My friends and I spent 4 days in Sorrento near the Amalfi Coast and this is how we did the most!
Trip at a Glance
Duration: 4 days
Base: Sorrento
Day trips: Positano + Capri
Vibe: Relaxed coastal base with a mix of exploring, beach days, and excursions
Arrival in Naples + Staying in Sorrento
We arrived in Naples, Italy in the morning and took a cab to our Airbnb in Sorrento. We chose an Airbnb that fit right in with our budget while still giving us insane views and a true Italy experience.
Our home sat on the cliffs that overlooked the islands in the Gulf of Naples. We woke up to beautiful sunrises and were able to watch boats cross from Positano to Sorrento.
Our Airbnb also included a small pool, which was perfect to relax by after our morning travels. We spent that first day relaxing and walking to a nearby market to grab some groceries. We met a small local dog along the way, and he walked all the way to the market and back with us. It was the sweetest thing!
Day 2: Positano Day Trip
On our second day, we made our way down the Amalfi Coast to Positano. This was about a 30-minute taxi drive from our Airbnb. The drive was windy but had incredible views all along the coast.
We arrived in Positano and immediately found a restaurant to sit down and eat breakfast. After breakfast, we made our way through the streets down to the beach. The streets are very walkable, and we found some hidden staircases through alleyways that helped us reach the beach a little quicker.
The beach was a bit rocky (I would suggest investing in some sort of water shoes if you plan to spend some time there). We went the more cost-efficient route and laid our towels out on the rocky beach instead of renting beach chairs. It was pretty busy, but starting our day early allowed us to get a nice spot before the crowds started rolling in.
After tanning and swimming for a while, we decided to shop around. As we walked through the streets near the beach, there were so many cute shops to stop at. We got lemon gelato, which was super refreshing, and spent the rest of our morning exploring Positano.
Since Positano was just a day trip for us, we explored the streets rather than doing any hikes. If we would have stayed in Positano, we definitely would have done more hiking and exploring above the city.
Cooking Class in Sorrento
We made our way back to Sorrento and decided to take a cooking class. This was one of my favorite things we did. We made a few types of pasta and also made tiramisu.
The main chef was so much fun and made the experience one to remember.
Day 3: Capri Island
Day three was spent in Capri! We caught the first ferry out of Sorrento and the entire boat ride took no longer than 30 minutes.
We booked a paddle board excursion that was on the other side of the island, but instead of taking a cab, we decided to walk it. This was one of the coolest walks I’ve done.
The island of Capri has tunnel-like sidewalks that take you all the way across the island. We rarely had to watch out for cars because of these beautiful walkways. The walk only took about 20 minutes and we were met with incredibly blue waters and a lot of fun excursion-type activities. There were so many restaurants and beach club areas.
Our paddle boarding excursion took off from Da Gioia Beach and we went right along the island coast through various caves. We even got to go in the Mermaid Cave (iykyk)!
After paddle boarding, we spent some time on the beach, got some lunch, jumped off rocks, and relaxed for a bit.
We started walking back towards the other side of the island and stopped at different shops. We of course got some gelato and boarded our boat when it was time to go back to Sorrento.
Day 4: Sorrento + Departure
Day four started slow at our Airbnb. We got a last little bit of pool time and packed up our luggage.
We went to downtown Sorrento and spent some time walking through the shops there.
We took a train from Sorrento to Rome, which took less than 3 hours!
Where to Stay
Sorrento is the perfect home base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. It’s easier to navigate than staying directly in Positano, more budget-friendly, and has great access to ferries, trains, and day trips.
We loved staying somewhere with a view, so if possible, I would recommend finding an Airbnb or hotel on the cliffs overlooking the water.
Budget Tips
- Stay in Sorrento instead of Positano for better pricing
- Use day trips instead of switching hotels
- Skip beach chairs and bring towels to save money
- Walk when possible (especially in Capri)
- Book activities like cooking classes or boat tours in advance for better pricing
Final Thoughts
This was one of the most beautiful and easy trips to plan because of Sorrento as a base. Every day felt different, from coastal drives to beach clubs to island exploring.
If you’re planning the Amalfi Coast, I would 100% recommend this type of itinerary if you want a mix of relaxation and adventure without constantly moving hotels.
Scenic Stay Guide 
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