3 Days in Sorrento, Amalfi Coast

After weeks of train rides, new cities, shared snacks, and unforgettable moments, Sorrento was our final stop on the interrailing trip of dreams. Nestled along the dramatic cliffs of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Sorrento greeted us with blazing sunshine, vibrant streets, and the kind of soul-stirring beauty that made us feel like we had saved the best for last.

The moment we stepped off the train, the heat wrapped around us like a warm blanket. We'd grown used to bustling train stations and cobbled city streets, but Sorrento had a unique, small-town charm that immediately softened our edges. It felt like the kind of place where time slows down, where long lunches are encouraged, and where golden hour seems to last forever.

We stayed in a little guesthouse up on the hill with a panoramic view of the cliffs and the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. The view alone was enough to make you forget every moment of discomfort from sleeping on trains or lugging backpacks across cities. Sorrento’s cliffs are simply magnificent. Standing at the edge, looking out over the bay toward Mount Vesuvius in the distance, I felt an overwhelming mix of awe, gratitude, and a twinge of sadness that the trip was coming to an end.

Our days were simple but filled with joy. Mornings began with iced espressos in lively piazzas where locals chatted and tourists planned their day trips. The town itself is compact but full of life—colourful facades, lemon-themed everything, quaint boutiques, and gelaterias on every corner. There’s a certain romance in the way Sorrento hums with energy without ever feeling overwhelming. Even with the swell of summer tourists, it manages to keep its graceful rhythm.

Of course, one of the highlights was the beach for me. Sorrento’s beaches are unlike any I’d experienced before. Rather than endless stretches of sand, here you descend down the cliffs to reach private beach clubs perched on wooden platforms above the sea. We spent hours sunbathing, dipping into the crystal-clear water, and sipping cold drinks as the sun blazed overhead. The water was so refreshing—almost glasslike. I may have gotten a little too caught up in the moment though... I didn’t reapply my sunscreen properly and ended up with a slightly sunburned chest.

One of our most memorable experiences was our visit to Pompeii. Just a short train ride from Sorrento, we stepped back in time into the ancient ruins of a city frozen in ash. The sheer scale of it is incredible—it really brings history to life. But wow, the crowds. Tourists were everywhere. We had to weave our way through big tour groups and clusters of visitors snapping photos. Still, even with the heat and the chaos, it was a surreal experience. Walking those ancient streets, seeing frescoes still intact after thousands of years was an experience.

Back in Sorrento, the evenings were our favourite part. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, the town seemed to glow. On our final night, we were treated to an unexpected gift: fireworks. They lit up the sky in bursts of colour, reflecting off the sea in a dazzling display.

Sorrento was everything we didn’t know we needed. It was the exhale at the end of the trip—the sunset after the climb or the ice cold water after a hard workout! The perfect goodbye.

If you ever get the chance to go interrailing or are looking for the sweetest spot on the Amalfi Coast to rest, reflect, and soak in la dolce vita, make Sorrento your last stop.

Until the next adventure,

Deirbhile x0