← Neapolis Marathon·1 night

Sorrento: A Night on the Clifftop

A clifftop town at the end of the Circumvesuviana line, with a flat centre, a public garden above the sea and views back across the bay.

Duration1 night
TransitCircumvesuviana from Napoli Garibaldi, about 1 hour 10 minutes
DepartsNapoli Garibaldi

After the Neapolis Marathon: Sorrento

The Route: Naples → Sorrento → Naples (NAP) Logistics: The Circumvesuviana to the end of the line, about 1 hour 10 minutes. The centre is flat and the sea is reached by lift or steps. Marathon Month: October Duration: 1 night

Napoli Garibaldi ──(about 1h10 Circumvesuviana)──> Sorrento
        ▲                                              │
        └───(train, then Alibus or taxi)── Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP)

The Neapolis Marathon is a Sunday race in mid-October, and Sorrento is a gentle place to spend the Monday and Tuesday. The town sits on a cliff above the bay with Vesuvius across the water, and its centre is a flat grid of streets.

October in Sorrento: the weather is mild and often sunny, with rain possible and cooler evenings. The summer crowds have gone, though some beach clubs close and ferry services run less often. The sea is still warm enough for a few hardy swimmers.

Getting there

The Circumvesuviana runs from Napoli Garibaldi to Sorrento in about 1 hour 10 minutes, with a service every 20 to 30 minutes. It is a commuter line, and the trains can be crowded, so sit down if you can and watch your bags. Check the current timetable on the operator's website. Ferries also run from Naples in season; check the autumn schedule.

Night One: Sorrento

Piazza Tasso is the centre, and the old town streets around it, including Via San Cesareo, are flat and walkable. The Villa Comunale, a public garden at the edge of the cliff, has a view across the bay and is a short flat walk from the square. A lift runs down from the cliff to Marina Piccola; check whether it is operating. Do not walk down the steps on tired legs.

Sorrento is a base for the Amalfi coast and Capri, but the roads and boat times are less reliable in autumn, so check before planning an extra trip.

Where to stay. Hotel Tramontano is a four-star hotel in the centre. Hotel Antiche Mura is in the old town near the city walls. Check the distance to the station and the price on the booking page.

Where to eat. The local dishes include gnocchi alla sorrentina, baked with tomato and mozzarella, and lemon drinks. Book a table in the evening, and check which restaurants stay open in October.

Getting to the airport

Take the Circumvesuviana back to Naples, then a taxi or the Alibus to Capodichino (NAP). Check the route and the time on the day, and leave a margin in case the train is late.