Here are the best things to do in Sorrento Italy for your 2023 summer vacation!

Sorrento is known for its lemons and of course, its popular limoncello liquor. It’s a quintessential city offering a relaxing beachside vacation with hidden gems to check out, and a great base home if you are planning on visiting Positano, Amalfi, and the island of Capri!

There are many things to do in Sorrento Italy from shopping, dining, relaxing on some of the best beaches, and taking day trips to the popular nearby towns.

Continue reading to know the best things to do in Sorrento Italy!

What To Know Before You Go

Language – Italian is the official language in Italy. Though English is widely spoken in Sorrento.

Currency – Italy’s currency is Euros (EUR). 1 USD~.95 EUR

Climate- Winters are relatively cold and long in Sorrento. From November through March Sorrento has an average high of 63°F. The coldest month of the year is February with an average high of 57°F and an average low of 48°F. The summer months are warm and humid and last around 3 months. From June through September Sorrento has an average high of 81°F and a low of 73°F, with August being the hottest month of the year. Heat waves often occur with high temperatures reaching 90°F.

Safety- Sorrento is a safe town with friendly locals. Walking around at night is very safe and I would highly recommend female solo traveling to Sorrento. However, keep in mind that pickpocketing still happens, especially during the high tourist season.

Daily Budget- I would budget around 55€ to 75€ including food, attractions, and accommodations (a hostel). Food is relatively affordable, you should be spending around 40€ a day on food per person. Breakfast and lunch prices are cheaper (~10€) compared to dinner prices (20-25€). If you want to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations I would add another 100/200€ per day.

Hostel recommendation – Florida Hostel and Hotel is one of my favorite hostels I stayed at! It felt like I was staying in a hotel rather than a hostel. Though the hostel is also a hotel, the service was 10/10. It gave you access to the pool, a buffet breakfast, and a bar/restaurant. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the downtown area and 10 minute walk to the beach! Recommend staying here if you are looking for a hostel or a hotel!

Getting to Sorrento, Italy

The closest airport to Sorrento is the Naples-Capodichino Airport (NAP). The airport is 33 miles (53 km) from Sorrento. There are many ways to get to Sorrento from the airport and vice-versa, you can take a taxi/private car, bus, or train.

By Taxi or Private Car

Taking a taxi or a private car from Capodichino airport to Sorrento will cost about 100€ or more! It is by far the most comfortable and convenient way to get to Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi Coast. You can spot a taxi outside your terminal or you can do some research and book a private car ahead of time. Both taxi and private car will take about an hour to an hour and a half to reach your destination.

Here is a link for private car options to book ahead of time

By Private Bus

Another way of getting to Sorrento is by taking the Curreri Viaggi airport shuttle. I would highly recommend doing this option if you are on a budget and don’t mind carrying your bags around. The airport shuttle takes you to and from the Sorrento train station and Positano bus station for only 10€ with one large piece of luggage and a piece of personal luggage. The buses run every hour starting from 9 am to 7:30 pm and the travel time is around 90 min. Though it may not take you directly to your accommodations and you may need to wait for the bus to arrive, it is still a great option to get to your destination on a budget!

You should book your airport shuttle here ahead of time to secure a seat on the bus!

Pro tip: If you are traveling light this is a great way to get to the Sorrento train station and from there you can walk to your accommodation or take a taxi which shouldn’t cost you too much!

By Train

Another popular way to arrive in Sorrento is by taking the train! Unfortunately, there were no bus seats left (as mentioned above) from the airport to Sorrento, so I decided to take the train instead. To take the train to Sorrento you first have to take the Alibus from Capodichino airport to Naples Central train station for 5€. The Alibus takes about 15-20 min and the stop is located right outside the Capodichino airport, you can’t miss it. Look here for the schedule for the Alibus.

Once you arrive at the Central Station you can buy your ticket to Sorrento at the box office or any ticket machine at the station.

There are two trains you can take to Sorrento, the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express.
Circumvesuviana is the cheapest option since it is the commuter train. This train will take you to Sorrento train station for 8€ for a travel time of 90 min. It has about 45 stops between the Central train station to Sorrento train station so the time travel can vary. Now be advised that this train does fill up since it is for commuters and therefore there are high chances of pickpocketing. Not ideal if you are traveling with lots of luggage. The Circumvesuviana can be a bit intense, it isn’t the cleanest and it is crammed packed with people and no air conditioning. So if you are going in the summer months be prepared to sweat a lot and keep an eye out for your personal belongings!
The Campania Express on the other hand is geared more towards tourists. It is fast, has air conditioning, an area to store your luggage, and guaranteed seating. Tickets are 15 euros one-way; you can purchase them at the train station or here. For a more pleasant journey, I would suggest Campania Express.

Things to do in Sorrento, Italy

Piazza Tasso (The heart of Sorrento)

One of the best things to do in Sorrento Italy is stroll around Piazza Tasso. Sorrento’s main square is filled with several restaurants, cafes, and boutiques to check out. This is the main hub for tourists to sit al fresco and people watch, meet up for excursions, and shop the limitless souvenir shops offering all things lemons. Piazza Tasso is located at the beginning of Corso Italia which offers alleyways filled with bars, restaurants, and many shopping options!

Shop at Corso Italia

If you’re looking to shop till you drop, Corso Italia is the place to do so! Lots of boutiques with clothing, jewelry, leather, and souvenirs. Makes for the perfect gift if you want to buy something for yourself to remember Sorrento by or gift someone back home a souvenir!

Limoncello Tasting

Sorrento, Capri, and Amalfi Coast are known for their lemons, and their most popular alcoholic drink, limoncello! If you need a little refresher, a pick me up, or a digestive head to I Giardini di Cataldo for limoncello tasting and learn a bit of Sorrento’s history.

