How to Spend 4 Days in Sorrento, Italy

On your first day in Sorrento, keep things relaxed and take a slow wander through the cobblestone streets before making your way down to Marina Grande, the postcard-perfect fishing village where pastel boats line the harbor and waterfront seafood restaurants set the scene.

From there, spend time around Piazza Tasso, the lively heart of town and an ideal place to settle in with a spritz and ease into the Italian rhythm.

The first day doesn’t need a packed schedule—it’s more about soaking in the atmosphere, adjusting to the slower pace, and letting Sorrento’s coastal charm set the tone for the rest of your stay.

Embark on an iconic Italian boat day on a full-day tour. You’ll cruise past Capri’s most famous landmarks, including the dramatic Faraglioni, the White and Green Grottos, and the historic Punta Carena Lighthouse. The tour also visits the legendary Blue Grotto if weather and low tide permit. There are swimming and snorkeling stops in crystal-clear water, plus a welcome aperitif and Caprese sandwich onboard—which just tastes way better at sea.

You’ll also have about four hours of free time on Capri to explore on foot. Take the funicular up to town, wander the chic streets, grab an espresso in the piazzetta, or splurge on handmade sandals. My tip: don’t over-plan your Capri time. Leave room to wander and just take it in!

If you prefer to skip a tour, you can take the ferry over independently and explore Capri at your own pace. Spend the day beach club hopping in Marina Piccola, take a taxi up to Anacapri for sweeping views, or book a shorter private boat for a few hours around the island.

It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day—there’s really no wrong way to do Capri.

In the morning, head to the Circumvesuviana Station area and purchase round-trip SITA bus tickets to Amalfi from a local newsstand or café displaying the SITA SUD logo (approximately €2 per ticket). The bus ride is about 1.5 hours and is honestly part of the experience—winding cliffside roads, jaw-dropping views, and a drive straight through Positano.

• Tip: Sit on the right side of the bus for the best views.

Once in Amalfi, take time to wander the narrow streets before heading to a lemon tour at the Amalfi Historical Garden. They offer a walking 1.5 hour tour where you’ll walk through terraced groves overlooking the sea, learn how limoncello is made, and enjoy generous tastings (yes, plural). It’s fragrant, sun-soaked, and very “this is why I came to Italy.”

In the morning, travel to Pompeii, the remarkably preserved Roman city frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walk through ancient homes, bathhouses, markets, and fresco-lined villas—it’s surreal how intact everything feels. I highly recommend going with a guide so you understand what you’re actually looking at—it brings the ruins to life in a completely different way.

You’ll likely wrap your visit mid-day, leaving you with the perfect final afternoon to relax—maybe a long seaside lunch, a last swim, or souvenir shopping for lemon ceramics and limoncello to take home.