A Guide to the Top 5 Sorrento Adventure Tours

So, you’ve picked Sorrento as your Italian getaway, and frankly, that’s a brilliant choice. It’s almost perched perfectly, like a balcony over the Bay of Naples, with Vesuvius just sort of hanging out in the distance. The thing is that many people see it just as a pretty town, a place for leisurely strolls and sipping limoncello, you know. Yet, it’s actually a launchpad for some pretty incredible outdoor action. As a matter of fact, you could say the real magic happens when you push just a little beyond the cobblestone streets. Anyway, this is about finding those experiences that give you a different view of the Amalfi Coast, one that gets your heart pumping a bit. We’re going to look at five activities that are, honestly, completely unforgettable.

1. Kayaking the Coast to Queen Giovanna’s Baths

Okay, so first up is getting out on the water, but in a way that feels really personal and up-close. You can see the cliffs of Sorrento from a ferry, of course, but gliding along their base in a kayak is just a totally different feeling. Anyway, your arms start to work, and you sort of find a rhythm with the gentle swell of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The guides, who are typically super friendly local folks, often have some great stories to tell about the coastline. Honestly, paddling past old Roman ruins and secret coves feels a bit like you’re discovering a hidden part of history. It’s almost as if the big tour boats can’t even get to these spots, so you have them more or less to yourself.

Well, the real prize of this trip is, of course, arriving at the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. To be honest, it’s basically this secret, natural swimming pool inside a rocky arch, and the water inside glows a really incredible shade of emerald. You actually have to duck your head a little to paddle through the small stone archway to get in. In that case, once you’re inside, the whole world seems to quiet down; it’s just you, your kayak, and this frankly stunning little lagoon that was, apparently, a queen’s private pool centuries ago. Seriously, taking a dip in that secluded spot is something that will probably stick with you for a very, very long time. It tends to be a perfect mix of physical effort and a really cool reward.

I mean, our guide, Marco, was so great; he pointed out this tiny waterfall we would have totally missed on our own. He said it only flows after it rains, so we felt pretty lucky to see it, you know.

Read our full review: Sorrento Kayaking Tours Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book a Sorrento Kayak Trip)

2. Hiking the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)

Alright, so this next one is literally legendary, and for a good reason. The Path of the Gods is, like, *the* iconic Amalfi Coast hike. To be honest, the name isn’t just for show; the views you get are so expansive and so breathtaking that you kind of feel like you’re walking in the sky. Anyway, you typically start high up in the hills, in a little town like Bomerano, and make your way along a clifftop path. You are walking high above the sea, with tiny boats looking like toys below and the island of Capri seemingly floating out on the horizon. The path itself is fairly well-maintained, but it’s still a real hike with some rocky bits and a few ups and downs.

As you walk, you know, the scenery just keeps changing in a really subtle way. First, you might be passing by a local farmer and his goats, and then you’re surrounded by wild rosemary and oregano, and the air just smells amazing. Clearly, the path eventually starts its descent toward Nocelle, a tiny hamlet that is pretty much free of cars, and then continues all the way down to Positano. In my opinion, coming down those hundreds of steps into the famous pastel-colored town is a seriously rewarding finish. By the way, your legs will feel it, but every single picture you take will look like a postcard. It’s a bit of a workout, but at the end of the day, completely worth it.

Read our full review: Path of the Gods Hike Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book a Guided Path of the Gods Hike)

3. A Small-Group Gozzo Boat Trip to Capri

As a matter of fact, going to Capri is on almost everyone’s list, but the way you get there can honestly change the whole experience. Instead of the big, crowded ferry, you might want to find a tour on a traditional ‘gozzo’ boat. Well, these are beautiful wooden boats, you know, the kind you see bobbing in the marinas, and they usually take a very small group, like eight to twelve people. Right away, it just feels more special and a lot more relaxed. The captain often doubles as your guide, and as you leave the Sorrento port, you really feel the sea spray on your face. The trip across the bay becomes part of the adventure, not just a means of transport.

Now, this kind of trip is pretty much all about discovering the coastline of Capri from the water. You will, of course, cruise right up to the famous Faraglioni rocks, those three giant sea stacks that are basically the symbol of the island. Most trips, you know, give you a chance to swim and snorkel in quiet coves that are just totally inaccessible from land. Sometimes, they’ll pass you a glass of Prosecco and some snacks while you’re anchored in a gorgeous little bay. Honestly, this is what the Italian ‘dolce vita’ feels like. You’ll likely also get a few hours of free time to explore Capri town itself, but the best part is arguably seeing the island’s grottos and rugged cliffs from the deck of your own boat for the day.

Read our full review: Capri Gozzo Boat Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Capri Gozzo Boat Trip)

4. Riding a Vintage Fiat 500 on the Amalfi Coast

So, you’ve seen it in old movies, right? A tiny, charming Italian car zipping along a winding coastal road with just incredible views at every turn. Well, you can actually do that. There are tours that let you get behind the wheel of a lovingly restored vintage Fiat 500. Honestly, it’s about as authentically Italian as you can get. These cars are just so full of character; they are a bit loud, kind of quirky, and frankly, a complete blast to drive. Of course, you usually follow a lead car with a guide, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost on those famously narrow roads. It feels, in a way, like you are the star of your own little film.

Anyway, you get to drive the same legendary road as the big tour buses, but the experience is so much more personal. You’ll probably stop at viewpoints that bigger vehicles just have to drive past. For instance, imagine pulling over at a tiny roadside stall for a fresh lemon granita, with your colorful little Fiat parked right there. At the end of the day, it’s not about speed; it’s about the style, the sounds, and the feeling of freedom. You really become part of the scenery rather than just looking at it through a window. It’s a slightly different kind of adventure, one that’s more about soaking in the culture and the classic atmosphere of this unique place.

Read our full review: Fiat 500 Amalfi Coast Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book a Fiat 500 Experience)

5. Climbing Mount Vesuvius and a Winery Visit

Finally, there’s that mountain that is literally always in the background: Mount Vesuvius. So, you can just see it from Sorrento, but you can actually climb it. The bus takes you most of the way up, but the final section to the crater rim is a steep, gravelly walk that will definitely get your legs working. As a matter of fact, as you go up, the views over the entire Bay of Naples just keep getting more and more incredible. When you reach the top, you can actually peer right down into the enormous crater. Sometimes you can see little puffs of steam coming out, which is a pretty cool reminder that this volcano is just sleeping, you know, not gone forever.

Now, after the hike, the really great part of these tours begins. You typically head down to a winery located right on the slopes of the volcano. The volcanic soil here is apparently super fertile, so the grapes that grow have a really unique taste. In that case, you get to sit down for a leisurely lunch, often with fresh, local pasta and other treats, while you sample several different wines grown just meters from where you are sitting. Honestly, sipping a glass of Lacryma Christi (‘Tears of Christ’) wine while looking back up at the mountain you just climbed is a profoundly satisfying feeling. It’s pretty much the perfect way to combine a physical challenge with a delicious, cultural experience.

Read our full review: Vesuvius & Winery Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Vesuvius Hike and Wine Tasting)