Discovering Sorrento: 4 Days Along the Amalfi Coast

After checking in, we relaxed by the pool with a limoncello spritz, which was exactly what we needed after a long flight. Later that afternoon, we headed into Sorrento’s historic center. The streets are filled with local boutiques, shops of all types, cafés, limoncello stores, and small piazzas that are fun to wander through without any real plan. It’s such a charming town and incredibly easy to explore on foot.

For dinner, we went to Gnocchi Osteria di Famiglia, a cozy local restaurant with homemade gnocchi served with a variety of different sauces, homemade meatballs, and other traditional Italian dishes. Everything was delicious, and it was a great first dinner in Sorrento.

One of the best parts about staying in Sorrento is how easy it is to get to Capri. The ferry ride is only about 20 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. There are many ferry options throughout the day, so you do not need to be on a hard timetable.

Spend the day walking through Capri’s charming streets, browsing the boutiques, visiting the Gardens of Augustus, or taking the chairlift to Monte Solaro for incredible views over the island. After lunch, catch the ferry back and enjoy another evening in Sorrento.

For dinner, we went to Ristorante Da Filippo, a family-owned restaurant. They picked us up in a golf cart, and our driver was incredibly friendly. The food was amazing. We had the Spaghetti alla Nerano with zucchini and provolone and the ravioli, and both were absolutely delicious. I would definitely go back here. During our meal, we crossed paths with a restaurant owner from the Bay Area who visits Sorrento every summer and makes sure to eat here at least one night, which is always a good sign.

Rather than planning another full day away, we decided to spend more time enjoying Sorrento itself, and I'm glad we did.

For lunch, we stopped at Azz!, where we had outstanding pizza and homemade cannelloni. Another option is to take a cooking class. There are several cooking classes (typically three to four hours) in town where you learn traditional Italian dishes using fresh local ingredients, and it’s a fun way to experience a different side of Sorrento.

For dinner, we went to Ristorante Tasso, which was recommended to us by a restaurant owner from the East Coast that we met at the hotel. It was a little more upscale but still warm and relaxed. I had the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, made with tomato, mozzarella, and basil, and it was absolutely delicious. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was another dinner we really enjoyed.

Today, we spent the day on a boat exploring the Amalfi Coast. We stopped in both Positano and Amalfi, giving us time to explore each town. Throughout the day, we also stopped to swim in the clear, warm Mediterranean. Seeing the coastline from the water gives you a completely different perspective than driving it, and I’d highly recommend experiencing it this way if you have the opportunity.

For dinner, we chose Il Leone Rosso, another local favorite known for its homemade pasta, fresh seafood, generous portions, and lively atmosphere. The manager was incredibly friendly and made us feel like VIPs from the moment we arrived. We enjoyed the risotto and the pasta e fagioli—both were amazing!