Best Things to do on Your Visit to Dreamy Sorrento, Italy
Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 01:38 pm
Sorrento is a lovely village located on the western coast of Italy. For the Romans, it was known as Surrentum. Evidence indicates that even in ancient times, it was used by the wealthy as a resort/vacation destination. And, it’s no wonder because this coastal area is spectacular. This sweet, little city is oozing with so much character and charm, it’s hard to resist. What makes Sorrento an even better place to visit is the diversity in the experiences in the area. The town is world-famous for its lemon, olive oil, and wine productions. And, its close proximity to Naples, Pompeii, the Island of Capri, and the Almafi Coast make it even more desirable as a vacation destination. So, keep reading to learn all about the best things to do on your visit to Sorrento, Italy!
***Disclaimer: Be sure to look up all entry rules and restrictions for Italy and and activity you wish to participate in before booking any part of your journey!
How to Get to Sorrento
Arriving by Plane
The closest airport to Sorrento is the Naples International Airport. From here, you can either rent a car or take public transportation to Sorrento, Italy.
Navigating Public Transport to Sorrento
From Naples International Airport, you will want to take the Alibus to the Central Station (Garibaldi Station Naples). Click here to learn more about the Alibus schedule, pricing, and more.
From the Garibaldi Station, your best option is to take the Circumvesuviana train that runs between Naples and Sorrento. Please note: while this option is more reliable than the Trenitalia, there will most likely be delays along the way.
If you decide to take public transportation, you can expect the journey to last about 1.5-2 hrs.
Renting a Car
There is always the option to rent a car for your visit to Sorrento. But, honestly, I don’t really recommend it. While the public transportation can have its challenges, dealing with a vehicle presents a different set of problems.
First, the roads along the coast are quite narrow. During the peak seasons, this can mean a lot of congestion. And, if there is a traffic accident, you can expect those delays to be quite long and tedious.
Second, parking can also be an issue both in terms of finding a spot as well as cost to park the car. This is true in Sorrento and along the entire Almafi Coast. So, be sure to fully consider these complications before reserving a car.
If you do decide to rent a car, it will take approximately 1 hr 15 minutes – 1 hr 30 minutes to get to Sorrento.
Grab Pizza in Naples Before Continuing on to Sorrento
Naples might not be the most attractive city in the world. But, it is the birthplace of the modern-day pizza. And, you can find many wonderful places throughout the city to dine on this world-renowned dish. So, why not stop in for a bite as you pass through on your way to Sorrento?
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is my personal recommendation to you. It was opened in 1870 and is one of the oldest and most famous pizzerias in Naples. Even though it has won many awards and recognitions, it continues to remain extremely reasonably priced. Also, the service is quite fast because there are only a couple of options on the menu (see a photo of the menu above on the right). I personally recommend getting the Margherita pizza and the beverage of your choice.
Some Recommendations For Your Visit
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is about a 10-15 minute walk from the Central Station (where the Alibus drops you off). We went there, even with our luggage and did not encounter issues (but we had small suitcases and backpacks). If you have large luggage, takeaway would be the best option.
Just a warning: depending on the time of day and whether or not its high-season, there might be quite a bit of line. At the end of the day, it’s totally up to you if you decide you’d like to add this little detour or not.
Where to Stay For Your Visit to Sorrento, Italy
We stayed 3 nights near the center of Sorrento and I highly recommend this. It was easy to get around by foot and we were within a 10 minute walk to the Circumvesuviana station as well as most points of interest.
Here is a link for the AirBnb we stayed at, just in case you are interested. It was reasonably priced (about $80/night in the low-season), centrally located, and the host was very kind and helpful. Plus, the bonus of having a kitchenette in the room was great because we saved money by making our own breakfasts.
Full Disclaimer: the room was unfortunately not well sound-proofed. Thus, we had some issues with noise from the neighbors (as in we could hear their whole conversation from 11pm onwards). It wasn’t until we knocked on their door 3 separate times that they finally answered and quieted down.
Even if you don’t decide to book the same place, I highly recommend looking for somewhere in the immediate area.
1. Learn how to Make Italian Food With an Italian Chef
Italians certainly have some of the best food in the world. Pizza, pasta, lots of marinara, and more. Who can possibly resist those mouth-watering flavors? So, why wouldn’t you want to learn how to make these delicious delicacies like a local on your visit to Sorrento?
Not only was our cooking experience with Chef Cristiano fun, it was also delicious! We made eggplant Parmesan, gnocchi, and tiramisu using recipes passed on to him from his grandparents.
Chef Cristiano guided us flawlessly through each step of the process by giving full and clear instructions. Then, he assigned different tasks to each of us: stirring, chopping, mashing, frying, etc. One thing I particularly loved about our experience was how aware he was of what everyone was doing. And, he really made a strong effort to make sure that we were all engaged equally throughout the cooking process.
