10 Best Things To Do In Sorrento (Italy)

Are you looking for the best things to do in Sorrento, Italy? I have been to Sorrento, Italy with my husband and friends during our 2-week Interrail trip. Sorrento was the first stop in our itinerary. During our stay in Sorrento, I love the towering cliffs, its gorgeous landscape that has the backdrop of the mighty Mount Vesuvius, and the relaxed vibes of the area.

I would like to share with you some of the best things to do in Sorrento, Italy. My husband and I, as well as our friends truly had a great time in this charming Italian town. With its beautiful scenic landscape, delicious Italian food, and gigantic lemons!

The tiny town of Sorrento, also known as Surriento in the local dialect, is situated on the southern shore of the Bay of Naples, amidst lemon and orange groves, and is encircled by precipitous cliffs that rise 55 meters above the water. For its relaxed holiday atmosphere, beaches, and historic streets lined with affluent homes, Sorrento is worth a visit.

Sorrento has experienced the rule of Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, French, and Spanish throughout its history. It was also sacked by the Turks. These influences can be seen in the architecture, and you can even detect Spanish in the dialect. Look out for the rare 13th-century Veniero Palace with flourishes that reflect late Byzantine and Arab styles as you stroll, as well as the early 16th-century Sedil Dominova, the 14th-century Correale Palace, and the early 16th-century Sedil Dominova.

On a more contemporary note, make sure to visit a pastry shop to try some of the regional treats, particularly the Caprese almond cake. With this helpful list of the top attractions and things to do in Sorrento, you can quickly identify the best locations to visit.

Read more: Beautiful Places To Visit In Italy For The First Time

Here are the best things to do in Sorrento, Italy:

1. Explore the Churches in Sorrento

Just like any other city in Italy, there are also many churches in Sorrento that you may want to visit.

Church of Santi Felice and Baccolo

One of the most stunning baroque churches in Tasso’s hometown is the Church of the “Santi Felice e Baccolo,” which is located right in the heart of Sorrento’s historic district along Via Tasso.

Despite its diminutive size, it played a significant role in the history of the principal settlement on the Sorrento Coast because it served as the city’s cathedral from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

Along with the statues of Saints Joseph, Irene, Baccolo, Michael, and Louis Gonzaga, the side walls of the Church of the Santi Felice e Baccolo in Sorrento are covered in an abundance of polychrome marbles.

The high altar, which is located above the Tabernacle and was given to Antonio Gandolfo in the first half of 1700, is also noteworthy. It is distinguished by the presence of various pairs of angels’ heads that form a crown for the Holy Spirit.

Cathedral of Saints Philip and James (Sorrento Cathedral)

James the Just and Phillip the Apostle are the two saints honored in the Sorrento Cathedral (Duomo di Sorrento).

It was constructed in the 11th century (and renovated in the 15th century) and has long served as the diocese and archbishopric of Sorrento.

Once inside the impressive structure, visitors can take in some of the stunning architecture, including a marble pulpit and altar and several works of art by Nicola Malinconico.

With its striking doors from the 11th century and three-story bell tower from the Roman Empire, the exterior has plenty to admire as well. This stunning house of worship is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in religion or history.

Basilica San’t Antonio

This 11th-century building, which is close to the town square, is notable for its fusion of Romanesque and Baroque styles. Additionally, it is the oldest church in the community—a difficult feat in such a revered setting!

Examine the eye-catching exterior before entering to view some truly fascinating artifacts. The two whale ribs that are right by the door are perhaps the most unusual feature.

They are said to honor one of Saint Antonino’s miracles, which included saving a child from the belly of a whale. Saint Antonino is the patron saint of Sorrento and the church’s namesake.

A crypt filled with silver medallions, medieval artwork, and various Roman artifacts is also visible. This magnificent church is a great place to visit because it has connections to some of the town’s earliest religious history.

2. Villa Comunale di Sorrento

This stunning public park is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon because it combines stunning scenery with a variety of historic buildings.

One of the best things to do while in Sorrento is to stroll through Villa Comulae di Sorrento. You can enjoy a particularly romantic sunset from the terrace of the Villa Comunale, a park close to the San Francesco cloister. Views down into the bustling harbor full of vibrant boats can be seen from the park, which is directly above the Marina Grande.

Mount Vesuvius can be seen beyond, across the Gulf of Naples, and to the east. Looking west, one can see Capo di Sorrento, a rocky outcropping. You can take the winding path or a lift to get from Villa Comunale to the marina below. The ferries that will take you to Capri and Amalfi can also be reached via stairs or elevators.

3. Visit Various Museums

Visiting museums is one of the best things to do in Sorrento due to its very rich history. Here are some of the museums that are worth visiting in Sorrento.

