If you’ve been following Casa Mia for a while it will come as no surprise that we are huge fans of the Campania region as a whole. The city of Naples lying in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, deep blue waters all the way along the majestic coastline, the iconic cliff-side towns of Amalfi and Positano, all of these are big draws to this region. However, for us, the town of Sorrento is one of the best things about this part of Italy, drawing us back for visit after visit. Wondering why? Here are our top things to do in Sorrento to explain why we love it so much!
All About Sorrento
Before we talk about the specific things to do in Sorrento, here’s a short introduction to the town of Sorrento.
Located south of Naples, along the edge of the Sorrentine peninsula, Sorrento is one of the most popular vacation destinations anywhere in southern Italy. Separate from the Amalfi Coast which faces away from Naples, Sorrento has been attracting visitors for well over a hundred years.
The Grand Tour, where the rich started exploring Europe as travel became more accessible in the 1800’s, included the Sorrentine peninsula. Accounts of the flower-filled streets, picturesque fishing villages and ancient ruins flooded into society back home, kick-starting an obsession with this beautiful corner of Italy.
The history of Sorrento stretches back much further than the 1800’s however, with evidence of small groups of people living here well over a thousand years ago. Ancient Greeks stopped here and then the Romans came along. The ancient Romans loved Campania as much as we do, founding Roman settlements on Capri, in Naples, Pompeii and more.
They also founded Surrentum, which became a popular place for wealthy Romans to stay. The modern town of Sorrento is literally built on top of the ancient town. It is common for buildings in the historic center to discover ancient Roman ruins in their basements!
Now that you know a bit more about this iconic Italian town, here are our top suggestions for what to do in Sorrento:
1. Explore Sorrento
The first thing you should do in Sorrento is explore the old town. It is not a large area, but there are lots of things to see here that many visitors rush past without realizing!
Piazza Tasso
Start in Piazza Tasso, the main square. Stand under the series of flagpoles and look down the steep gorge leading to the Marina Piccola, Sorrento’s ferry port. This gorge marked the edge of the old town, so everything out towards the train station is much newer.
Piazza Tasso is very much the beating heart of Sorrento so you will find yourself here pretty often during your trip. Grab a coffee or gelato nearby if you want, Bar Fauno is an excellent people-watching spot.
Corso Italia
Head up the (mostly) pedestrianized Corso Italia to find the Cathedral of Sorrento. The inlaid wood doors are an excellent example of one of Sorrento’s local crafts, and there is plenty more to see inside. Keep a close eye out for the pieces of ancient Roman columns and stonework that were re-used for the cathedral and next door bell tower.
After seeing the cathedral, take a slight detour to see the Parsano Bastion, a section of the defensive city wall built in the 16th century. From here, walk back down to Corso Italia and take some time to browse the many shops both along this road and those in the parallel narrow streets. Everything from ceramics to linen clothing, sandals, chocolate, limoncello and leather goods is on offer here, but prioritize stores selling things actually made locally for the best souvenirs.
Sea Views
When you’ve had your fill of shopping, head towards the sea and the viewpoint at the Villa Comunale park. Pass through Piazza Sant’Antonino with its statue of Sorrento’s patron saint, Anthony the Abbot – he is facing his Basilica di Sant’Antonino which you can go inside if you’d like to see another church.
The views from the small park are incredible. Sitting high on the cliffs of Sorrento, you can see right across to Naples and Mount Vesuvius and the wide Bay of Naples, simply spectacular views! We also love looking down and watching the boat traffic around the Sorrento port below.
If you want to relax at one of Sorrento’s beach clubs, take the elevator located in the park down to sea level to get to their entrances. From here you can also walk along to the Marina Piccola ferry port.
To finish exploring Sorrento, don’t take this elevator, but instead walk out of the park and turn right. Follow the street to another piazza (with another excellent view of the Bay of Naples) and weave your way down the historic center steps to the Marina Grande. You’ll pass through an ancient Greek gate on your way down, signifying the ancient town boundaries as Marina Grande was technically a separate town.
Marina Grande is everything you expect from Italy’s picturesque villages, complete with fishing boats bobbing about in the small harbor, colorful buildings and stone walkways. You can’t go wrong with the seafood on offer at any of the restaurants down here as the perfect way to end your exploration of Sorrento!
