Best Amalfi Coast Tours from Sorrento

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. If you're based in Sorrento, here are the best excursions you can choose from to discover the Amalfi paradise.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

11 min read

Best Amalfi Coast Tours from Sorrento

Amalfi Coast | ©Richard Morte

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most visited destinations in Italy. Because of the beauty of its landscapes and beaches and its easy access from almost any city in southern Italy, it is a very popular destination for tourists. Taking Sorrento as a base to discover this area is one of the most common and most effective options, because it will not only allow you to stay close to Amalfi, Positano and Ravello but also to the islands of Capri and Ischia, two other paradisiacal places.

In addition to its proximity to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento has many activities to see and do and a rich historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage that will leave you in awe. If your intention is to discover the Amalfi towns, a base in Sorrento will make things easier for you and will also allow you to enjoy yourself without rushing, away from the urgencies and haste of other populous cities in the area such as Naples.

Boat trip to Amalfi, Ravello and Positano from Sorrento

By boat along the Amalfi Coast| ©Jason Harman
By boat along the Amalfi Coast| ©Jason Harman

A boat tour of the Amalfi Coast is one of the most common options. This type of excursion includes a visit to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, the three main towns accessible from the stunning Tyrrhenian Sea.

The tour also includes a trip to the Bay of Ieranto, the shores of the island of Li Galli and the towns of Nerano and Praiano.

On these tours you will visit Amalfi, its romantic landscapes and the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle. You will also visit the town of Ravello, with its Moorish villa of Rufolo and its balcony gardens overlooking the sea.

Ravello is one of the most picturesque destinations of the Amalfi Coast, for its colours and its flavours, as it owns one of the best gastronomies of the area.

The third destination on the Amalfi trails is Positano, which is known as the Pearl of the Coast. There you can lose yourself in its narrow streets, enjoy its local markets and colourful ceramics.

These tours usually end their tour of the Amalfi Coast in Positano and offer a boat ride back to the starting point.

These tours last approximately eight to ten hours and aim to make the most of the heat of the day. They are ideal excursions to admire the coasts of Sorrento and Amalfi and enjoy a boat trip.

If after this tour of the Amalfi Coast you feel like visiting other places, I recommend excursions to the island of Capri from Sorrento.

Interesting details

  • Price... These excursions start at approximately 65 euros.
  • Duration... These excursions last approximately eight to ten hours.
  • Means of transport... Bus from the meeting point to the pier and on to Amalfi, Positano and Ravello and boat to and from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast.

Book an excursion to the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast day bus tour from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast| ©Dave & Margie Hill
Amalfi Coast| ©Dave & Margie Hill

A bus tour from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast is ideal for getting to know the whole area.

These tours generally include hotel pick up and a drive along the Amalfi Coast which is considered one of the most beautiful tourist routes in the world and is chosen by many travellers to enjoy by car.

These excursions also include the assistance of an expert guide who will give you general information about the activities you can do at each of the three agreed stops.

In Positano, as the first destination, you will be able to explore the tangle of streets and alleys and the shops that display the colourful fashion of one of the most visited towns in Italy. The town centre, crowned by the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, is also worth a visit.

In Amalfi, the second stop, you can enjoy a town built overlooking the sea. From all its flower-filled gardens you can enjoy the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the colours of a city dominated by the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle.

Amalfi's past as a Maritime Republic is visible at every turn, especially in its picturesque harbour.

The last destination is Ravello, which is also an elegant town, full of gardens and luxurious villas, especially the Rufolo, and home to Italy's most important music festival.

The best Italian food is served in Piazza Vescovado and the Cathedral's majestic bell tower can be seen from its portal. These excursions usually end in Ravello and return by bus to Sorrento, where you can continue to enjoy the city.

Interesting details

  • Price... These tours start at approximately 75 euros, including the assistance of the local expert guide.
  • Duration... These tours last approximately eight hours.
  • Means of transport... Bus from the meeting point or hotel pick-up to each of the Amalfi Coast towns.

