If you’re planning a trip to Sorrento, this page will provide you with a general introduction to Sorrento and the peninsular that it sits on. We start with some general info about Sorrento, followed by some general info on what it’s like here, including some popular misconceptions that people have.
General Info about Sorrento
Sorrento is a city which sits on the Sorrento Peninsula. This site is dedicated to both so when we talk about Sorrento, we mean the city and when we talk about the Peninsula, it’s Sorrento and the surrounding areas.
Sorrento is not a big city with an estimated 16500 inhabitants but its population doubles in summer as the hotels and AirBnBs fill up with tourists. The roads get very busy in the summer and crossing the town can take 10 minutes in the winter but 1 hour in the summer. Parking is also a nightmare and parking down by the sea in Sorrento; impossible.
Real estate in the town has become insanely expensive as people buy AirBnBs to rent out, forcing local people to buy and rent further away (many in places such as Sant’Agnella, Meta, and Vico Equence).
Sorrento has become a popular destination for the super wealthy, many of whom visit on their super yachts. In summer 2024, both Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos passed by but, rudely, neither dropped in to say hi to us. As a result, Sorrento is generally an expensive place to visit; there are some budget options but not many.
General Info on the Sorrento Peninsula
The peninsula hosts an introduction juxtaposition of local and international, traditional and modern. Many residents on the peninsula are still farmers who live in property passed down through the generations. Others work in the tourism industry and some are wealthy but the vast majority are not. In amongst the local farmhouses, however, you find uber-expensive 5* hotels and villas which cater to the super rich. Local restaurants make pizza for 4 Euros next to Michelin star restaurants that host Kate Winslet and Beyoncé. It’s an interesting mix.
The whole peninsula is busy during the tourist season (which is getting longer every year) and there are too many cars on the roads. However, the place is not overrun with construction like many tourist areas because the government effectively banned all new construction in 1967. There has been some building since then but it is all illegal and could be torn down at any minute. This has preserved the natural beauty of the area but has increased the price of real estate to the extent that many locals can no longer afford to live there. You can read more about that on my blog post here.
The whole peninsula feels busy but there are some quieter spots if you know where to look. One such example is the Punta Campanella protected natural marine area, which is very peaceful and well worth a visit. You get a lovely view of Capri from here and so if you take a picnic, it makes for a very scenic and budget evening dinner. There are some other quiet spots up in the hills but I’ll let you explore them for yourself if you’re particularly keen.
What to expect from Sorrento
Sorrento is a beautiful and ancient town and you will almost certainly enjoy exploring its quaint streets. You will find hundreds of amazing restaurants but also some poorer ones, so choose carefully. You will find lots of shops selling souvenirs and plenty of expensive brands as well. You’ll find plenty of cultural / touristy activities to do in the surrounding area, which could keep you busy for weeks. You can enjoy a drip in the sea after a hard day’s exploration but be prepared for crowded beaches. There are some spas but they are quite expensive. Many hotels have swimming pools but not many really nice ones.
What to expect from the Peninsula
The Peninsula has many tings to offer; traditional Italian villages, quaint little beaches, agrotourisms places nice restaurants, lovely AirBnBs, and cracking views.
What not to expect from Sorrento or the Peninsula
Sorrento is not a relaxing holiday destination. If you want to stretch out on a beach with a good book or play beach volleyball in the sun, this is not the place you need. The peninsula is not ideal for walking; neither in the hills or by the beach, because there are few footpaths and many steep hills. It is also not a party holiday place. There are some bars open in the evening but they are low key and not that exciting… nothing like Magaluf or Aya Napa. The peninsula is not great for cycling because the roads are all very narrow, but people do it anyway. The peninsula is not super good for kids. Whilst Italy is kid-friendly and your kids are welcome everywhere (even late at night), there are lots of roads and cliffs and few places that are genuinely safe to let them run around.
