Sorrento Travelers Recommend

On a trip to the Gulf of Naples, you won’t want to miss the island of Capri. Reachable only by boat, if offers hidden caves, charming villages, and stunning ocean views. Here's what to know if you’re planning on a day trip to Capri from Sorrento.

Group Tours

Group tours are a great value, allowing you to maximize your time and check off all the top attractions in one day. Most tours include a boat ride to the Blue Grotto, a view of the famous Faraglioni rock formations, and visits to the towns of Capri and Anacapri. For a more personalized experience, opt for a small-group tour.

Private Tours

Private tours mean the itinerary can be tailored to your preferences and you can enjoy the undivided attention of your guide. With a private boat transfer to the island, you’ll have free time to check out sights such as Villa Jovis, the Gardens of Augustus, Marina Grande, and the Capri town funicular, or you can combine an island tour with a visit to ancient Pompeii, Positano, or the Amalfi Coast.

Things to Know

• Reachable only by boat, the island is located in the Bay of Naples, right off the Sorrento Peninsula.

• Day tours from Sorrento usually take six to eight hours, and most include hotel pickup and round-trip transport by hydrofoil.

• If you’re visiting during summer, be sure to bring sunblock and stay hydrated.

The ancient city of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash after an epic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most visited archaeological treasures. Today the compelling sight makes a popular day trip from Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Here are some tour options from Sorrento.

Half-Day Tours

With limited time, a half-day Pompeii tour from Sorrento allows you to take in all the highlights on a walking tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, hear how the Roman city’s ruins were so magnificently preserved, then learn more about Roman life as you see the Forum, the Thermal Baths, and the Teatro Grande amphitheater. To maximize your time, opt for a tour that includes hotel pickup and entrance fees.

Full-Day Tours

Full-day tours from Sorrento mean you can combine a Pompeii tour or shore excursion with a visit to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Herculaneum and enjoy free time to explore each site independently. Other possibilities include sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast, a stop in the seafront town of Positano, or an afternoon cruise out to the island of Capri. Some full-day tours also include extras such as hotel pickup, skip-the-line entrance, or a delicious Italian-style lunch. 

Things to Know

• Pompeii is located about 16 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Sorrento. 

• It’s about a 45-minute drive or 20-minute train ride to reach Pompeii from Sorrento.

• Day tours from Sorrento typically last around eight hours, and many tours include hotel pickup and round-trip transportation by bus. 

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for uneven terrain. If you’re visiting Pompeii in summer, be sure to wear sun protection and drink plenty of water—there is little shade at the archaeological site.

Two days in Sorrento means you can explore the coastal Italian town and visit some of the surrounding sights. Plan ahead to maximize your time, prebook tickets for top attractions, and learn about Sorrento's culture and people. Here are your options. 

Day 1:  City Sights and Coastal Views

**Morning:**A hop-on hop-off bus tour is a convenient way to take in the central sights. Head to the hilltop Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi for a view of Capri Island, admire the Basilica of Sant’Antonino, and browse the shops along Corso Italia. Stop at Piazza Tasso for a coffee at a terrace cafe.  

**Afternoon:**Join a food tasting tour and fill up on local specialties such as fried rice balls and limoncello, or take a cooking class and learn to make Italian gnocchi or gelato. Alternatively, stroll through Villa Comunale park and climb the steps down to Marina Grande, home to top Sorrento seafood restaurants. 

**Night:**Continue sightseeing into the evening with a sunset cruise and enjoy stunning views as you sail around the Sorrento Peninsula. Perhaps cruise out to Capri Island for a night tour of the island’s beaches, enjoy an on-board dinner, or dive in for a swim in the Mediterranean.

Day 2: Explore the Amalfi Coast

**Morning:**Set out on a full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most picturesque coastlines. Alternatively, take an express tour to UNESCO-listed Pompeii, and spend the morning exploring the ancient Roman ruins. Afterwards, return to Sorrento or pay a visit to Naples. 

**Afternoon:**Stop at viewpoints along the Amalfi Coast for ocean views and visit three villages—Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Each village has its own character and offers cobbled streets, colorfully painted buildings, and handicrafts shops.

**Night:**Spend your final night in Sorrento enjoying traditional Italian entertainment. Book ahead of time to guarantee your experience, which might be an introduction to Italian opera with a performance by The Three Tenors or a Sorrento musical theater show.

Strategically located between the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is the ideal basecamp for exploring the Italian coast. Three days allows you to see the highlights, especially when you use tours and day trips to help maximize your time. Here’s how to spend three days in Sorrento.

Day 1: City Sightseeing

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is an ideal way to discover Sorrento, combining the convenience of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent sightseeing. Start by heading out of the city along the Sorrentine Peninsula and jumping out to admire the views at Masa Lubrense and Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi. Return to Sorrento center to stroll through Villa Comunale park and ride the lift down to Marina Grande for lunch at an oceanfront seafood restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the rest of Sorrento’s sights on foot. Stop by Piazza Lauro and Piazza Tasso, snap photos of the Basilica of Sant’Antonino and Sorrento Cathedral, and browse the shops along Corso Italia—perhaps picking up Sorrento’s famous limoncello (lemon liqueur) to take home. In the evening, set sail along the coast on a sunset cruise or perhaps cruise out to Capri island, stopping along the way to swim in the Mediterranean.

