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Sorrento is a gorgeous coastal town, overlooking the city of Napoli and Mount Vesuvius. During summer days, you can enjoy your time on a boat or by the sea. It often acts as a gateway between Napoli and the Amalfi Coast, since it sits in between these two.
We visited the town of Sorrento earlier this year and totally fell in love. We were surprised to had never heard of it previous to researching our trip to the Amalfi Coast. In fact, after visiting, we may be even brave enough to say that perhaps, Sorrento is better than the famous towns of Amalfi and Positano? Bold statement, I know. But let us explain.
Why visit Sorrento
Technically, Sorrento is not part of the Amalfi Coast, but its fantastic location, good pricing and beautiful streets make it an excellent destination!
While the famous towns of Amalfi and Positano are literally in the middle of nowhere, Sorrento is strategically located only 1H away from these, and 1H away from the huge city of Napoli at the same time. In fact, Sorrento is part of the city of Naples, which makes it very well connected and easy to access.
It makes sense why some tourists stay at Sorrento. By doing so, you’ll be saving A LOT of money and getting the exact same experience than in the towns in the Amalfi Coast.
Accommodations in Positano and Amalfi tend to see 2 to 4 times higher prices than Sorrento. In addition, restaurants and bars are usually also much pricier in these famous towns. Sorrento is a bigger town, which also means there is more variety of options and it’s easier to find good value for your money (in all aspects!)
And the best part is that by staying in Sorrento you are not sacrificing any of those Instagram-able moments in the Amalfi Coast. From here, you can do day trips to Positano, Amalfi, Praiano and Ravello, you can book boat trips, and you can sip a glass of wine over a coastal cliff with beautiful views.
Have we sold you on it yet?
How to get to Sorrento
As mentioned, one of the best benefits of visiting Sorrento is that it’s really well connected. There is a direct train from the central station at Naples (Napoli Centrale) that takes you all the way into Sorrento. It takes just an hour and costs about $4.
Things to do in Sorrento
Our favourite thing to do in Sorrento was to explore the town by foot. It’s not very big so you can do it all in a day, but it is also wonderful to have some days to unwind by the coast enjoying the unique views.
These are the main spots that you can’t miss:
- Piazza Tasso
- Cathedral of Saints Philip and James
- Via S. Cesareo
- Villa Comunale di Sorrento
- Spiaggia di Sorrento
How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento
While in Sorrento, you’ll naturally want to pay a visit to the Amalfi Coast towns, since they are so nearby. There’s a few ways to get there:
1. Rent A Car: This is a very popular option. It’s great because it gives you flexibility and you can go at your own pace. However, driving in the Amalfi Coast can be very stressful, since the roads are very narrow and in some parts they are 1-way at a time. In addition parking is expensive and limited, so if you are visiting during high season, you should really think this through!
2. Take a Bus: This is the easiest and most economical option. Buses to Positano leave every 30-45 mins and tickets only cost a couple of euros. The downside to this is that the roads are very swiftly and if you are prone to motion sickness like me, 100% chance you will get car sick! So make sure to bring with you some motion sickness pills. Something else to know about the bus is that usually gets pretty busy, so make sure to queue early to make sure to get a spot in the bus time you want.
Pro-tip: On the way to Positiano from Sorrento, sit on the right hand side of the bus to get the best views!
3. Take a ferry: This option is usually only available during high season. It is definitely the nicest way to visit the towns since you also get to see them from the sea, although this option does take a bit longer.
4. Book a tour: If you prefer to avoid planning your own transport and like being taken care of, you can also book an organized tour that will take you through all the top Amalfi towns. Usually these also include lunch and have a tour guide that explains all the history and fun facts.
What to eat in Sorrento
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is the local dish in Sorrento – You can’t leave without trying it! It’s essentially only gnocchi with tomato and mozzarella cheese, but if you find a good restaurant that does it, you’ll understand why it’s nicer there than anywhere else.
When looking for restaurants in Sorrento, it’s best to stay away from the most touristic areas, where the quality tends be lower and the price higher. The further the edges of town you go, the better food you will find.
Our absolute favourite restaurant was La Cantinaccia del Popolo. They have the most authentic and delicious food we found, and no tourist prices! Plus, the service is amazing and the people who work there speak perfect English and are very welcoming. We highly recommend it.
We hope that this blog helps you plan your perfect stay in Sorrento! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave and comment below and we’ll do our best to answer.
You may be interested in also checking out our blogs on How To See Rome In 3 Days or The Best Cheap Summer Destinations in Europe.
