One day in Sorrento Italy

Best things to do in one day in Sorrento Italy 

1. explore the town 

Despite its heavy tourist tag it’s possible to see Sorrento on a budget. We spent most of our one day in Sorrento walking, exploring and stopping when we wanted. 

Our first stop, or stroll through, was Piazza Tasso. Despite the heavy downpours putting a damper on the day, Piazza Tasso was still teeming with life. A square lined with restaurants made for outdoor dining, it was clear why visitors are drawn here. 

Piazza della Vittoria is another pretty square you shouldn’t miss visiting when in Sorrento. Its charming garden eventually leads you to a great viewing point in the town (terrazza panoramica stella del mare). Large enough to accommodate photo-snapping tourists, the terrace provides a perfect sea view. 

Terrazza panoramica stella del mare, Piazza della Vittoria, 5 

Pick up some cedro 

Sorrento and lemons go together like Romeo and Juliet. The town’s renowned for its abundance of lemon trees and its bounty of colorful fruit. 

But what many visitors don’t realize is that Sorrento isn’t just home to lemons. As you continue strolling past the many shops, you may spot a variety called cedro. Citron in English, the fruit is larger than standard lemons, but it has a milder taste.  

While lemons and cedro come from the same family there’s a difference between the two. Lemons grow on a fruit tree while cedro comes from a shrub. Physically, lemons are more yellow in color, smoother and have a thinner rind. Cedro, on the other hand, are larger, lumpy and they’ve a very thick rind. 

We've eaten cedro in a salad in Sicily and it makes the perfect fresh accompaniment to fish dishes. 

Made for shopping 

The principal street that runs through Sorrento is Corso Italia.

It’s lined with shops, restaurants and bars all vying for your tourist Euros. A strong international feel, Corso Italia is filled with Italian gelaterias sitting along Irish pubs and Dutch fast-food chains.  

Personally, I found it too touristy for my liking. But Sorrento has more to offer, in the traditional sense, and you can find that in its churches. 

Map: best things to do in one day in Sorrento Italy

2. Visit the churches in Sorrento 

If churches aren’t your thing I totally understand if you prefer to skip this part. But, you’d be missing out on seeing some of the best attractions in Sorrento (in my opinion). 

Cathedral of St. Philip and St. James 

Steps away from Corso Italia is the Cathedral of St. Philip and St. James (Cattedrale dei Santo Filippo e Giacomo).  

The construction of the cathedral (also known as Sorrento Cathedral) dates to the 11th century. Originally built in a Romanesque style, subsequent renovations have introduced elements of different architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. 

More than meets the eye  

For a town as small as Sorrento I wasn’t honestly expecting much from the church, but I was proven wrong. While its simple yet striking façade invites you to enter, its interior is where the magic comes to light. 

Richly decorated altars, ornate frescoes and delicate stained-glass windows create a sacred ambiance. The beauty extends to the intricate decorations and beautiful artwork adorning the church’s walls. The ceiling has so many glorious details you may find yourself walking out with a slight neck ache.  

Visiting Sorrento Cathedral was easily one of our top highlights on our one day in Sorrento Italy. 

Cattedrale dei Santo Filippo e Giacomo, Via Santa Maria della Pietà, 44 

Sant’Antonino Basilica 

Situated near the main square of Piazza Tasso is the Basilica of Sant’Antonino (Basilica di Sant’Antonino).  

Dedicated to Sorrento's patron saint St. Antoninus, the structure mainly reflects a baroque style. However, the interior also incorporates elements from different architectural periods. 

One of the highlights of the church you shouldn’t miss is the crypt, which houses the relics of Saint Antoninus. Considered a sacred place, it’s often visited by pilgrims seeking the saint’s intercession. 

Basilica di Sant’Antonino, Piazza Sant'Antonino 

Church of St. Francis 

A third church that popped up on our radar was the Church of St. Francis (Chiesa di San Francesco). Dedicated to Italy’s patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, the church is located in the heart of Sorrento's historic center. 

Its exterior has a simple yet elegant design, typical of many churches from the medieval period. 
Admittedly, we found the adjacent Cloister of San Francesco more fascinating. With decorated arches, ceramic tiles and a central garden with palm trees and flowers it’s one of Sorrento’s prettiest spots.  

Chiesa di San Francesco (St. Francis Church), piazza francesco Saverio Gargiulo, 8 
St. Francis Cloister, (Chiostro di San Francesco), Via San Francesco, 12 

3. Walk to Marina Grande 

On the walk to get to Marina Grande, we passed through Villa Comunale. Even on a cloudy day, the public garden was a tranquil spot to enjoy the panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. 

Eventually, you meet a path that takes you down to the beaches in Sorrento and to Marina Grande. The path is on a slight slope/incline so be mindful of your footwear choice when visiting Sorrento. While it takes around 10 minutes to reach the beach the views make it totally worth it.  

Your other option to get down to the beach (and back up again) is to take the Sorrento Lift. It costs €1.10 ($1.20/£0.94) one way and €2 ($2.18/£1.72) for a return ticket. We took the elevator to go back up to Corsa Italia and would recommend it.  

