What is better than a sea bath on a hot summer day? Summer is an ideal time to enjoy the charms of Sorrento beaches (Italy), one of Campania’s most popular and beautiful coastal towns.

With a beautiful setting overlooking the Bay of Naples, easy access to the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia and only a short drive from the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is a great home base for exploring the region.

The beautiful Sorrento beaches (Italy), stunning views, old streets, and delicious food will steal your heart and they will offer you everything you need of an Italian getaway.

What makes Sorrento beaches (Italy) so unique is that the lidos and beach clubs are built on decks above the water.

The private beach clubs on the beach decks offer sunbeds and umbrellas for a cost of 15-20 euros per day and I highly suggest purchasing one if you plan on spending the whole day at the beach. It will be a very unique beach experience!

Here are the best Sorrento beaches, Italy

Marina Piccola Beach

Marina Piccola Beach (also known as the Beach of San Francesco): this little beach can be found next to Sorrento’s port, located right under the Villa Comunale.

The beach is made up of a strip of volcanic sand that has been transformed into a couple of beach clubs and a public beach. To rent a lounger and an umbrella will cost you at least 20 euros per person, per day. All the beach clubs have restaurants where you can eat and order drinks or snacks.

The loungers are exclusively on the water, on man-built piers that stretch into the sea. Catching the sunset or sunrise at this beach is highly recommended as it offers some of the most beautiful views and photo opportunities.

Marina Grande Beach

This is Sorrento’s second most popular beach. It is a small beach in the ancient fishermen’s village and also this one composed of volcanic sand.

The scene here is quintessential of the Amalfi Coast with bright blue waters and pastel-coloured houses on the cliffs overlooking the beach.

You’ll find two beach resorts here as well as a free public beach. Marina Grande is often considered the epicentre of the coast, and is a great starter beach for your trip.

You’ll be able to rent sun loungers and umbrellas and find plenty of restaurants for food and drinks. The whole area has a bit of a worldly feel, especially as the crowds of international tourists roll in.

Bath of Queen Giovanna

On the edge of town on the tip of Cape Sorrento is the “Bagni della Regina Giovanna” Baths of Queen Giovanna, a pool enclosed by cliffs with a rocky beach.

The Baths of the Regina Giovanna are a treasure trove of history, a place remained uncontaminated in the years that also host the remains of an ancient Roman villa, “Villa Pollio Felice”, which stood right on the promontory of the head of Sorrento.

After about twenty minutes you find yourself in front of a limestone cliff overlooking the sea, surrounded by the remains of the ancient villa.Through a staircase you reach a small lagoon, connected to the sea by a beautiful natural arch.

Sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling are among the top activities here, but we recommend you to wear sneakers for the walk/hike and to bring water. There are not any facilities or shade!

Nerano beach

When you ask an Italian from Sorrento where they go to enjoy a day on the beach, chances are that they will answer, “Marina del Cantone, near Nerano!”

This pretty bay on the south side of the peninsula has a large pebble beach, crystalline water, and a number of excellent restaurants serving the local speciality: “spaghetti alla Nerano”, made with zucchini and provolone del Monaco cheese.

Puolo beach

This is a hot spot for locals who want to visit the beach with their families. The beach is large, there is easy access, and the water here is quite shallow surrounding the shoreline. Puolo is actually divided into two distinct areas, the private beach and the public beach.

The free public beach includes the rocky shore area, Pignatella, as well as cafes, restaurants, and the ability to rent umbrellas and sun loungers. The private beach is owned by the Blumare Beach Club, so you’ll have access to their sundeck and amenities including food and drink. The water here is known as being extremely clean which is an added bonus.

Cala di Mitigliano beach

Adventurous beach-goers will love this wild and natural spot. It’s off-the-beaten-path too, and isn’t exactly easy to get to. You’ll need to follow the signs for Punta Campanella, take a dirt path to Cala Point, pay to get on the private path with your scooter, park it in the lower lot, and then take the walking trail to the beach.

The multi-step process to reach this spot is definitely worth it as this beach offers stunning views of Capri. It also boasts crystal clear water, impressive boulders, pebbles, and rocks. There aren’t any beach clubs, bathrooms, or cafes so make sure to bring a picnic lunch, plenty of water, and some snacks.

How to get there

By car
From Rome to Sorrento, it takes about 3 hours (245 km).
Take the motorway direction Naples, then follow direction Penisola Sorrentina, when you arrive in Castellammare (the exit after Pompei) follow always direction Sorrento. It might be more relaxing to come to the Sorrento area NOT BY CAR.

By train
From Rome, take the train Rome – Naples.
From the train station in Naples take the train (Circumvesuviana line) that runs frequently (approximately every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 22:30) from Naples to Sorrento. It takes about one hour, the cost is about € 3,50 per person.