Even by Italian standards, Sorrento is a particularly beautiful, historic, and alluring town.
Located on the country’s south-central coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is close to other popular tourist destinations like Naples and Pompeii to the north, and Amalfi and Positano to the south.
Sorrento is characterized by impressive architecture, a vibrant cuisine, and tons of activity options that range from fishing and swimming to touring historical sites like the Cathedral of Sorrento and the fishing villages along the Amalfi Coast.
Below are 15 of the best tours of Sorrento that warrant a closer look when in the area.
1. E-Bike Wine and Food Tour
Source: BAHDANOVICH ALENA / shutterstockSorrento is a pedestrian and bike-friendly town that offers fit guests a variety of tour options that don’t require spending countless hours stuffed into muggy tour buses.
This value-packed food and wine tour is the perfect way for first-time visitors to get the lay of the land quickly, and to see lots of iconic attractions in the process.
After learning how to use their e-bikes safely, guests will don their helmets and follow their guide into the town and beyond.
Highlights include an old mule path overlooking the sea, a number of coastal villages, and a stop at a local farm.
2. Guided Walking Tour
Source: nikolpetr / shutterstockThough it doesn’t seem like much time, two hours is sufficient to see many of Sorrento’s centrally-located attractions with a local guide.
This tour is for walkers of at least moderate levels of physical fitness, and it departs in the evening when the sun is on its way down and the weather is usually cooler.
Guests will visit parts of the town that don’t tend to get much tourist traffic. Though sites like Tasso Square, the San Francesco Cloister, and Marina Grande are big hits, it’s often the narrow alleys and traditional neighborhoods that are the most memorable.
3. Sorrento Coast Sunset Experience
Source: www.getyourguide.comFor those who’ve never experienced one, the sunsets along Italy’s west coast are nothing short of breathtaking.
According to previous tour guests, there’s something absolutely magical about watching the sun disappear over the Tyrrhenian Sea from the deck of a gently rolling boat.
This two-hour trip departs from Sorrento’s port and offers guests refreshments like beer, water, and soft drinks while onboard.
Before the evening’s main event, guests may choose to relax on deck or swim and snorkel.
The boat typically arrives back in port between 8:00 and 8:30 PM—perfect for those in the mood for a late dinner.
4. 5-Hour Food Tastings Tour
Source: Neirfy / shutterstockIn many parts of the globe, Italian cuisine is most commonly associated with canned spaghetti sauce and frozen pizza.
For true epicureans, however, Italy is one of the world’s premier culinary destinations, and guided tours are probably the best way to experience it in all its splendor.
This five-hour tour includes the services of a local guide, who’ll take guests on a whirlwind excursion into the surrounding countryside. They’ll visit an olive oil processing facility, a cheese factory, and a traditional pizza restaurant.
Samplings along the way may include everything from fresh lemonade and homemade desserts to local wine and mozzarella.
5. 2-Hour Kayak Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comFor activity-minded visitors interested in experiencing Sorrento to the fullest and getting an amazing full-body workout in the process, this two-hour kayaking tour would be a great fit.
Tours get underway at the Marina del Cantone, where guests will meet their guide and get an overview of how to use their craft safely and efficiently.
There’s no need for previous kayaking experience; after the orientation, it’ll be time to hit the water and head toward Cape Montalto, which is just a stone’s throw from Capri.
Guests will explore quiet bays and hidden caves and have time to relax and snorkel before heading back to the port.
6. Sorrento Coast Parasailing Experience and Boat Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comThough it’s probably not a good fit for those with altitude-related issues, parasailing is often one of the most memorable activities of many traveler’s vacations.
Available in single, tandem, or triple flights, this parasailing experience along the Sorrento coast is a great value for thrill-seekers and all-around adrenaline junkies.
Each participant gets all necessary safety training before taking to the air. Once aloft, they’ll see incredible views that those that those stuck on the ground can only imagine.
In-air time generally lasts about ten minutes, after which guests are reeled back down to the platform on the back of the boat.
7. 4-Hour Neapolitan Cooking Class
Source: www.getyourguide.comEven for international visitors, eating like an Italian isn’t particularly difficult, but cooking like one is a skill that requires professional help.
During this four-hour Neapolitan cooking class held in a traditional local restaurant, guests will delve into Sorrento’s food and culture like never before.
Each class is available in two distinct options—surf or turf.
The surf menu includes ingredients like mussels, clams, and fish, while the turf one focuses on land-based meat like beef and pork.
Both offer fresh local vegetables, homemade pasta, and traditional desserts like delizia al limone. When the class is over, everyone will sample the fruits of their labor and enjoy a limoncello tasting.
