2 days in Sorrento, Italy
2022 is the year that travel is really starting back up again. Italy lifted restrictions recently and people are coming in droves to experience an idyllic Italian summer. If you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, you’re in luck! I just went and have a ton of great recommendations for you. I’ll be sharing a blog post for each of the locations we visited on the Amalfi coast/Italy this summer.
Let me save you a little time and start out by saying - yes, it’s hot, and yes it’s crowded. But it’s BEAUTIFUL and so worth going to! The heat and crowds are obviously not stopping the droves of brands, creators, tourists and dreamers that have been seen making their rounds on the coastline this summer.
Sorrento is the first Amalfi Coast town we visited on our Italian Summer Itinerary, so we’ll start our series here with ideas for how to spend 2 days in Sorrento, Italy.
Getting to Sorrento/Lodging
Sorrento is an Amalfi Coast town and there’s a couple ways you can get there flying in from out of country. You can fly into Rome, and drive or take a train to the coast, OR you could fly into Naples, and take a ferry or taxi to your destination. Rome is further away from the coast.
We flew into the Naples airport and took about a 45 min taxi to Sorrento where we got in really late. We stayed here for the first night, then moved here for 2 more nights.
What to do in Sorrento
Take a stroll through lemon groves
Nothing says “Summer in Italy” quite like Italian linen and lemon groves.
Make sure to visit Giardini di Cataldo while you’re in Sorrento. You won’t regret it. It’s located pretty close to the Villa Communale area. Out back is a beautiful lemon grove attached to it that you are free to explore. There’s also limoncello and gelato inside for sale that you can grab and find a shady spot out back to enjoy. This is definitely a hidden oasis in Sorrento and a MUST visit. All photos in the grove are from the first location. Entrance is free and you can also visit their second (larger) lemon and orange grove location where you’ll likely be offered free lemoncello tastings as well!
There’s truly nothing like a Sorrento lemon… or at least that’s what the locals say. Indeed, Sorrento IS known worldwide for their lemons and lemoncello. Just over 60% of Sorrento lemon production goes into making their famous lemoncello which is traditionally served as a digestif after a meal. So don’t be surprised when your local restaurant sends lemoncello shots to your table with dessert!
Italian Happy Hour (Apertivo)
I would be amiss to not mention the italian tradition of partaking in Apertivo. As you travel the coast you will likely want to stop for a nice Happy Hour spot and you’re in luck because Italian’s ADORE happy hour (or apertivo as it’s called). There is nothing more Italian than ordering an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni in those wonderful hours between lunch and dinner. Order an aperol spritz and they’ll likely bring out crackers, olives or bread with it. For non-alcoholic choices there’s a wonderful Crodo lemon soda. Light, refreshing and delicious!
Grab lunch at Excelsior Vittoria
Overlooking the Bay of Naples and the Tyrrinean sea sits the stately and renowned Excelsior Vittoria hotel. Inside and on the patio you’ll find Michelin starred dining and surreal views including a far off glimpse of Mount Vesuvius. The hotel has been run by the Fiorentino family since 1834, and has played host to guests such as Princess Margaret and Oscar Wilde. There are whispers that the hotel sits on the ruins of the Roman Emperor Augustus’ villa. And indeed, walking amidst the lush Mediterranean gardens, it doesn’t seem that far of a stretch. The hotel is surrounded by gorgeous grounds that you simply must explore on your way in (or out) from dining.
However, the 5 acre gardens that surround Excelsior Vittoria are guarded from the public by both a gate AND gates men (who take their job very seriously), so you won’t be able to enter the property to explore unless you’re either staying there or dining on the premise. Definitely worth the visit if you are looking for an elegant and timeless dining experience.
Visit Vallone dei Mulini (Valley of the mills)
Vallone dei Mulini (the valley of mills) are a hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast. They are mysterious ruins that you can find near the Piazzo Tasso. The valley is over 35,000 years old and the 10th century mills are still standing.
Today, you can only peer down past a steep drop (vertigo sufferers beware) into the valley, but there IS a path that leads into the valley somewhere. At night it’s extremely eerie as the lights come on shining light inside the ruins and ominous bats swarm like a warning overhead.
Explore Piazza Tasso and have dinner over a historic gorge
Everything in Sorrento is centrally located so you’ll want to make sure your accommodations reflect that. Our hotel was just a 4 min walk away from Piazza Tasso which is the Main Square of Sorrento. From bars, shopping, restaurants, etc. you can find most everything here.
We had a lovely dinner on the balcony of Bar Syrenuse - with quite the drop below us! It was definitely an experience to be essentially dangling over a gorge as the sun set, and the lights of the square lit up everything around us. I’m not sure if they offer reservations, but if you can I would suggest grabbing them if you want to sit on the balcony - we lucked out with the balcony view as there are only a few spots!
Wander the old town of Sorrento
Right past the Piazzo Tasso you can wander through the old town of Sorrento. It is absolutely popping at any hour of the evening, and is a must for an after dinner stroll and shop. Make sure to grab some gelato and enjoy the beautiful Italian ambience.
Grab a cappucino at Villa Communale
Definitely drop by this popular square for a cup of cappuccino and stunning views of the sea. FInd a nice spot at an outdoor cafe and post up for a bit. We found La Villa Ristobar to be quite a nice spot to people watch and take a quick break.
Once you’re done, there’s a lift (the Sorrento Lift) that provides access between Villa Comunale Park and Marina Piccola (the port). From there you will have easier access to Sorrento’s beaches or be able to hop onto a ferry to explore neighboring Amalfi Coast towns. Why not join a ferry headed to Capri for the day? It’s just a 20 - 30 minute ride. The options for adventure are endless.
Enjoy a beach day
Of course you don’t need to hop on a ferry to enjoy a lovely beach day! You can also spend some much needed rest and relaxation time at one of Sorrento’s many beaches. Here’s a list of some of the top beaches in Sorrento.
Take a day trip to Pompeii from Sorrento
Pompeii is a must visit while you are in Southern Italy and Sorrento offers a direct 30 min train that takes you directly to Pompeii and brings you back once you’ve finished exploring the historic city. To get ideas on what to do while you’re there, read my detailed Pompeii travel guide. I’ve covered everything you’ll need to know to take a day trip to Pompeii.
Overall
Overall, Sorrento was the perfect town to start our Amalfi Coast adventure. It’s a great home base to start your Italian Summer Adventure from which you can take a day trip/ferry to Capri, explore the Pompeii ruins a quick train ride away, and enjoy the stunning Amalfi coast views.
Not only that, but Sorrento itself is beautiful and full of incredible history and fun things to do at every turn!
Make sure you pin/share/save this post for planning your next Italian adventure, and I’ll see you back here SOON for the next installment in my Summer in Italy blog post series: Positano. Til next time!
