From magnificent islands to beautiful villages carved out of the cliffside to some of the worldâs most famous archaeological ruins, there is no limit to the variety of day trips from Sorrento that you can take.
If youâre planning a trip to Sorrento and hoping to use it as a jumping-off point to visit some truly remarkable destinations in Campania, youâve come to the right place.
Like many travelers, we opted to stay in Sorrento during part of our trip to Campania’s showstopping destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Naples, and Capri, and we were extremely happy with the results.
With its accessible train station, port, and plentiful bus routes, Sorrento is one of the best-connected places to stay near the Amalfi Coast–and the options for Sorrento day trips leave no stone unturned.
Here are the best day trips from Sorrento, Italy, plus our best tips on how to make the most of them!
The Best Day Trips From Sorrento, Italy
The Amalfi Coast
Of course, how can we start anywhere else?
The shimmering, sparkling, legendary Amalfi Coast is the best-known of all these day trips from Sorrento, and many visitors (us included) decide to stay in Sorrento specifically because it has easy access to the Amalfi Coast (and also a train station, which the Amalfi Coast itself lacks).
The views along Italyâs most famous coastline live up to the hype and are magical to experience in person.
There are several ways to reach the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento, most notably by ferry, bus, rental car, or by simplifying your day by booking an organized day trip.
You can check route schedules and shop ferry and bus tickets here!
The drive is magnificent, but not for the faint of heart–we wouldnât recommend taking it on unless youâre comfortable driving on very narrow roads perched on high cliffs as gigantic tour buses speed past you.
Ferry and bus both make for solid options, especially if you want to visit more offbeat spots, but the logistics of getting from town to town can include lots of crowds and complexity. Speaking from experience, it hardly makes for a luxurious or relaxing day.
The easiest way to take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento is simply to book a guided tour like this, which will show you the most popular spots on the coast efficiently and help you avoid wasting any of your precious time waiting around for a bus or ferry.
As for what to do when you get there, there are dozens of memorable places to visit along the Amalfi Coast, from villages to beaches to hikes, but weâll just call out a few below to give you an idea of your options when taking a day trip to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento.
There’s no way you can visit all of these places on an Amalfi Coast day trip–but then again, if you stay in Sorrento long enough, you very well may plan more than one day trip to the Amalfi Coast!
Visit the towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
The three most famous of all the villages along the Amalfi Coast are all incredibly popular to visit, and for visitors who only have one day to explore the coast, often their only three stops.
Positano is known for its near-vertical building style and beach, Amalfi for its cathedral, and Ravello for its absolutely magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast. Every last one of them is gorgeous, memorable, and offers wonderful views.
Hit the beach at Fiordo di Furore.
This hidden beach is tucked behind Italyâs only fjord and provides a picture-perfect place to spend a beach day along the Amalfi Coast.
Hike the Path of the Gods.Â
Between the villages of Bomerano and Nocelle along the Amalfi Coast runs one of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of Italy.
The main portion is only about 4 miles, but youâll be in for quite the workout if you decide to finish by descending from Nocelle to Positano by foot. The views, however, are worth the effort.
If youâd rather not go it alone but would like to experience the Path of the Gods, you can also join a guided hike!
Capri
Taking a day trip to Capri is like taking a trip to another dimension.
From Capri, the blue of the water glistens just a little brighter. The curves of the cliffs are just a bit more majestic. The location, in general, is just a bit otherworldlyâlike something out of a legend.
Capriâs magnificent beauty has been beckoning the rich and famous to visit it for a couple of millennia, from Roman emperors to modern movie stars, and thousands of others in between.
While youâre there, be sure to take a boat tour around the island (generally included in a day tour from Sorrento if you book one), take in the views from the Garden of Augustus, and tour Villa San Michele.
We donât recommend eating up hours of your precious day trip time to tour the Blue Grotto, but if you have your heart set on visiting it, you can definitely do so.
You can reach Capri from Sorrento by either ferry or tour, but the tours are such excellent value that theyâre well worth taking! We booked a day trip like this and had a fantastic time.
Book your day trip to Capri or shop ferry tickets to Capri today!
Pompeii
Pompeii is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and it truly defies words.
You will not be squinting at ruins and imagining what might have been in Pompeii.
Instead, you will be strolling down roads as well-maintained as many modern ones, walking in and out of intact buildings, and truly walking through a ghost townâa thriving city that one fateful day in 79 AD, simply stopped.
A visit to Pompeii is not one that youâll forget anytime soon, and while itâs fairly simple to reach Pompeii from Sorrento independently via the Circumvesuviana train and a bus ride, having a guided tour once you reach the city will greatly enhance your visit, and we highly recommend taking one.
This guided tour from Take Walks would be our first pick–theyâre a wonderful company, and weâve never had anything but stellar experiences on their tours–but if youâd prefer an option that also includes transportation to Pompeii as part of your day trip from Sorrento, this day trip is also a fantastic option.
Procida
The tiny island of Procida (weâre talking only about 1.5 square miles total here!) is the smallest island in the Bay of Naples, and is far less touristy than Capri or even Ischia.
