Sorrento – What to do
Sorrento is a famous Italian holiday resort and was busy, but also very beautiful when we visited in April. It’s a small city with a pretty old town positioned high above the sea on one of the most spectacular points of the Campanian coast.
During our stay in Pompeii, we took advantage of having the Circumvesuviana metro line outside the campsite. We visited Sorrento for the day, which was only a half-hour train ride away. Another day, we took the train to Naples, which again was about a half-hour journey.
Click here to see the Details of the campsites we used.
Piazza Tasso
After a very short walk from Sorrento station, we arrived at Piazza Tasso, a picturesque square in the heart of the city. It’s a lively place day and night with lots of people passing through, as it is the main thoroughfare to get to places within Sorrento. There is so much to see and do here. There are many good bars, restaurants, clubs, churches, and shops in the square, as well as the numerous narrow streets and alleyways off the square to explore. The view down a cleft in the rock to the Marina Piccola is stunning.
“Piazza Tasso overlooks a winding road down to Marina Piccola” Sorrento, Italy
We took a ride on the tourist train, which departs from the square on a little tour of Sorrento. Another option would have been to take a tour around Sorrento in a horse and carriage. After the tour, we sat outside one of the restaurants with a beer to do some “people watching” (our favourite pastime). There was an endless number of colourful and interesting people passing by. This is the place where the locals and tourists meet, and in the evening, people dress up and stroll around the area. Later, we walked a bit further out of the square to find a more traditional cosy bar/restaurant for a meal, as the Piazza Tasso is quite an expensive place to eat and drink. One thing to keep in mind when eating here is that the waiters don’t rush or pester you, so if you want something, you have to wave your hand and try to attract their attention. Some restaurants in Sorrento charge a cover charge, and if they don’t, they expect a tip.
Lemons in Sorrento
Sorrento Lemons
The city is known as the land of Orange and Lemon Groves. It is famous for the production of limoncello, an alcoholic digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar. We were offered a taste as we passed by one of the shops, but it was a little too strong for me. Many of the shops’ products were lemon-related, including lemon sweets, lemon biscuits, and lemon soap. As for the lemons for sale on the fruit stalls, we have never seen such massive lemons as those we saw in Sorrento.
We enjoyed walking along the main shopping street and browsing the leather and clothing shops to name just a few.
Villa Comunale
After walking around Piazza Tasso and the shops, we found a lovely public garden filled with beautiful flowers and several benches. It is situated on a cliff, offering spectacular views of the sea. The entire bay of Naples spreads in front of you with Mount Vesuvius in the background as well as Capri and other islands. As we gazed out over the azure waters on the day we visited, a busker played old romantic songs on his piano accordion. With the sun shining and the beautiful scenery, it set the scene. We sat for ages drinking in the views and listening to music. It was so romantic! I especially loved the old Dean Martin song “That’s Amore”. Even now, when I hear that song, I get transported back to that beautiful day.
This spot is a great photo opportunity, and it would be a great place to watch the sunset.
Sorrento
You can walk down the steps (about 200) or, in the corner of the park, there is a lift to the bottom of the cliffs where there are 2-3 private beaches. Well, a line of jetties covered in sunbeds and umbrellas. You can also reach Marina Piccola from where the boats and ferries set sail to Capri, Ischia, Positano and Naples (to name but a few places).
Chiostro di San Francesco
Next, we just happened to wander into the Cloister of Saint Francisco as a wedding was going on. It is such a superb, tranquil oasis, away from the hustle and bustle of Sorrento town. The quiet wedding atmosphere was wonderful. It was really lovely and such a magical setting. It made me wish I could do it all over again here.
Wedding in the Cloister of Saint Francisco, Sorrento, Italy
A variety of flowers, plants, and ornamental trees, featuring different architectural styles. The origin of the monastery dates back to the 8th century. Still, it has been restored on several occasions over the centuries and hence displays a distinctive array of architectural styles that range from late Gothic to Renaissance.
Wedding in the Cloister of Saint Francisco, Sorrento, Italy
On the two sides of the porch are crossed tuff arches, and on the other two sides, impressive round arches on octagonal pillars. We walked in just as the couple were saying their vows and watched with other tourists while they signed the register and posed for pictures with a mandolin and guitar duo playing in the background. We were surprised when we heard them speaking their vows, as they were English.
We took the steps to the second floor, where we found an exhibition of black-and-white photographs of Italian life and landscapes by a local photographer.
You must visit this next place, which for me is the real Italy….
