What NOT to Do When Visiting Sorrento & Isle of Capri
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you plan a trip to Sorrento, Italy. While most travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Sorrento, we want to be sure you know what NOT to do when visiting Sorrento.
Don’t Expect Non-Touristy Things
The Sorrento Peninsula is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, so it will be super touristy no matter when you visit. You won’t find a lot of quaint, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Tourist destinations like Naples and Pompeii surround Sorrento, so everything here revolves around tourism. Late April through September is peak season and you will be surrounded by crowds of tourists.
This also means you will have a hard time finding “non-touristy” restaurants in the area. Usually, we recommend walking a few blocks from the tourist center to find more authentic food, but that’s not the case here because everything is touristy. So, just pick a place that looks good. You’re going to pay tourist prices no matter where you go.
The bright side of this is that you will have your pick from thousands of souvenir shops, and guided tours. If you are looking for souvenirs from your trip, you’ll find plenty! Ceramic products and lemon-themed gifts are the most popular!
Don’t Expect Year-Round Tourism
Because of the crowds, we do recommend trying to visit Sorrento in the shoulder seasons. However, if you come in the winter, you may find a lot of things are closed. You might find solitude for once, but there will be far fewer services, including ferries.
Don’t Expect Cheap Lodging
Because so many travelers use Sorrento as a base for exploring the Amalfi Coast or Pompeii, accommodations are in high demand. Accommodations will be more affordable than staying along the Amalfi coast, but that’s not saying much. In four visits to Sorrento, we’ve had four pretty awful Airbnb experiences. (If your accommodation is “self-catering” be prepared to purchase your own dish soap and toilet paper! We found that out the hard way.)
Don’t Plan to Practice Your Italian Language Skills
Because Sorrento is so touristy, most people in the service industry speak English. And usually, their patience can wear thin with tourists trying to practice their Italian skills. If you’re not pretty fast, they’ll switch to English so they can get your order and move on to the next table.
Don’t Drive to Sorrento
We love renting cars to explore at our own pace, but driving in Sorrento is a nightmare. The streets are narrow and winding, and there’s no parking to speak of. The train from Naples is the easiest and most affordable way to get to Sorrento. You can also hire a driver to take you from Naples to Sorrento. It costs a lot more than the train, but worth splurging if you can.
What Not to Do When Taking Trains in Italy
If you do take the train, don’t overpack! The train gets super crowded, and there’s not a special area for luggage. The train stations and stops along the way are prime pickpocket territory, so the fewer belongings you have to keep track of, the better.
Don’t Miss the Isle of Capri
The Isle of Capri sits just off the coast of Sorrento, and is a popular destination for visitors. We have a few extra trips for visiting the Isle of Capri.
- Make sure you pick the right ferry. The ferry can take anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours, so if you want to maximize your time on the island, choose the faster one! Make sure you buy a return ticket and don’t miss the last ferry or you’ll have an expensive evening!
- Don’t wait to visit the Blue Grotto; when you exit the ferry, catch one of the first boats you see for the Blue Grotto. It takes a bit of time, so it’s best to get it out of the way upon arrival. You won’t have much time in the grotto, as they do rush everyone in and out in order to maximize the number of visitors. You might think about walking back from the grotto, but that is quite a hike, so be prepared!
- Anacapri is one of our favorite places to visit on the island. The square is fantastic, and a great place to have ravioli caprese.
- Take the chairlift up for great views of the bay
- Marina Grande is the postcard scene of Capri; the beach is small, but it’s a beautiful spot to have dinner. You can take a fishing boat, dinner cruise or paddle board from Marina Grande.
Don’t Skip the Day Trips from Sorrento
As we mentioned, Sorrento is a popular home base for exploring the entire Sorrento Peninsula. Besides the Isle of Capri, there are plenty of other day trips from Sorrento.
- Pompeii and Herculaneum are two cities preserved by the ash of Mt. Vesuvius.
- Naples has some great museums and of course, Napoli pizza!
- Amalfi Coast is popular for a reason; and well worth a trip to see the beautiful coastal villages.
Don’t Miss Out on Sorrento Cuisine
Even though the restaurants are pretty touristy for the most part, the food is still really good. A few of our favorite dishes in this region include:
- Gnocchi Sorrentina, which is gnocchi with mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
- Seafood is super fresh here because you’re on the sea! Whether you like swordfish, calamari, anchovies, sea bass, octopus or clams, you’ll find seafood you love here. Seafood in pasta is the best of both worlds! Scialatielli is a regional type of pasta and Scialatielli alla Amalfitana has a seafood mix that we highly recommend!
- Caprese means “from Capri and there are many Caprese specialties to try. Typically, they include mozzarella, basil and tomato. Make sure you choose the right mozzarella: it has to be Fior de Latte or mozzarella di bufala.
- Caprese Salad is perfect when you want a light, fresh, dish.
- Ravioli Caprese is another favorite!
- For a quick bite on the go, a Panino Caprese is a sandwich version of the Caprese Salad.
- Caprese tort is a chocolate almond cake, or Liam’s favorite, Lava Cake.
- Eggplant Parmesan is another great Italian dish to have here
While you’re here, don’t pass up anything lemon! Sorrento is known for growing sweet lemons, and you can have them many different ways. Delizia al Limone is a sponge cake with lemon custard that you must try. And of course, limoncello for the adults! (Fresh-squeezed orange juice is really good, too!)
Don’t Mess with the Sun
It’s so easy to get sunburned in Sorrento. Even though you aren’t lying on a beach, you’re still going to be getting a lot of sun, so make sure you lathe on the sunscreen, and reapply throughout the day.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Sorrento, while touristy, is a beautiful destination along the Gulf of Naples. With so many options for day trips, it’s a great place to stay when exploring the surrounding area. Of course, fresh seafood and homemade pasta are reason enough to visit!
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