Planning Your Time

Sorrento has plenty of appeal in its own right, but its greatest virtue is its central location—it makes a fine base, putting you within day-trip distance of Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and the islands of the bay.

You should spend a day taking in Sorrento itself and the surrounding area, plus another leisurely day exploring the Sorrentine Peninsula, enjoying the best beaches and restaurants in the area or taking a rural hike. For day trips, an excursion along the Amalfi Drive is a rise-early, full-day excursion. You can easily get from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast by bus, or ferry around the peninsula in the summertime. Other day-trip alternatives include an excursion to the archaeological sites around the Bay of Naples. The train from Sorrento will deposit you right in front of Pompeii, Villa Oplontis, a short distance from Herculaneum, or to Naples. Boat, ferry, and hydrofoil services also connect you with Naples and the surrounding area, plus the islands of Capri and Ischia, all valid day-trip alternatives.

Keep in mind that if you're driving, and you wind up not heading back to Sorrento until after dark, you should stick to the main roads. It's easy to get lost on back roads at night.