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SORRENTO AND MORE

Sorrento is a charming coastal town that is centrally located in between the Amalfi Coast and Mount Vesuvius. 

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SORRENTO

Known as the "Land of Mermaids," Sorrento is located in the Campania region of Italy. This alluring town is known for its stunning views of Mount Vesuvius, colorful ceramics, fresh seafood, and exquisite lemons. In fact, when life gives Sorrento lemons, they make limoncello! Sorrento is a popular destination because of its proximity to the Amalfi Coast and Naples. We created this page to help you explore Sorrento and its surrounding areas as much as we do.  

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GETTING THERE

For your convenience, we will offer transportation to your accommodation in Sorrento from the Naples International Airport or Naples Centrale Train Station. More details to come. 

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Renting a car in Naples is also an option — you just need an international driver’s permit (available at AAA for $20) and an adventurous spirit (driving culture is more fast-paced and assertive in Italy vs. the US and the roads in some cities can be very narrow). Luckily, cars drive on the right side of the road and automatic transmission vehicles are available for rent. That said, automatics are less common and more expensive than their manual counterparts, so be sure to make reservations far in advance. Car rental agencies are also available in Sorrento if you prefer to rent once you’ve arrived in the town. Be sure to research local driving laws, road signs, and learn how their toll roads and gas stations work. 

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At the time of writing this page, Uber only operates in Rome and Milan. 

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THINGS TO DO IN SORRENTO

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DESTINATIONS NEAR SORRENTO

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ACTIVITIES NEARBY

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CAPRI

Capri is popular tourist destination for those staying along the Amalfi Coast, but did you know that it was also Emperor Tiberius' favorite island retreat? Emperor Tiberius was the stepson of the very first Roman emperor, Augustus, as well as the rival of Agrippa Postumus, Augustus Caesar's grandson. Given Tiberius' title, it's clear we know who gained control over the throne back then. 

Tiberius built the infamous Villa Jovis (Villa of Jupiter), which was completed in 27 AD. Besides Villa Jovis, Capri holds an abundance of beautiful sites that are worth a day trip or even an overnight stay on the island. 

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When planning your visit, keep in mind that the island has into two municipalities: Anacapri and Capri. Below are characteristics of the two. 

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ANACAPRI

  • A low-key destination that's less "tourist-y" compared to Capri 

  • Great for people who enjoy hikes or walking a lot 

  • Suitable for those traveling on a budget 

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CAPRI

  • Perfect for those who want to party and spend more time on the beach

  • Suitable for those who are willing to splurge

  • Filled with more popular attractions

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GETTING THERE

Whether you're traveling from Sorrento or Positano, you can easily get to Capri through the ferries. Because it's a popular island destination during high season, we suggest booking your tickets far in advance. Check out this excellent guide that provides information on various ferry operators, depending on your departure city. We do recommend booking directly through the ferry operator of your choice. 

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On the day of your travel, we suggest arriving 1 hour before your scheduled departure time so you can check in at the ticket booth, receive your physical tickets, and line up for the best seats on the ferry, and board. 

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THINGS TO DO IN CAPRI

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POSITANO

Positano is the town most people think of when they envision the Amalfi Coast. Known as the "Vertical City," Positano is famous for its colorful buildings and unmatched views of the coast. If you're planning a visit here, keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs. It's called the "Vertical City" for a reason! 

 

 Since this is a very popular destination for tourists, it will be very crowded. Prices in Positano are much higher compared to other parts of Italy, but the dreamy views at every turn make it well worth it. 

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GETTING THERE

Getting to Positano from Sorrento is very easy and luckily, there are multiple ways to get to this stunning town. 
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  • Ferry: This is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to get to Positano. We recommend purchasing your ferry tickets in advance directly with the ferry operator. Here's a site that has more information. On your travel day, we suggest arriving 1 hour before your scheduled departure time so you can check in at the ticket booth, receive your physical tickets, and line up for the best seats on the ferry, and board. 

  • Taxi: Taxis are the easiest way to get to Positano if you have the funds! A one way taxi generally costs between 60-80€ from Sorrento to Positano and vice versa, or could be more if you're traveling late at night. Taxis need to be booked in advance and can be arranged through your hotel or restaurant. 

  • Rental car: This is our preferred mode of transportation in the area, but we only recommend it for those who are comfortable driving on windy roads and through extremely narrow spaces. Please note that parking in Positano and along the Amalfi Coast can be challenging, especially during the summer months, and we suggest utilizing car parks where available. They can be expensive but are probably worth it to save time and hassle. We’ve had good luck parking at Parcheggio Russo in Positano on multiple occasions and recommend it!

  • Bus: Starting at the Circumvesuviana station in Sorrento, you'll can take a 45-minute bus ride to Positano. Please note that tickets cannot be purchased on the bus. In Sorrento, you can purchase tickets at the ticket station or at tobacco shops. 

 

THINGS TO DO IN POSITANO

  • Charter a private boat or yacht during sunset. 

  • If you're a party-goer who loves house music, go clubbing in a cave at Music on the Rocks.  