2. Learn About Local Food & Drink
Campania is well known for its excellent local cuisine. Neapolitan food is famous all over the world and our love for the wine and cheese produced here is no secret! Of all the things to do in Sorrento, food and drink will always feature heavily.
Lemons
Sorrento has its fair share of excellent food and drink, so there are a lot of Sorrento attractions that are focused on this. You can do various tastings and limoncello experiences – there is some debate as to whether the liqueur was invented in Sorrento or Capri but either way, you can taste some delicious versions here.
The Sorrento lemons are in a league of their own and they aren’t just used for limoncello. You’ll see lemons featured in pasta dishes, condiments, oils and beers as well as gelato, granita and desserts of all styles. A really fun trip is to go see the lemon groves along the Sorrentine peninsula and taste fresh-squeezed lemonade, absolutely sublime!
Cheeses
You can also taste locally-made cheeses. Cheeses in Campania are mainly made with cows milk or buffalo milk, both of which make fantastic cheese varieties. Once you’ve tried fresh mozzarella you’ll understand why Italians are so passionate about their cheeses, and seeing the animals up close is a really fun experience.
Wine
Campanian wines have a lot of variety, with many local grapes growing well in the fertile soil. There are lots of vineyards on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius as well as some around the Amalfi Coast and inland towards the city of Avellino and Irpinia area.
The restaurants in Sorrento tend to focus on local wines so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to taste some during your trip, but if you want to go deeper, join a winery tour. Taking in different vineyards, tour the vines, see the winemaking process and then taste the wines for an excellent day trip. These trips involve some travel time as you have to get away from the Sorrentine peninsula, but it’s well worth it!
Cooking Classes
Once you’ve learnt more about the key ingredients of Campanian and Sorrentine cuisine, why not put it all together in a cooking lesson? In the heart of Sorrento old town we offer a truly special experience, where you will cook and learn with a local in their home. With an ever-changing menu based on what’s in season, join us to prepare and then eat a full traditional Sorrentine meal; one of the most enjoyable things to do in Sorrento.
3. Discover the Neapolitan Islands
While there’s a lot of things to do in Sorrento itself, you would be missing out if you didn’t also explore the surrounding area. Visiting the islands off the coast as a day trip is very easy with the excellent ferry network, so here’s our suggestions for what to do and see:
Capri
The island of Capri is well-known today for being the go to spot for wealthy people and celebrities. Throughout the summer there will be huge yachts and fancy parties taking place around the island, but don’t let this put you off!
Yes, parts of Capri are expensive compared to Sorrento and Naples, but once you get away from the busy main town and port, the appeal of the famous island will reveal itself to you.
Ferries run between Sorrento and Capri all day, with departures in summer about every 30 minutes. Once you get to Capri, you’ll want to head up the cliffs to the main town (also called Capri), so either take a taxi, the bus or the funicular. When you get to the town, take a minute and admire the views of the deep blue sea before deciding what to do on Capri.
What to do on Capri
You can take a bus to the second town of Anacapri, which is much less busy. This is also the place to go if you want to get the best views, as you can take a chairlift up to Monte Salaro, the highest point on Capri. For different views lower down (although no less impressive) visit the Gardens of Augustus which are made up of a series of terraces built into the cliffs about the port.
You can go in a different direction and walk up to the remains of the Villa Jovis, an ancient Roman palace complex where emperor Tiberius spent a lot of time. You can also simply enjoy the town of Capri, browsing the shops and boutiques before a relaxing lunch.
Of all the attractions in Capri, one gets more requests than any other – the Blue Grotto. The special construction of a sea cave found in the island’s cliffs creates a wonderful blue glow in the grotto. Access is strictly controlled and is dependent on the sea conditions, so you can spend a lot of time waiting for only a short time in the grotto itself. Our preference? Take a boat trip around the whole island and see some of the other stunning features of Capri, much more enjoyable!
Ischia
The island of Ischia is just off the coast from Naples, so it is a slightly longer journey than Capri, but well worth it. Ischia is a natural haven, offering visitors pristine beaches, thermal waters, beautiful gardens and amazing food.
