Sorrento

Sorrento is in Campania. The town features beautiful architecture, many cafes and restaurants, and shops catering to tourists.

For other places with the same name, see Sorrento (disambiguation).

Understand

Sorrento is on the Circumvesuviana rail system, so it is easily reached from Naples and an ideal base for visiting the archaeological sites at Pompeii and Ercolano.

Ferries regularly commute between Sorrento and Capri, Positano and Amalfi, making Sorrento an ideal base for exploring the other beautiful places in the region.

Get in

By plane

By train
  • The Circumvesuviana goes from Naples (starting at Porta Nolana via Garibaldi) along the coast ending at the 🌍 Sorrento train station (€4.90, 1 hr 20 min, as of July 2021). The trains tend to get very crowded until the stop at Pompei during the summer (board at Porta Nolana for a seat) and many of them are outdated and your only air conditioning will be an open window. They run approx. every 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought both at staffed counters as well as over the Unico Campania app. There are very few ticket machines, which are hard to find (one is in the main hall of Porta Nolana to the right of the counters, one at the elevator on the first floor of Sorrento station) and often out of order.
  • From mid-March to the end of October, the Campania Express runs along the same route as the Circumvesuviana between Naples and Sorrento, but stops at just a few stations and takes about 50 min (30 min less than the commuter trains). These trains have guaranteed seating, air conditioning, and space to store baggage. €15 oneway now in 2024

By bus

The SITA buses from Positano and Amalfi end in Sorrento in the plaza in front of the train station.

By car

From Naples' Tangenziale drive south towards Costiera Sorrentina, and be prepared to spend 1½ hours in the traffic.

By boat

From

  • Naples: Only one company operates between "Napoli Beverello" and Sorrento. The service is approximately every 2 hours (Sep 2017). Price paid in port for a single trip, adult: €15.20 (Jan 2024). It takes about 40 minutes, which is faster than by car or train.
  • Ischia
  • Capri.
  • Positano

Get around

After you arrive by bus or train, you will exit to the modern park 🌍 Piazza Lauro. From there, you can:

  • Walk
  • Local buses - the local bus service is good enough to visit all interesting places available in the area.
  • Taxi

Scooter hire companies charge about €20 per day. Helmets are legally required, but regularly not worn by those with nothing to protect.

It is possible to drive around town. Parking is very limited for cars (scooters park practically anywhere). The roads are allegedly one lane either way, but expect traffic in both directions to take that as a suggestion rather than a rule. Scooters and motorcycles are absolutely everywhere, so if you don't like being buzzed whilst trying to navigate narrow, winding roads, maybe skip trying to drive here.

See
  • Lemon terraces
  • 🌍 Small Port (Marina Piccola). A pretty boat port 
  • 🌍 puntacampanella. The natural reserve. 
  • 🌍 Villa Pollio (Regina Giovanna Castel Roman Ruins). Roman ruins in Capo di Sorrento 
  • 🌍 Hotel Tramontano. Place where Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen lived while writing parts of Peer Gynt (1867) and Ghosts (1881). 
  • 🌍 Museo Correale di Terranova. Sorrento's picture gallery 
  • 🌍 Archeological Museum of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Via Ripa di Cassano 1, ☏ +39 081 8087078. Tu-Su 10:00-18:30. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Museum of the Inlaid Wood (Museo Bottega della Tasia Lignea), Via San Nicola 28, ☏ +39 081 877 1942, . A collection of local applied arts. The collection includes furniture crafted through the 20th century, and modern design. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Duomo (Cathedral) (Along Corso Italia). (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Church of San Francesco. Its cloister dates from 1300. It is one of the most picturesque spots in town. 
  • 🌍 Basilica di Sant'Antonino. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Piazza Torquato Tasso. Sorrento's main piazza, connected to Piazza Lauro by Corso Italia. Walk a few meters up Viale Enrico Caruso to enjoy the view over the railing down to: 
    • 🌍 Valley of the Mills (Vallone dei Mulini) (in the gorge below Piazza Tasso.). At the bottom of the gorge, there are ruins of one of a water-powered mills with a lumberyard adjacent. 
  • 🌍 Via San Cesareo. One of the oldest streets in town. 
  • 🌍 Sedil Dominova. The former gathering place for Sorrento's high society, and now the headquarters of the Società di Mutuo Soccorso. 
  • 🌍 Villa Comunale. Offers a beautiful view over the Sorrento coastline with Mount Vesuvius in the distance. 
  • 🌍 Piazza Vittoria. Another beautiful scenic overlook. 

