Things to do near Sorrento, Italy

This summer I was lucky enough to spend a week in a gorgeous villa in Sorrento and have visited a number of times previously too. No matter how many times I visit here I always find so many new and exciting things to do and see. Italy is a country that I’m pretty sure I’ll never tire of, and I fall a little bit more in love with it each time I visit.

One of the things I love about Sorrento and the surrounding areas is that there is just so much to do there. Because I’m not the type of girl who likes to lay by the pool or on the beach for a week this really appeals to me.

I like to be out and about doing things, seeing new places, exploring the sights and just generally soaking up the atmosphere of wherever it is that I’m visiting.

So, if you’re visiting this beautiful spot soon and looking for ideas of things to do near Sorrento here are my picks…

Sail over to Capri

The impossibly beautiful island of Capri is just 30 minutes away using the local hydrofoil service, so it would be silly not to visit when you’re in Sorrento. Hop on over to the island and explore Anacapri, Capri, The Blue Grotto or whatever else you fancy.

Capri is full of gorgeous, expensive boutiques if you’re up for splashing some cash and there are also plenty of great places to eat, drink and people-watch. If you prefer things a little more adventurous then you can take a cable car to the top of Mount Solaro for amazing views and plenty of different walking trails.

Top tip: In the height of summer the hydrofoils over to Capri get VERY busy. Make sure you’re there in plenty time to ensure you get a seat on the crossing you want.

Explore nearby Positano

The enchanting town of Positano, with is colourful buildings perched on the edge of the rising cliffs is not far from Sorrento. It’s easily reached by road or by hydrofoil and is an absolute must-see when you’re in the area.

Stroll the streets, admire the views, frolic on the pebbled beach and take a dip in the turquoise waters. This town is one of pure Italian glamour and I absolutely love it!

Drive (or sail!) the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most famous coastlines in Europe and people come from all over the world to see this stretch of land. It’s so exquisite it’s been named by UNESCO as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and takes in several different towns and small villages.

Choose whether to drive or sail the Amalfi Coast during your time there. We chose to do it by boat, as it was July and incredibly busy. This means there’s loads of traffic on the roads and we figured we’d waste too much time sitting in traffic rather than getting out and enjoying the views and places along the way.

This worked out perfectly for us and the boat trip we booked was a small tour of less than 50 people on a large boat. It was so relaxing to sail along, admire the towns and villages, marvel over the colour of the water (it is SO mesmerisingly beautiful) and then dock in certain places along the way.

My favourite place by far was the adorable town of Ravello, with some of the best coastal views I’ve ever seen. Definitely don’t miss a visit to this small town and be sure to get entrance to the gardens of Villa Rufolo for some of the best photo opportunities!

Step back in time at Pompeii

No visit to Sorrento would be complete without heading to Pompeii, the ancient Roman city that was buried under a layer of ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

A large part of the city has been recovered from underneath the ash and visitors can walk the uneven ancient streets whilst learning all about life in the city before it was destroyed.

I’ve been to Pompeii three times now over the last 10 years and each time I visit I see new things and learn more about the way of life there. Whether you’re interested in history or not I really think this is somewhere that can appeal to everyone.

Top tips: Be sure to get a guide in order to be able to understand as much as possible about what you’re seeing whilst in Pompeii. This makes your experience all the better and you understand so much more about the city and the people who lived there.

There is zero shade inside the grounds of Pompeii and it’s scorching in the summer. Take lots of water and sunscreen with you!

Get out on the water

What could be a more perfect thing to do in Italy than hire your own little boat for the day and enjoy sailing around on the shimmering sea? I’m pretty sure the answer is nothing. Nothing could be better.

Enjoy Sorrento

Sorrento itself is a really great and fun holiday town. There are plenty of cute shops, delicious restaurants and lively bars where you can spend some time. Sorrento has an adorable historical centre with 14th century architecture and narrow streets filled with small shops and outdoor eateries. Don’t miss this part of the city on a visit here.

Down by the beach area there are spaces where you can stretch out in a little beach club, swim in the cool waters and really relax.