Seafood at Marina Grande

Sorrento’s popular port is where you can lay beachside or try some of its amazing seafood! There are many restaurants to choose from that offer typical Sorrento cuisine made mostly of seafood of course. It is also one of the few places where you can lie beachside for free! It’s a great place to grab a bite, take a stroll, relax at the beach, or take a boat to Capri and or Amalfi Coast.

Watch the sunset at Victory Square

Head to Victory Square to catch an amazing panoramic view of the Bay of Naples and the Beach clubs on the harbor below. This square has a small park right in the middle full of trees and benches to sit and take a break from the sun. It’s best to come during sunset to catch a spectacular view on the square’s terrace!

You can see Leonelli’s Beach Club from here.

Leonelli’s Beach Club

The best thing to do in Sorrento Italy is the beach of course! If you want to relax beachside and take a break from sightseeing, Leonelli’s beach club is one of Sorrento’s historic beaches and a great place to spend the day! From beach chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms, and a restaurant Leonelli’s beach club has everything you need to have a pleasant beach day, especially for families with children. I would suggest going early in the day to reserve a chair as it does fill up fast during the summer months.

Take a day trip to Positano/Amalfi Coast and Capri

One of the great things about Sorrento is that it’s easy to access Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Capri. Not to mention it is a lot cheaper to stay in Sorrento and you’ll find more accommodation options compared to Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Capri.

How to get to Positano/Amalfi Coast:

There are three ways to get to Positano/ Amalfi Coast.

1. By Bus

Taking the SITA bus to Positano/Amalfi Coast is the cheapest option but also the most uncomfortable. You can catch the bus at Piazza Giovanni Battista de Curtis (a 6-minute walk from Piazza Tasso). The bus fare is 2 euros each way and can be purchased at the Circumvesuviana station (near the bus stop) or any newspaper stand and/or cigarette shop. During high peak season, it may be hard to find a seat on the bus meaning you have to stand in a crowded bus for about 50 minutes. If you get car sick I wouldn’t recommend the bus since its curved narrow streets can get you dizzy. If you want more information or want to know the bus schedule check out this link.

2. By taxi/ private car

Taking a taxi or private car may be the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable option. Though it may be the most expensive way to get to Positano/ Amalfi it will save you time and stress. This may be the best option if you are traveling with children and or with a bigger group. Besides the comfort, the great thing about private cars is that you can admire the view and stop to capture great shots and of course avoid crowds from the bus. Here are some private transportation options to check out

https://www.viator.com/tours/Sorrento/Positano-Sorrento-Private-Van-Transfer/d947-128285P883

https://www.getyourguide.com/sorrento-l391/sorrento-private-transfer-to-positano-amalfi-or-naples-t145533/

**Do know that you will get dropped off on the road which is above the beach and you have to take several and I mean several steps down to get to the beach and Positano’s main city center.**

3. If want to have a more exciting way to get to Positano /Amalfi you can take a private boat. Some of these boats offer drinks, snacks, and even a place to jump off and swim in the ocean. Though they are a bit pricey it’s worth it if you want to make an excursion out of it. Here are some private boat tours to check out.

It is easy to do both Positano and Amalfi Coast on the same day, trust me I did. I suggest taking an early bus to Positano to secure a seat on the bus and avoid crowds. Spend the morning and afternoon in Positano, then you’ll hop back on the bus for another 30 minutes to Amalfi where you can spend the early evening strolling around the plaza and grabbing dinner before taking the bus back to Sorrento.

How to get to Capri:

Capri is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Gulf of Naples. Ferries often run from Sorrento to Capri and back. Each way will cost around 20 euros for a total of about 40 euros round trip. Each way is a 20-minute ferry ride where you can admire the bluest sea water. You can purchase tickets here.

Another popular way to get to Capri is by a private boat tour which I HIGHLY suggest. Though more expensive than a ferry ride, with a private boat tour you get to stop and admire the views, take a dip in the ocean, stop to look at Blue Grotto, and some tours even serve you lunch and drinks on the boat. The great thing about these tours is that you get picked up directly from your accommodations and have just about everything planned out for you. It’s a great way to get to Capri and get the most out of your day trip. I also suggest asking your hotel if they offer any boat tours to Capri, I know mine did and it seemed to be cheaper to book directly with my hotel.

Here are some options to book a private boat tour to Capri.

Restaurants in Sorrento to check out

O’Parruchianno– If you want to have a full-on Sorrento experience, you NEED to check out O’Parruchianno for its magnificent dining experience in lemon groves! The food is amazing and the ambiance is a 10/10. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time to secure a table. Oh, and you can have your wedding here too!

Cafè Latino Ristorante Pizzeria Lounge Bar – Another great spot with delicious Italian food where the ambiance is a 10/10. On a warm summer evening, you can sit in their garden and enjoy your meal al fresco!

Bagni Il Delfino – Great high-end seafood spot located in Marina Grande.

Final Thoughts

I had such a pinch-me moment when visiting Positano and the Amalfi Coast since it’s been a huge dream of mine to visit. I didn’t know that I would enjoy Sorrento a lot more! It was inexpensive, less crowded, and had more food options than Positano and Amalfi, to me at least. The great thing about Sorrento is that it’s easy enough to get to the Amalfi Coast and Capri without hurting your wallet.

If you want to visit the Amalfi Coast and Capri on a budget, I highly suggest staying in Sorrento because it is just as beautiful minus the crowds and the expensive stays and food options. Not to mention there are several things to do in Sorrento Italy that will have you falling in love with the city. I hope this mini Sorrento travel guide was helpful and useful for getting to Amalfi and Capri.

Thanks for reading the things to do in Sorrento Italy guide and found it useful to prepare for your trip.