Ultimate Local Guide to Sorrento: What to Do, Eat & How to Get Around
Planning to explore Positano and Ravello? Read our Amalfi Coast Itinerary & Transport Guide.
As we live in Naples, we are fortunate enough to visit Sorrento very often. We love to walk through Sorrento’s historic center for a bit of shopping or gelato or to have a romantic dinner by the sea.
It’s always breathtaking when we begin to see the view of Sorrento from afar, proudly standing on dramatic cliffs with turquoise-green waters below.
The traffic is justified, as everyone wants to stop for a photo and enjoy a refreshing lemon granita.
We often smile and say “enjoy” to the tourists, feeling guilty, knowing we’re lucky enough to visit this paradise whenever we want. I wish I could give tips and suggestions to all those tourists to help them avoid mistakes, stress, or expensive tourist clichés. They could experience the real dolce vita—which does exist (I can testify)—without spending a fortune or getting stuck in crowds and traffic.
I can’t talk to all of them, but I can help you if you’re planning a trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Being in Southern Italy, it’s not uncommon to face small obstacles or delays that could steal your time and energy. Instead of spending your time figuring out how to resolve problems, you should be relaxing with a glass of wine at the Marina Grande.
Keep reading my posts to better plan your Sorrento and Amalfi Coast trip, including tips to avoid unpleasant moments, reduce stress, and maximize your time and budget in Sorrento and its surroundings.
Table of Contents
How to Get from Naples to Sorrento: Train, Ferry, Bus or Car?
You’ll read everywhere that it’s easy to get to Sorrento—especially if you want to explore the Amalfi Coast—and that the journey takes only 1 to 1.5 hours. Unfortunately, this is rarely true.
It is easy to reach Sorrento because there are buses, trains, and ferries going directly from Naples, and if you want to rent a car it is only 50 km. away.
But each option has its big pros and cons! You need to plan your logistics wisely based on the time you’re traveling and the season.
Don’t get overwhelmed, I got you covered. Keep reading and it will be more clear for your how to get to Sorrento from Naples.
The closest airport to Sorrento is Capodichino Airport (NAP) of Naples city, maybe the most scenic and authentic city in Italy.
You will not go wrong to explore Naples City before heading to Sorrento. If you are interested, you may read my guides about Naples City and Naples in one day.
Sorrento is easily reachable not only from the airport but also from the city center. For this reason a perfect Amalfi Coast itinerary start from Sorrento.
By BUS:
There is only company operating between Naples Airport (and Naples City) and Sorrento and called Currieri Viaggi.
GOOD IF: | BE AWARE.. |
| You are departing from Naples Airport (not city center) | There are multiple stops along the route! |
| You’re on a budget – tickets cost only €13 per person | If you have more than 2 luggages, each will cost 5 EUR more. |
| You don’t want to rent a car at the airport | You may consider renting a car or scooter in Sorrento when you need to explore surroundings. |
| You have enough time – it takes 1.5 hours | In peak summer, travel time can reach 3–4 hours or more due to heavy traffic and narrow roads. |
| You didn’t reserve in advance. In case of availability, you can purchase your ticket on board. | On July-August it is wiser to reserve in advance. Online booking available only from the next day onward. Refund available max. 6 days prior to departure. |
❗Traffic: During peak season – especially on July and August due to heavy traffic, route it can take more than 2-3 hours. Especially plan your return accordingly and don’t risk to miss your bus!
Trust me, we tried travelling all hours for years.
Avoid these hours if you don’t want to stuck in the bus for hours!
