Things to do in Sorrento

Intentionally or accidentally, you WILL end up exploring the historic streets of Sorrento.

This is the area of town where restaurants, bars, shops, cafes etc sit on top of each other along charming, narrow streets and it is the focal point of Sorrento. It’s easy to get disorientated, even lost, within the labrynthine streets but this is what makes this area so utterly charming as Sorrento is not a big metropolis and you can never really get lost there. Many people just happily wander aimlessly along the streets, maybe trying to find somewhere appealing to eat for that evening’s meal. Enjoy the adventure and do the same. 

The historic area is probably what your mind’s eye imagined a classic Italian resort town would look like although it has to to be said that Sorrento is not bulging with architectural gems like Rome, Florence or even Naples but there are some beautiful buildings you will find within the historic centre of town. One such example, is the Sedile Dominova, an open meeting hall with beautiful frescoes on the wall. The area is regularly used by locals for meeting or playing chess. 

No doubt you will also stumble across the cloisters of San Francesco, a peaceful medieval monastery and if you’re lucky you might even get to see one of the many weddings which regularly take place there. 

Shopping in Sorrento is more of an experience rather than anything else.

As mentioned above, the historic centre of Sorrento is crammed full of shops and just wandering the maze-like streets, taking a break at a nearby bistro and enjoying a wine is relaxing and fun.

So what type of shops can you find in Sorrento? Well, expect to see plenty of limoncello, a lemon based liqueur that packs a punch and is famous from this part of Italy where lemons are grown in abundance. Many shops will offer tasting sessions, you can even book organised limoncello tasting tours which are a perfect excuse to get shit-faced in the name of “quality control and research” !

Leather goods are also something to seek out when in Sorrento whether that be shoes, handbags, wallets or belts. Italy has a long tradition of making fine leatherware and it really is an opportunity not to be missed.

One thing you may notice especially among tourists but also locals too is that linen is a very popular item of clothing due to it’s cooling properties in hot climates. If you find that you haven’t packed appropriate clothes for your trip to Italy then don’t despair as you will find plenty of stylish linen dresses, shirts and shorts as you explore the many shops within Sorrento.

3. Find a view

Even the insanely popular Amalfi towns of Positano and Amalfi do not enjoy the same views you can find in Sorrento.

Those Amalfi coastline towns are on the other side of the Sorrentine peninsula and so cannot see Mount Vesuvius or the Bay of Naples. In Sorrento, on the other hand, this view follows you around like a beautiful shadow. Turn a corner and you stumble across panoramic views of the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius standing proudly in the background. At night, just before the sun sets, the sky begins to turn into a rainbow of picture perfect, warm hues and as the sun finally sets the twinkling lights of Naples can be seen at the base of Vesuvius.

The beauty of Sorrento is that you do not need an exclusive, luxury hotel in which to see these beautiful views. There are many viewing points along the cliffs and streets of Sorrento as well as bars and restaurants.

One such viewing point is the Villa Comunale, in the historic centre of Sorrento. This small park sits opposite the San Francesco church and leads onto a spectacular terrace overlooking the sea and Vesuvius.

The view from the Foreigner’s Club is also beautiful, although technically not free as you will need to book a table but having a drink or a nice meal with THAT view as the backdrop has to be worth it! Taking that philosophy one step further then why not treat yourselves to a Michelin star meal at the Terraza Bosquet or Lorei Londres. Impeccable service, food that you’ll remember for the rest of your life and all on an outside terrace with that amazing view as your backdrop.

4. Enjoy live concerts

Throughout the year there are a number of concerts and live events in Sorrento which are well worth experiencing.

Summertime is when the events schedule is the most packed and what better way to enhance your stay in Sorrento than to savour some live music or dancing?

One very popular event is the Three Tenors concert normally held at the Museo Correale (about a ten minute walk from Piazza Tasso). The museum offers a very intimate venue which also includes a small orchestra to accompany the singers. Expect plenty of classic opera songs and Neapoliotan favourites and even if you’re not an opera fan you will be surprised at how many of the songs you actually know.

Reviews on the concert demonstrate how popular this concert really is with many reviewers commenting that the Three Tenors concert was the highlight of their stay in Sorrento!

If you fancy something else which is authentically Italian then a tarantella evening might be worth adding to your itinerary. Shows normally include a drinks and a table and are often held in the centre of Sorrento.

5. Limoncello tasting

You will be sure to notice the many shops in Sorrento selling Limoncello, the liqueur made from lemons. The shops are usually, though not always, very colourful and striking with YELLOW being the predominant colour of the decor (we won’t explain why).

These shops will actively enourage you to sample their limoncello and of course, it would be rude to say no. However, it would also be rude to do a “shop crawl” and go from shop to shop only sampling but not buying anything. They really make a great gift for when you get back home or even as a souvenir to remind you of your stay in Sorrento.

