Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast from Naples: getting there and what to see
Sorrento looks out over the Bay of Naples from the top of a cliff, with Vesuvius opposite. It's about an hour from Naples and serves as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are on the other side of the peninsula.
At a glance
- Naples to Sorrento
- Circumvesuviana (the local commuter train), Napoli–Sorrento line from Porta Nolana or Garibaldi, about 1 hour 10 minutes (end of the line); hydrofoil from Molo Beverello, about 40 minutes
- Sorrento to the Coast
- SITA buses along the Amalfi Coast road to Positano and Amalfi; ferries in season
- Naples to Positano and Amalfi
- In season there are also direct hydrofoils from Molo Beverello
- Don't miss
- Sorrento: Piazza Tasso, Marina Grande, the Vallone dei Mulini. The Coast: Positano, Amalfi and its Cathedral, Ravello with Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone
- How long to stay
- Sorrento can be done as a day trip; for the Coast it's better to stay at least one night
Sorrento
The centre revolves around Piazza Tasso, from which the main street (the Corso) and the little lanes of limoncello, ceramics and inlaid-wood shops branch off. Don't miss:
- the Vallone dei Mulini, a green gorge with an old abandoned mill, visible from Piazza Tasso;
- Marina Grande, the fishermen's village, for a seafood dinner;
- the Villa Comunale, the terrace over the bay with Vesuvius opposite, perfect at sunset.
The Amalfi Coast
From Sorrento the road crosses the peninsula and drops down to the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:
- Positano, its colourful houses clinging above the sea and the Spiaggia Grande beach;
- Amalfi, the ancient maritime republic, with the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea and its grand staircase;
- Ravello, in the hills above Amalfi, with the gardens of Villa Rufolo and the Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone.
Tip: in summer the Amalfi Coast road is very busy and the buses are full. When they run, the ferries between Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi are the most pleasant way to get around. If you like walking, try the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), from Agerola to Positano, with spectacular views.
Where to stay
To explore the Coast it's best to stay in Sorrento or on the Sorrento Peninsula, both well connected to Naples and the Coast, or directly in Positano or Amalfi. If you only want a day trip, you can stay in Naples, near the Central Station or the port.
Useful
- Pompeiion the same Circumvesuviana line
- Caprihydrofoils from Sorrento too
- Ferries to the islandsports and companies
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Naples to Sorrento?
On the Circumvesuviana (about an hour and ten minutes) or by hydrofoil from Molo Beverello (about 40 minutes).
Is it better to stay in Naples or Sorrento to see the Amalfi Coast?
For the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento or the Sorrento Peninsula is more convenient; for a single day trip, Naples works fine too.
Where to stay in Sorrento and on the Coast
25 places to stay in Sorrento on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