The lines moved quickly, and we didn't have to wait long for the elevators to arrive. On top of this, the prices were surprisingly low, and it wasn’t some kind of tourist trap as we’d thought.  

The marina 

Located below Sorrento's cliffs is the fishing village of Marina Grande. The scenic harbor dotted with colorful houses and waterfront restaurants makes it a pretty place to stop for lunch. 

I highly recommended it especially if you're looking for what to do in Sorrento for a day for couples. My husband and I probably spent the most time here and it's definitely worth seeing.

At Marina Grande, and along the shorefront, is where you’ll find Sorrento’s beaches.  These lidos do charge to use their part of the beach, along with sunbeds and umbrellas. 

4. check out the beach in Sorrento 

Sorrento does have two free public beaches but there are some things you should know about each one. Sorrento Public Beach (Spiaggia Pubblico Sorrento) is small and is exclusively for residents only.  

While it can be disappointing for visitors, I think it’s good to keep something just for the locals. Sorrento, for me, is the most touristic town I’ve visited (so far) in Italy. And writing this as someone who lives near Venice should speak volumes. 

By Marina Grande, Sorrento Beach (Spiaggia di Sorrento) offers pretty sea views and is also open to the public. The downside is that it’s small, gets busy quickly and many boats dock and leave from Sorrento Beach. Add to this the passing of buses and cars in continuation and it may not be the most relaxing experience. 

If you plan on spending time at the lidos (paid beach spaces) in Sorrento, note down the following: 

• Bagni Salvatore 
• Leonelli’s Beach 
• Peter’s Beach 

Marina Piccola 

It's worth noting that at the other end of Marina Grande is its baby sister, Marina Piccola. Noticeably quieter, it’s a picturesque spot to enjoy the scenic views. 

By Marina Piccola are some cafes that offer Italian options but also items that cater to its international clientele.   

5. Take a day trip from Sorrento 

Sorrento serves as a gateway to several popular destinations in and around the Amalfi Coast. From Marina Piccola, consider booking a boat tour to visit other popular places. Some of my favorites from Sorrento include: 

• Boat trip to Capri island and optional Blue Grotto tour
• Amalfi and Positano boat tour
• Full day Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius tour  

Personally, with just one day in Sorrento Italy we decided to stay and continue exploring the town. However, a day trip from Sorrento is highly doable if you plan to base your stay here.  

6. stop for a simple sorrento lunch 

Sorrento is teeming with places to eat in and around every corner and crevice. And the place you ultimately choose will depend on factors subjective to your tastes. 

But, if you want a recommendation for a simple, yet excellent place to eat in Sorrento, underline Storico 8. 

Storico 8  

A cozy eatery with a few tables inside and out, Storico 8 serves freshly baked pizza and focaccia. While we were tempted to get the pizza in teglia (pizza on a tray), the portion was just too large.  

Instead, we both settled on freshly baked focaccia with different fillings. Mine was a classic yet flavorful combination of fresh Mozzarella cheese and Campania tomatoes. 

A meal so simple, yet it was satisfying and filling. It was a strong reminder why Italian food is so good. Simple, fresh ingredients that are put together extremely well.  

Storico 8, Pizza in teglia, focacceria e cucina, Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani, Largo Sedil Dominova, 8 

Extra tip: adjacent to Storico 8 is Dominova Seat (Sedile Dominova). The historic building was once a meeting place for Sorrento's nobility but today hosts an art gallery and cultural events. Though not open to the public, you can still admire the striking painted interior from the outside.  

Dominova Seat (Sedile Dominova), Largo Padre Reginaldo Giuliani, 62 

7. Other things to do in one day in Sorrento Italy 

If by chance you’ve seen all the above, there are more things you can do on your Sorrento trip. They include:

• Try out your cooking skills at a pizza making class 
• Browse the private collection of 17th to 19th century art and decorative objects at Museo Correale di Terranova 
• Visit the Baths of Queen Giovanna. Escape the town center and the crowds for the  ancient Roman ruins just 10 minutes’ drive from Sorrento. A natural pool surrounded by cliffs, it’s a peaceful spot for swimming and sunbathing 

Museo Correale di Terranova, Via Correale, 50 
Baths of Queen Giovanna (Bagni Regina Giovanna), Traversa Punta Capo

Where to park in Sorrento Italy

We drove from our home in the north of Italy to the Amalfi Coast. If you're also planning on renting a car and driving here, this section will be useful.

We were fortunate to find parking in Sorrento that was close to the town center and was also reasonably priced. 

Stinga Parking (Parcheggio Stinga) is secure, well organized and offers competitive prices for Sorrento. It’s hard to miss as upon entering, you’re greeted by a shed that has vegetables hanging from its roof. 

To give you an idea, we paid around €8 ($8.72/£6.86) for over 6 hours in Sorrento. It was a big difference compared to what we paid for parking in Positano. 

Parcheggio Stinga, Via degli Aranci, 25, 80067 Sorrento NA 

All in all, we saw a lot of attractions on our one day in Sorrento Italy. A town though very touristy, Sorrento surprises you in many good ways. And it’s for this reason we wouldn’t say no to a return visit in the future.