Take the Sorrento to Ischia ferry earlier in the morning to give yourself plenty of time on the island. You’ll arrive in the main town of Ischia, and from here you can take a taxi or the local bus to explore.
What to do on Ischia
In summer the lush green Mortella Gardens are a must-visit. The garden brings together many different species from all over the world, along with trees, fountains, sculptures and more. Cool and shady during the hot months, you can really escape from reality here as you wander round the pathways leading up a hill with magnificent views of the sea.
If relaxation is more your thing, then make your way to the Poseidon Gardens. Here the natural thermal waters of Ischia have been used to create a wellness park. Poseidon lies alongside a lovely beach so you can spend some time on the white sand as well as in the pools, pure heaven!
There’s lots more to do on a day trip to Ischia from Sorrento, including exploring the huge Aragonese Castle, relaxing at other beaches on the island and enjoying a delicious lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants. You can also head inland and follow one of the hiking trails around Mount Epomeo.
One note; the ferries from Sorrento to Ischia (and vice versa) do not run all day so be sure to check your departure timings for the return trip.
4. Dig Into Ancient History
Campania is steeped in history, having been important since the time of the ancient Greeks. There are many places to discover the region’s history, including the ruins at Paestum, Baiae, Pozzuoli and of course Mount Vesuvius itself. However there are two archaeological sites which are must-visits:
Pompeii
The story of Pompeii’s destruction during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD is well known. The shocking obliteration of the town did however preserve the ancient Roman town in incredible condition. This has allowed countless historians and archeologists to study this point in time with great detail, and new discoveries are still being made today.
Visiting Pompeii from Sorrento is simple, you can either take the Circumvesuviana train or join a guided tour which includes transport. If it’s your first time visiting, we highly recommend having a guide – there is just so much to see that without an expert it’s easy to struggle to fully understand what you’re actually seeing.
The site is vast, making it tough to see absolutely everything in one visit. Our top tip is to not even try, but instead focus on exploring a couple of areas in detail. The layout of the site makes it possible to do this and see the most important elements, which will make your visit that much more enjoyable!
After seeing Pompeii you will be in need of a break, so why not combine your day trip with a visit to a nearby winery and enjoy a relaxing lunch with wine tasting?
Herculaneum
If the thought of Pompeii isn’t appealing to you, we can highly recommend the other major town destroyed by Vesuvius; Herculaneum. This site is much more compact, with no less impressive architecture, frescoes and items from daily life to see. Less of the ancient town has been excavated so you can see everything in a few hours.
Again, a guide will be very helpful for first-time visitors, as they can bring the ancient town to life for you. Herculaneum is not as busy as Pompeii, so if you prefer to explore at your own pace this is an excellent site for you.
If you want to see both, it’s possible to arrange a full day trip including Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento. This will be a long day but very rewarding for history lovers!
5. Explore the Amalfi Coast
Finally, we can’t talk about Sorrento without mentioning the Amalfi Coast. The towns of Amalfi and Positano have long been hyped as iconic Italian destinations, with their coloful buildings stretching up the cliffs. We do not disagree with the appeal of these two towns, but there is a lot more to the Amalfi Coast!
From Sorrento you can reach many of the towns by ferry and bus (although the buses get extremely busy in the summer). Going by boat is part of the experience, as you get to see the cliffs and scenery of the Amalfi Coast from the most impressive angle.
Away from Amalfi and Positano, the towns of Minori and Maiori have lovely beaches and promenades, not to mention fantastic restaurants with tons of fresh fish on offer. Vietri sul Mare is the place to go for colorful handmade ceramics and Ravello at the top of the cliffs has beautiful gardens to wander round.
For hikers, the Path of the Gods trail follows the paths used by the local people for generations before the modern road was built connecting the towns. You can walk different sections of the path, admiring the wide-ranging views and completely immerse yourself in nature.
As you can see, there is no shortage of things to do in Sorrento. We have lots of ideas for what to do here so if you’re looking for more inspiration check out our Campania and Naples tour options. You can also talk to us directly to create a custom itinerary based on your interests – what are you waiting for?