Weekdays:
Sorrento → Airport: 08:00-10:00
Airport → Sorrento: 17:00-19:00
Weekends:
Airport → Sorrento: 11:00-13:00
Sorrento → Airport: 16:30-19:30
NAP AIRPORT- SORRENTO Shuttle Bus Stop Locations:
The departure points of these buses are a little tricky, I leave you below the exact locations of departures/arrivals on Google Maps:
- Tour Bus Zone (200m outside terminal)
- Located just past the Alibus city shuttle stop
📍 Sorrento:
- Piazza de Curtis (behind the train station)
NAPLES AIRPORT – SORRENTO BUS SERVICE HOURS- – updated for Summer 2025:
From Naples Airport to Sorrento | From Sorrento to Naples Airport | ||
Departure | Arrival | Departure | Arrival |
9.00 | 10.30 | 6.30 | 8.00 |
11.00 | 12.30 | 8.30 | 9.00 |
12.00 | 13.30 | 9.00 | 10.30 |
13.00 | 14.30 | 10.30 | 12.00 |
14.30 | 16.00 | 12.00 | 13.30 |
16.30 | 18.00 | 14.00 | 15.30 |
18.00 | 19.30 | 15.00 | 16.30 |
19.30 | 21.00 | 16.30 | 18.00 |
BY FERRY
It may be the most pleasent option to arrive to Sorrento by ferry, as Naples view is amazing and there is no traffic night mare!
Ferry Ticket Cost: Around €15 per person plus €2 for each big size lugagge
Duration: 40-50 minutes
The companies operating are Alilauro and Nlg. If you are travelling on summer months then you would need an online reservation.
Where to Stay in Sorrento: Accommodation Strategy
Prime Location: Historic Center Living
The historical center of Sorrento represents the optimal accommodation zone, particularly during vibrant summer evenings. Focus your search around:
- Piazza Tasso – The main square buzzing with local life
- Corso Italia – The pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops and cafes
Top Accommodation Recommendations
Luxury Category:
- Hotel Syrenusa ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Rating: 9/10)
Mid-Range Excellence:
- Imperial Hotel Tramontano ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Rating: 8/10)
- Hotel Leone ⭐⭐⭐ (Rating: 8/10)
These properties offer convenient access to Sorrento’s attractions while providing comfortable bases for Amalfi Coast exploration.
Sorrento’s Swimming Spots: Coastal Bliss
Marina Piccola: Central Beach Access
The paid beaches near Marina Piccola provide convenient swimming close to the harbor. Access these beaches through:
- Municipal Park elevators (€1.10 single, €2.00 return)
- Free stairs next to the scenic viewpoint railings
Marina Grande: Authentic Beach Experience
Marina Grande offers a free public beach in a quieter, more authentic setting. This picturesque fishing village maintains its traditional character while providing excellent swimming opportunities.
Ristorante Bagni Sant’Anna: Premium Beach Dining
Located on the pier in the bay’s center, this establishment provides sunbed access with a minimum €100 dining requirement for two people, combining beachfront relaxation with exceptional cuisine.
📝 For more beaches, check our Amalfi Coast Beach Guide.
Essential Sorrento Attractions: Cultural Discoveries
Historic Center: Lemon-Scented Streets
Sorrento’s historic center invites leisurely exploration through narrow, lemon-scented streets. Corso Italia, the pedestrian street extending from Piazza Tasso, offers perfect strolling, shopping, and gelato enjoyment away from traffic concerns.
Marina Grande: Cinematic Fishing Village
Despite its name meaning “Big Marina,” this intimate fishing village transports visitors into classic Italian cinema. The area gained fame as the filming location for Sophia Loren’s 1955 debut “Pane, Amore e…” – the first color film that popularized Italian Mambo worldwide.
The village’s picturesque houses still shelter working fishermen, while colorful boats bob in the harbor beneath mountains dotted with hotel lights. This romantic setting provides ideal dining experiences without excessive expense, plus a quieter daytime beach alternative.
Villa Comunale di Sorrento: Panoramic Municipal Park
This terrace park crowns Sorrento’s cliffs, offering spectacular views of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Built directly on coastal rocks, the park features:
- Ristobar “La Villa Sorrento” – Perfect for extended view appreciation
- Elevator access to Marina Piccola beaches (€1.10/€2.00)
- Free stair access alongside the scenic railings
- Clear water views of swimming tourists below
San Francesco Monastery: Wedding Photography Paradise
Through a discrete entrance before the Municipal Park, discover the beautiful courtyard of San Francesco Monastery. This venue hosts American and British wedding ceremonies, creating picture-perfect moments throughout the year.
