Day Trips from Sorrento: From magnificent islands to picturesque villages carved into cliffs, to some of the world’s most iconic archaeological ruins, the variety of day trips from Sorrento is boundless.
If you’re planning a trip to Sorrento and aim to use it as a base to explore some extraordinary destinations in Campania, you’re in the right place.
With its convenient train station, port, and extensive bus routes, Sorrento is one of the best-connected places near the Amalfi Coast, offering an endless array of day trip options.
Here are The Top Day Trips From Sorrento :
Amalfi Coast
Naturally, the legendary Amalfi Coast is the most renowned of all the day trips from Sorrento. Italy’s most famous coastline truly lives up to its reputation and is absolutely magical in person.
There are several ways to reach the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento, including ferry, bus, rental car, or tour.
The drive offers stunning views but can be daunting—only recommended if you’re comfortable navigating narrow roads perched on cliffs while large tour buses zip past.
Both ferry and bus are solid options, especially if you’re keen on visiting lesser-known spots. However, navigating from town to town can be crowded and complicated, which doesn’t always make for a relaxing day.
The simplest way to experience the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento is by booking a guided tour, which will efficiently take you to the coast’s most popular spots, saving you time and stress.
When you arrive, there are countless memorable places to explore along the Amalfi Coast, from charming villages to beautiful beaches and scenic hikes. Below, we highlight a few options to inspire your day trip from Sorrento.
Positano, Amalfi & Ravello
The three most famous villages along the Amalfi Coast are incredibly popular, and for visitors with only one day to explore, these are often the top three stops.
Positano is famous for its steep, vertical layout and its beach, Amalfi for its impressive cathedral, and Ravello for its breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast.
Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods is one of Italy’s most scenic hiking trails, running between the villages of Bomerano and Nocelle along the Amalfi Coast.
The main portion is only about 4 miles, but if you choose to descend from Nocelle to Positano on foot, prepare for a challenging workout. The spectacular views, however, are well worth the effort.
Prefer a guided experience? You can join a guided hike to explore the Path of the Gods.
Fiordo di Furore
Tucked behind Italy’s only fjord, this hidden beach offers a perfect spot to relax during a beach day on the Amalfi Coast.
Capri
A day trip to Capri feels like stepping into another world.
The waters around Capri seem to glisten more brilliantly, the cliffs are more majestic, and the entire setting feels almost otherworldly, as if pulled from a legend.
Capri’s captivating beauty has drawn the wealthy and famous for millennia, from Roman emperors to modern movie stars, and countless others in between.
While visiting, be sure to take a boat tour around the island (often included in day tours from Sorrento), enjoy the views from the Garden of Augustus, and tour Villa San Michele.
Although we don’t recommend spending hours visiting the Blue Grotto, if it’s on your must-see list, you certainly can.
Capri can be reached from Sorrento by ferry or tour, and tours offer such excellent value that they’re well worth considering.
Pompeii
Pompeii, one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, is truly beyond words.
You won’t find yourself squinting at ruins and imagining what once was. Instead, you’ll walk down streets as well-preserved as modern ones, explore intact buildings, and genuinely experience a ghost town—a city that abruptly halted in its prime in 79 AD.
A visit to Pompeii is unforgettable. While it’s relatively easy to reach Pompeii from Sorrento via the Circumvesuviana train and a bus, we highly recommend taking a guided tour once you arrive, as it will greatly enrich your experience.
This guided tour from Take Walks is our top recommendation—they’re an excellent company, and we’ve always had outstanding experiences on their tours. Alternatively, for a tour that includes transportation from Sorrento, this day trip is another great choice.
Procida
Procida, a tiny island (only about 1.5 square miles), is the smallest in the Bay of Naples, far less touristy than Capri or even Ischia, and offers the perfect off-the-beaten-path day trip from Sorrento.
Visit during the week for the most peaceful experience, as the island gets crowded with Italian families on summer weekends. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the views from Terra Murata!
You can reach Procida from Sorrento by ferry, but be sure to plan ahead, as ferries only run a few days a week.
Herculaneum
Though lesser-known, Herculaneum’s story is nearly identical to its more famous neighbor, Pompeii: this ancient Roman (originally Greek) city was buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserving a thriving city for future generations.
In its prime, Herculaneum was smaller and wealthier than Pompeii, making it easier to tour, and in some ways, even more fascinating, as the homes tend to be more luxurious.
Herculaneum is one of the easiest day trips from Sorrento to take independently, as the Circumvesuviana train drops you off a short walk from the site—no buses or ferries required.
Like Pompeii, a guided tour can add significant value to your visit, so consider booking one to hear the city’s detailed history.
