Once you have visited Sorrento, you will never forget the experience and will probably want to return. Located on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, beautiful Sorrento is approximately 30 miles south of Naples. You will find this fascinating town of 20,000 the ideal place to go for a day trip, or spend a few days and nights during your travel to the Amalfi Coast. Sitting high in the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, overlooking the Mediterranean sea, Sorrento gives you captivating views of Naples and Mt Vesuvius. So if you’re wondering about things to do in Sorrento, Italy, let us be your guide.

the Amalfi Drive

Considered by many to be the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is the starting point for the famous Amalfi Drive, a winding and very narrow road that runs along the rocky cliffs from Sorrento to Amalfi. As you travel this treacherous stretch of road, be prepared to experience breathtaking views, as you overlook the alluring town of Positano, and other fishing villages and towns along its route. The Romans originally built the Amalfi Drive, carving it out of the sheer rocks and cliffs high above the Tyrhennian Sea. With photo opportunities around every bend, this remains one of the top travel destinations in Italy.

Sorrento is a very picturesque travel destination, safe and very easy to get around. One of the best ways to explore is via foot! You can easily walk all around the center of Sorrento, although be prepared to go up and down hills, like most of Italy. Since the city’s streets comprise a series of hills, walking around this town will easily provide your daily exercise.

old white Italian buildings line the edge of a cliff in Sorrento — Photo by Kayle Kaupanger on Unsplash

Piazza Tasso

Piazza Tasso is the heart of the city, and a great place to immerse yourself into the Italian culture. It is the type of place where you can spend time sitting at an outdoor café, relaxing, and appreciating the moment. Taste a gelato, browse the numerous shops, and converse with the locals. You will likely find no problems communicating, as many of the Italians speak English. They are used to giving directions to English-speaking tourists.

Authentic limoncello

Be sure and take time to sample some limoncello, a refreshing drink made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water, and sugar. This area of Italy harvests very large lemons (limone) and therefore Sorrento is the perfect place to try due to it being famous for the production of limoncello. On a visit to Sorrento you will find it easy to spot a beautiful lemon grove or tree. You cannot leave without trying at least one glass.

a glass of limoncello sits on a tile coaster with skewered lemon slices peaking out of the top — Photo by Svitlana on Unsplash

Shopping

If you are a shopping enthusiast, you will delight in the various boutiques and small shops on Via San Cesareo, the main shopping street in Sorrento. Discover specialty products from this area, especially the handcrafted inlaid wooden products known as Intarsia Sorrentina. These items include music boxes, jewelry boxes, cigar boxes, and even custom furniture. This is a really unique experience as the surrounding area is beautiful and you're met with spectacular views.

There are many small family-run shops, where you can observe the artisan honing his craft, which is very labor-intensive and involves minimal automation. Originating in Sorrento, this noble Italian tradition has been handed down from generation to generation, since the 16th century.

Hand-painted ceramics are another popular buy, as Sorrento is not far from the town of Vietri, which has been famous since the Middle Ages for its colorful hand-painted ceramics pieces. Many of the shopkeepers in Sorrento feature these ceramics, and the great thing is that you will likely be able to negotiate the price, depending on your bargaining skills.

Down by the Marina

Sorrento has two marinas, both of which present great photo opportunities. Marina Piccola, the larger marina, where you'll find a boat trip or ferries departing for the city of Naples, the Island of Capri, and sightseeing cruises along the Amalfi Coast. It's a good idea to book a boat tour if you are wanting to explore this coastal town from a different perspective (and some of the best views in my opinion). The smaller marina is Marina Grande and is where most of the fishing boats and smaller private boats dock. There is a small beach area here, and you will also find restaurants specializing in fresh fish and seafood and local fishermen wandering around the area. Consider trying a little olive oil with your fresh fish to experience one of the top things in this area! Afterwards, be sure to conclude with an some of their delectable ice creams!

Day Trip to Capri

the tree-lined mountains of capri with the harbour down below — Photo by István Szitás on Unsplash

Other day trips from Sorrento include Pompeii (overlooked by the incredible Mount Vesuvius), the ancient city and well-known tourist destination, as well as the beautiful island of Capri, with its magical Blue Grotto and winding road to the higher town of Ana Capri.

Sorrento also provides easy train access to Pompeii, and ferryboats to Capri. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the more famous archaeological sites in this part of the amalfi coast and well worth a visit. You may want to check schedules and weather as the boats depend on both.

Sorrento remains a popular travel destination in Italy, attracting millions of visitors each year from all over the world. There are plenty of things to do from trying the incredible gnocchi alla sorrentina, exploring the Bagni Della Regina Giovanna, or even marveling in the historic churches like Chiostro di San Francesco (the oldest church in Sorrento).

From the panoramic views to the local cuisine, a visit to the gulf of Naples will leave with memories to last a lifetime.