The monastery complex offers:
- Photography and fine art exhibitions in upper levels
- Romantic terrace swing with century-old pine tree backdrop
- Bay views providing stunning photo opportunities
Il Sedil Dominova: Historic Aristocratic Meeting Place
While wandering Sorrento’s narrow streets, you’ll encounter this 14th-century building decorated with magnificent 16th-century frescoes. Since 1877, it has served as the Workers’ Relief Association, though aristocrats once gathered here for important city decisions.
Today, retired workers enjoy backgammon games in this beautiful setting, though tourists cannot enter this piece of living history.
Sorrento Dining Guide: Culinary Adventures
Sorrento offers diverse dining experiences, from tourist-friendly establishments to hidden local gems. Our decade of exploration has revealed these authentic favorites:
Pizzeria Da Franco: Unique Rectangular Pizza Experience
While Sorrento isn’t renowned for traditional Neapolitan pizza, Da Franco’s rectangular varieties served on metal trays create something extraordinary. The large hall’s poor acoustics suggest outdoor sidewalk seating after 9 PM for comfortable dining.
Ristorante The 5 Di Leva Sisters: Authentic Character Dining
Paradoxically holding Sorrento’s lowest rating due to the owners’ mood-dependent service style, this Marina Grande restaurant occupies the exact location where Sophia Loren sold fish in “Pane, Amore e…”
Despite occasional brusque service, the establishment offers:
- Delicious, authentic cuisine
- Seafront tables in Marina Grande
- Reasonable prices
- Sorrento’s most delicious mussels with pasta
- The world’s funniest English menu
The 5 sisters’ natural behavior creates genuine Italian dining experiences away from sanitized tourist restaurants.
Trattoria Da Emilia: Popular Local Institution
Easily recognizable by its consistent queues at Marina Grande’s entrance, this restaurant delivers:
- Good food quality
- Friendly service
- Reasonable pricing
- Local reputation built over decades
Local legend suggests an ongoing feud with the 5 sisters, adding neighborhood drama to the dining experience.
Taverna Azzura – Our Latest Favorite Hidden Gem
Located at the far end of Marina Grande, Taverna Azzurra is a spot many visitors miss—unless they take the time to walk all the way along the bay. Unlike the busy, tourist-packed restaurants at the entrance of Marina Grande, Taverna Azzurra is the only restaurant in this area that offers guaranteed sea-view seating for everyone.
Its spacious terrace is set directly on the sand, just steps from the water, creating a relaxed and scenic dining experience. Instead of waiting in long lines at the first 4–5 restaurants you see when descending the panoramic stairs, we recommend heading straight here. You’ll enjoy fresh, delicious, and more affordable seafood, all while soaking in one of the best views in Sorrento—with no compromise on quality.
Always in the Marina Grande Area, you will not discover this restuarant unless you have a walk towards the end of the bay. It is actually the only restaurant in this zone that offers sea view tables for everybody. Its terrace is positioned on the sand near the sea and there is a enough space for many. Instead of waiting in the queue in the first 4-5 restaurants in the beginning of Marina Grande when you go down from its panoramic stairs, just go there and have a more affordable, equellay delicous and fresh food with guaranteed seaview.
Taverna Azzura – Our Latest Favorite Hidden Gem
Located at the far end of Marina Grande, Taverna Azzurra is a spot many visitors miss—unless they take the time to walk all the way along the bay. Unlike the busy, tourist-packed restaurants at the entrance of Marina Grande, Taverna Azzurra is the only restaurant in this area that offers guaranteed sea-view seating for everyone.
Its spacious terrace is set directly on the sand, just steps from the water, creating a relaxed and scenic dining experience. Instead of waiting in long lines at the first 4–5 restaurants you see when descending the panoramic stairs, we recommend heading straight here. You’ll enjoy fresh, delicious, and more affordable seafood, all while soaking in one of the best views in Sorrento—with no compromise on quality.
Always in the Marina Grande Area, you will not discover this restuarant unless you have a walk towards the end of the bay. It is actually the only restaurant in this zone that offers sea view tables for everybody. Its terrace is positioned on the sand near the sea and there is a enough space for many. Instead of waiting in the queue in the first 4-5 restaurants in the beginning of Marina Grande when you go down from its panoramic stairs, just go there and have a more affordable, equellay delicous and fresh food with guaranteed seaview.
