Best Day Trips from Sorrento to the surrounding Amalfi region
Sorrento is a beautiful destination to visit in Italy, not to mention easy to reach thanks to the direct train from Naples. It’s also the perfect spot to stay for awhile and enjoy some day trips to the must-see sights nearby.
In under an hour from Sorrento, you can easily visit the Amalfi Coast, the archaeological site of Pompeii or the island of Capri. While there are organised tour options for each of these, it is also simple to reach each of these destinations yourself, going where you want and staying for as long as you want.
To find out how to easily organize these top day trips from Sorrento (and also save some money!), follow these steps.
1. Day Trip to the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento lies just before the true start of the Amalfi coast, with the main towns along the coast being Positano and Amalfi itself.
To travel onwards to these towns from Sorrento there are three options: driving your own car, taking a ferry along the coast or travelling by bus. (Unfortunately, the train terminates at Sorrento.)
Probably the most popular, plus also the cheapest, of these options is to take the bus. This is one of the most popular day trips from Sorrento and the journey itself is one of the highlights. The road winds along the steep cliffs, with overtaking often being a precarious affair. It made me glad that I wasn’t driving myself!
Taking a Bus along the Amalfi Coast
Buses depart from outside of the Sorrento train station about every 30 minutes. Check the local timetable in advance online. The trip all the way to Amalfi takes about 90 minutes, whilst you can reach Positano, the heart of the Amalfi Coast, in under 60 minutes.
Make sure you buy bus tickets in the advance at the ticket booth in the nearby train station or at any “tabaccherie” (cigarette shops) – they are not available on the bus. The most convenient option is a 24-hour ticket.
Try to sit on the water view side of the bus at least one way (on the right going to Amalfi, left on the return trip).
Visiting Positano and Amalfi
The pretty town of Positano lies at the heart of the Amalfi Coast and was the highlight of the day for me, even though we visited on an overcast day. However, Amalfi and its cathedral also has its charms.
No matter where you choose to visit, enjoy the day wandering through the streets of the gorgeous towns, visiting boutiques and historic churches. Don’t miss dining on a seafood lunch at a restaurant overlooking the water, plus stopping for a coffee or gelato.
Returning by Ferry
If you want a different return trip to Sorrento, consider taking a ferry (particularly if the buses are crowded). Check the timetable in Sorrento or at the harbours.
Note that the ferry usually only operates between April and October, with the timetable changing from month to month.
2. Day Trip to Historic Pompeii
If you caught the train from Naples to Sorrento, you would have passed the train station for Pompeii. Not that much of this historic site is visible from the train line.
The site of a devastating volcanic explosion in 79AD, the ruins of this ancient Roman town were not rediscovered until 1738, when evacuations for a palace were being made. Since then the site has been progressively uncovered, with work ongoing and new discoveries regularly made.
Many of the most impressive sites to see include the Forum, Amphitheatre, bath houses, shops and the more richly decorated houses, including the impressive frescos in the Villa of the Mysteries.
Taking the Train to Pompeii
The easiest way to get from Sorrento to Pompeii is on the regular trains departing from Sorrento train station, returning back to Naples. Purchase a ticket for the train from either the train station or a newsagent.
It’s about a 35 minute trip to Pompeii station and then just a short walk to the main entrance.
Tips for Visiting Pompeii
Tickets for Pompeii can be purchased in advance online or at the entrance. There is free entry on the first Sunday of each month, subject to capacity limits, but to avoid the crowds it’s better to visit on another day.
Be warned that temperatures can get quite hot at Pompeii, especially in summer. Take advantage of the site opening at 9am and staying open until 7pm in the summer months. Plus always carry a water bottle.
Pompeii is one of the many archaeological sites in dog-friendly Italy that allows pets to join you on your visit.
Touring the Site of Pompeii
There are multiple options available for exploring the site of Pompeii. It’s possible to join a guided tour, either at the Porta Marina or Piazza Esedra entrances. Make an advance booking or join a group on the day. Alternatively, it’s also possible to tour the site following the provided map.
A good intermediate option is to hire an audio guide, available at the Porta Marina or Porta Anfiteatro entrances. You can pay for an audio guide in combination with an entry ticket. The audio guide covers the majority of open buildings and enables you to spend a leisurely day exploring the site at your own pace.
3. Day Trip to Capri
Finally, don’t miss visiting the island of Capri on a day trip from Sorrento. This beautiful island is located just 5km off the coast and has been a resort town since Roman times. Emperor Tiberius had a villa on the island and ever since the island has been popular with many writers and artists.
These days the island is best visited to enjoy the good food, swim at the beaches and walk along the trails.
Taking the Ferry to Capri
Sorrento is one of the best departure points for Capri. Jetfoils and ferries regularly leave from the Marina Piccola in Sorrento.
To get to Marina Piccola, follow the steps and steep paths down to the waterfront, or take the lift. Boats depart approximately every 30 minutes and take between 20 and 30 minutes to arrive at Capri.
See the full timetable and make a booking on this website – search for the options between Sorrento and Capri, then Capri to Sorrento for the return trip. It’s best to book in advance during the warmer months of the year, to avoid a long wait or potentially miss out altogether.
Getting to Capri Town and Around the Island
To get from the Marina Grande harbour up to the main Capri Town, there are three options. The quickest option is the funicular, that runs every 15 minutes and takes 3 minutes. Secondly, there is a minibus that runs about every 15 minutes and takes 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also walk.
I recommend taking the funicular or the bus up to Capri Town, but then allowing the time later in the day to walk back down to the harbour.
To travel further around the island there is a network of minibuses, or else walking trails. For further information and a map stop off at the tourist information office near the harbour.
Visiting the Blue Grotto
One of the most popular spots to visit on Capri is the Blue Grotto. Located on the opposite side of the island from Marina Grande, you can reach it on a boat trip around the island or via minibus (just change in Anacapri).
At the Blue Grotto, you’ll transfer from a regular boat or the jetty to a row boat at the entrance to the cave. It’s best visited on sunny days when the light inside shimmers a mesmerising blue.
Visiting Monte Solaro
Another highlight on Capri is taking the chairlift up to Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island. The views are amazing and it’s one of the best spots to get away from the crowds on the rest of the island.
The chairlift is called the “seggiovia” by locals. It departs from Anacapri and takes about 15 minutes each way. A discounted price is offered for a return trip, or hike one direction if you have time.
Author Bio
Shandos Cleaver is a travel writer who specialises in dog-friendly travel. She runs the website Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has visited Italy many times, both with and without her dog. She would love to return to Sorrento and Capri in particular, for a longer stay in the region.