There is another way to sample limoncello and that is by booking a limoncello tasting tour. These organised trips will usually take you outside of Sorrento, often to one of the many hillside farms. Here amongst the citrus groves the family who run the farm will take you on a small tour of their groves, let you sample their home made limoncello alongside some other delicacies. It’s a great way to see another side of this region and offers a more personal connection with any bottles of limoncello you may happen to buy. 

6. Marina Grande

If you wanted to create a picture perfect, imaginary scene of an Italian fishing village then the chances are it will look pretty similar to Marina Grande in Sorrento.

This charming fishing village gives an insight into how fishing communities looked like hundreds of years ago when the community was tight knit and relied solely on the produce from the sea.

Today. fishing boats still sail out from Marina Grande and return with fresh seafood, a lot of which will end up on the plates of local restaurants.

Marina Grande is filled with restaurants, by the waterside. You can even eat right on the edge of the sea, with the water lapping around your ankles.

Marina Grande’s authenticity is reinforced by the fact that many Italians prefer to come to this beach rather than many of the other beaches in Sorrento. Marina Grande beach is also one of the few in the area to have a sandy beach (most have volcanic rocks with a bathing deck) and considering that the beach is free to use then it’s easy to see why it is very popular in high season. Although free to enter, there is a charge should you want a sun lounger or umbrella.

One thing worth mentioning and something that can confuse many tourists is that Marina Grande is actually the smallest of the two marinas in Sorrento. The other one is called Marina Piccola (which means “small” marina) although Marina Piccola is actually the larger of the two…………confused yet?

Marina Piccola is the one you would use if you wanted to catch a ferry to Capri, Naples etc.

7. People watching and the “Passegiatta”

he “Passegiatta” is an Italian tradition of taking a leisurely evening stroll without any particular destination in mind. It was a way for Italian families to socialise after work, to see others and to be seen by others.

Sorrento is no exception and although the town is filled with tourists during the summer, every evening you will see locals also coming out onto the streets and just strolling down the Corso Italia, in and around Piazza Tasso. Couples holding hands, families with their little bambini in tow, elderly couples meeting friends, all of Italian life is on display.

Sorrento is the perfect place to “people watch” as the balmy evenings provide a perfect environment to sit at an outdoor cafe or restaurant with a drink in hand and just watch the world go by.

There are a number of Sorrento beaches dotted around the coastline.

Most of these are private beaches, meaning that you pay to enter them and in addition you may choose to rent a beach umbrella.

Facilities at private beaches are very good. Shower and toilet facilities are usually available as well as somewhere to eat and drink. Many places will take orders from your sun lounger and deliver to wherever you’re sitting.

The Spiaggia Publica Sorrento is supposedly Sorrento’s public beach but beware. Reviews indicate that it is only “public” to Sorrento locals and there will be someone at the entrance to check your ID!

Some tourists report that you can access the beach but on condition of renting sun loungers at quite extortionate prices (remember, this does NOT have the amenties of a private beach).

Other tourists have reported that the beach becomes accessible to the public only in the evening, presumably when all the staff have gone home.

In our opinion, this beach is probably one to avoid.

Peter’s Beach is very popular and is walking distance from Villa Communale. There is also a lift available for a modest charge.

This is a private beach so you need to pay to enter it but once you’re there then you get to benefit from all the facilities such as showers, toilets and restaurants.

La Marinella beach in Sant Agnello is only a 20 min walk from the centre of Sorrento. The beach is accessed by stairs or by a lift. Once there you can rent a sun lounger with umbrella. Some spots on the beach are reserved and there is some mystery about this as often you never see anyone lying there.

Facilities are very good. Showers, toilet, a decent restaurant and service direct to your sun lounger should you want it.

There are spaces on the beach (if you arrive early enough) and plenty of spaces on a spacious sun deck.

It’s the swimming area that is the highlight of La Marinella. Close to the beach is quite a large expanse of shallow water which is perfect for the nervous swimmer. More confident swimmers can venture further out, even into the open sea if they choose to.

The beach is frequented by plenty of Italian families which is often a good sign.

Leonelli’s beach is a firm favourite for visitors to Sorrento and has been managed by the same family for three generations. This private beach club is reasonably priced and offers all the facilities that you might need. There are several bathing platforms, a strip of sandy beach as well as loungers and umbrellas to hire.

The restaurant is also well recommended with snacks and drinks delivered direct to your lounger.

Bagni Salvatore is considered to be one of the most picturesque swimming resorts in Sorrento, thanks in part to the Roman ruins visible at sea level. The beach is considered to be clean and the beach club staff are attentive to all your needs. As with other private beaches in Sorrento you to enter and pay extra if you want an umbrella but all things considered, the Bagni Salvatore is believed to have very reasonable prices.