Do
  • Swim - Go to Marina Grande or (the better option) Marina Piccola. Some reserved areas with sand will ask for a €5-10 entrance fee (which will also get you a seat and an umbrella). A much better and more spectacular option might even me Bagni Regina Giovanna, a nice little cove from the ocean in a secluded spot. Though a bit far, it's worth the trip (ask the locals for direction).
  • 🌍 Sorrento Bike, Viale Nizza 37, ☏ +39 366 98 02 885. Rent a bike and ride out of to see the coast from above. They rent helmet, bottle, saddle bag and padlock. They can deliver and pick up the bike to your hotel, or wherever you wish. On-line reservations. (updated Sep 2019)
  • Rent a scooter or motorbike from the many shops offering them: typical rates (as of Oct 2019) are €25-35 for 5 hours, €28-40 for 12 hours, €35-45 for 1 day, €85-130 for 3 days.

Buy
  • Corso Italia is the main shopping street in the center of Sorrento.
  • One of the top souvenirs from the area is limoncello, the signature lemon liqueur. You can find it at 🌍 Limonoro, Via San Cesareo, 49. This is a good place to see it being made, after which you'll know why it packs such a punch: it's basically pure alcohol with flavouring.
  • 🌍 Enoteca l'Alambicco, Via San Cesareo 15 (A few steps from Piazza Tasso), ☏ +39 081 807 3339, . A wine and limoncello shop in the historical centre, offers free tastings. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Iolanda moda e accessori, Via San Cesareo 14 (Very close to Piazza Tasso), ☏ +39 081 878 1926, . A leather and fashion shop in historical centre, have large choice of bags, wallets, bijoux and shoes of brands like Valentino, Roccobarocco, and Cromnia. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Notturno Intarsio, Via Fuorimura, 33. Has the most beautiful inlaid woods. Tables, tea carts, pictures, music boxes. Notturno has been in business for hundreds of years and has the best woodworkers around. Take their tour to see how they make these beautiful pieces of art. 

Eat

Restaurants and other eating places are often open until 23:30. Dining very late is feature in common with many other tourist destinations in the south of Italy. People often go out late (around 18:00) to walk around in the square or town center, and end the evening dining in a restaurant.

Piazza Tasso has many cafés with outdoor tables for coffee, a drink and people-watching.

  • Gnocchi alla Sorrentina - potato gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella baked to perfection.
  • The Pastiera a typical cake that is produced in the area.
  • The excellent olive oil produced in Penisola Sorrentina, this product to be prized in many events.
  • The artichoke or aubergines parmigiana is a typical dish that is made with tomatoes and cheese.
  • 🌍 Gelateria Davide, Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani 41. One of the best gelaterias in the city, this little ice-cream parlour is famous for its gelato that incorporates fresh local flavours. Don't miss the Profumi di Sorrento (with fresh local citrus fruits) or the Noci di Sorrento (with fresh local nuts). (updated Mar 2023)

Restaurants

Marina Grande

Several waterfront restaurants here offer local cuisine, fresh fish and seafood:

Drink
  • Limoncello di Sorrento, a strong liquor made from lemon rind. Also try other similar liquors such as Crema al Limone (like Limoncello but cream-based and less strong), and local wines like Falanghina, Lachryma Christi.
  • Amaro di Capo di Sorrento - a liqueur made from bitter herbs. There is more to Sorrento than limoncello.