Sorrento Quay
Marina Grande – Antico Borgo Marinaro
Marina Grande, Sorrento, Italy
The Marina Grande is just a short walk from the central part of Sorrento. A much smaller marina than the one nearest to the centre, full of small pleasure craft, a tiny beach and plenty of sun loungers.
Strolling through the Marina Grande is like stepping back in time. It’s an unspoilt bay with fishermen tending to their nets, catching fish and selling them on the quayside or serving them in their restaurants. The atmosphere is great with bars, restaurants, great food at very reasonable prices, lovely pastel-coloured houses, fishing boats bobbing about on the water and twinkling lights lining the bay at night.
It’s a nice place for a swim in the sea or to relax with a drink at the water’s edge.
There is a regular minibus that will take you up the hill past Piazza Tasso for a euro or you can take the steep climb back up.
The town is very popular with tourists, particularly the British so we felt quite at home. It made a nice change for us as many of the places we visit are very Italian and in fact, in Tivoli, I think we were the only British tourists there. It was quite difficult to make ourselves understood in the shops.
Many people use Sorrento as a base, as it is well-connected by sea, road, bus and Circumvesuviana metro trains. From here you can easily explore Naples, Pompeii, the very much more expensive Amalfi coast, Capri, Positano, Ravello etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT SORRENTO, ITALY?
April and May, as well as September and October, are the best months for visiting Sorrento, as the weather is not too hot to enjoy exploring the town. In the summer, the heat can make it a bit uncomfortable, and, of course, it is less crowded and easier to navigate. If you are only looking to spend your days on the beach, around the pool, and taking boat trips, then June, July, and August would be ideal. You could explore the town in the cooler evenings. December is lovely in Sorrento, as the city is decorated for Christmas and numerous festive events take place.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO BOOK A HOTEL IN SORRENTO, ITALY?
The centre of Sorrento is concentrated around Piazza Tasso, where the streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It is conveniently located near the port, train station, and bus station. If you plan to take a few day trips along the coast, booking a hotel near the Piazza Tasso would be best. This is also an excellent area for nightlife. If you are looking for a quieter and more relaxing spot with lovely views, consider a hotel in the Massa Lubrense area along the Via del Capo. The views are excellent here, and most hotels offer a shuttle service to and from the centre of town.
WHERE IS THE NEAREST BEACH TO SORRENTO, ITALY?
There are no sandy beaches in Sorrento as it’s not really a beach destination. They do have bathing platforms built over the sea. If there is sand, it is a volcanic black colour. There is a small beach at Marina Grande. There are also some along the coast in Positano and the Amalfi Coast. If you want to do a spot of sunbathing between sightseeing, it is advisable to choose a hotel with a nice pool or one that has its bathing platform. You pay to use the public platforms in Italy. You probably pay a bit more for a hotel that has their own. Beach hotels in Sorrento
WHICH IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO SORRENTO, ITALY?
Naples Capodichino Airport is the closest, and there are direct buses which run between the city and the airport, as well as trains.
HOW DO I GET FROM NAPLES AIRPORT TO SORRENTO, ITALY?
WHAT IS THE BEST MODE OF TRANSPORT TO TRAVEL AROUND SORRENTO, ITALY?
The public transport is very good in Sorrento but I would recommend the train.
CIRCUMVESUVIANA TRAIN LINE
The Circumvesuviana line is very similar to our UK underground trains in that it stops at countless stations along the way, they have no luggage storage or air conditioning, and often you have to stand. There are no elevators or lifts on this track, so if you have heavy luggage or difficulty with stairs, this line is best avoided. Especially if travelling from the airport. The cost is reasonable at €3.50, and the journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. If you decide to use the Circumvesuviana line, be cautious of pickpockets, as they often work in gangs. We are always aware of who is around us when we travel, but it’s especially difficult when we are on a crowded train. A money belt is a good idea if you are trying to juggle your luggage and hold on. Also, try not to get into a conversation with anyone, as they sometimes work in teams and try to distract you while another is going through your bag. I don’t want to deter you from going to Italy, but you should be aware that this can happen and does happen in all major cities. The Circumvesuviana station is located on the lower level of Naples Central Station, below the high-speed train platforms. Take the stairs down from the centre of the station and make your way to track 3 for Sorrento. Make sure that you keep an eye on the display and board the train to Sorrento and not Sarno which we nearly did. You can purchase a ticket from the ticket window or one of the newspaper stands in the station. You must pay cash at the stations; credit cards are not accepted, unlike the national railways. Although we would not use the Circumvesuviana if travelling with luggage from the airport, we did use it for travelling around during the holiday.
