Perched on cliffs above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento has been drawing visitors for centuries. The town is compact enough to explore on foot, yet its position makes it the ideal springboard for Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii. Whether you are planning a week-long holiday or a quick stopover, these are the best things to do in Sorrento in 2026.
1. Wander Through Piazza Tasso
Every visit to Sorrento starts at Piazza Tasso, the town's vibrant main square. Named after the Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso, who was born here in 1544, the piazza sits at the intersection of Corso Italia and Via San Cesareo. Grab a coffee at one of the terrace cafes and watch the world go by. In the evening, the square transforms into the social heart of the town, buzzing with street performers, families on their passeggiata, and couples heading out for dinner.
Tip: The deep gorge behind the square — the Vallone dei Mulini — is a fascinating hidden attraction. Peer over the railing to see the ruins of an old flour mill swallowed by lush vegetation.
2. Taste Authentic Limoncello
Sorrento is the spiritual home of limoncello, and no visit is complete without tasting the real thing. The lemons here — sfusato amalfitano — are enormous, thick-skinned, and intensely aromatic. Several family-run producers offer tastings and tours of their lemon groves, including the chance to see the traditional infusion process up close.
Head to Via San Cesareo, the old town's pedestrianised shopping street, where you will find artisan limoncello shops alongside ceramic studios and leather workshops. Look for bottles that list only three ingredients: lemon peel, alcohol, sugar, and water. If it contains artificial flavourings, move on.
3. Take a Boat Trip to Capri
The island of Capri is just 20 minutes from Sorrento by hydrofoil, and a day trip is one of the highlights of any southern Italian holiday. You can take the public ferry, but for a more memorable experience, book a private boat tour from Sorrento to Capri. A full-day private charter gives you time to swim in the crystalline waters off the Faraglioni rocks, visit the Blue Grotto, and circle the entire island at your own pace.
BlueKeys offers guided Capri boat tours with experienced local skippers who know every hidden cove and sea cave along the route. For a more exclusive experience, consider a private boat charter where the itinerary is entirely yours. Tours typically include a stop for lunch on the island and all the snorkelling gear you need.
4. Hike the Path of the Gods
The Sentiero degli Dei is one of Italy's most celebrated coastal walks, and it is easily accessible from Sorrento. The trail runs along the ridge between Agerola and Positano, offering jaw-dropping views of the Amalfi Coast far below. The full hike takes around four hours and is moderately challenging, with some steep descents.
To reach the trailhead from Sorrento, take a SITA bus to Amalfi and then a local bus up to Bomerano. Alternatively, book a private transfer from Naples to skip the bus connections and start the hike fresh.
Best months: April, May, September, and October. Avoid July and August, when the heat makes the exposed sections gruelling.
5. Join a Cooking Class
The food in Sorrento is reason enough to visit. Take it one step further by joining a cooking class where you learn to make fresh pasta, gnocchi alla sorrentina, or a traditional Neapolitan pizza in a wood-fired oven. Many classes include a market visit in the morning, where your chef-instructor introduces you to local produce, followed by a long lunch with local wine.
Classes are available through several local operators, and BlueKeys can help arrange a private cooking experience tailored to your group size and dietary preferences.
6. Explore the Marina Grande
Below the cliffs, Marina Grande is the original fishing village that predates modern Sorrento. The colourful houses, family-run trattorias, and bobbing fishing boats give it an entirely different character to the town above. Walk down through the old Porta Marina gate, have lunch at a waterfront restaurant, and watch the fishermen mend their nets. Marina Grande is also the departure point for many boat excursions from Sorrento, making it easy to combine lunch by the sea with an afternoon on the water.
7. Visit the Museo Correale
For a quieter afternoon, the Museo Correale di Terranova is a gem. Housed in an 18th-century palace, the museum has an eclectic collection of Neapolitan art, Capodimonte porcelain, and Roman antiquities. The real highlight, though, is the citrus garden behind the building, with views across the bay to Vesuvius.
8. Day Trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum
Sorrento is perfectly placed for visiting the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. The Circumvesuviana train connects Sorrento directly to both sites. Allow at least three hours for Pompeii — the site is vast — and consider hiring a guide for context. Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved, with intact wooden beams and even some original frescoes.
9. Sunset Aperitivo at a Cliffside Bar
Few things rival a Spritz at golden hour in Sorrento. Several bars and hotels along the cliff edge offer panoramic terraces where you can watch the sun set behind Ischia. The terrace at the Foreigners' Club (Circolo dei Forestieri) is a local favourite — arrive early to snag a front-row seat. For an even more magical sunset, consider a sunset cruise along the Amalfi Coast — prosecco on board, golden light on the cliffs, and the coastline all to yourselves.
10. Shop the Old Town
Sorrento's old town is a maze of narrow lanes packed with artisan workshops. The area is famous for intarsia — intricate woodwork made by local craftspeople — as well as handmade sandals, ceramics, and locally produced olive oil. Via San Cesareo and Via Fuoro are the main shopping streets, but the best finds are often down the quieter side alleys.
Where to Stay in Sorrento
BlueKeys offers a curated selection of holiday apartments in Sorrento, from clifftop terraces with sea views to quiet retreats in the lemon groves. Looking for other areas? See our guide to where to stay on the Amalfi Coast or browse Positano holiday homes. Booking directly through BlueKeys means better rates, local concierge support, and the peace of mind that comes with a locally managed property.
Getting Around
Sorrento's historic centre is best explored on foot. For day trips along the coast, SITA buses run regularly (if sometimes crowded in summer). For greater flexibility, BlueKeys offers private transfers from Naples to Sorrento and transfers to the Amalfi Coast, including Pompeii stops en route.
Ready to explore Sorrento?
Browse apartments in Sorrento, discover boat tours along the Amalfi Coast, or arrange a private transfer from Naples — all through BlueKeys.
