Sorrento

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

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

 * Read about the unified public transport ticket Campania Unico.

By plane

 * From Naples Airport ('Capodichino'): You can reach Sorrento by bus, from Capodichino to Sorrento buses depart six times daily.

By train

 * The Circumvesuviana goes from Naples (starting at Porta Nolana via Garibaldi) along the coast ending at the (€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to get very crowded until the stop at Pompei during the summer (board at Porta Nolana for a seat) and many of them are outdated and your only air conditioning will be an open window.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. 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

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).
 * 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.
 * 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, 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.

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.

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.

Go next

 * Capri and Ischia by ferry.
 * Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples by the Circumvesuviana Railway.
 * The Amalfi Coast: Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, etc., by SITA or City Sightseeing buses, or by ferry.
 * The Greek temples in Paestum.
 * Ravello - mountain village, home of Gore Vidal