CAMPANIA EXPRESS TRAIN
The other option is to take the Campania Express train from Naples to Sorrento, which offers luggage storage, air conditioning, and guaranteed seating. The cost of this train is Eur 8, but we think it is worth it for the extra comfort. This line runs along the same route as the Circumvesuviana but stops at fewer stations and takes about 45 minutes. Please note, though, that this is a tourist route, therefore it only runs from mid-march to mid-October. Tickets can be purchased online through the official EAV Campania website or directly at the Circumvesuviana ticket office 20 minutes before departure.
HOW DO YOU GET TO POMPEII FROM SORRENTO, ITALY?
You can get to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples and even Mount Vesuvius very easily by train from the heart of Sorrento (just east of the old town and main shopping area). The Circumvesuviana train runs out of Naples to the east of the city around Mount Vesuvius. The stations of most interest between Sorrento and Naples are Castellammare di Stabia, for the cable car to Monte Faito. Pompeii is an archaeological site with a bus connection to Vesuvius, offering services to Torre Annunziata for Oplontis and Ercolano Scavi for the Herculaneum archaeological area. The trains are frequent on this line (every 30 mins) and relatively cheap. They are, however, crowded, and quite often you will have to stand.
Be very careful, as with visiting any city, there are quite a few pickpockets on this train line. You do see a lot of gipsy families, and we found the parents were sending the children around begging on the train. There is an official information point in Sorrento within an old railway carriage at the entrance of the station. Opening hours are restricted. We found the newsagent’s shop at the entrance to be open all hours and was much more helpful and informative regarding transport. They will sell you train tickets more efficiently and in a friendlier manner than the official station ticket office. They have all the ticket types explained in English and do their best to give travel advice in several languages with a smile, in stark contrast to the station ticket office. They also clearly lay out the various multi-day passes in English on a board, along with the fares to the most popular places tourists want to visit. The following links may help you. Unico Campania Current Fares From Sorrento Integrated Public Transport Maps In and Around Sorrento
IS THERE A CLOSER STATION TO THE SANT’AGNELLO AREA OF SORRENTO, ITALY?
Yes, if your accommodation is to the east of Sorrento in the hotel district around Sant’Agnello, then this station, the first stop from Sorrento, will save you a long walk. However, you will have to climb two flights of stairs as the platforms are well above street level.
HOW CAN I GET TO MOUNT VESUVIUS FROM SORRENTO, ITALY?
From Sorrento, take the Circumvesuviana line to Pompeii station. There is a tourist office and the tours to Mount Vesuvius are parked outside the station. The entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site is just a few yards down the street from the station.
HOW CAN I GET TO HERCULANEUM FROM SORRENTO, ITALY?
Again, take the Circumvesuviana line and get off at Ercolano Scavi. There is more than one Ercolano station, which can be a bit confusing, but make sure to get off at Ercolano Scavi. The station is in the middle of town. You will probably find there are a few touts as you come out of the station who will try to persuade you to board their shuttle bus. The site is only a 5-10 minute walk down the main street, and it is well signposted.
IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO DRIVE IN SORRENTO, ITALY?
No! Not, especially during the busy summer months. Sorrento is a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area without a car, as you can easily reach Naples, Pompeii, and Herculaneum by train or bus, and Capri by Ferry. On the Amalfi coast, we travelled on the Big Red Bus, but you can also use the ferry. The Italian drivers are crazy. We noticed that most cars had some kind of dent or scrape on them.
HOW DO YOU GET TO CAPRI FROM SORRENTO, ITALY?
The ferry services run from Marina Piccola, and tickets can be purchased at kiosks located next to the marina. Destinations also include Naples, Ischia, and the Amalfi Coast, but services are seasonal and subject to change.
WHERE DO THE BUSES RUN FROM SORRENTO, ITALY?
SITA operates blue and green buses that cover a wide area. Destinations include Positano, Amalfi, Massa Lubrense and Sant’Agata. Buses depart from the Circumvesuviana Station in Sorrento, and tickets can be bought at bars and news kiosks. The buses for Positano and Amalfi run irregularly, approximately every 40 minutes, with longer intervals on Sundays and fewer services overall. We travelled to Sorrento by train with the intention of taking a bus to the Amalfi Coast, but unfortunately, on the particular day we chose, the drivers were on strike. The journey to Positano is approximately 35 minutes, and 1 hour and 35 minutes to Amalfi. Tickets are around 1.20 euros for Positano and 2.20 euros for Amalfi.
Further Information
Top things to do in Sorrento
Where to stay in Sorrento
The Lonely Planet Guide to Italy