Book an excursion to the Amalfi Coast

Alternatives for getting to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento on your own

Driving a car| ©JESHOOTS.com
Driving a car| ©JESHOOTS.com

The Amalfi route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and it is common for many visitors to choose to tour the Amalfi Coast by car.

It is also possible to visit it by public transport. I'll tell you about the alternatives in these cases.

Driving along the Amalfi coast from Sorrento

After the organised excursions by bus or boat, touring the Amalfi Coast by car is the most popular option for visitors. The best alternative is to rent a car in Sorrento and start your journey along the SS163 road with stops in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.

The road is direct and has beautiful scenery. The advantage of this option is that you can do the route at your own pace and also visit other villages that are not usually included in the organised excursions.

In addition, from Ravello and for the return journey, you could opt for the SS145 route which is a little longer but includes a pass through Pompeii, where you can also make an excursion from Sorrento.

  • Price... Car hire in Sorrento starts from 70 euros per day.
  • Duration... The drive from Sorrento to Ravello takes about an hour and a half. The duration will depend on the time you spend at the stops in between.

Bus tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento

While touring the towns of the Amalfi Coast by bus may be the cheapest option, it can also be a bit of a hassle, especially given the frequency of buses.

From Sorrento you can reach Positano directly in about forty minutes on bus line 5070 or by combining lines 1 and 5070.

To reach Amalfi from Positano you will have to take bus 5070 again for a one hour journey and from Amalfi to Ravello it is possible to get there on bus line 5110 in about thirty minutes.

Useful information

  • Price... Bus tickets are around eight euros per leg.
  • Duration.... The total bus journey from Sorrento to Ravello takes about two hours. The duration will depend on the itinerary of the journey and the time you spend at the intermediate stops.
  • Means of transport... By bus on lines 5070 and 5110.

Book a trip from Sorrento to Pompeii

How to book an excursion to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento?

Booking online| ©Marek Levak
Booking online| ©Marek Levak

Bookings for any of the Sorrento tours, including those to the Amalfi Coast, can be made online or purchased directly when you are in town.

In high season, during the summer, tours along the Amalfi route are in high demand, so if you have an organised itinerary, I recommend that you make your reservations in advance.

The same advice applies to boat trips from Sorrento on the Tyrrhenian Sea and visits to the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri. Sorrento is a town that many tourists use as a base for exploring the Amalfi Coast and the islands.

Book a cruise to Capri from Sorrento

How long is a tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento?

On the Amalfi Coast| ©Martin Hesketh
On the Amalfi Coast| ©Martin Hesketh

The answer depends on the means of transport you use. Generally, boat trips along the Amalfi Coast or bus tours last approximately eight to ten hours. These excursions are designed to take a full day, with pick-up and drop-off at the starting point in Sorrento.

If you choose to travel on your own by bus or car, you should bear in mind that the time will depend on the intermediate stops you make. For reference, Ravello can be reached by car in an hour and a half and the bus takes approximately two hours.

If you only plan to stay for a few days in the city, I recommend that you opt for an organised excursion or plan a precise itinerary if you decide to explore the Amalfi Coast on your own.

To help you, here are the activities you can see and do in Sorrento in three days click here.

What am I going to see on this kind of Amalfi Coast tours from Sorrento?

Li Galli Islands| ©Gianfranco Vitolo
Li Galli Islands| ©Gianfranco Vitolo

The Amalfi Coast excursions are designed to give you an overview of the main towns in the area and also to let you discover some of the secrets of one of the most beautiful places in Italy and the world.

On the boat trips you will be able to explore the Tyrrhenian Sea, its crystal clear and warm waters and the paradisiacal islands of Li Galli, which lie off the coast.

You will also visit Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, which is an eclectic town with a wide range of tourist attractions and some of the best gastronomy in Italy.

On the bus tours you won't be able to see the Amalfi Coast from the Tyrrhenian Sea but you will be driven along one of the most beautiful routes in the world and you will enjoy the three most visited towns on the Amalfi Coast just as much.

