Small StepsWhile not technically part of the “Amalfi Coast,” Sorrento is a popular spot to call home base while exploring the region. I consider it the gateway to the Amalfi Coast due to its proximity to Naples and Amalfi. Prices are typically cheaper and there is easy access from Naples Airport/Train Station and the Amalfi Coast via the bus or ferry to the villages (Positano, Amalfi, and Capri). The town itself is mostly comprised of a few shopping blocks packed with souvenir stores, limoncello, gelato, and restaurants. There is also the marina and a few public “beaches” – though they’re not sandy beaches, rather, boardwalks with rental chairs and swimming areas. All that said -overall, there isn’t a lot to do in Sorrento, but after two trips to the town I have some recommendations:
- Shopping
- Gardens & Views
- Cooking Class
- Restaurant & Cafe Hopping
- Take in the Views
- Day Trip to Capri or Ischia
- Day Trip to Positano, Amalfi, or Salerno
- Try the Local Specialties
Sorrento is only safely walkable in the city center. Beyond that, you could walk to spots like Bagni Regina Giovanna but you’ll be walking along busy, winding, narrow roads that really aren’t worth the risk. If you plan to venture outside of the city center I’d recommend taking the bus instead.
How Long Should You Stay in Sorrento?
It depends on your plans. I wouldn’t recommend more than a few days in the area unless you plan on doing multiple day trips or excursions. This is because there really isn’t much to do in Sorrento without a car. Of course, this is subjective. If you’re a fast paced – do as much as possible traveler – I think you’ll get bored after a short time in Sorrento (I did), but if you’re a slower-paced traveler you’ll have a lot of restaurants to try and shops to explore.
1.Shopping
Sorrento’s historic center is filled with narrow alleys lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. It will feel like a maze the first walkthrough, but it’s actually not as big as you think. Although, you can still get lost. The main square, Piazza Tasso, is a great starting point. From there you’ll find stairs down to the Marina or entrances to two of the main shopping streets. There are 3 main shopping streets: Corso Italia, Via S. Cesareo/Via S. Nicola, and Via dell’Accademia/Via Fuoro. Corso Italia is best for those that like to avoid tight spaces and crowds since it’s a wide road so there is plenty of space to walk. The other 2 streets can get very crowded, especially in the evenings.
2. Gardens & Views
Truthfully, there is not a lot of nature to enjoy in Sorrento, but there are a couple small gardens and parks with nice views of the bay and Mt. Vesuvius.
Piazza Della Vittoria, a small park overlooking Mt. Vesuvius and right next to the stairs that take you down to the Marina. There is also a paid elevator for about 1 euro that will take you down to the pathway to the Marina.
Stairs to the Marina, these stairs offer really beautiful views down to the beach boardwalks and port. In fact, I’d recommend taking these stairs down to the port rather than the ones in the main piazza.
Vallone dei Mulini, is a valley featuring the ruins of an ancient sawmill. In the past it was covered in greenery, but it has since been cleaned up and looks less impressive. However, it’s only a few minutes from the main town center so it’s worth the stop over.
Parco di Villa Fiorentino, a charming little garden in the middle of Sorrento. A great place to relax and get some quiet from the crowds.
3. Cooking Classes
There are many cooking class options along the Amalfi Coast and in Sorrento. This region is known for its delicious food, such as Napoli-style pizza, caprese salad, and lemon sorbetto. While in Sorrento, we took two cooking classes: a farm experience class and a gelato class. I highly recommend taking classes with Old Taverna Sorrentina. To book your class you can send them a message on WhatsApp, the number is listed on their website. Another great resource for finding classes online is Get Your Guide.
4. Pompeii & Herculaneum Day Trip
In 2019, I visited Pompeii with my brother and sister on our way to the Amalfi Coast. It was a unique experience for us all. We didn’t know much about the eruption before we went, so I highly recommend joining a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
We didn’t visit Herculaneum, but I wish we had. It’s an ancient Roman town that was buried under volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Like Pompeii, Herculaneum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few ancient cities to be preserved nearly intact. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Roman history and culture.
