Sorrento Travel Guide

Overview and Things to Consider

Sorrento has 16,000 residents but feels bigger because of the tourists. It sits on a peninsula of dramatic cliffs, and the main street, Corso Italia, is walkable but crowded. The views toward Vesuvius and the bay are spectacular. Treat the town as a base for Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii rather than the main event.

Tourism infrastructure is excellent, with hotels, ferries and restaurants everywhere. Prices follow demand - accommodation runs 80-150 EUR per night. It's expensive, but you get direct ferry access to Capri, Ischia and other islands. The Amalfi Coast and its cliffside drives start nearby, by car or bus.

Getting There and Around

Naples Airport is 50 kilometers north. The Curreri bus or the train takes 1.5 hours and costs 10-15 EUR. The train from Naples to Sorrento is excellent: 60 minutes along the scenic coastal route for 3-5 EUR, depending on train type. The town itself is small and walkable. Ferries leave the port for Capri, Ischia and Positano, and a rental car opens up the Amalfi Coast.

SITA buses run to Amalfi Coast towns like Positano and Amalfi. The drive is spectacular, but traffic is brutal and driving it yourself takes confidence. Ferries are the easy way to the islands. In town, just walk.

What's Changed Since 2016

Sorrento has gotten more touristy and more expensive. Cruise ships dock regularly and crowd the town at midday. Hotel prices rose 30-40%. Infrastructure improved as commercialization grew, and the place now feels more like a tourist resort than an Italian town.

Airbnbs multiplied, restaurants cater heavily to tourists, and chain shops replaced local businesses in some areas. The views are still spectacular, though, and the evening paseos (walks) along the cliffs keep their local character once the tourists leave.

Ideas to Consider for Your Visit

There isn't much to see in Sorrento itself - it's a hub. Walk the cliffs and the main street in the evening when the crowds thin. Take a ferry to Capri for the day (20 minutes, 20-25 EUR) or to Ischia (1 hour). Go by bus or car to the Amalfi Coast, where Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are each beautiful in their own way.

Pompeii is a 30-minute local train ride from Sorrento, or a day trip from Naples. Mount Vesuvius hikes start nearby. The view from Sorrento across the bay to Vesuvius is spectacular, especially at sunset.

Sorrento is famous for lemons, so eat the lemon-based specialties, plus fresh seafood. Skip the restaurants directly on Corso Italia and walk two streets back for better value. The food is excellent and expensive. If you sit on a terrace for the view, accept that you're paying for it.

Realities to Be Aware Of

Sorrento is expensive - beds, meals and attractions all cost more than in comparable Italian towns. Summer is hot and extremely crowded, and cruise ship passengers swamp the town at midday, so go out early or in the evening. The cliffs are steep and the drops are big, so watch your footing.

There's little to do in the town itself. The beaches exist but they're small, so don't come for beach culture. You come for the views and what's nearby.

If Sorrento Is Part of a Longer Trip

Sorrento anchors the Campania region, with Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius, Capri and the Amalfi Coast all within reach. Naples, 1 hour away by train, is the cultural capital. Most travelers spend 2-4 days in Sorrento and use them for day trips.

A typical itinerary: Naples (1-2 days) for museums and culture, a Pompeii day trip, then Sorrento (2-3 days) as a hub for a Capri ferry and the Amalfi Coast.

Yearly Things to Consider

April-May and September-October bring the best weather and manageable crowds. June-August is hot, humid and extremely crowded - avoid it if you can. Winter is mild (10-15 degrees) and quieter, but many businesses close.

Ideas for Itineraries

The Capri Day Trip

Base in Sorrento and take a morning ferry to Capri (20 minutes). Spend the day in Capri's towns, at the Blue Grotto or hiking, and come back on an evening ferry. It's easy, and everyone does it.

The Amalfi Coast Exploration

Days 1-2: Sorrento as base. Day 3: SITA bus down the coast to Positano or Amalfi, then explore the villages. Return to Sorrento or keep going along the coast.

The Pompeii and Vesuvius Focus

Days 1-2: Sorrento as base. Day 3: Train to the Pompeii archaeological site. Day 4: Mount Vesuvius hike from nearby. Return to Sorrento or continue. Good if ancient history and a mountain hike are your priorities.

The Campania Comprehensive

Day 1: Naples museums and culture. Day 2: Pompeii or Herculaneum. Days 3-4: Sorrento as base. Day 5: Capri ferry. Day 6: Amalfi Coast.