amalfi.
Sorrento in three days
- Day 1
Walk the old center, the Villa Comunale and the cloister. Walk down to Marina Grande for dinner by the water.
- Day 2
Take a morning boat to Capri, ride the funicular up and walk to the Gardens of Augustus. Come back by late afternoon.
- Day 3
Take the train to Pompeii in the morning, or the bus to Positano and Amalfi for a day on the coast.
Day trips from Sorrento
- CapriAbout 20 to 30 minutes by boat from Marina Piccola. The island is small, steep and crowded in summer, so go early.
- PompeiiAbout 35 minutes by Circumvesuviana train. Allow half a day, take water and a hat, and start early before the heat.
- Positano and AmalfiAbout an hour or more by SITA bus each way, depending on traffic, or by ferry in season. Positano is better for views, Amalfi for its cathedral.
Sorrento: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Sorrento?
Three days works well: one for the town and two for day trips to Capri, Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast. A fourth day lets you do Amalfi and Positano at a slower pace.
Is Sorrento worth visiting?
Yes, as a base. The town is pleasant and the harbors are pretty, but its real value is the boats, trains and buses to Capri, Pompeii and the coast.
Is Sorrento a good base for the Amalfi Coast?
It is a decent one. Buses and some ferries reach Positano and Amalfi, though the road is slow in summer. Pompeii and Capri are easier from Sorrento than from the coast itself.
What is the best time to visit Sorrento?
May, June and September for warm weather and running boats. July and August are crowded and hot, and many places close from November to March.
How do you get from Naples airport to Sorrento?
A direct Curreri coach takes about 75 to 90 minutes. The Alibus to Naples Centrale and then the Circumvesuviana train takes about 90 to 110 minutes.
Does Sorrento have a beach?
Not a wide one. It has small beaches at Marina Grande and platforms built over the rocks. Many are private and charge for a sunbed.
Can you visit Pompeii from Sorrento?
Yes. The Circumvesuviana train reaches Pompeii in about 35 minutes. Go early, and book ahead in summer.