A quick guide to Sorrento

A small coastal town in the south-west of Italy, Sorrento is a tourist hotspot. It’s a well trodden path of lemon groves for travellers looking to wander through Naples, marvel at Pompeii, climb Mt Vesuvius and relax in Ravello. It’s easy to see why so many people set up base camp in Sorrento and utilise the home of limoncello as their holiday hub.

I’ve visited Sorrento twice. The first time, I stayed at the Grand Flora hotel, my review of which can be found here. The second time I holidayed in the Amalfi Coast, I stayed in an apartment in Sant’Agnello – a ten minute walk from the bustling Sorrento streets.

Getting there

The easiest starting point on any trip to the Amalfi Coast is Naples. On both my visits to Sorrento, I’ve arrived at either Naples Airport or the main bus station. From there, it’s a 70 minute train journey to Sorrento but your train time will depend on what service you board. Some train journeys can take far longer, so check your train times here (and don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding).

Things to do

Before setting off for the delights of the Amalfi coast, be sure to have a wander around Sorrento. Like with any Italian town, head straight to the Centro storico (the historical centre). Sorrento’s old town is filled with pastel buildings, winding streets and market stalls of delicious Italian treats. Be sure to grab a free shot or two of limoncello too!

The Sorrento ‘fun tram tours’. It’s a great way to rest some tired legs. The tours start in Sorrento’s main square, Piazza Tasso and cost 7.50 euros. The tram tours are lead by a tour guide who drops cultural tidbits along the way. The train provides a slow pootle around the coast with breathtaking views.

At 4 euros entry, the Salvador Dali Museum is worth a visit too. there are a number of Dali statues dotted around the town too.

After a blissful tour around the Sorrento, the next port of call are the marinas. There are two in Sorrento: Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. While they aren’t sandy beaches, these two marinas offer a place for a parasol, sun-lounger and a refreshing drink or two. Most of the beaches in Italy are private, so expect to pay a fee. There will always be a small stretch of beach that’s public but this will fill up easily and it’s the least attractive option.

Easy day trips

Sorrento is a great travel hub for further exploration of the Amalfi coast and beyond.

• Naples – I’ve mentioned Naples already but if you’ve arrived from Sorrento elsewhere, then Naples is a doable day trip
• Pompeii and Herculaneum – Another easy trip hop away, these vast archaeological sites are a whole day out in there own right
• Mt Vesuvius – While accessible on public transport, I’d recommend hopping on a tourist bus, which will drop you as close as possible to the crater
• Positano, Ravello and Amalfi – Again it’s worth booking onto a tourist excursion. However, if you’d prefer to march to the beat of your own drum, then rent a car for travel at your own pace
• The islands of Capri and Ischia – Public ferries are easy to navigate, but there are lots of tours available if you want something a little more organised.