If you book a bus tour and want to see the Tyrrhenian Sea from the water, you can opt for a boat trip on another day.

Book a boat trip from Sorrento

Tips for a trip to the Amalfi Coast

Sunset in Amalfi| ©Giuseppe Milo
Sunset in Amalfi| ©Giuseppe Milo

The towns of the Amalfi Coast live at their own pace, so it's best to explore them at your own pace and discover them at your own pace. Ravello is a town of tangled streets that has a lot to offer and I recommend that you allow yourself to lose yourself in its streets and get to know it in all its colours and flavours.

Amalfi and Positano have their cathedrals and parish churches and beautiful local markets. Excursions along the Amalfi Coast are generally designed so that the visitor can take the time to get to know the corners of each place in detail, so relax and try to enjoy them!

How much does a tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento cost?

Money in Euros| ©Pixabay
Money in Euros| ©Pixabay

The answer depends on the tour you choose and the means of transport. By bus excursions start from around 75 Euros and by boat tours are available from 65 Euros. These prices usually include stops in the main towns along the Amalfi Coast, but not meals.

If you travel on your own by public transport bus, the price can be significantly lower, although you should be aware that it can be a tiring and complicated journey to organise. The cost of each bus ticket per leg is around eight euros.

If you go by car, the cost will depend on the price of car hire, but you can find some from around 70 euros per day. In any case, if you are travelling along the Amalfi Coast by car, enjoy the ride but keep your eyes on the road, as it is a somewhat winding route.

What are the must-see villages on the Amalfi Coast?

Positano, Amalfi Coast| ©pululante
Positano, Amalfi Coast| ©pululante

There are many villages to visit on the way from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast. You can discover different attractions and breathe the air of each town. All have unmissable landscapes, enchanted alleyways and unparalleled views.

The main ones, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, are not to be missed. Here are the details of what you can find in each of them.

  • Positano: It is a village of narrow and steep streets, built on a cliff that gives it the best views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its attractions include the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, the local market and its characteristic colourful ceramics. It is considered the Pearl of the Amalfi Coast.

  • Amalfi: If you arrive by road from Positano you will be able to enjoy one of the sections of the Path of the Gods, which according to mythology is the path followed by the divinities to save Ulysses. In Amalfi you will enjoy its flower-filled gardens and the colours of the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle. Its picturesque harbour harks back to the city's days as a Maritime Republic.

  • Ravello: Its luxurious Arab villas, including Rufolo, are arranged like balconies overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is also characterised by the elegance of its buildings and the narrow alleys in which I recommend that you let yourself be carried away to discover the entrails of this historic town. It is the seat of the biggest music festival in Italy.

Why should you take a trip to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento?

View of Ravello| ©Fabrizio Pivari
View of Ravello| ©Fabrizio Pivari

If you're in Sorrento then you're probably planning to tour the Amalfi Coast, but if you're not then I recommend you do it.

The Amalfi Coast has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and the Amalfi Roads route is considered one of the most beautiful, chosen every year by millions of visitors who travel along it on organised excursions or in rented cars.

You can't miss the breathtaking views of Ravello, the colours of Positano and the opulence of Amalfi as a Maritime Republic. In any case, you won't be the same after visiting these spectacular sights overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting the Amalfi Coast on my own?

Getting to know the Amalfi Coast| ©Francisco Anzola
Getting to know the Amalfi Coast| ©Francisco Anzola

The Amalfi Coast has many villages to explore and is somewhat inconvenient to access by public transport. It is impossible to get there by train and by bus the adventure can be cheap but cumbersome.

If you also take a boat trip, you can discover the beauty of the coast from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The assistance of an expert local guide can also be essential to discover each destination.

Travelling by car can also be an interesting experience and millions of visitors choose this option every year. In this case you just need to be attentive to the road and organise a suitable itinerary so as not to miss any detail.