In the end, we had one of the most delicious Italian meals of our visit to Sorrento. The eggplant Parmesan was perfectly seasoned, the gnocchi were like little delectable pillows, and the tiramisu had a beautiful balance of flavor between the cream and coffee. Plus, we got the added bonus of receiving copies of all the recipes afterwards!
Booking Your Italian Cooking Experience
We booked our experience through AirBnb Experiences, but you can also book directly through Penisola Experiences.
Please note: this experience is located in Vico Equense, which is just a few stops away from Sorrento via the Circumvesuviana train. Please, note that the train can experience delays, so plan to leave at least 30 minutes (if not a little bit more) before your experience starts.
2. Hike to a Roman Settlement in Sorrento, Italy
This hike was one of the highlights of our visit to Sorrento. Bagni Regina Giovanna is a scenic spot located rather close to Sorrento. Here, you can enjoy beautiful views and walk through the ruins of an old Roman villa. There is also a spot for swimming on warm summer days.
I should warn you, that about half of the time is spent walking on sidewalks, but the other half of the time is spent walking right along the side of the street. There isn’t really a shoulder on the road, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and traffic at all times.
But, it was worth it and the spot we ended up at was a pristine piece of coast with the remains of a Roman settlement and a cute little swimming area. There was also a grove of olive trees that appeared to be some kind of public park area.
Planning Your Hike to Bagni Regina Giovanna
The hike itself was about 35 minutes from the center of town one way (so just over an hour each way).
I would recommend planning at least one hour to explore the area. Or, plan more time if it’s warm and you wish to picnic and/or swim there.
3. Visit the Limoncello Shops in Sorrento
Sorrento is the birthplace of limoncello. So, it would almost be sacrilegious to visit Sorrento without at least sampling some of the offerings. And, lucky for you, there are a number of little shops where you can do just that. Additionally, you can find all kinds of tasty lemon inspired products as well as olive oils, wines, Italian ceramics, and more!
Quick List of Limoncello Shops to Visit in Sorrento:
This is just a short list of our favorite stores that we stopped in at. Please note that they all sell limoncello, but below I’ve chosen to highlight some of their other offerings that you will not want to miss out on!
- Tesori di Sorrento – This was my favorite of the places we went to. The family is so incredibly sweet and helpful. We also got to sample a number of things that they sell including the limoncello almonds. (similar to Jordan almonds, but limoncello flavored) Plus, they sell beautiful Italian ceramics.
They actually have two stores in Sorrento, so if one is closed or very busy, check out their other location just down the street!
- Sapori e Colori Sorrento – This little store also had some absolutely delicious sour lemon candies. They’re like warheads, but even better. My only regret is that I bought just one little bag of them.
- Limonoro Fabbrica Liquori Di D’Esposito Ciro – This place sells some of the most delicious truffles I have ever tasted in my life. Both the hazelnut and pistachio flavors are rich, creamy, and so delightful. They also sell biscuits which are filled with filled with delicate lemon, hazelnut, cocoa and cappuccino creams. Stop in to sample them all!
4. Wander Around Sorrento, Italy
Wandering around the village is a great way to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon on your vacation. There are so many little shops to explore as well as points of interest. And, of course, there is also plenty of delicious Italian food to sample.
Points of Interest Around Sorrento
- Cathedral of Saints Philip and James – Beautiful baroque style Roman Catholic Church.
- Villa Comunale di Sorrento – Park with beautiful views of the coastline.
- Spiaggia di Sorrento – Small beach area for relaxing.
- Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea – Museum for traditional woodworking.
Restaurant Recommendation in Sorrento
The Torna a Surriento Trattoria restaurant is a little bit outside of the main center of Sorrento. But, it has incredibly reasonable prices and the food is bursting with flavor. I highly recommend making a reservation during your visit to Sorrento!
5. Day Trips In and Around Sorrento, Italy
I’ve created an entire post dedicated to day trips you can take from Sorrento: Top 4 Amazing Day Trip Options From Charming Sorrento. So, if you’re interested in reading more, be sure to click on that link!
Quick List of Day Trips from Sorrento:
- Visit a Lemon Farm Day Trip
- Day Trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum via the Circumvesuviana
- Take a Boat to the Island of Capri Day Trip
- Take the Bus or a Boat to Positano Day Trip
In Conclusion
I hope that this post has inspired you to visit Sorrento and explore all that this charming place has to offer. I’d love to hear about your own visits and recommendations for Sorrento in the comments below!
Happy Travels,
<3 Christine
Discover More Incredible Things to Do Around Italy:
5 Unique Things to do on Vacation in Venice, Italy
The Best Things to do When You Visit Trieste, Italy
Top 4 Amazing Day Trips From Charming Sorrento
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