Day 2: Cruise the Amalfi Coast

Just south of Sorrento is the Amalfi Coast, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its picturesque coastline. Take a full-day tour to soak up the scenery without worrying about directions or parking, or self-drive along the coastal roads or cruise the shore. Popular stops along the way include the coastal village of Positano, where you can admire the multi-colored houses clinging to the cliffside and walk down to the beaches below. Further along the coast, the fishing village of Amalfi affords coastal views, while nearby Ravello has a number of notable medieval buildings. After a busy day of traveling, relax with dinner at one of Sorrento’s restaurants. It’s not hard to find tasty cuisine in Sorrento, and the town has several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Day 3: Visit Ancient Pompeii

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site within day-trip distance of Sorrento is the archaeological site of Pompeii. Buried in ash after the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the ancient Roman city is one of the best-preserved in the world. A guided walking tour offers extra insight into the ancient ruins and covers all the highlights including the Forum, Thermal Baths, and Teatro Grande amphitheater. After a morning exploring Pompeii, choose to visit the nearby Herculaneum archaeological site or take in the views from Mt Vesuvius. Alternatively, head to Naples for a pizza lunch and spend the afternoon sightseeing in the city. On your final evening in Sorrento, enjoy some traditional Italian entertainment by attending an opera concert or a Sorrento musical theater show

Tucked between Naples and the Amalfi Coast in Italy’s Campania region, the lush landscapes of the Sorrentine Peninsula are a paradise for foodies, dotted with lemon and orange groves, cliff-top vineyards, and tiny fishing villages. Here are your options for Sorrento food and wine tours.

Must-Try Dishes

The Campania region is one of the best places to eat in Italy, home to Neapolitan pizza, Caprese salad, and buffalo mozzarella cheese. Signature dishes in Sorrento include gnocchi alla sorrentina (gnocchi pasta with a tomato and mozzarella sauce),spaghettoni di Gragnano(a thick spaghetti pasta), Risotto alla Pescatora (fish risotto), and an abundance of fresh seafood including squid, mussels, octopus, and anchovies. Pair them with regional red wines such as aglianico and piedirosso, or whites such as fiano and falanghina.

Sorrento is also famous for its lemons. The tangy citrus fruits are found everywhere—drizzle lemon-infused olive oil over your salad, try the tasty dessert liqueur Limoncello, or indulge in delicious lemon gelato or lemon tiramisu.

Must-Do Experiences

• Taste your way around Sorrento on a small-group walking tour of Marina Grande and the historic center.

• Learn the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine during a cooking lesson, a cheese-making masterclass, or a pasta-themed cooking class.

• Visit the estates and wineries of Irpinia and sample Campania’s award-winning varietals on a wine-tasting day tour led by an experienced sommelier.

• Sip Limoncello, try your hand at pizza making, and enjoy a demonstration of treccia-style mozzarella braiding during a visit to a local farmhouse.

• Hunt for truffles in Monti Picentini park, then tuck into a scrumptious truffle dinner on a private tour.

Whether visiting on a day trip from Naples or stopping by on route to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento in southwestern Italy has much to offer visitors. One day is just enough time to see the sights, sample Sorrentine cuisine, and admire the coastal views. Here’s how to spend one day in Sorrento. 

Morning: City Sights and Coastal Views

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is an ideal way to discover Sorrento. Ride the bus out of the city to Massa Lubrense, enjoying the scenery as you wind through lemon orchards and olive groves, and climb along the coast of Sorrento Peninsula. Jump out at the hilltop Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi for a view across the Gulf of Naples and Gulf of Salerno, and spot Capri Island and Mt. Vesuvius in the distance. Afterwards, return to town and explore Sorrento’s sights on foot. Stroll the lively Piazza Lauro and Piazza Tasso, and browse the shops along Corso Italia.

Afternoon: A Taste of Sorrento

Foodies will find plenty to get excited about in Sorrento—the coastal town is known for fresh seafood, gnocchi, and lemons. Join a food tasting tour and sample specialties such as fried rice balls and sweet pastries. Along the way, stop to admire landmarks such as the Basilica of Sant’Antonino and Sorrento Cathedral, and take in views from Villa Comunale park. Take a cooking class to learn to make gnocchi, gelato, or Treccia mozzarella under a chef's guidance. After filling up on tasty foods, don’t forget to pick up a bottle of lemon liqueur (limoncello) as a souvenir.

Night: Sunset Cruise

Sorrento is known for its sunsets, and the best views are from the water. Set sail on a sunset cocktail cruise or a dinner cruise, stopping along the way to take a swim in the warm Mediterranean waters. There are many tour options available. Some cruises take you to Positano along the Amalfi Coast, while others might visit nearby Capri Island. The island is striking at sunset and heading ashore at night means you have the beaches to yourself.