Sorrento

Sorrento sits on a limestone cliff above the Bay of Naples, making it one of Campania's most scenic towns. It's a quieter, more manageable base than Naples for exploring archaeological sites and island ferries. The town has beautiful architecture, many cafes and restaurants, and shops catering to tourists. Ferries to Capri, Positano, and Amalfi depart regularly from Marina Piccola, making Sorrento an ideal hub for the region.

Sorrento is on the Circumvesuviana rail system, easily reached from Naples. Ferries regularly commute between Sorrento and Capri, Positano, and Amalfi. Read about the unified public transport ticket Campania Unico for savings on regional transport.

After arriving by bus or train, you'll exit to the modern park. From there, you can walk, take local buses (service is good enough to visit all interesting places in the area), or grab a taxi. Scooter hire companies charge about €20 per day. Helmets are legally required but regularly not worn by those with nothing to protect. Driving in town is possible but parking is very limited for cars; scooters park practically anywhere. Roads are allegedly one lane either way, but expect traffic in both directions to take that as a suggestion rather than a rule.

Restaurants and other eating places are often open until 23:30 in Sorrento, with locals typically going out late around 18:00 to walk around the square or town center, ending the evening dining in a restaurant. Summer months bring peak tourist crowds and higher prices, especially for ferry connections to Capri and the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento has accommodation ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Ulisse Deluxe Hostel (Via del Mare, 22) offers dorm beds from €21 per person or double rooms from €31 per person with a continental breakfast for €7 extra. Hotel Nice Sorrento (Corso Italia, 257) offers rooms starting from €90 including breakfast. For sea views, Hotel Desirèe (Via del Capo, 31B) charges US$70-110. Vacation rentals like La Terrazza Family Holidays in Sant'Agnello offer 150 m² apartments for up to 10 guests with rooftop terrace and parking.

Local specialties include Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella baked to perfection), the Pastiera (a typical cake from the area), excellent olive oil from Penisola Sorrentina, and artichoke or aubergine parmigiana made with tomatoes and cheese. Piazza Tasso has many cafés with outdoor tables for coffee, drinks, and people-watching. Limoncello di Sorrento is the signature lemon liqueur; also try Crema al Limone (cream-based and less strong), Falanghina and Lachryma Christi wines, and Amaro di Capo di Sorrento (liqueur made from bitter herbs).

Swim at Marina Grande or Marina Piccola (better option), where some reserved sandy areas charge €5-10 entrance for a seat and umbrella. For something more spectacular, seek out Bagni Regina Giovanna, a secluded cove away from the ocean. Villa Comunale offers beautiful views over the Sorrento coastline with Mount Vesuvius in the distance. The Church of San Francesco has a cloister dating from 1300 and is one of the most picturesque spots in town. The Valley of the Mills (Vallone dei Mulini) at the bottom of the gorge below Piazza Tasso contains ruins of a water-powered mill with adjacent lumberyard.

Scooters and motorcycles are absolutely everywhere on Sorrento's narrow, winding roads. If you don't like being buzzed whilst trying to navigate, consider avoiding driving here. Helmets are legally required but regularly not worn by locals. Traffic in both directions treats lane markings as suggestions rather than rules.

Capri and Ischia are reachable by ferry from Marina Piccola. Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples are accessible via the Circumvesuviana Railway. The Amalfi Coast destinations including Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi are served by SITA or City Sightseeing buses, or by ferry. The Greek temples in Paestum and the mountain village of Ravello (home of Gore Vidal) are additional options.