Federica Bocco

A favourite holiday destination since Ancient Roman times, picturesque Sorrento is the Italy that tourists dream about: romantic cliffs overlooking the crystalline sea, narrow alleyways lined with artisan workshops, children building castles on the sand, the perennial smell of evergreen lemon groves and Neapolitan pizza. Sorrento is a place to relax and indulge, both in the beauty of nature and its inimitable local flavours. Plus it’s pretty much got something for everyone; awe-inspiring day trips, beach lounging spots, hidden coves, water sports and excellent museums all abound here. Whatever your vibe, here are the best things to do in Sorrento. 📍 Ready to book? Discover the best hotels in Sorrento and our ultimate guide to Italy Federica Bocco is a writer based in Rome, Italy, who frequently spends time in Sorrento. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

I hail from Naples, the city of the sun and the sea, as the song goes. Growing up, I could glance at the sea from almost anywhere at any given time, usually against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Vesuvius. My summers spent on the beaches of the Amalfi Coast made me intrigued by the marine world. Even after moving to Rome as an adult, I have maintained an obsession with the sea; whenever I go, I constantly gravitate towards the beach.  Where in Italy are the nicest beaches? Italy’s coast is an expanse of over 8,000 km (approximately 5,000 miles), on four different seas. There is much variety, even in beaches facing the same mare; you can find large expanses of beach followed by a rocky coast even within the same region. Arguably, the most beautiful (and certainly most popular) is the west coast, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Think the Amalfi Coast, the Ulysses Riviera, and the crystalline waters of northern Sicily.  🏨 The best hotels in Italy📍 The ultimate guide to Italy Nardia Plumridge and Federica Bocco are writers based in Italy. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Spring 2025: There is, in our opinion, no better time to visit Rome than now. The city is in bloom, the Spanish Steps are covered with azaleas, and you can eat al fresco without burning to death (if you’re coming in summer, you’ve been warned). Our number one restaurant in Rome remains our number one, because it’s just that good. If you’re a first timer in the city, you should make a bee-line for it immediately – and since it’s spring, embrace the (very long) queue, order a few Aperols and enjoy it. The end point is more than worth it.  After 15 years of eating my way through Rome, I’ve had some truly exceptional meals – and plenty of forgettable ones. The best ones stick with me: perfect bowls of pasta, from cacio e pepe to carbonara, crispy pizzas with seasonal toppings, fragrant wines and delicious desserts. These, often special, family-run spots serving up proper Roman cuisine, are the meals worth remembering – and I’m sharing all my favourite spots with you here. How to avoid tourist traps in Rome If a restaurant has a prime view of the Pantheon or the Trevi Fountain, chances are you’re paying for the view, not the food. Instead, wander a few streets away where things are a little quieter or, better yet, head to neighborhoods like Testaccio, Cipro and Parioli, where locals actually eat. Reservations at popular restaurants are key, especially in high season (summer, annual holidays and the likes). And if you see a place that’s gone viral on TikTok with a line of 100+ peop