Where to Stay on The Amalfi Coast: 7 Reasons To Choose Sorrento

Published: April 21, 2025

If you’re planning a trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to stay. With its dramatic cliffs, charming villages and sweeping Mediterranean views, every town has its own appeal–but Sorrento stands out as the perfect home base for your Amalfi Coast stay. Sorrento gives you the best of both worlds—proximity to the Amalfi Coast’s top sights without the stress or sky-high prices. Here’s why Sorrento might just be the smartest (and most scenic) place to stay.

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#1 The Perfect Home Base For Day Trips

Sorrento’s location is ideal for exploring everything the region has to offer, making it the perfect home base for day trips to explore the Amalfi Coast. Want to wander the ancient ruins of Pompeii? It’s just 30 minutes away. Dreaming of a day on the glamorous island of Capri? Sorrento is the closest town to Capri, just a 25 minute ferry ride with boats departing throughout the day. Planning to visit the colorful villages of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello? Whether by bus, boat, or car, Sorrento offers the easiest access to all of them–without having to haul your luggage up endless stairs or down narrow alleyways.

#2 Most Tours Depart From Sorrento

If you’re booking tours or excursions (which you absolutely should), you’ll quickly notice that most of them begin in Sorrento. This means more options, more flexibility, and less hassle when it comes to pickup points and meeting spots–no need to trek to another town to start your adventure.

There are several tours to choose from, including wine and food tours, boat tours to Capri and bus or boat tours of the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento also offers tours to Pompeii.

#3 It’s Mostly Flat (And Yes, That’s a Big Deal!)

One of Sorrento’s biggest advantages over places like Positano and Amalfi is its walkability. The town is mostly flat, making it ideal for travelers who don’t want to climb steep staircases or deal with constant inclines. Even better, the Sorrento Lift is a public elevator that conveniently connects the beach and marinas to the upper main part of town, allowing you to bypass hundreds of stairs after a long day in the sun. The elevator costs 2 euros roundtrip.

#4 Less Crowded, More Relaxed

While Positano and Amalfi are stunning, they can feel a bit crowded and overwhelming–especially in peak season. Sorrento is generally less crowded, with a more relaxed vibe. It’s big enough to offer plenty of restaurants, shops and activities, yet small enough to maintain a charming laid-back atmosphere. You’ll find it much easier to get a dinner reservation or a spot on the beach.

#5 More Budget Friendly

If you’re looking for a luxurious experience without breaking the bank, Sorrento is a great choice. Accommodations, dining, and transportation tend to be more affordable here compared to the ultra-trendy (and pricey) towns like Positano. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or just want to get more value for your euro, Sorrento offers plenty of great options.

#6 Close to Naples Airport & Train Station

When it comes to getting in and out of the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento wins on convenience. It’s just about 45 minutes from Naples International Airport and Napoli Centrale train station, making your arrival and departure much smoother than navigating the winding roads further down the coast. Whether you’re coming by car, train, or ferry, Sorrento is hands-down the easiest and most connected place to start your trip.

#7 Piazza Tasso: The Heart of It All

Sorrento’s charming Piazza Tasso is the vibrant main square of the town. Surrounded by cozy cafes, boutique shops and traditional Italian restaurants, it’s the perfect place to grab a gelato, sip an espresso, or do some people-watching. In the evening, the Piazza comes alive with music. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing–and a reminder of why you chose to stay in Sorrento. Check out my post on the Best Restaurants in Sorrento.

#8 Bonus: Sorrento Has Better Sunsets

While Positano and Amalfi offer beautiful scenery, they face south, not west–which means you won’t get a direct sunset over the water. Instead, the sunset in Positano and Amalfi dips behind the cliffs, casting a soft glow off to the side. Sorrento, on the other hand, faces west across the Bay of Naples, offering unobstructed, panoramic sunset views with the sun dipping directly down into the sea. Add in the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius on the horizon and it’s easy to see why sunset in Sorrento is truly the best.

Hotels & Vacation Rentals in Sorrento

The hotels in Sorrento fall between two categories, depending on your preference.

Water View Hotels

There are water view hotels, which are perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples. These hotels have stunning views from their rooms and restaurants and some have swimming pools.

Check out these Water View Hotels in Sorrento:

Hotel Mediterraneo

Grand Hotel Riviera

Hotel Plaza Sorrento

Grand Hotel President

Hilton Sorrento Palace

Piazza Tasso Hotels

The main square in Sorrento–the Piazza Tasso, consists of hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars, all within walking distance of each other. There are several hotels located in the heart of the Piazza, where you are staying literally within steps of most of the best restaurants and bars in Sorrento.

Check out these Piazza Tasso Hotels:

Antica Dimora Magi

Palazzo Jannuzzi Relais

Grand Hotel La Favorita

Vacation Homes in Sorrento

For families or groups looking for more space, check out these vacation rental homes in Sorrento:

2 Bedroom Apartment in Piazza Tasso

3 Bedroom Apartment with Swimming Pool

Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Capri are must-visits on your Amalfi Coast vacation, but those towns are better for day trips. Sorrento is the absolute perfect home-base and the best place to stay when visiting the Amalfi Coast. Be sure to check out my Amalfi Coast Itinerary post for recommendations on how to spend 5 fabulous days on the Amalfi Coast.

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@postcardsfromcarrie # Reasons to stay in Sorrento when visiting the Amalfi Coast of Italy ✨ 1. It is much less crowded than Positano or Amalfi ✨ 2. It is mostly flat. No need to climb hundreds of stairs every day. ✨ 3. Easy to get to other Amalfi Coast towns. Most of the boat and car tours leave from Sorrento. ✨ 4. The island of Capri is only a 25 minute ferry ride from Sorrento. ✨ 5. The Piazzo Tasso-the main square in Sorrento-is full of hundreds of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance of your stay. ✨ And bonus… Sorrento is only 30 miles from the Naples airport. You can get from Naples to Sorrento by water taxi, train, bus or car. Have you stayed in Sorrento? Do you agree? ✨ Follow for more ⬇️ ✨ #sorrento #amalficoastitaly #italy #italy🇮🇹 #sorrentoitaly🇮🇹 #amalficoast #travel #traveltiktok #traveltips #italytravel #exploreitaly #italytravel #sorrentocoast ♬ original sound - Postcards From Carrie | Travel