Sorrento tours and tickets
Sorrento is a base more than a sight. The town itself needs little booking, but the places around it do: Pompeii uses timed entry that fills in summer, Capri boats are best reserved in high season, and the Amalfi Coast road is easier by boat than by bus. Book those a few days ahead, and leave the town for the evenings.
Book these first
- Pompeii entry
- 1 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 season
- A few days ahead. Morning boats fill in July and August, and boats stop when the sea is rough.
- Dinner in summer
- A day or two ahead. Seafront and garden restaurants fill early, and Il Buco needs a longer lead time.
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Monuments and landmarks
Pompeii
A Roman city buried by Vesuvius, with streets, villas and a forum, reached by train from Sorrento in about 35 minutes. Entry is by timed ticket in busy months, and guided tours and audio guides are sold.
Which to pick. Book a morning slot for summer, and bring water and a hat. A guide helps if you do not want to read the signs.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorHerculaneum
A smaller, better-preserved Roman town on the bay of Naples, about 30 minutes by train. Entry is by ticket at the gate, and the site is shadier and quieter than Pompeii.
Which to pick. Choose it for a half-day if Pompeii looks too crowded. Buy at the gate. It is a good second site if you have two days.
On the day is fineVisitor guideTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Capri boat trip
A boat from Marina Piccola to Capri in about 25 minutes, with options for a day on the island or a trip around the grottoes. Fast ferries and small boats leave through the day.
Which to pick. Book a boat a few days ahead in high season. Go early to get ahead of the crowds at the harbor.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAmalfi Coast by boat
A boat along the coast, with stops at Positano and Amalfi, from the harbor in Sorrento. It avoids the narrow road and shows the villages from the sea. Trips run in the warm months.
Which to pick. Take it one way and return by bus or boat. Book a day or two ahead in the summer.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Positano and Amalfi
Two cliff villages on the coast, reached by ferry or bus. Positano is vertical and photogenic, and Amalfi has a cathedral and a harbor. Buses are crowded and slow in summer.
Which to pick. Go by boat in the morning and return by bus. Book the boat a day ahead.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorMount Vesuvius
A volcano that can be climbed to the crater rim by a short trail from a car park. Entry is by timed ticket, and tours often combine it with Pompeii.
Which to pick. Book a morning slot and bring a jacket and water. Skip it if the summit is in cloud.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Lemon grove and limoncello
A visit to a lemon grove on the hills above the town, with a tour of the trees, a tasting of limoncello and a plate of local food. Visits last about two hours.
Which to pick. Book a morning visit, and add a cooking class if you have an afternoon. Wear shoes for the paths.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCooking class
A hands-on class on making pasta, gnocchi and sauces, in a farm or a restaurant, followed by lunch. Classes last three to four hours and run in the morning or evening.
Which to pick. Choose a class on a farm for the most local feel. Book a few days ahead in summer.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Sorrento
- Campania artecardA pass for entry to several archaeological sites and museums in the region, including Pompeii, with public transport on some versions. It pays off with several visits. Check which sites each version covers. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Sorrento
Is Pompeii timed?
In busy months, yes. Tickets are sold for a time window, and mornings sell first. Book ahead in summer, and arrive a little early for the queue at the gate.
Can I get to Pompeii by train?
Yes, the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento takes about 35 minutes. It gets crowded, so go early. Taxis and tours are alternatives.
Is a boat better than the bus on the coast?
Usually, yes, since the coast road is slow and crowded in summer. Boats run on a limited schedule, so check the return time.
Is Capri worth a day trip?
Yes, for the grottoes and the walks, but the island is crowded in summer. Go early, avoid the main square at midday, and book the boat ahead.
Do I need a guide at Pompeii?
No. The site has signs and audio guides, and the layout is easy. A guide adds stories and saves you from missing the best villas.
What can wait until I arrive?
The town, Herculaneum, Marina Grande and a lemon grove can all be done on the day. Book Pompeii, boats and a summer dinner a few days ahead.