Sorrento holidays

Sorrento holidays

Deals from £289 per person

Sorrento holidays put you in the heart of the beautiful Neapolitan Riviera, with its low valleys, high mountains and hillsides, dotted with groves of colourful fruit. Perched on a cliff along a beautiful stretch of blue coastline, say ciao to one of Italy’s most exclusive holiday resorts. Here, you can delve deep into Italian culture as you explore medieval relics in timeless museums, before getting lost among the market-filled streets in its Old Town. But for heritage in the form of age-old recipes, you must sample Campanian cuisine! And if the key to your heart is through your belly, then the region’s most popular comfort food, gnocchi alla Sorrentina (a baked dish of little Italian dumplings in a tomato sauce) should be your go-to.

Still need convincing? Holidays to Sorrento will see you sipping limoncello at Piazza Tasso’s snazziest cocktail spots. That’s when you’re not making your way through 30 different flavours of gelato at Gelateria Davide, of course! Or exploring the Baroque Church and Cloisters of San Francesco. Plus, when you fancy a day trip you’ve got the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri all at your fingertips. 

Things to do

Away from the lemon-lined cobbles and pizzerias is a serious art scene. The Museum Correale is full of Neopolitan crafts, European ceramics and an incredible collection of paintings themed around the Posillipo district, all housed in an 18th-century villa. Meanwhile, the SyArt Gallery represents new and upcoming artists with a contemporary flair. When you want your history fix, a guided walking tour of Sorrento’s Old Town will place you amidst the spectacularly ancient Valley of the Mills and the San Francesco Cloister.

Head a little further along the Amalfi Coast and you’ll discover the exclusive resort of Positano. Wander through steep streets of elegant boutiques and romantic restaurants. See the town's Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, a 13th-century church with an impressive 1920s dome. Or take a ferry to the striking Greek ruins of Paestum. 

And if you want to tick off multiple resorts in one go, boat excursions to Positano, Ravello, Praiano, Atrani, Minori and Maiori are just some of the highlights. Head further afield to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, which will take at least a full day to explore, but is certainly worth the time and effort. 

Plus, did you know there are three waterparks in the region? Green Island is perfect for thrill-seeking families with its kamikaze drops and black cannon chutes. Those travelling with younger tots should make a beeline for Aquafarm. Kids below 105cm tall go free - do we need to say more? Meanwhile, Valle dell’Orso lies in the heart of the Vesuvius National Park with a wave pool, relaxation zones and anaconda shaped slide.

Beaches

Sorrento’s beaches are made up of small coves with wooden bathing platforms built over the sea, perfect for daredevil divers. Marina Piccola Beach, in particular, is a stretch of volcanic sand backed by a variety of beach clubs mixing up classic Negroni cocktails and providing a VIP sunbathing experience. Head off the beaten track to Regina Giovanna, a beauty spot where the ancient Roman ruins of Villa Pollio Felice still stand. But most importantly, there’s a turquoise-tinted lagoon daring you to take a dip. Families will appreciate the shallow water at the coastal hotspot, Puolo. And for camera-worthy vistas, the bay of Loreto sits at the tip of Sorrento’s peninsula overlooking the island of Capri.

History and culture

It was the Greeks who first founded Sorrento in the 6th century BC - it then became a part of the Roman Empire in the 4th century BC. Today, Sorrento is a popular holiday resort etched into the cliffside with a maze of cobbled streets, traditional buildings and striking rocky landscapes.

Down its narrow alleyways are quaint cafes, pasta-filled restaurants and shops that sell locally crafted goods such as jewellery, leather shoes and clothes, satisfying those curious about the culture. And don’t be surprised to see decorated murals, bell towers and remains of 16th-century defence walls, orginally built to protect the region from pirates.

Nightlife

Sorrento’s evening entertainment revolves around eating and socialising, so you won't find many nightclubs in the area. There are, however, lots of great bars and restaurants open late when you fancy an evening tipple. Think cosy cocktail spots serving up Aperol Spritz, live bands, cabaret and dance performances. The Filou Club is one of them. Set between the ancient walls of Via Santa Maria della Pietà, it hosts a busy line-up of pianists, singers and DJs. 

