Sorrento - weekend visit

[Ranger 6]

I've had a look through old threads on the Sorrento experience and have taken away a couple of pointers including; don't bother with a car, the parking is a nightmare and the train from Naples is pretty dismal, better to take the shuttle bus from the airport.

We're going in September and staying Thursday morning - Monday evening. We're looking for pointers on some good restaurants - yes, I have looked on TA - that would be more of a locals place than the high end stuff that people seem to gravitate towards. Down the cliff from the main town seems to be a suggestion.

The other question is boat trips along the coast to Positano and Ravello - not bothered about Capri. Is the boat trip better than a coach/mini-bus trip?

[driver67]

Ranger 6 said:

I've had a look through old threads on the Sorrento experience and have taken away a couple of pointers including; don't bother with a car, the parking is a nightmare and the train from Naples is pretty dismal, better to take the shuttle bus from the airport.

We're going in September and staying Thursday morning - Monday evening. We're looking for pointers on some good restaurants - yes, I have looked on TA - that would be more of a locals place than the high end stuff that people seem to gravitate towards. Down the cliff from the main town seems to be a suggestion.

The other question is boat trips along the coast to Positano and Ravello - not bothered about Capri. Is the boat trip better than a coach/mini-bus trip?

Forget train or shuttle bus. Just book a taxi to pick you up from the Airport. Around 88 euros in 2019.

The trains aren't so bad, just keep your wits about you. We used them visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum. No issues and some great entertainment from the 1-2 man bands that jump on between stations.

You'll be doing well to find a restaurant in Sorrento that is not excellent.

There is one kebeb shop which is ace for lunch etc.

Cheers,
Dougie.

[sunbeam alpine]

I wouldn't rule out renting a car. The coast road in both directions - from Sorrento toward Pompei and from Sorrento to Amalfi - is well worth a drive, but you need to get up early to really make the most of it. During the day it's busy, narrow and coaches have priority.

We spent 5 weeks touring Italy in 2015, including 7 days on the Amalfi coast.

Regarding restaurants, we didn't have a bad meal the whole trip.

Edited by sunbeam alpine on Sunday 22 May 19:19

[The Leaper]

Can recommend the Tramontano Hotel. Book a sea view room with balcony on the top floor and be amazed at the view over the Bay of Naples. Hotel is very central too. Can swim in the sea from their private pontoon or in their nice pool.





We booked taxi to/from Naples Airport, well worth the expense.

Train to Pompeii is good. If you go there, a good plan is to get a personal guide to get the full benefit of the ruins.

Had a great day out to Ischia organised by the hotel. It was a bit "Naples-on -Sea, though.

Major drawback to Sorrento is the number of cruise ships that arrive each day...up to three some days. The town can get swamped by day visitors. Some unscrupulous restaurants had same menu but with different prices for lunch and dinner to rip of the boat people.

As has already been said, it's bad luck to get a disappointing meal anywhere in Italy!

R.

[driver67]

This a picture I took from a roof bar next to the Antiche Mura Hotel where we were staying.

This is early September, can't remember any cruise ships docking then ............

Cheers,
Dougie.

Vesuvius_View by Dougie Lindsay, on Flickr

[djc206]

We went during covid, didn’t struggle for parking but it was fairly expensive. We negotiated a long stay deal (with come and go) with the gentleman at parcheggio vallone in town. I quite enjoyed having a car and heading out around the peninsula.

Try SHUB for cocktails and good wine with light bites.

[sooty61]

We went in 2016 and stayed at the Excelsior Vittoria and loved it so much we are going back in July. The Ristorante Bagni Delfino was excellent so hopefully it is still as good (still got 5 stars on Tripadvisor) so will go back.

[DJMC]

Public bus to Amalfi s a good way to travel the coast road.

Herculaneum is smaller and more interesting than Pompeii if you're pushed for time. Get the train there.

Capri is poncey. Go if you like poncey. Wear slacks and a cashmere jumper draped over your shoulders.

Pizzeria right on Piazza Tasso is great for Italian motorist watching while you eat.

[Lotobear]

The Parruchiano Garden in Sorrento is really nice and not that expensive and tends to be frequented more by locals.

If you want to 'do' something other than people watch in the square (a nice passtime in itself), then the Path of the Gods walk from Agerola is well worth doing (bus from Sorrento) - the views are stunning.

[don'tbesilly]

sooty61 said:

We went in 2016 and stayed at the Excelsior Vittoria and loved it so much we are going back in July. The Ristorante Bagni Delfino was excellent so hopefully it is still as good (still got 5 stars on Tripadvisor) so will go back.

We stayed at the Excelsior in 2018, lovely hotel.

I’d recommend the O’Parrucchiano restaurant, well worth a visit and needs booking.

http://www.parrucchiano.com/

[Ranger 6]

That's great folks - lots to digest there

Re-assuring that we've got some good plans so far

[Ranger 6]

DJMC said:

.....Capri is poncey. Go if you like poncey. Wear slacks and a cashmere jumper draped over your shoulders.

That's why we counted it out - the blue grotto or whatever it is looks nice in the pictures, but I don't see the point in a day trip just to see that.

[JagYouAre]

DJMC said:

Public bus to Amalfi s a good way to travel the coast road.

Recommend taking some form of sedative before boarding if possible

We took the bus round to Amalfi and got the boat back, stopping off at Positano en route. We also took a boat over to Capri and thought it was one of those overly pretentious places (even by Amalfi Coast standards). We managed to spend something approaching Eur100 on four cocktails in one bar (admittedly it had a sopectacular view). I wouln't bother going again.

We had a very nice meal at the Soul & Fish restaurant at the marina at Sorrento. Can't remember it being especially pricey or not but the fish was amazing; I seem to remember it was recommended by one of the staff at our hotel.