Italy's sunkissed southwest coast is one of the most popular European destinations for honeymoons and mini moons, and for a very good reason. The rugged, cliffside towns of the country that is synonymous with la dolce vita and amore, tick many boxes for couples who want to kick back after the crazy whirlwind of a wedding. Of all of these tourist hotspots on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is a gem, as it makes for a super single destination mini moon or a multi-destination honeymoon. Travel to Sorrento is a cinch, it's steeped in history and culture, blessed with great food and weather, not to mention the breathtaking views over the Bay of Naples. So stay and play in Sorrento for a few days, then use it as your base for day-long ferry trips to the islands of Capri or Ischia, or move on by bus, train or car to explore the rest of the Amalfi Coast, spending time in picture-perfect towns like Positano and Amalfi. Here, we bring you the best travel tips and recommendations for the most belissimo spots to stay, eat, drink and visit on your honeymoon or mini moon in Sorrento.
What to Know About Sorrento
As Sorrento hugs some pretty vertiginous cliffs, the town is quite hilly (flat shoes or wedges highly recommended!) but it does boast dramatic views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius from almost every angle as a result. The atmosphere here is buzzing but not boisturous, even on the restauarant-lined main square, Piazzo Tasso, making it perfect for a relaxing break. Don't be afraid to just wander by day, as there are historic buildings at every turn. The beautiful 14th-century cloisters of the Church of San Francesco, a popular wedding venue, hosts temporary art exhibits, or visit the popular sunset spot at the large public park, Villa Comunale Park. In terms of beach life, there is only a small public volcanic sand beach, but space is at a premium, so a hotel with a pool or 'private beach' deck is a must. More on that below.
Where to Stay
For your honeymoon you'll want the five-star experience, and it doesn't come much grander in Sorrento than the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori. Nestled in a cliff, seaside rooms have a view that's like something out of a Federico Fellini movie. The hotel's most distinguishing feature, apart from the top class service, is the gorgeous sun deck which serves as a 'private beach' for guests. Many hotels in the town have these but this one is particularly special. To reach it you have to take the lift from the hotel down to deck level, through the cliff face, emerging out of the cavernous walkway into paradise. Grab a lounger and an Aperol spritz and watch the boats go by. Back at ground level, the grounds and terrace in the hotel are lavish, with a pool area for relaxing and enjoying live music, and a terrace bar where you watch the sunset with a drink. The food at the hotel is also top notch, whether it's the delicious fresh breakfast at Le Muse Restaurant, with its floor-to celing windows overlooking Sorrento Bay, or a romantic meal on the terrace of the Restaurant Ambassador with its killer views.
Where to Eat
For the best meal in Sorrento, we aren't going to send you to any new eateries, in fact, quite the opposite, these three restaurants are established favourites, that celebrate traditional Sorrento cuisine in their own way. Top of ythe list is the oldest trattoria in town, Ristorante Antica Trattoria. Under the vine covered pergola and twinkling lights, with the strains of a wandering musician serenading your, you'll feel transported to another time. Aldo, the owner, is the third generation in his family to run the trattoria, and he has built on the traditional Sorrento dishes and family secret recipes, imbibing them with sophisticated, modern touches. The perfecy host, he personally chats to his guests, and will even allow you to split the starter and pasta courses on the four-course menu into halves, so it becomes a delectable six-course tasting menu. You will dream of the creamy shrimp linguine served in a hollowed out Sorrento lemon when you're home.
Next up, hidden just off the Piazza Tasso, is Ristorante O' Parrucchiano La Favorita. Housed in a beautiful two-storey conservatory which spills out into kitchen gardens and a grove laden with fruit and vegetables, this spot gives new meaning to 'farm to fork'. The simple tomato salad will have you asking the waiter what their secret ingredient is (*spoiler, it's that everything is grown on site), and the clam pasta is so moreish. This spot is popular with everyone from couples in cosy corners in the lemon garden to larger groups in the impressice veranda hall. We recommend a stroll around the gardens afterwards, where you can sit with a drink.
One tempting reason to get out of the town centre for an evening and wander down to the Marina Grande, is Ristorante Bagni Delfino. Known for serving the best seafood in town, the setting is pretty spectacular too. Sitting on the water, the deck stretches right out over the water, so you can catch a cool breeze while enjoying the panoramic view of Mount Vesuvius and the twinkling lights of the harbour. Even a simple grilled fish dish is a taste sensation. Walk off your meal, by winding your way back up through cobbled streets, stopping here and there for a drink in one of the streetside tavernas.
Fancy a Drink?
Of course you do, you're on your honeymoon and it's most likely very, very hot. During the day, stop off at I Giardini Di Cataldo to enjoy a limoncello. This family-owned business is devoted to the production of liqueurs and gelato ice cream using artisanal techniques, all made from the Sorrento lemons it grows in its grove. These lemon trees form a natural canopy over the terrace where you can chill out with a frozen limoncello or ice cream. This is the place to buy limoncello if you plan on bringing a bottle home. For sundowners, La Colonna Sunset Bar, part of the Hotel Lorelei Londres, is where you'll want to bask in golden hour. It's cool and chic, with good tunes, and one of the best seats in town to watch the sunset. Make sure to get there early, or book a table in advance, as seats fill up fast!
Romantic Moment
A great way to get to know any town is to walk it, and to motivate you to pop on your strolling shoes, we're going to let you in on a very special secret at the edge of Sorrento town. After about 35-40 minutes on foot, you'll come to the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, and within its centre is a natural hidden cove, known as Bagni Regina Giovanna, that will provide the dreamiest moments of your trip. Picking your way down the path, taking in the sea views, you'll spot the natural arch in the rocks where cool, clear water floods in to form a dipping pool. There are spots to sunbathe and enjoy a picnic, but go early to avoid the crowds and the hottest part of the day - you'll have the place to yourselves.
Day Tripping
As we said, Sorrento is a great base for further exploring. It's well connected to Naples and the rest of the Amalfi Coast by bus and train, as well as by sea. In summer months there are daily departures from the port to Naples, Capri, Ischia and Amalfi, and to Procida three days a week. If you're both history buffs, then your Sorrento mini moon wouldn't be complete without a visit to some historical bucketlist sites. The ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum are the perfect half-day trip, while you can also hike up to Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that caused all the trouble centuries ago, to peer into its main crater.
Getting There
June to August are the busiest times in Sorrento, with July being the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 29 degrees a day. However, unlike Capri and the rest of the Amalfi coast which are very quiet in low season, people visit Sorrento all year round. Naples Airport is the most convenient airport to fly to, but it's also within easy acess of Rome and Florence airports too. If you are flying to Naples, a direct shuttle bus runs from the airport to Sorrento in 75 minutes (€10 each way), or take the high speed Campania Express train that connects Sorrento to Naples (€8 each way).
For more handy honeymoon info read our Ultimate Honeymoon Packing Checklist or listen to our Honeymoon Q&A Special on the One Fab Day podcast. See more dreamy images in the gallery below!
