Activities, Sorrento

Day cruises

Day cruises allow you to stop and explore places such as Positano, Amalfi and Li Galli Island and free time to shop, dine, swim and snorkel at each destination. Cruises along the beautiful Amalfi coast are extremely popular with visitors to Sorrento, providing an ideal way to see the sights of this gorgeous shoreline.

For something a little different, you could board a traditional wooden boat in Sorrento and set off along the Gulf of Naples to the Isle of Capri with its vibrant harbours, whitewashed cottages, chic boutiques and eateries. You will see grottos and rock formations such as the Blue Grotto, the Natural Arch, the Green Grotto, Punta Carena Lighthouse and the famous Faraglioni rocks.

Travellers will also have a few hours of free time on Capri, so you can explore and see sights such as Villa San Michele and the Gardens of Augustus. Day cruises usually include lunch, either on board or at one of the locations visited.

Diving

Sorrento’s hot, sunny climate and warm, clear waters make it an ideal all-year-round destination for divers, with April to October being the best time for scuba diving. Water temperature in the Bay of Naples is in the high 20s in the summer, and around 12 degrees in winter; perfect for diving.

There are many dive sites in Sorrento, all along the coastline. A particular favourite is the Banco di Santa Croce, a huge reef of extraordinary beauty and amazing marine life, due to its proximity to the mouth of Sarno river. Here, you will see lots of soft corals hiding small marine life, including shark eggs, and if you go deeper you will find small sharks and big congers hiding in the cracks of the larger corals. Very often, it’s possible to encounter eagle rays, amberjacks or small tunas.

The Island of Capri, with its cliff walls, grottos and sea caves is also a very popular diving site for those holidaying in Sorrento. Divers will see amazing corals, including red, white and yellow gorgonias, huge sponges and colourful fish such as dentex, pelagic, groupers and even barracudas. A diver’s paradise.

Fishing

There are many fishing tours available along the Sorrento coastline, many of which start at the harbour of Marina Grande. You can try deep sea fishing, coastal trolling, jigging, drifting and bottom fishing.

Take a trip with professional fishermen on a typical Sorrentine fishing boat, and fish in the waters of the Amalfi Coast, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Isle of Capri. All equipment is supplied and you will be taught the traditional fishing techniques, used by the local fishermen for generations.

Once you have caught your fish, they can then be cooked and enjoyed with other local dishes and salads, supplied by the tour operators. From sea to plate; simply amazing.

On the return journey, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most famous sights of the Amalfi Coast, or perhaps discover the Faraglioni rocks and the grottos along the shores of Capri. You may even be lucky enough to spot sightings of dolphins, as they dive in and out of the sea.

Market days

Sorrento holds a colourful, weekly street market on Tuesdays at Via San Renato, where you can find everything from fresh produce, to clothes and wonderful inlaid wood souvenir gifts. Many products sold at the market are produced with Sorrento’s famous lemons, including Limoncello, a very tasty lemon liqueur and colourful ceramic pots with lemon motives or lemon soap.

Every Saturday morning there is the Sorrento Village Farmers’ Market, with over 35 stalls offering a wide selection of fresh, local, organic produce, locally raised meats, organic artisan beer, local wine, fruit, baked goods, flowers and plants, preserves and an array of fine hand-made items.

At the end of the summer season, the Exhibition-Market is held over three days, along the streets of Sant’Agnello. Produce from the surrounding area, including vegetables, grapes, lemons, zucchini, figs, jams and wines are displayed and sold.

Locals and visitors alike, gather to peruse the stalls, listen to the live concerts and watch the dance performances, while children have the chance to get close to baby calves, piglets, rabbits and chicks. A perfect place for the whole family to enjoy.

Night Tours

Sorrento at night is truly beautiful, and what could be better than a tour of the sights of Sorrento, when the daytime crowds have dispersed and it’s time to relax and enjoy the romantic evening atmosphere?

From Sorrento, you could join a sunset and dinner tour of the famously romantic coastal village of Positano. Travellers can stroll along the winding cobblestone streets and shop for unique local goods, before enjoying a traditional Italian dinner with wine at an oceanfront restaurant. Sit and watch the sunset over this picturesque town; then, perhaps take a walk on the beach, before heading back to your hotel.

Many people also like to explore the Island of Capri by night, and take a boat trip across from Sorrento as the sun sets. An ideal way to start the evening? Relaxing on the boat as it travels to Capri, while enjoying a glass of wine or sipping a delicious cocktail. Once there, you can discover the magic of Capri and eat a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants here, before returning to the harbour and your boat.

