Lemon Liqueur and Volcanic Ruins: 10 Fun Things To Do in Sorrento

Set on the south side of the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is the Italy you see on postcards. Peaceful coves are hugged by blue-green waters, and pretty cliff-top villas stand out with their balconies full of bright yellow lemon trees. It’s a place to relax, stroll through the old streets and enjoy la dolce vita. Our travel experts at Plum Guide love Sorrento and know it well – they're here to help you plan the perfect trip. Whatever your interests are, you’ll find something that floats your boat in our guide of the best things to do in Sorrento.

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Sorrento’s historic quarter is the beating heart of the town. Buzzing and full of life, the Old Town is made up of winding lanes such as Via San Cesareo, one of the oldest streets in the town. Lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and outdoor market stalls, this is the best place to catch a glimpse of local life and take in the atmosphere. In the evenings, the laneways come alive with locals and visitors taking a leisurely stroll and tucking into delicious local food.

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You’ll come across plenty of historical buildings here, such as the Cloister of San Francesco, the Cathedral and Bell Tower and the Basilica of Sant’Antonino. Snap incredible photos from Villa Comunale, before taking a moment to catch your breath on Piazza Tasso, a gorgeous sun-trapped square surrounded by beautiful buildings, old statues and quaint cafes. This is one of our favourite spots to sit back with an Aperol spritz and people-watch.

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For foodies, one of the top things to do in Sorrento is to indulge in some traditional dishes. With its seaside location, seafood always features on menus with dishes like grilled octopus, squid ink pasta and seafood risotto. One of the most popular local specialities is gnocchi alla Sorrentina, which are potato dumplings smothered in a rich tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella or pecorino cheese and then oven-baked until bubbling.

Of course, you can’t go to Sorrento and not try one of the region’s most famous dishes – Neapolitan pizza. Known for its thin crust, fresh tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella, this is perhaps the best place in the world to get pizza. We could write a whole essay about our favourite places to eat in Sorrento, but one place that we keep coming back to is La Cantinaccia del Popolo, which does traditional home cooking at its best – expect to queue because it’s that good.

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Stretching for 50 kilometres along the southern edge of the Sorrentine peninsula, you can’t come to Sorrento and not take a drive along the famous Amalfi Coast. It’s one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world, with sparkling blue waters, sheer cliffs and pastel-hued houses framed by lemon groves. The driving, however, can be a bit nerve-wracking. With plenty of hairpin bends, sharp corners and high drops, be prepared to hold on tight. You’ll soon forget your fears as you stop at the various bays along the way for a refreshing dip, swing by the stunning Villa Cimbrone Gardens, wander the narrow streets of Centro Storico and, of course, sample the fresh seafood on offer. We highly recommend a trip to Positano, especially if you fancy old-world Italian charm.

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Thanks to its abundance of lemons, the region produces many lemon-based products, including limoncello, a liqueur made from lemon peels. It’s traditionally made with Femminello St. Teresa lemons, a variety native to the Sorrento peninsula. Lemon peels are steeped in ethanol or vodka until the oil is released. The yellow liquid is then mixed with simple syrup and served chilled as a digestif.

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The Old Town is the best place to pick up a bottle or two, where you’ll find shops with shelves stacked high with limoncello bottles. We recommend Limonoro, which has been producing the stuff since 1905. In fact, you can even watch them make it at the back of the store. This is your one-stop shop for all things lemon, featuring everything from crema di limoni and lemon chocolate liqueur to limoncello-infused chocolates, candied peel and ceramic cups and jugs featuring typical Sorrentine lemon patterns.

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Just off the Sorrentine peninsula is the glamorous island of Capri, a popular holiday spot for A-listers. Nestled in the Bay of Naples, Capri is just a twenty-minute ferry ride from Sorrento, making it perfect for day trips. Views are plentiful, and two of our favourite viewpoints are the beautiful botanic gardens of Giardini di Augusto, as well as the island’s summit of Monte Solaro.

Alternatively, admire the views from the water by sailing around the island. Stop at some of Capri’s best sights, including the famed Faraglioni rock and Grotta Azzurra with its glowing blue waters. Grotta Bianca and Grotta Verde offer similar views without the crowds, and are ideal for a refreshing swim. If you just feel like lounging around on the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Lido del Faro is a relatively quiet beach away from the tourist crowds and is right next to Punta Carena lighthouse, a fantastic spot to watch the sun go down.

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One of the best things to do in Sorrento for nature lovers is to go kayaking in the Punta Campanella Natural Marine Reserve. Just west of Sorrento, this reserve comprises the coastline that stretches 30 kilometres from Punta del Capo to Punta Germano. Explore at your own pace via kayak, discovering hidden inlets, grottos and bays along the way. There are small reefs scattered here and there, boasting a rich marine life home to colourful fish, seahorses and starfish best seen by snorkelling or scuba diving.

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Stroll down to the laid-back fishing village of Marina Grande – it's not to be confused with the bustling ferry port of Marina Piccola, which despite its name, is actually bigger than Marina Grande. This picturesque harbour boasts colourful houses overlooking the fishing boats bobbing up and down in the small bay. Visit early in the morning and you’ll get to see the fishermen in action, unloading their boats with the catch of the day. Sample the goods at the family-run tavernas along the waterfront, the perfect spot for a lunch of seafood antipasti – choose from plates piled high with grilled seafood at Trattoria da Emilia or the more up-market Ristorante Bagni Delfino.

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At the tip of Capo di Sorrento lies the ruins of a Roman villa, the Pollio Felice, dating back to the 1st century. Below it lies a stunning natural pool surrounded by steep rock cliffs, connected to the sea by a channel. You can get here by boat, or via the path from the road, which leads across a bridge formed by a natural arch in the rock. This is a wonderfully secluded spot to swim in, with crystal-clear waters and incredible views of the vegetation-topped cliffs.

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From Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius can be seen looming in the background on a clear day. This mighty volcano provides a very different attraction compared to the peaceful harbours and swimming pools of Sorrento, making for an interesting day trip. Easily accessible via train from Sorrento, the famous World Heritage Site of Pompeii is one of Italy’s most visited attractions. Buried under ash and pumice following Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 AD, Pompeii remained frozen in time until 1748, when it was discovered by a surveying engineer.

Today, you can see the various parts of the former city, such as the amphitheatre, the public baths, the House of the Vettii with its intricate frescoes and mosaics, and the brothel with its more, how shall we say, explicit frescoes.

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If the trip to Pompeii has unearthed a newfound fascination with history, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several excellent museums in and around Sorrento where you can continue your historical explorations. Museo Archaeologico Georges Vallet is set within the Neoclassical Villa Fondi de Sangro, and is home to sculptures, architectural elements, decorative arts and artefacts from prehistory to the end of the Roman era.

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If the fine arts are more your thing, the Correale di Terranova Museum overlooking the Gulf of Naples showcases 17th and 18th-century paintings, European porcelains (including Meissen, Sevres, and Capodimonte), Bohemian and Murano glass and reliefs from the Augustan era. Last but not least, Museo-Bottega della Tarsia Lignea is the best place to learn more about Sorrento’s celebrated art form of traditional inlaid wood. Decorated with frescoes and hand-painted wallpapers, the museum features inlaid wooden furniture, boxes and pictures crafted by Sorrento’s marquetry masters.

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