To get to Pompeii you can take the train from Sorrento Station or book a private driver. I’d recommend looking into guided tours on Get your Guide, some may offer transit or walk you through the process.
It can be extremely hot in Pompeii, depending on the time of year so wear a hat, pack water, and wear sunscreen! There aren’t any trees or many areas of cover amongst the ruins so you’ll be in direct sunlight for a majority of your tour. The grounds are uneven cobblestone so wear appropriate footwear.
5. Restaurant & Cafe Hopping
There are so many great restaurants and cafes in Sorrento to enjoy. On average, each meal will cost around 20-30 euros with water and service charges. Here are some of our recommendations:
Twins Gourmet: Looking for a quick bite? I highly recommend the nearly 5 star rated deli on Corso Italia. They offer absolutely delicious sandwiches for reasonable prices. *GF bread & options available. The staff are extremely kind and even cleaned their equipment for my Aunt with celiacs.
Raki: Delicious and unique gelato flavors right on the main streets of Sorrento.
Antica Gelato: This is a family-owned shop over many generations. We took the gelato making class for this shop and highly recommend them for the smoothest and creamest gelato in Sorrento.
Frankie’s Bar: Great pizza in Sorrento, has a lot of seating but does queue up like most restaurants. Line goes fast. Interesting pizza variety and delicious gluten free pizza options.
AZZ! Italian Bistro: We didn’t get a chance to eat here but it was high on my list. They didn’t have gluten free options so that’s why we couldn’t eat there unfortunately, however I heard the lasagna, garlic bread, and gnocchi were delicious here so I think it’d be worth a try. It was also recommended in a guidebook I read before the trip.
6.Day Trip to Capri or Ischia
You can take the ferry from Porto di Sorrento to get to Capri or Ischia. Check Ferry Hopper for cost and times. While at the port I recommend grabbing a lemon sorbetto from the stand near the pier. It’s cheap, delicious and refreshing!
Which is better? Capri or Ischia?
Capri and Ischia are two islands in the Bay of Naples, each with its own distinctive appeal. Capri is renowned for its scenery, upscale shopping, and celebrity appeal. Ischia is less well-known, but it offers similar views with a more relaxed and laid-back ambiance.
I’ll provide more detail in a later post, but here’s a quick overview:
- Capri: If you’re looking for stunning scenery, high-end shopping, and a chance to spot celebrities, Capri is the island for you. Be prepared for crowds, though, especially during the peak season.
- Ischia: If you prefer a more relaxed and laid-back vacation, Ischia is the better choice. It offers similar views to Capri, but at a lower cost and with fewer tourists.
Ultimately, the best island for you depends on your personal preferences. If you don’t mind the crowds, I recommend Capri. If you prefer a more relaxed travel experience, Ischia is the better option.
7.Day Trip to Positano, Amalfi, or Salerno
You can take the ferry from Porto di Sorrento to get to Positano, Amalfi, or Salerno. Check Ferry Hopper for cost and times. Positano is the closest of the 3 to Sorrento, next is Amalfi and then Salerno. Each has a different appeal that I’ll cover in a future post. 🙂
8. Try the Local Specialties
Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast are known for a wide variety of regional specialties. Here are a few I would try out while you’re in the area:
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina: This classic dish is made with fresh gnocchi, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil.
Ravioli alla Caprese: This dish is made with ravioli filled with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. They are then served in a simple tomato sauce.
Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, olive oil, mozzarella cheese, and basil – a fantastic appetizer before your meal.
Pizza: Sorrento is known for its delicious Napoli-style pizza, which is made with fresh, local ingredients. Be sure to try a pizza with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil.
Lemons: The Amalfi Coast has two primary types of lemons: Sorrento and Amalfi style. Both are used in many of the local dishes. I’d recommend trying the lemon sorbetto or gelato – you can find these all over the coast. But the orange sorbetto is also delicious!
Limoncello: Be sure to try a limoncello, which is a liqueur made with lemons. The locals often recommend the limoncello spritzer as well.