As mentioned earlier, the Marina Grande beach is free to enter if you only want to put a towel down on the ground but there are designated areas for towels only, everywhere else requires payment.

Although the view from Marina Grande’s beach is beautiful it is rather small and there’s a LOT going on in and around it. There are multiple restaurants sharing that section of coastline, there are shops metres away and Marina Grande is still very much a working harbour so there are boats in and around. Having said that it is extremely popular with locals and other Italian families who holiday down here.

Beaches in Sorrento and in the wider region tend to be rocky and without much sand. Some tourists are disappointed when they realise their idyll is removed from reality but that doesn’t mean Sorrento beaches aren’t fun or even beautiful. The private beaches are the best ones to visit as they take more care to keep the area clean and facilities are there to make your stay relaxing and as comfortable as possible.

9. Bagni della Regina Giovanna

We haven’t included Bagni della Regina Giovanna in our guide to Sorrento beaches as it isn’t really a beach.

The Bagni della Regina Giovanna is a secluded swimming spot, not dissimilar to a cove.

What makes it so special is it’s beauty.Next to the cove are the ruins of an ancient Roman villa and the beautiful colours of the sea water are offset by the cliff sides of the cove. The lagoon is connected to the open sea by a natural arch through which stands Vesuvius in the background.

If you’re wondering how to get to the Bagni della Regina Giovanna it is not a place that you just happen to stumble across whilst staying in Sorrento. It requires a conscious (and determined) decision to visit as it is some way outside of Sorrento’s town centre.

You can get a bus to Bagni della Regina Giovanna. The #8 bus from Sorrento’s train station takes about 15 minutes but you will still need to do some walking to get down to the cove. You can also catch the SITA bus from in front of the train station. You will want to catch the bus that goes to Caposorrento. This SITA bus takes around 12 mins and, as with the #8 bus, this will drop you off reasonably close to the swimming lagoon.

Once you’re off the bus then you will need to find your way down to the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. The path leading down isn’t the best so it is recommended to have walking shoes with you (the climb back up is great for cardio!).

You can bypass the bus option if you’re feeling up for a walk. It’s approximately a 45 minute walk from Piazza Tasso to the Bagni della Regina Giovanna.

Perhaps the best way to visit the Bagni della Regina Giovanna is by sea! There are numerous organised kayak trips from Sorrento to the lagoon.  The trips are fully supervised and last around 2 hours including 30-45 mins swimming in the lagoon itself as well as a preliminary safety tutorial on kayaking on the open sea.

9. Cooking classes

Italy is blessed with many things but one thing that seems to unite most people is the food so when in Sorrento what better way to learn authentic Italian cooking then enrolling in a cookery class?

Cooking classes are an immersive and fun way to learn to cook a variety of Italian dishes. One of the most popular types of classes are pizza making lessons. Learn how to make a traditional Neapolitan pizza the proper way, just don’t ask about any pineapple toppings!!

Pasta classes show you how to make home made pasta or you can try your hand at tiramisu classes. There are even gluten free classes showing you how to make Italian food for people with gluten intolerance.

The emphasis is always on fun and participation. The classes are very much “hands on” and everyone is expected to join in and prepare their own dishes. Wine is normally provided as part of your booking and a meal is frequently included too.

All teachers are English speaking and expect the “lessons” to last anywhere between 1.5 to 3 hours. Organised trips ensure you are picked up from and returned to Sorrento.

Although we use terms like “teacher”, “classes” and “lessons” the focus really is on fun and laughter. Most of the classes are held outside, often within beautiful grounds, on a farm or even overlooking Vesuvius.

10.  Just relax and explore!

We were going to add another tip for things to do in Sorrento but then we stepped back and thought about our own trips to Sorrento and realised that one of the best things to do when you’re in Sorrento is just………relax, wander and explore. You are on holiday. You are on vacation. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to see and do everything you can during your stay as it stops being a vacation and becomes more of a sightseeing treadmill.

Sorrento is of a scale where you can surrender control and lose yourself in the labrynth style back streets, filled with shops, cafes and restaurants and yet you will never truly be lost as you will find yourself coming back to a familiar place or street. So chill out. Do some walking. Do some exploring. Pop into a pavement restaurant and order yourself a glass of cold white wine or whatever you fancy. People watch. Walk towards the many sea views lined across Sorrento’s cliffs.

Sorrento is a place where you can unwind from the busy schedule of home. You don’t need to fill your head with a constant “to-do list”. It might take repeat visits to Sorrento for you to truly let go and relax but it really is the best way of enjoying this beautiful town.