8. Herculaneum Half-Day Tour from Sorrento
Source: Alina Bratosin / shutterstockWhen Mount Vesuvius erupted unexpectedly nearly 2,000 years ago, it covered many of the towns in the area with tons of volcanic ash that kept the homes and inhabitants largely preserved for hundreds of years.
Herculaneum is one of the area’s most significant historical sites; this four-hour guided tour from Sorrento is a great way to experience it up close and personally.
The drive from Sorrento is relatively short, after which guests will follow their guide’s lead and set out on foot to explore the archaeological ruins of the town that was once a resort for powerful Roman politicians and wealthy families.
9. Full-Day Capri and Blue Grotto Tour from Sorrento
Source: leoks / shutterstockFrom Sorrento, the island of Capri is just a hop, skip, and a jump down the coast. Though it’s known as a popular destination for pop culture icons and well-heeled business moguls, it’s open to visitors of modest means as well.
This full-day excursion includes transportation to and from your hotel in Sorrento, where guests will be whisked to the port and then onto Capri by sea.
Tour highlights include the Blue Grotto—a partially submerged cave complex where reflecting light beams through the sea, creating amazingly blue water.
On land, guests will also drive to one of the island’s highest points to take in the views.
10. Fishing in Capri with Lunch from Sorrento
Source: Roman Babakin / shutterstockJoin this relaxing yet action-packed tour that includes a visit to Capri and the excitement of a day spent fishing.
On the tour, guests will benefit from the tutelage of their expert fishermen-guides. In addition to trying their luck against denizens of the sea, they’ll enjoy an on-board lunch that will include wine and possibly some of the day’s catch.
It’s as much a cultural experience as it is a sporting one. Participants will also have time to swim, snorkel, and explore the Island of Capri on their own for a few hours.
11. Photo Tour in a Vintage Fiat 500 with Beer Tasting
Source: FoxFootage / shutterstockIn Italy, wine usually takes center stage when it comes to intoxicating beverages, but beer is becoming increasingly popular as well.
This tour is conducted from the comfort of a vintage Fiat 500 and takes guests to some of the coast’s most scenic locations, where they’ll have time to snap photographs and enjoy the majestic scenery.
Due to their small interior size, Fiat 500s are great romantic escapes for visiting couples looking for truly memorable experiences.
After the tour’s driving portion, guests will visit a local brewery, where they’ll sample several craft beers, learn about the brewing process, and sample the local fare.
12. Gelato Cooking Class in Sorrento
Source: www.getyourguide.comGelato is one of Italy’s most loved frozen treats.
It’s generally lighter than regular ice cream and comes in a variety of sweet and fruity flavors that make it a great option in the warm climate of Sorrento.
This gelato cooking class takes place in a central location that’s easily reachable by foot. It’s hosted by one of the town’s most renowned small-batch producers.
Guests will learn about the science behind the dessert, how to choose and prepare ingredients, and will sample a variety of flavors while learning about Italian culture and cuisine from their instructor.
Tours last about 90 minutes and begin in the early evening.
13. 4-Hour Pompeii Group Excursion from Sorrento
Source: lara-sh / shutterstockPompeii is among Italy’s most poignant and significant historical and archaeological sites.
In many ways, the town is like a 2,000-year-old time capsule, because after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, it was preserved under yards of ash.
This four-hour tour departs from Sorrento in the morning and includes round-trip transportation and the services of an official guide.
Tours wind their way through the town’s narrow streets that were once lined with the opulent villas of prominent Roman citizens.
Many of the things guests will see are remarkably similar to how they were on that fateful day, and Pompeii is often one of visitors’ most memorable experiences.
14. Path of the Gods Hike from Sorrento
Source: Pfeiffer / shutterstockJust inland from the city of Sorrento, hills and cliffs rise over the coast and landscape, offering walkers and hikers some of the most amazing vista points in the region.
Eager and energetic tour guests will be picked up from a central Sorrento location before making their way to the Path of Gods trail along the Amalfi Coast.
The trail connects a number of quaint hamlets and villages and has been carrying travelers and their wares for thousands of years.
Tours are limited to just eight guests, but due to moderate difficulty and changes in elevation, they aren’t a good fit for children under six.
15. Sorrento 2-Hour Walking Tour
Source: nikolpetr / shutterstockIn past decades, full-day tours with rigid itineraries were all the rage, but these days, short, flexible ones are gaining traction with savvy tourists with short attention spans.
This two-hour walking tour includes portions both in and out of the city. It gives guests the chance to see amazing natural and historical attractions, while leaving the majority of the day open for other adventures.
Tours cover the area between Castellammare and Punta Campanella along the Gulf of Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea, and include the services of an experienced guide-outdoorsman.
Tour centerpieces include the Basilica de Sant’Antonino, Tasso Square, and old neighborhoods not often visited by tourists.