  • Get custom leather sandals made on the spot at Nana Positano. We recommend arriving during the first half of the day so the store owners have time to make your shoes.

  • Sunbathe or swim at Fornillo Beach or Marina Grande Beach. Both beaches have a "free" area, but you'll need to arrive early to secure a spot. 

  • Grab a drink at Don't Worry Bar or Aldo's in Le Sirenuse. We recommend making reservation at least six months in advance.

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POMPEII

The ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are located in the city of Pompei (with one “i). Known for being buried in volcanic ash in 79 AD by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii is one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in the world and offers a unique glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy and has been the subject of various books, films, and documentaries.

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POMPEII

  • Train: There are one or two train options to get to Pompeii, depending on if you’re coming from Naples or Sorrento. This website has a good summary of the options and things to keep in mind. 

  • Driving: Driving to Pompeii is relatively straightforward and there are various car parks close to the archaeological site. Some are better than others so we suggest you plan where to park in advance. We’ve used this “Camping Pompei” car park in the past with success.

  • Guided tour: Various operators will arrange transportation from Naples, Sorrento, and other surrounding areas as part of a guided tour, whether by train, bus or private car. 
     

While you can explore Pompeii on your own, we recommend booking a guided tour for a richer learning experience. There is no shortage of operators that offer standalone and combination tours with other nearby attractions that you can book via TripAdvisor, the official website, and other travel pages. We’ve gone with Askos Tours for their Pompeii Small Group tour with an Archaeologist and highly recommend the experience!

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OTHER RESOURCES

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OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR POMPEII

  • Visit Parco Acheologico di Ercolano aka Herculaneum. It's another ancient Roman city that was buried in ash by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Some tour operators offer combination tours that include Pompeii, the Herculaneum and a visit to Mount Vesuvius. 

  • Take a hike in Vesuvius National Park! For those who dare, you can hike around Mount Vesuvius and even peer into the cone itself. The only active volcano on the European mainland, it last erupted in March 1944.

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AMALFI

Amalfi is the largest town and administrative center of the Amalfi Coast, the stretch of coastline between the Gulf of Naples and Gulf of Salerno. Once the capital of the powerful Duchy of Amalfi maritime republic, the town has a long and rich history as can be seen with its well-preserved buildings and monuments. It’s a great place to stop by to enjoy stunning cliffside views, delicious seafood, and charming and welcoming atmosphere.

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GETTING THERE

​The options for getting from Sorrento to Amalfi are similar to those for Positano (ferry, taxi, rental car, bus). See that section above for more information. For those that decide to drive, Parcheggio Luna Rossa is a car park close to the entrance of town that various travel blogs recommend.​

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THINGS TO DO IN AMALFI

  • Walk through the historic center and wander the narrow streets. Amalfi is a maze of hundreds of tiny, charming streets that aren’t big enough for cars and are lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Like in Positano, be ready for numerous flights of stairs!

  • Behold the Duomo di Sant’Andrea, a beautiful cathedral known for its stunning mosaics and architectural style that combines Arab-Norman, Gothic, and Baroque elements.

  • Visit the Museo della Carta (“Museum of Paper”) which celebrates the long-established paper-making tradition in Amalfi. Situated in an old paper mill dating back to the 13th century, the small museum offers demonstrations of traditional papermaking techniques on machines that are hundreds of years old.

  • Trek through the Valle delle Ferriere (“Valley of the Ironworks”), a lush nature reserve with waterfalls, lemon groves, prehistoric botanical relics and fossilized moss walls, as well as ancient ironworks and paper mills.

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RAVELLO

Situated a thousand feet above sea level unlike neighboring towns, Ravello offers stunning panoramic views of the coast and a more quiet and peaceful atmosphere. It’s known for its beautiful villas and gardens and has been a popular destination for artists and writers for centuries. Today, the town has become known as La Città Della Musica (“The City of Music”) for its annual summer concert series featuring piano concerts, chamber music, and grand orchestral performances.

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GETTING THERE

See the Positano section for more information on getting around the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is further east on the coast so travel time from Sorrento will be longer and may include more steps vs. some of the other destinations. It's ~1 hour by car, and ~1 hour and 40 minutes by bus.  You can also get to Ravello by taking a ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi, then taking a 30-minute SITA bus ride. 

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THINGS TO DO IN RAVELLO

  • Stroll the expansive gardens of Villa Cimbrone and take in the dramatic views from its Terrazza dell’Infinito (“Terrace of Infinity”).

  • Enjoy more greenery and views at Villa Rufolo, home to the annual Ravello music festival described above. 

  • Walk the scenic route between Ravello and Minori, its neighboring town at sea level (be prepared for 1,500+ steps!). Once in Minori, stop by the world-famous bakery Pasticceria Sal De Riso and try its signature Delizia al Limone dessert made from fresh lemons of the Amalfi Coast. The Delizia al Limone is absolutely divine! And if you're not a lemon dessert person, they have plenty of other excellent options. 

  • Sample local cheese and even take a mozzarella making class at Caseificio Staiano di Staiano Biagio.

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