This engaging day trip combines a tour of Herculaneum with a visit to Mount Vesuvius.
Ischia
Set in the Bay of Naples, the beautiful island of Ischia is an hour to an hour and a half ferry ride from Sorrento, making it a relaxed and lovely option for those seeking a more laid-back island day trip than glamorous Capri but larger than tiny Procida.
Ischia is gaining popularity with international tourists but remains delightfully under the radar compared to Capri. It’s been a favorite among Italians for generations and plays a role in Elena Ferrante’s acclaimed Neapolitan Novels (which, by the way, I highly recommend if you’re looking for something to read during your trip to Sorrento!).
While you won’t be able to see everything Ischia has to offer in a single day, consider visiting Aragonese Castle, hiking Mount Epomeo for breathtaking island views, soaking in Ischia’s natural thermal spas, or, of course, relaxing on the beach.
Mount Vesuvius
Once upon a time, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the thriving cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash, where they would remain hidden for nearly 2000 years.
Today, you can visit this awe-inspiring volcano up close—yes, you can even tour the crater.
Visiting Mount Vesuvius offers the chance to explore the smoldering crater of an active volcano (no visible lava, though) while also taking in breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples—on a clear day, you can see all the way to Capri!
Mount Vesuvius can be visited by bus or tour, and the parking lot where you’re dropped off is about a 20 minutes hike from the crater.
If you’re visiting Pompeii or Herculaneum and have time to visit Mount Vesuvius as well, we recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
Naples
Don’t be put off by Naples’ reputation—this southern city has a vibrant character all its own.
Naples is known for its intense energy, fantastic street food, and as the birthplace of pizza (Naples pizza is so amazing it’s a UNESCO World Heritage treasure!), as well as for stunning architecture, beautiful views, and unique attractions.
Be sure to spend time admiring the views over the Bay of Naples (especially from Castel Sant’Elmo), checking out underground attractions like the Napoli Sotterranea, and touring the incredible museums (especially the National Archaeological Museum of Naples) when you visit.
Getting to Naples from Sorrento is simple—you can take the Circumvesuviana train, which takes about an hour and 15 minutes and drops you off in the heart of the city.
If you’re looking for a fun twist on a traditional day trip to Naples, consider booking a tour like this one that includes both a tour of Naples and the chance to make pizza in the birthplace of the dish itself!
The Royal Palace of Caserta
Italy’s answer to Versailles, the stunning Royal Palace of Caserta, or Reggia di Caserta, is the largest palace built in Europe in the 18th century.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its beautiful rooms, museum, and expansive gardens, and the palace is one of the most unique day trips from Sorrento.
Caserta is located in the northern part of the Campania region and can be reached by train in about an hour and 45 minutes from Sorrento, or alternatively by car.
Paestum
Paestum is home to some of the best-preserved ancient Greek ruins in the world.
Originally settled by Greeks and known as Poseidonia, Paestum was conquered by the Romans around 275 BC and remained a thriving city until the fall of the Roman Empire.
Today, you can tour three incredible, preserved Greek temples that date back to 550 to 450 BC, as well as other parts of the ancient city, like a small amphitheater, roads, and homes. Paestum’s museum is well worth a visit to learn more about the city’s fascinating history.
Paestum is located about 2 hours from Sorrento by car and is typically reached via guided tour or rental car.
Sorrento, Italy Day Trip FAQs
Is Sorrento worth visiting on its own?
Absolutely! Sorrento is one of the most charming towns in southern Italy, famous for its limoncello and beautiful views of the Bay of Naples.
Even if you don’t plan to use it as a base for exploring more of Campania, it’s worth spending a few days in Sorrento to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere, excellent food, and gorgeous surroundings.
How many days should I plan to spend in Sorrento?
We recommend planning to spend at least 4 days in Sorrento so that you can spend one day enjoying the town itself and 2-3 days taking day trips.
This is a good amount of time to get a taste of Sorrento’s most famous attractions while also taking advantage of its location to explore more of Campania.
Can I visit the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento?
Yes! The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular day trips from Sorrento. You can visit by ferry, bus, rental car, or guided tour.
What are the best day trips from Sorrento?
The most popular day trips from Sorrento include visiting the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Capri, and Herculaneum.
Other excellent day trip options include Ischia, Procida, Mount Vesuvius, Naples, the Royal Palace of Caserta, and Paestum.
How do I get around while staying in Sorrento?
Sorrento has an excellent public transportation system, with trains, ferries, and buses running to many popular destinations.
If you want to visit destinations that are harder to reach, consider renting a car or booking a guided tour.