Plan my holiday in Sorrento

[SorrentoLemon]

Hello, I'm going to Sorrento mid October for a week with my partner and would love some recommendations from people of what to do in the town, excursions, local travel advice etc. We're both young and fairly fit.

We want to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius but that's about as far as we've got in planning!

Any cost effective trips and things to do would also be appreciated, but I know its a rather expensive destination.

Herculaneum is well worth a visit, it's smaller than Pompeii & IMO more interesting.
We didn't fancy driving, so went on organised coach tours including Amalfi coast & Capri, but I'm sure someone will give details about trains.

Pompei is a must, Vesuvius, Herculaneum. We weren't mad on Capri, preferred Amalfi. I liked Naples but it's marmite! Also went to Salerno.

Following as we want to do this trip also

Pompeii and Herculaneum are very easy to get to on the local train.
You can use local buses to go along the Amalfi coast. Pretty sure the ferry to capri is also easy, and you can explore the island on foot.
The other place we loved was Paestum. The first time we visited Sorrento we went on an organised coach tour but the second time was an Easter and they weren't running yet. So we got the local train to Pompeii Scavo then walked across the town to the mainline station. At the other end it was a very pleasant walk to the archaeological site and museum.

The Circumvesuviana runs frequently and cheaply between Sorrento and Naples. It stops at Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Keep a close eye on your belongings on the train.
We got a local bus up to Vesuvius to walk to the summit, but we got it from Naples.

If you get motion sickness I would recommend hiring a car and driving because coaches on the Amalfi coast can make you feel awful.

A small trip away would take you to Amalfi and Atrani. They are lovely but you anre tail end of the season so don’t expect everything to be open. Ravello is stunning. Also within a reasonable distance is Positano which is lovely.

Definitely do Capri, it’s beautiful though pricey.

My main advice would be to make sure that you take layers of clothes! It can be lovely and warm, but also quite cool in the evenings or if it’s clouded over.

The train & bus station are next to each other in Sorrento.
You can get the train to Pompeii, Herculaneum & Naples. It's easy & quite quick - takes about an hour to Naples.
The local buses (Sita) run down the coast to Positano, Priano & Amalfi. You then have to change & can get the bus to Ravello, Atrani, Minori, Miaroi & even as far as Paestum.
The bus is an experience! The narrow hairpin bends on the cliffs are terrifying & spectacular.
From Sorrento you can also get the ferry down the coast & boats across to Capri.
There is a lovely little underground Roman villa in Minori. Ravello is stunning - views from the Inifinity Balcony are breathtaking.
There are some fab restaurants; hot chocolate in Amalfi at Prano's; an award winning bakery in Minori (Riso).

Preferred Herculaneum to Pompeii. Loved Naples, the Spanish Quarter and the Underground tour. Ischia and Procida are alternatives to Capri. There's a FB group for Sorrento which has tonnes of info.

Agreed Herculaneum was better than Pompeii. Driving the coastal road the scenery is breathtaking and you have the freedom to stop off where you please.
Positano is beautiful but ravello was my favourite.

Yes, to Herculaneum, but do Pompeii too.
We hated Naples, but lots love it.
I loved Capri DH not so much.
Go further along the coast. We were there because my cousin was getting married in Positano, it's lovely.
Sorrento was touristy and dull, in my opinion

If you're divers, a visit to Baia is a must, on the Circumvesuviana, they do diving trips out to it, just off the shoreline

Thank you all so much! I'll be joining the FB group and take a look through it.

We do drive, but quite a few people said the coast is not for the faint of heart, so I don't think we'll risk that, but we will certainly look at buses and trains, etc.

Can anyone recommend a dinner cruise? It's something I've always wanted to do and seems like the perfect place to try it.

I would agree - DON'T drive! Someone in our hotel asked what the rules of the road are - to be told 'there are no rules.' 😬

Capri was fab, but I needed motion sickness tablets for the crossing . Once on Capri its worth getting right to the top on the chair lift.