Shopping on Corso Italia

Corso Italia is the main shopping street in Sorrento, stretching one kilometre in length, from the station down to Via Capo. It is lined with shops, ranging from local boutiques to high-end designers, so there is something for everyone no matter what their budget.

The little side streets here also have plenty to offer, with small shops selling local pottery and souvenirs. Many cafes can be found here, too, serving traditional Italian dishes and of course, the famous Limoncello drink.

Half of the street here has been pedestrianised, lined with restaurants and cafes, offering tables and chairs outside – ideal for soaking up the atmosphere, watching the street entertainers (people dressed as statues, artists and jugglers), or listening to a local band of musicians.

When you have had enough of shopping, why not take a look at the stunning interior of the Duomo of Filippo e Giacomo, which was built in the 11th Century and is the main cathedral of Sorrento?

Sorrento Old Town

Sorrento Old Town has managed to retain much of its old and historic appeal, by converting the quaint, ancient buildings to tourist businesses, without losing any of its original charm and authenticity.

Many people come to see the amazing buildings and sights that this area is famous for. The best place to start is at the Piazza Tasso, a central square in the heart of the old town, named after the poet Torquato Tasso of the 16th century. After having a coffee or a delicious gelato at one of the pavement cafés, explore the narrow streets of the old town.

Here, you’ll find pretty gift shops selling everything to do with Sorrento lemons, from bottles of limoncello to little lemon-scented soaps, and small, family-run cobblers making and selling handmade sandals and bags. When you are feeling hungry, there are small restaurants a-plenty to choose from, or you could wander on down to Marina Grande for a seafood lunch overlooking the harbour.

Traditional cooking classes

When visiting Sorrento, why not take the opportunity to have a cooking lesson in the home of a local chef; giving you the chance to prepare, cook and eat the dishes that make Italian cuisine unique, but also learning the secrets of recreating these dishes back home?

You may start your lesson by preparing traditional aubergine rolls, followed by ravioli or gnocchi, learn the traditional way of cooking fish, and finally – a delicious lemon tiramisu for dessert. Once the cooking is complete, take a sip of fine wine and taste the fruits of your labour. At the end of the course, you will leave with a handy certificate and recipe cards for the meals you have cooked.

Travellers can also learn how to cook an authentic, Italian pizza – from scratch. The sauce is made first and then the dough, which you will learn to throw – a traditional technique that is said to stop the dough from tearing. Once your base is ready, you’ll add the sauce and fresh mozzarella; at the end, you’ll have a truly wonderful pizza to taste.

Walking tours

There are many guided walking tours in Sorrento, all of which are immersive, interesting and scenic. One of the most popular is the Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of the Gods), which takes you high up to the cliffs, following the rocky footpaths of the stunning Amalfi Coast. Here, travellers can enjoy the sweeping views of the mountains and the stunning coastline below.

Another popular walking tour from Sorrento is through the Lattari Mountain’s forested landscape, to its highest peak Faito Mountain. The beautiful, panoramic views here make the climb well worth the effort.

If you prefer to explore towns and buildings rather than the countryside, then a walking tour of Sorrento town will be of interest to you. Follow your guide around lively Piazza Vittoria and Tasso Square, stopping to admire landmarks such as the Sant’Antonino Church, and the San Francesco Cloister. Move on to the pretty waterfront with its fishing boats and watch the cruise ships sail into the modern Marina Grande. Wander around, soaking up the atmosphere, taking photographs and listening to your guide filling you in on Sorrento’s fascinating history and heritage. A fantastic way to spend a few hours.

Water sports

Scuba diving, snorkelling, free-diving and kayaking are all popular water sports along the Amalfi coastline in Sorrento, with its wonderful clear waters, unique caves and grottos to explore. Windsurfing and kitesurfing have also recently become very widespread here.

For adrenalin junkies, why not take in the view of the amazing Sorrento Coast and Gulf of Naples from above on a thrilling parasailing ride? Pulled by a motorboat at high speed, you will start to take flight, hover in the air and then soar away.

Towed by a water motorcycle, the inflatable fly fish boat is another amazing way to get your thrills. Visitors hold on to the handles on the fly fish boat as the water cycle pulls it along, gathering speed as it goes, until the boat, along with its riders are flying high up in the sky – just like a flying fish. So, whatever your favourite water sport, the warm waters and brilliant sunshine of Sorrento make it an ideal holiday destination.