Sleep

Budget
  • 🌍 B&B Casa Mazzola, Via Nastro D'Argento 35, ☏ +39 081 8073772, +39 333 6724708, . Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Features a beautiful panoramic view of Sorrento coast line; breakfast included. 
  • 🌍 B&B Il Giglio Bianco, Via Parsano, 25, ☏ +39 334 12 33 064, +39 333 37 94 829, . A tranquil place, with large and airy rooms all furnished in modern style with balconies overlooking citrus plants. 
  • 🌍 Casa Gilda, Via Marina Grande 7 (In Marina Grande), ☏ +39 338 8560460, fax: +39 0810098763. One of the few houses in town that's directly on the sea. 
  • 🌍 La Terrazza Family Holidays (Sorrento Coast), Via Occulto 26 (Sant'Agnello), ☏ +39 376 0052051, . Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Large vacation rental of 150 m² for up to 10 guests, with 3 bedrooms, a large living-kitchen, 3 bathrooms, an equipped rooftop sun terrace, parking for 3 cars in a reserved area, free Wi-Fi broadband, air conditioning and heating, dishwasher, ice machine, 2 washing machines, and a tumble dryer. Licence n. 15063071EXT0097 (updated Sep 2021)
  • 🌍 Hotel Desirèe, Via del Capo 31B (Ten minutes by foot from the city centre), ☏ +39 081 8781563, fax: +39 081 8781563. Sweet old hotel perched on the edge of a cliff. Some rooms have great views of the sea; others don't. Rooms are small but clean and rates include a light breakfast - highlight is friendly, knowledgeable staff. US$70-110. (updated Mar 2023)
  • 🌍 Hotel Nice Sorrento, Corso Italia, 257, ☏ +39 081 8781650, fax: +39 081 8783086, . Cheap accommodations with good hospitality and services. The staff are available for any kind of reservations. Large selection of guestrooms and rates, divided in double, triple and quadruple, standard and economy. starting from €90; breakfast is included in the price. 
  • 🌍 Ville Vieille B&B Sorrento, Via Meta Amalfi, 80, ☏ +39 338 9648713, fax: +39 081 5333481, . Bed and breakfast on the Amalfi Coast, between Sorrento and Positano, with a fantastic view on the Sorrento Bay. Starting from €60, rates change according to the season and include breakfast.. 
  • 🌍 Ulisse Deluxe Hostel, Via del Mare, 22, ☏ +39 081 8774753, fax: +39 081 8774093, . Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Tucked down a side street, but less than 5 minutes' walk from the town, more a hotel than a hostel. It has the facilities of a 3-star hotel, air-conditioned, spacious and clean, and the desk staff are very helpful. Double rooms start from €31 per person (€21 to sleep in a dormitory) and the sizeable continental breakfast is €7.. 

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 Relais Villa Saverese, Corso Marion Crawford 59 (Sant'Agnello), ☏ +39 081 532 49 20, . Late 19th-century patrician residence home in a splendid park of palms and citrus trees, a prestigious charming boutique hotel; combines rooms rich in history, such as the library with its antiques and vintage books, with modern comforts and professional service. €100-420. 
  • 🌍 Villa Serena (Villas to rent in Sorrento), Via Pantano, 21/a. An exclusive vacation villa rental. A place for a family holiday or a group of 6. The villa stands in beautiful and evocative scenery, in the location of Capo di Sorrento. €4,000-6,500/week. 
  • 🌍 Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, ☏ +39 081 877 7111, . Luxury aristocratic hotel set in 5 acres (2.0 hectares) of peaceful gardens with views of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. €350-630. 
  • 🌍 Hilton Sorrento Palace, Via Rivolo Sant'Antonio, 13, ☏ +39 081 8784141, . Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. 4-star hotel with swimming pools, mediterranean-style bedrooms with sea views, restaurants, gym and tennis court. (updated Jun 2020)

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