Museo Correale di Terranova

At the magnificent Correale di Terranova museum in town, you can fill up on art and culture. The Correale family’s summer home has been accessible to the public since 1924, allowing them to take in creations spanning four centuries.

The “most beautiful provincial museum of Italy” is the museum that was founded with fine art collections from the many homes of the Correale family in Naples and Sorrento. Its collections are renowned for their European porcelain (including Meissen, Sevres, and Capodimonte), Bohemian, and Murano glass, with a focus on paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The collections are completed by Augustan-era reliefs, furniture from various eras, and Neapolitan artwork. Many of these artifacts are displayed in room settings that depict how life might have been in aristocratic homes. The villa’s lovely gardens are accessible to guests as well.

Once you’ve had your fill of the exhibits, head over to the impressive library to peruse the impressive selection of books on local history. Also, set aside some time to stroll through the lovely gardens outside.

Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea

You can find examples of the intricate wood inlay, which has a long history in Sorrento, in the town’s churches (especially the cathedral) and shops.

You can find exhibits on the art of marquetry as well as inlaid wooden furniture, boxes, and pictures made by Sorrento’s 19th-century marquetry masters in this 18th-century patrician mansion, which is itself richly decorated with frescoes and hand-painted wallpapers.

But the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea also houses many other outstanding works of art from that time period, such as prints and paintings. This is also a great location to see some outstanding examples of intarsio furniture, which has intricate designs inlaid into the wood.

You can see some of the best creations from Sorrento, which is renowned for producing this style, up close.

Check out the gallery of images that depicts daily life in the neighborhood in the 19th century if you’re interested in learning more about Sorrento’s general history.

Sorrento Experience Museum

A multimedia exhibit called Sorrento Experience was made to introduce Sorrento’s history, traditions, and customs to tourists and, why not, locals of the Amalfi Coast and surrounding regions as well.

The Sorrento Experience was the brainchild of Antonino Pane, an eccentric businessman who made the decision to launch a groundbreaking project of its kind. The founder had this idea back in the 1990s when he was working as a hotel porter and hearing tour guides praise the beauty of other locations rather than Sorrento.

Pane finally realizes his dream today with an exhibition itinerary that weaves through installations, creative components, and works produced by master craftsmen.

Parco di Florentino

For adults and children, this is among the best things to do in Sorrento, North America. This location offers lots of playground opportunities for kids as well as beautiful scenery for adults to enjoy. It can be very soothing here if you need some time away from the city’s bustle.

As a result of the lovely garden areas here, you can even have a wonderful picnic. If there are no interesting exhibitions taking place in the old buildings on the day of your visit, you can still enjoy the atmosphere’s rustic drama by simply admiring the architecture.

4. Enjoy the Beaches

The community’s beach clubs can accommodate both upscale experiences and family-friendly outings. Here are a few of Sorrento’s well-known beaches.

Leonelli’s beach and Peter’s beach

On Via Marina Piccola, there is a beach called Leonelli’s Beach that gets its name from the Leonelli family, who have owned and operated it for three generations. The water’s color next to the Port of Sorrento is an amazing turquoise blue.

A water gym course, a kids’ pool, and a water polo field are also available. You can also rent pedal boats and canoes.

Bagni Regina Giovanna

Go to Bagni Regina Giovanna for some truly breathtaking views while you swim.

Travelers can easily explore the ruins of a beautiful Roman villa from the first century B.C. in the area. But the swimming hole nearby is without a doubt its main draw.

This free, unmanicured pool has stunning turquoise-green waters and is reachable on foot or by bus thanks to a protected rocky outcropping.

Try paddling over by boat to access the pool from a completely different angle for a truly delightful experience. This quiet spot is a fantastic place to unwind and cool off if you’re in town during the summer.

Bagni Salvatore

Along the Marina Piccola beach club area is where you’ll find Bagni Salvatore. With its distinctive green and yellow stripes, it is simple to identify and can be found on the far left of the bay when looking out to sea.

5. Enjoy the Sorrentine Lemons at Giardini di Cataldo

When visiting Italy, you must gorge yourself on delectable foods and beverages. And you absolutely must try the limoncello in Sorrento. There are many opportunities to sample this delicious liqueur while visiting the area; it is made from lemon peels, alcohol, and sugar.

The best store in Sorrento to purchase limoncello, I A family-run company called Giardini di Cataldo makes products using handcrafted methods. In the center of Sorrento, they have their very own lemon grove.

The Esposito family has meticulously maintained the orchards since the 19th century, and the end products, which include jams, liqueurs, and desserts, reflect the caliber and accuracy of the farming procedure.

