Enjoy 5 Perfect Days in Sorrento With This Expert Itinerary

With its fascinating blend of history, nature and Mediterranean charm, Sorrento offers a quintessential Italian holiday. From sipping on ice-cold limoncello to relaxing in hidden corners of the peninsula, the moment you step foot in town, you can’t help but feel relaxed. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have put together this Sorrento itinerary for 5 days, including all the top things to do – we’ve even added a few day trips to make the most of your time here.

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The best place to start your 5-day Sorrento itinerary is in its Old Town. This is the historic quarter of Sorrento, a jumble of cobblestone lanes lined with centuries-old buildings. Follow your feet down these alleyways, soaking up the history and admiring the grand palaces and residences. At the heart of the Old Town is Piazza Tasso. Surrounded by magnificent architecture, this is the buzziest spot in town. Piazza Sant’Antonino is another lovely square if you’re looking for somewhere quieter with lush greenery. It’s where you’ll find the Basilica of Sant’Antonino with its Romanesque facade and pretty interiors.

Once you’ve rested and recharged in the Old Town’s piazzas, pop into the Cloisters of San Francesco. The ancient courtyard and scenic interiors are well worth a visit. Afterwards, it’s time for a little shopping. Sorrento’s historic heart is one of the best places to hunt for treasures, and you’ll find a whole array of shops and boutiques along Via San Cesareo. Many skilled artisans set up shop in the Old Town, and you can pick up everything from lemon-themed products to inlaid marquetry.

After a busy morning of sightseeing and shopping, slow things down in Marina Grande. This fishing village is a major contrast to the Old Town’s bustling streets, providing a more laid-back experience for visitors. If all that exploring has made you hungry, grab a bite to eat at the numerous restaurants along the waterfront. Ristorante Bagni Delfino serves up incredible fresh seafood and beautiful views across the Bay of Naples. This little oasis is also home to a small sandy beach, where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing on a sunbed and cooling off in the sea. The sunsets here are particularly stunning.

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The next morning, get ready for some more sightseeing. Sorrento and its surrounding area is steeped in history, dating back to the Greek and Roman era when it was an influential port city. We recommend browsing the various museums to really understand its fascinating culture. One must-visit is Museo Archaeologico Georges Vallet, the best place to see sculptures, artefacts and artwork from as far back as prehistory.

For fine art connoisseurs, the Correale di Terranova Museum offers twenty-four exhibition rooms filled with artwork from the 15th to 19th centuries. Set within a beautiful villa, you can browse everything from porcelains and furniture to Neapolitan paintings and Sorrentine marquetry.

Want to see more of Sorrento’s traditional art form? Museo-Bottega della Tarsia Lignea is dedicated to the area's famous inlaid wood art, with exciting displays of boxes, furniture and pictures, all made by Sorrento’s finest marquetry craftsmen. With its striking red facade and shuttered windows, the museum is pretty hard to miss.

Afternoons in Sorrento can get pretty hot, so you’ll want to cool down with a swim. One of our favourite places is Bagni della Regina Giovanna, a natural swimming spot enclosed by verdant cliffs. Above the pool lies the Roman remains of Villa di Pollio Felice. To get here, it’s just a short bus ride from the centre of town or a forty-minute walk if you’re feeling up for it. For a more unique experience, you can even hire canoes and paddle along the coast, exploring the hidden coves along the way.

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No visit to Sorrento would be complete without trying its famous lemons. Also known as ‘Sfusato Amalfitano’, these are different to typical lemons as they’re larger with a more intense aroma and taste. You’ll find them used in various dishes, desserts and drinks like the popular digestif limoncello. If you happen to be visiting between March and late July, you’ll even get to see the harvesting taking place.

Dedicate the third day of your 5-day Sorrento itinerary to these fun fruits. We recommend a trip to I Giardini di Cataldo, a family company that has been growing citrus fruit and producing citrus-related products since the 1800s. Take a guided tour of their lush garden, strolling through the citrus groves while your guide talks you through the varieties of fruits and their cultivation techniques. You’ll also be able to taste the products made on-site, including jams, marmalades, traditional sweets and a variety of liqueur and limoncello.

If you want to see how limoncello is produced, head to Sorrento Excellence for a workshop tour. Thanks to the large glass windows, you can watch the liqueur being made in real-time while a guide explains each step in the process (and yes, a tasting is also included at the end of the tour). Head back into town just before sunset – we recommend Cielo Sky Lounge Bar for sundowners with a view.

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Sorrento isn't that big, and it's possible to cover the main sights within a few days. The town's position on the peninsula puts you in an ideal location for day trips, and provided you're not too hungover from yesterday's limoncello tastings, it's now time to head out on an adventure. On the fourth day of your 5-day Sorrento itinerary, make your way north to Pompeii. Just a forty-minute train ride from Sorrento, this World Heritage Site is a unique, can't-miss experience. This ancient Roman city is frozen as it was on the day Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Today, its buildings, streets and homes provide visitors with a fascinating glimpse into Roman life.

Covering around 440,000 square metres, you'll likely be unable to see everything during one trip. There are a few things you can't miss, though. These include the Large Theatre and the Odeon, the Amphitheatre, the House of the Faun, the Forum and the Basilica. Don’t forget about the Garden of the Fugitives, either – the bodies of thirteen victims trying to escape are a fascinating yet harrowing sight.

If you have the time, we recommend hopping back onto the train to Herculaneum, just a few stops away. Also a victim of the same Vesuvius eruption, this ancient town is extremely well-preserved compared to Pompeii. Here, two-storey homes still boast their decorations and artefacts like jewellery and coins. It’s possible to visit in a few hours, taking in the sights like the Men’s Baths and the skeletons in the port warehouses.

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On the final day of your Sorrento itinerary, finish your trip in style with a visit to the other scenic towns on the Amalfi Coast. It wouldn’t be a visit to the Sorrentine peninsula without a road trip, admiring the picturesque views along the way. It’s possible to drive the entire coast in less than two hours, and it's a good idea to spend some extra time at a couple of towns. Ravello particularly stands out for its romantic atmosphere and unrivalled views, while Minori is known for its delicious pasta. Want to fit in some last-minute shopping? Positano has an excellent range of upscale boutiques.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to escape the crowds and do something a little different, head to the island of Ischia instead. From Sorrento, you can get there in forty minutes on the ferry, and even faster with a private boat hire. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, from exploring the medieval Castello Aragonese to splashing about on Chiaia Beach.

However, Ischia’s main draw is its natural thermal springs. For centuries, people have sworn by the health benefits of these waters, whether that’s improved circulation or stress relief. Our favourite place to unwind is Negombo Spa in the island's northwest corner. We love the lush, slightly untamed gardens, which give it a more natural feel. There are over a dozen pools to choose from, as well as private patios, relaxation areas and a pristine beach on the Bay of San Montano. We can’t think of a better way to end your holiday.

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