Free things to do · Sorrento · Italy
14 free things to do in Sorrento
Sorrento without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mentnafunangann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 5 days in Sorrento without paying an entry fee: Piazza Tasso, Vallone dei Mulini, Villa Comunale and Cloister of San Francesco are all free. Use the Circumvesuviana and SITA buses instead of private transfers; the savings are large.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 14
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
1.Piazza Tasso
Take an evening coffee or gelato here around 9pm, when locals come out for the passeggiata along Corso Italia.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
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Nature · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
2.Vallone dei Mulini
Look from the viewpoint on Via Fuorimura, a minute's walk from Piazza Tasso.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- History
Viewpoint · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
3.Villa Comunale
Come at sunset, then take the lift down to the port for a seafront walk.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Religious site · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
4.Cloister of San Francesco
Visit in the morning before weddings and events, when the cloister is often quiet.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
Religious site · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
5.Sorrento Cathedral
Look closely at the inlaid-wood choir stalls and stations of the cross, a good introduction to Sorrento's intarsia tradition.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Marina Grande
6.Marina Grande
Walk down for a seafood lunch, then swim from one of the bathing platforms.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Via Capo
7.Bagni della Regina Giovanna
Bring water shoes and food; there are no facilities and the rocks are uneven.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Historic site · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
8.Sedile Dominova
It sits on Via San Cesareo, so combine it with a stroll down the lane.
- Time needed
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Street · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
9.Via San Cesareo
Many shops offer limoncello tastings; compare a few before buying.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Religious site · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
10.Basilica of Sant'Antonino
Visit on 14 February to see the saint's feast-day procession.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Kids
Nature · Massa Lubrense
11.Punta Campanella
Start early in summer; the trail has almost no shade and the return is uphill.
- Time needed
- 2.5 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Massa Lubrense
12.Baia di Ieranto
Allow about an hour each way from Nerano and carry plenty of water.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Massa Lubrense
13.Marina del Cantone
Reach it by local bus via Sant'Agata or by boat; parking fills up fast on summer weekends.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Food
- Kids
- Free
Viewpoint · Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi
14.Il Deserto viewpoint, Sant'Agata
Walk up from Sant'Agata's main square, about 20 minutes uphill, on a clear morning.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro storico and Piazza Tasso | Piazza Tasso, Vallone dei Mulini, Villa Comunale, Cloister of San Francesco, Sorrento Cathedral, Sedile Dominova, Via San Cesareo and Basilica of Sant'Antonino | 30 minutes + 15 minutes + 30 minutes + 20 minutes + 30 minutes + 10 minutes + 1 hour + 20 minutes |
| Marina Grande | Marina Grande | 2 hours |
| Via Capo | Bagni della Regina Giovanna | 2–3 hours |
| Massa Lubrense | Punta Campanella, Baia di Ieranto and Marina del Cantone | 2.5 hours return + 3 hours + Half a day |
| Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi | Il Deserto viewpoint, Sant'Agata | 1.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Marina Piccola and the port
Museo Correale di Terranova
Save it for a hot afternoon or a rainy day, and finish at the garden belvedere.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
Museum · Centro storico and Piazza Tasso
Museobottega della Tarsia Lignea
Visit before buying inlaid-wood souvenirs so you can recognise quality work.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Use the Circumvesuviana and SITA buses instead of private transfers; the savings are large.
- Swim at the free sections of Marina Grande or at the Bagni della Regina Giovanna instead of paying for a beach club.
- Eat at pizzerias and trattorias a street back from Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia.
- Stay in Sant'Agnello or Massa Lubrense for lower rates while staying close to Sorrento.
- Visit in May or late September for good weather at lower prices than in July and August.
- Pompeii and other state museums usually offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, though crowds are heavy.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Sorrento expensive to visit?
Sorrento is moderately priced for most visitors, but 14 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Sorrento?
Piazza Tasso: Take an evening coffee or gelato here around 9pm, when locals come out for the passeggiata along Corso Italia.