It’s the perfect day trip from Sorrento for travelers looking to get off the beaten path for foreign tourists and explore a cozy, colorful island.
Come during the week for the quietest experience, as the island fills up with Italian families on summer weekends, and be sure not to miss the opportunity to soak in the views from Terra Murata!
You can reach Procida from Sorrento by ferry, but if you have your heart set on this Sorrento day trip idea, be sure to plan ahead, as the ferries only run a few days per week.
Herculaneum
Despite being lesser-known, the story of the city of Herculaneum is nearly identical to its far-more-famous neighbor, Pompeii: this ancient Roman (though originally Greek–can you guess which Greek figure the city was named for?) city was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, obliterating a thriving city while simultaneously preserving it for the future.
In its heyday, Herculaneum was both smaller and wealthier than middle-class Pompeii, making it easier to tour, and in some ways, even more interesting, as the homes tend to be a bit more opulent.
Even better, Herculaneum is one of the easiest day trips from Sorrento to take independently, as you can simply hop on the Circumvesuviana train and be dropped off a 6-minute walk away from Herculaneum–no buses or ferries required.
Like Pompeii, though, it can be extremely valuable to have the context a guide brings when you tour the site, so donât hesitate to book a guided tour with an archaeologist if youâd like the hear the details behind the city!
Book your guided tour of Herculaneum with an archaeologist today!
Ischia
Set in the Bay of Naples, the beautiful island of Ischia is located an hour to an hour and a half away from Sorrento by ferry (depending on the route that day) and makes a laid-back and lovely option for those hoping for an island day trip that is a bit more relaxed than glitzy Capri, but bigger than tiny Procida.
Ischia is rapidly gaining in popularity with foreign visitors but is still delightfully under the radar as compared to Capri.
Ischia has been popular with Italians for generations and played a role in Elena Ferranteâs phenomenal Neapolitan Novels (which I cannot recommend highly enough if youâre looking for something to read during your trip to Sorrento).
You wonât be able to experience all that Ischia has to offer on a day trip, but consider paying a visit to Aragonese Castle, climbing Mount Epomeo for stunning views of the island, soaking in some of Ischiaâs natural thermal spas, or–of course–relaxing on the beach.
Mount Vesuvius
Once upon a time, towering Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the thriving cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash, where they would remain hidden for nearly 2000 years.
Today, that powerful, awe-inspiring force of destruction can be visited up close–in fact, you can tour the crater.
Visiting Mount Vesuvius will give you an opportunity to visit the smoldering crater of an active volcano (no lava visible, though) while also taking in some truly phenomenal views of the Bay of Naples–on a clear day, you can see all the way to Capri!
You can visit Mount Vesuvius by bus or tour, and the parking lot where you are dropped off is about a 20-minute climb, give or take, from the crater.
Visiting Mount Vesuvius itself isn’t really something you need a tour for (it’s more of a short hike), but it does make transportation easier, and you can combine it with a tour of Pompeii.
Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a jacket with you–it can often be far colder up there than in Sorrento.
Book your combined day trip to Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius today!
Naples
When it comes to Italian cities, Naples often gets a bit of a bad rap, often being called too crowded, too dirty, too hilly.
And yes, itâs definitely a bit rougher around the edges than some Italian cities, but itâs also beautiful and complex, with a history that rivals Florence or Venice, a fascinating underground, stunning views over the Bay of Naples, and, of course, some of the best pizza on Earth.
A day trip from Sorrento to Naples is the perfect way to get a taste of one of Italyâs most controversial cities, and see for yourself what you think.
Personally, the first time we visited Naples, we were surprised by how quickly we came to love it, and we will probably revisit it forever!
Stroll through the Piazza del Plebiscito, sip coffee at the opulent Caffè Gambrinus, snack on a sfogliatella, explore Via Toledo, visit Naplesâ incredible archaeological museum, and be sure to visit at least 2-3 of the best pizzerias in Naples.
Here are our suggestions for spending one day in Naples.
You can reach Naples for a day trip from Sorrento by train or bus, of course, but to enjoy beautiful views along the way, you can also opt to travel to Naples by ferry!
Paestum
When it comes to ancient ruins near Sorrento, everyone knows Pompeii, and some people have heard of Herculaneum⌠but have you ever heard of Paestum?
Located nearly 2 hours south of Sorrento by car (and you will want a car for this one–while you can technically reach Paestum via a combination of trains and buses, itâs complex and a hassle), if youâre hoping to get off the beaten path with one of your day trips from Sorrento, Paestum is an excellent choice.
Founded in the 7th century BCE, Paestum is best known today for being home to some of the best-preserved Ancient Greek temples on the planet, in particular, two temples dedicated to Hera and one to Athena.
Read More About Visiting Italy
Finished picking out the best day trips from Sorrento for you and eager to keep planning your trip?
We’d love to help here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- Northern Italy vs Southern Italy: Which Should You Visit?
- Our Delicious, Independent Naples Pizza Tour
- 25 Best Places to Visit in Italy (+ Map to Find Them!)
- Italy’s Coperto Explained: A Quick Guide to the Coperto in Italy
- 17 of the Best Coastal + Beach Towns in Italy
About Kate Storm