One week in Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast || Staying in Sorrento to explore the Amalfi Coast

After a day in Naples, we headed to Sorrento for six days. We picked Sorrento as our base to explore the Amalfi Coast, though technically not on the Amalfi coast, it is very well connected by bus and train to other towns.

So glad we picked Sorrento - it was the perfect place to make day trips to other parts of the Amalfi Coast. I was sort of expecting a touristy, slightly trashy vacation spot but actually it was such a pretty little town with a charm of its own despite being filled with tons of tourists. We enjoyed wandering around the small grid of street that make up its old town in the evenings. I think the only downside was that Sorrento doesn't really have a good beach. There are few sandy strips but it's better if you make a trip out of Sorrento to visit a good beach.

We stayed at Casa Astarita which has received rave reviews in practically every guidebook. Location wise it was brilliant, right on the main street of Corso Italia and the rooms are perfectly adequate but after the warm reception we had in Naples atSpaccanapoli, I found the welcome at Casa Astarita a bit lacking – the reception was practically never staffed. The breakfast rather minimal and bland save for the incredulous looking pie made of nutella; whose novelty soon wore off after being served every morning. So if you’re looking for good location and more of service apartment type atmosphere, Casa Astarita would work for you.

View from our room overlooking the main street 

Oh and right next to Casa Astarita, is a café called Bougainvillea which serves the best Gelato in Sorrento. Trust me, I would know – we tried every Gelato place in town and it had the widest range of creamiest indulgent gelatos and fresh fruit sorbets. I’d also recommend going down to Marina Grande  – it’s a bit secluded walk in the evenings but there are some nice restaurants along the beach that serve fresh seafood.


Coming up next: Visiting the alluring island of Capri