The flavor of Sorrento lemons is renowned worldwide. They are called Ovale and are elliptical in shape.

A guided factory tour at I Giardini di Cataoldo allows you to observe the manufacturing process. On their shaded terrace, reward yourself with a lemon ice cream afterward.

6. Vallone dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills)

The Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), which is visible from Viale Enrico Caruso, is one of Sorrento’s more peculiar sights. These stone mills were constructed in the 13th century at the bottom of a 30-foot valley that was formed 35,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. They were constructed to turn wheat into flour but were taken out of service in the 1940s.

With time, the structures deteriorated and became overgrown; the humid weather also allowed for the invasion of wildlife and lush vegetation. However, a contentious restoration project to clean up the mills started in 2019. Work has been suspended while experts disagree over the best ways to preserve them and try to turn them into a conservation site.

7. Piazza Tasso

Walking tours are a great way to get familiar with a new location, and Sorrento has lots of fantastic sights to see while exploring on foot.

The center of Sorrento is Piazza Tasso, which bears the name of the town’s native son and Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso. A constant stream of cars, Vespas, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage ferrying tourists around the historic district pass through this busy road intersection.

Cafés and eateries line the perimeter of the square, making them ideal places to people-watch. In 1866, Piazza Tasso was constructed. This large piazza, which bears the name of the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, is surrounded by vibrantly colored structures and sidewalk cafes.

There is a statue of St. Antonino Abbate in the center of the square. The Santa Maria del Carmine Baroque Church is another structure on the piazza. The Grand Excelsior Hotel is nearby Piazza Tasso, where a white miniature tourist train departs. You travel around the city for 30 minutes before arriving at Marina Piccola.

One of the most well-known locations on the square is Fauno Bar, which is an ideal spot for grabbing a morning coffee, an evening glass of wine, or a slice of pizza at any time of day while taking in the scenery. When locals go on their evening passeggiata, the commotion lasts well into the night.

8. Visit Capri

Visiting the legendary island of Capri via the ferry that departs from Marina Piccola in Sorrento is consistently ranked as one of the city’s most popular things to do. The port of Marina Piccola is where high-speed ferries depart and arrive.

The journey to Capri’s Marina Grande on a ferry can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes and departs frequently. From this location, you will be able to make reservations for a boat ride to the Blue Grotto or take a funicular to Capri, the principal town on the island.

You also have the option of booking a full-day excursion to Capri and the Blue Grotto from Naples or Sorrento, which will include return transportation to the island by jetfoil as well as transportation to Anacapri by minibus. You will have the opportunity to shop and take in the sights at Anacapri and the village of Capri while traveling through the most notable parts of the island with a small group. Included in the price is a trip to the Blue Grotto.

9. Enjoy Amalfi Coast

While there are many things to do in Sorrento, exploring some of the stunning surroundings is worthwhile.

The drive along the Amalfi Peninsula’s rocky coast is one of the best in the world and one of Italy’s top tourist destinations. Sorento is a great starting point from which to explore this lovely coast because it is close by. The steep slopes are dotted with candy-colored towns that spill down to a rocky shoreline dotted with beaches.

If you take tours, you can drive the constrained, winding route and take in the scenery. The three most well-known and stunning villages, Amalfi, Positano, Priano, and Ravello, are included in tour packages that make leisurely stops and give visitors time to stroll through them.

In the summer, you might be able to attend the Ravello Music Festival, which was created in honor of the renowned composer. It is not to be missed because it features performances by world-renowned artists in all genres of music and art.

10. Visit the Historical Pompeii & Herculaneum

Pompeii and Herculaneum were once thriving Roman cities that were obliterated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 CE. Sorrento is a good base for visiting the ancient sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The streets and homes that have been excavated in Pompeii reveal Roman day-to-day life despite being buried beneath the lava-scarred slopes of the volcano that buried it.

Herculaneum and Pompeii were both destroyed by the same volcanic eruption caused by Vesuvius in the year AD 79. However, at depths of up to 25 meters, it was covered in layers upon layers of densely packed volcanic material that eventually turned into rock.

Pompeii, on the other hand, was covered in a layer of pumice pebbles and ash that reached a depth of ten meters. Because of this, Herculaneum has certain elements, like wooden beams and furniture, that have been relatively well preserved.

Take the Circumvesuviana train that travels from Sorrento to Naples; the train will stop directly across from the entrance to the archaeological site of Pompeii. This will allow you to visit Pompeii on your own. Herculaneum can be reached by getting off the train at the Ercolano station, which is approximately 40 minutes by train from Sorrento, and then walking approximately a quarter mile to the site.