Sorrento
Sorrento is a clifftop town on the Bay of Naples, and most travelers use it as a base for Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
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Sorrento is a clifftop town on the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Bay of Naples in Campania. Much of the town sits above small harbors, and from the cliffs you can look across the bay toward Mount Vesuvius. Lemon groves grow around the town, and lemon liqueur is the regional specialty. Ferries leave for Capri, and the Amalfi Coast road starts east of town.
Sorrento works best as a base for day trips rather than a final stop. Pompeii is reached by train or bus, Capri by ferry, and the rest of the Amalfi Coast by bus, ferry or car. The old town has narrow lanes, shops and restaurants, but its cliffside streets involve a lot of stairs and slopes, which matters if you carry heavy luggage. Spring and early fall are easier for walking than summer, when the town is busier. Plan at least a few nights so each main day trip gets its own day.
Sorrento in five
- Use the Circumvesuviana for Naples and PompeiiThe local train runs between Sorrento, Pompeii and Naples and is the cheapest way to reach the ruins. It is busy at peak hours, so keep valuables close and check the timetable.Pompeii tickets and how to visit
- Book the Capri boat from Marina PiccolaBoats cross in about 20 to 30 minutes and leave more time on the island than Naples does. Seas can cancel runs, so keep the plan flexible.Capri day trip
- Reach the Amalfi Coast by bus, boat or carBuses and seasonal ferries run to Positano and Amalfi, but the coast road is slow in summer. Drive only if you are comfortable with narrow roads and limited parking.Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast
- Pick a base with the lift or stairs in mindThe town sits on a cliff above Marina Piccola and Marina Grande. Ask your hotel about steps, the public lift near the port and how far you walk with luggage.Where to stay in Sorrento
- Expect a beach platform, not sandSorrento's swimming spots are mostly wooden platforms and rocky shore. Book a lido spot in summer, or take a boat to a pebble cove for more room.
Things to do in Sorrento
See all attractions in Sorrento
Need to know
- Airport
- Naples Capodichino (NAP), about 1.5 to 2 hours by train or bus
- Getting there
- Circumvesuviana from Naples about 1 h 15 min; ferries from Naples, Capri, Amalfi in season
- Getting around
- Walking, local buses and the Circumvesuviana
- Best base
- Near Piazza Tasso for sights; Sant'Agnello for quieter, greener stays
- Time needed
- 2 to 5 nights as a base for day trips
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Quiet, closuresJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closures
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Quiet, closuresFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closures
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°ReopeningMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Reopening
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Easter, walksAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, walks
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Warm, lemonsMayClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lemons
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Sea warmingJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sea warming
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, FerragostoAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm sea, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Mild, closingOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, closing
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Cool, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lights
Average daily high and low in Sorrento, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sorrento
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi
11:42 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°12°100%Monday: Rain. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue18°14°35%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed18°14°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu18°14°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri18°15°23%Friday: Rain. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Sat16°15°19%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Sun17°14°14%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 09:19 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulNapoli Teatro Festival ItaliaNaples, a day trip
- SepFesta di PiedigrottaNaples, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Pompeiiabout 30 to 40 min by CircumvesuvianaThe Roman city under Vesuvius; it is on the train line to Naples.Read the guide
- Capriabout 20 to 30 min by boatThe island of the Faraglioni, the Piazzetta and the chairlift.Read the guide
- Positano and Amalfiabout 1 to 1.5 hours by bus or ferryCliffside towns on the Amalfi Coast; ferries run in season.Read the guide
Before you go to Sorrento
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Sorrento, checked
- Non-EU visitors who need no visa can stay 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area; check entry rules on the Italian visa site first.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Sorrento and on the Amalfi Coast.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the cathedral in Sorrento.
- Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto) per person, so check the bill before you add a tip.
- Antiques and cultural objects need an export licence to leave the EU; check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy.
Sorrento FAQ
Is Sorrento worth visiting?
Yes as a base. It has the ferries for Capri, the train for Pompeii and buses for the coast, plus a pleasant town. It is a weaker choice for quiet beaches, which are mostly platforms.
Is Sorrento a good base for the Amalfi Coast?
It works for a short stay without a car, since buses and seasonal ferries reach Positano and Amalfi. For several nights on the coast, sleeping in Positano or a nearby village saves daily travel.
How do you get from Naples to Sorrento?
By Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi in about an hour and a quarter, or by ferry in season from Molo Beverello, which is faster but weather dependent. Taxis cost more and traffic is heavy.
How many days do you need in Sorrento?
Two nights for a first look, four to five if you want Capri, Pompeii and the coast as day trips. Longer stays suit slow travelers who like a base with trains.
Is Sorrento expensive?
It costs less than Capri and Positano, with a range of mid-range hotels. Prices rise in July and August, and rooms with sea views are the priciest.