When you do want to turn the partying up a notch (by a notch, we mean dancing until 3am), head over to Piazza Tasso and follow the sound of chart remixes and techno tunes at Fauno Notte Club. 

More Travel Guides

Check out our other Italy destination guides, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Florence | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sardinia  | Sicily | Venetian Riviera | Venice

Map of Sorrento

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31 ℃

Take advantage of Sorrento’s year-round Mediterranean climate made up of sizzling summers and mild winters.

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2 hours 30 minutes

Naples, 54km north of Sorrento.

Sorrento is best for...

History: Sorrento has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, French and Spanish. So you’ll find all sorts of interesting architecture to snap. Especially in the early 16th-century Sedil Dominova and 14th-century Correale Palace. But if you prefer to learn about its heritage through its food and drink we suggest you sample Caprese almond cake or make a pitstop at the limoncello distillery. 

Hiking: Wander along the trails of the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast for breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples. Or trek one of the most spectacular hiking routes in the world, ‘The Path of the Gods’. Taking roughly four hours to complete, at seven kilometres in length, this hike begins at the mountain village Agerola and follows a scenic path high above the coast until reaching cliffside Positano.

Shopaholics: Whether you’re seeking high-end fashion boutiques, quirky souvenirs or traditional Sorrento craft shops, Piazza Tasso is a retail haven. From leather goods to handcrafted sandals and stores dedicated to its lemon-growing heritage serving citrus-infused chocolates, candles and gifts. 

Fast facts for Sorrento

Language: The language spoken in Sorrento is Italian. You'll find English is also widely spoken in tourist areas. However, you can always carry an Italian phrasebook or download an app to impress the locals. 

Currency: The currency used in Sorrento is the Euro (€).

Local time: Sorrento is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Naples International Airport. The transfer time to Sorrento is 1.5 hours.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Sorrento is 2.5 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at the official website for tourism in Sorrento

Visa / Health: Before you travel, check the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

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Getting around Sorrento

By foot: The centre of Sorrento is compact enough to cover on foot. From Corso Italia to the lanes of the Historic Centre and the fishing village of Marina Grande. And if you don't want to get lost (although trust us, you’ll discover many hidden gems this way), then a walking tour will help you tick off the region’s biggest landmarks.

By bus: Hop on a red and orange EAV bus to the pretty beach at Punta del Capo, or stay on for stops at Meta, Piano, Sant'Agnello, and Massa Lubrense. These tickets are roughly €1.20 and can be purchased in any tobacco shop. For towns along the Sorrento Peninsula jump aboard the Cooperativa Tasso bus line.

By train: Take the hour-long Circumvesuviana train to Naples for around €5 or stop halfway to visit Pompeii for as little as €3.80. (Prices are correct at the time of posting)

By ferry: Ferries depart from Sorrento for Capri and Naples all year long. During the summer, there are also routes for Ischia and the Amalfi Coast. For a more luxurious experience, make sure you check out the private boat tours and mini cruises.

By car: Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore many areas of Italy's Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula. And you can easily follow the winding roads to nearby Positano. Just be aware that parking can cost up to €7 per hour (but worth every penny). 

Events in Sorrento

Sorrento Music Festival: Watch world-class concerts by leading opera singers in the beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco during July and September. Book ahead so you don't miss out.

Sausage and Bonfire Fair: Dine al fresco at the Sagra della Salsiccia e Ceppone in December. Feast on juicy cuts of meat, barbecued over a blazing fire pit and served with wine.

Sorrento weather

Temperature: Lows of 13°C  in the winter, while summers can see temperatures between 22 and 31°C.

Best time to visit: Spring is comfortably warm at around 20°C, the perfect weather conditions for exploring southern Italy.

Sorrento enjoys one of the best climates in Europe. There’s never a bad time to visit with winter months rarely dipping below the teens. In fact, it can reach highs of 18°C in November! Summers, on the other hand, are hot but benefit from a cooling sea breeze. And if you fancy a swim or snorkel, you can expect the Mediterranean to sit at a toasty 25°C in August. At night, it rarely strays below 19°C from around late June to August, which means you can enjoy the great outdoors well after sunset during your Sorrento holidays.

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