Car Rental Sorrento

Overlooking the Bay of Naples, the beautiful town of Sorrento and the surrounding area is incredibly scenic, with dramatic cliffs, ancient ruins and centuries-old Calabrian fishing villages to admire out of the window.

The SS145 skirts the southern part of the city through to the west, providing access to the compact center. Note that a ZTL (Zona Trafico Limitato) is in place in Sorrento, restricting vehicular access to specific pockets of the city. Don’t be tempted to ignore the signs as you’re likely to land a fine.

However there are plenty of parking lots dotted around the center of town so you can leave your vehicle and explore. Parcheggio Vallone dei Mulini Chiomenzano, near the main square Piazza Tasso, has easy access to all the sights of the town.

Beyond Sorrento, there are plenty of attractions within the area. Take the E45 and SS145 to get to the lively city of Naples where you can sample delicious local pizza and see the charming historic quarter. The SS145 can also take you to Pompeii in under an hour, where you can discover haunting ruins of the ancient city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius thousands of years ago.

South from Sorrento, the SS163 cuts inland across the peninsula and leads directly to Positano, the beginning of the Amalfi Coast protected area. The narrow, winding SS163 offers one of the most scenic and spectacular drives in Italy, following the shoreline of the Amalfi Coast and running through idyllic towns perched on the cliff edges.

While in Italy, you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road. Highways here are known as autostrade, marked with an A, and they are largely tolled. The speed limit on these is 130 km/h (80 mph), which reduces down to 110 km/h (68 mph) on divided highways, 90 km/h (55 mph) on standard roads and 50 km/h (30 mph) in urban areas.

Sorrento’s laid-back vibes and close proximity to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast has made it a long-standing tourist favourite. That’s not to mention the charm of the town itself, where multi-colored villas cling to the cliff-side and snaking paths lead down to the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea below.

Get your bearings

Fall under the spell of charming Sorrento when you explore its historic center. A warren of cobbled backstreets, lined with shuttered pastel-hued houses and tiny stores, comprise the area. Wander along in the direction of Piazza Tasso which forms the heart of the city.

The leafy plaza is surrounded by pavement cafés, perfect for a quick cappuccino. The main shopping district is also located within the historic pocket of Sorrento. Stroll along and shop for luxurious chocolates, leather goods and lemon products which the city is famed for.

A short walk away you’ll find Sorrento’s baroque Duomo. Behind the 15^th century cathedral’s beautiful Romanesque façade you’ll find an ornate interior featuring local 17^th century artwork. From here head to nearby Chiostro San Francesco, a peaceful 14^th century monastery. Admire the serene courtyard in its center, decorated with vivid bougainvillea and surrounded by beautiful arched cloisters.

If you’ve worked up an appetite while shopping and sightseeing, enjoy a taste of local cuisine at Soul & Fish, an excellent seafood restaurant at Marina Grande, Sorrento’s harbor. Look out to the waters as you dine on fresh fish dishes, such as seared tuna with pistachio and saffron-tinged shrimp risotto.

Go for a swim

Sprawl out on a sun-lounger and while away the day at one of the swimming platforms in Sorrento jutting out into the turquoise waters. Leonelli’s is a popular spot, with wooden changing huts, deck chairs and terraces with stairs leading down to crystal clear shallows. Bagni Salvatore next door is another spot where you can soak up the sun and take a dip into the natural sea pool, all while enjoying views of archaeological ruins.

A mile’s drive from Sorrento will take you to Regina Giovanna, a slice of land at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Park up and follow a winding path through citrus and olive groves to one of Calabria’s best kept secrets. Lay a towel down on the large planar rocks and plunge into the glittering azure waters.

A scenic coastal drive

A stone’s throw from Sorrento you’ll find the Amalfi Coast, a stunning 30-mile stretch of UNESCO-protected coastline which begins at Positano and ends at Salerno. The craggy cliff-sides are punctuated by picture-perfect towns with the sea sparkling beautifully below.

Drive along the narrow, winding roads for stunning sea-views. Positano is one of the most jaw-dropping towns of the area – visit here to see the rainbow-colored houses cascade down the ragged cliff and enjoy a cone of delicious gelato on the beach.

Juxtapose this with a day trip to the famous Roman ruins of Pompeii. Take a trip back in time as you wander the archaeological site of this once thriving city. Embark on a guided tour and explore ruins of bath houses, mansions and libraries in a city that was covered in ash as Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, freezing Pompeii and its inhabitants in time for thousands of years.

Whether you’re here as part of an Italian road trip or a family vacation to the Amalfi Coast, rent a car in Sorrento to make the most of your time in this enchanting destination.