Sorrento in April – Where to Go and What to Do

Sorrento is at the height of its beauty in April.

The pastel-coloured houses atop the craggy cliffs gleam brightly under outrageously blue skies. The sea shimmers a vivid azure while the rocky hills turn lush emerald green. The air fills with the sweet scent of lemon trees and orange blossoms, and the old streets burst with a thousand hues as shops and cafés reopen.

The winter chill in Italy is also finally gone, and the sweltering heat of summer is still months away. The days are long and sunny and perfect for a stroll in the bustling Via San Cesareo or an outdoor lunch in the fishing village of Marina Grande.

While you may spot other visitors in town, usually busy Sorrento is relatively quieter and crowd-free in April. You can roam around the beautiful Cloister of San Francesco in peace, shop unbothered at Corso Italia, or take your time examining the artefacts at the Museo Correale di Terranova.

Located on the south-eastern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Sorrento makes a suitable base for exploring other attractions in southern Italy. You can get from Sorrento to Amalfi on a road trip via Amalfi Drive; a scenic highway that runs along the cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

If you are visiting Sorrento in April, you can take a ferry or boat to Positano, Capri, Ischia, or the famous city of Naples. Not a fan of sailing? Hop on a Circumvesuviana train instead and head to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

With all that said, here are the best things to do in Sorrento in April.

Weather

Sorrento enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The weather in Sorrento in April allows you to experience activities that are otherwise unavailable during colder months, as the days are longer and the rains rarer, and temperatures rise but the heat is not oppressive.

The average high temperature in Sorrento in April is 18°C, while the average low is 13°C. During the night, it can still drop to 8°C, so make sure to pack a warm jacket if you’re going to be out in the evening. The sea temperature remains at 15°C, so unless you’re used to freezing waters, it is still too cold for an enjoyable swim.

April has an average of 13 hours of daylight and at least seven hours of sunshine each day. The sun goes down around 7:30 pm at the beginning of the month and progressively sets later as summer nears.

However, not all days are sunny, as there is a 42% chance of cloud cover and a 25% chance of rain. Sorrento is likely to have seven days of rainfall throughout April, with 44mm of precipitation accumulated over the month.

April in Sorrento marks the start of the tourist season. As the month progresses, you’ll find holidaymakers on day trips and students on school excursions. There will be people rambling in the marina or relishing a drink by the beach under the spring sunshine.

Despite the increase in visitors, the weather means that April is an excellent month for outdoor adventures in Sorrento. So, grab a pair of hiking boots and enjoy a nature trek, rent a scooter and drive along the scenic cliff top roads, or get on a boat and sail the deep-blue Tyrrhenian Sea.

How to Get There

Getting to Sorrento is pretty straightforward, whether you choose to travel by train, bus, boat or car.

The Naples International Airport is the nearest airport to Sorrento, so is the best place to arrive if you’re coming straight to the area when you arrive in the country. The best way to reach Sorrento after arriving in Naples is by catching a bus, which will take about an hour and 35 minutes.

Sorrento connects to many other train stations around Italy, so it is relatively easy to arrive in the city from most other parts of the country.

You can also get to Sorrento by sea on a ferry, which is easiest if you’re travelling from Naples. Ferries depart for Sorrento once daily, taking approximately

45 to 50 minutes to cross. From April to October, trips are much more frequent, making this a great time to visit by sea.

Festivals and Events

• Holy Week

One of the most important religious holidays in Sorrento is the Holy Week, culminating with the festive Easter Sunday celebration. The Holy Week does not always fall in April, but is most likely to occur at this time of year more than any other month.

As the name suggests, Holy Week is a week-long event that commemorates the passion of Christ and his resurrection. This ancient tradition dates back to the 1300s and often mixes religion with folklore and local customs.

On Holy Thursday, you will witness the procession of white-hooded figures who walk the deserted streets at dawn. According to tradition, these penitents accompany the Blessed Mother who searches for her captured son.

The following night, on Good Friday, another procession takes place. This time you will see black hooded figures walking along a simulacrum of the dead body of Jesus Christ and effigies of the Blessed Mary.

With the streetlights extinguished, the only light source comes from the flickering torches and lamps that some participants carry. The atmosphere is made even more solemn with the acapella singing of the Miserere in Gregorian style. The procession also features symbols of the crucifixion, such as shrouds, nails, a pouch carrying Judas’ 30 silver coins, and a basin representing the washing of Pontius Pilate’s hands.

Easter Sunday is more cheerful. It is a day for visiting and eating out with family and friends. Easter dinner features famous traditional food, such as lamb or goat meat, various cheeses, soups, and pasta in tomato sauce. No Easter meal is complete without the pastiera – a tart made with cooked wheat, eggs, ricotta and delicately flavoured with orange blossoms.

Things to See and Do

• Take the Ferry to Capri

From Marina Piccola in Sorrento, you can take a 30-minute boat ride to the captivating island of Capri. The isle is famous for its rugged landscape, upscale shopping, and world-class restaurants.

Sail to the enchanting Blue Grotto; a natural cavern where the sea blazes a vivid blue due to the sunlight passing through an underwater cave. Explore Villa San Michele, go on a stroll on Via Tragara, take the chairlift to the peak of Mount Solaro, the island’s highest point. End your day with cocktails in Piazzetta, Capri’s famous city square.

• Visit Pompeii

April is a great time to visit the ruins of the fabled city of Pompeii. Because it is not yet peak season, you wouldn’t have to jostle your way around a noisy summer crowd or wait in long queues to enter the site.

Famous attractions to see in this ancient city are the Antiquarium, the Forum, the theatres, the Amphitheatre, the Stabian Baths, the brothel, and the houses of Vettii and Menander. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can hike up the majestic Mount Vesuvius.

• Enjoy the Town’s Restaurants

One sure thing about your Sorrento holiday is you’ll never run out of good food to eat. The town has excellent places where you can indulge your palette, from classy restaurants by the sea to quaint alfresco cafés to nondescript pizzerias in a bustling piazza.

Don’t miss the famous seafood dishes, such as spaghetti with clams, octopus casserole, calamari, sautéed shrimp, and crab soup. Try the hearty gnocchi alla sorrentina made of mashed boiled potatoes, flour, egg and served with local cheese.

Any self-respecting eatery in Sorrento will serve the iconic local beverage Limoncello, which is undoubtedly the best way to cap off your meal.

• Visit a Lemon Grove

Sorrento is famous for its abundance of oranges and other citrus fruits, particularly lemons. Driving around town, you will see lines of lemon groves perched on rugged cliffs. Locals still plant the fruit as part of their tradition, and it’s common to spot small patches of lemon groves on terraced gardens or nestled in between buildings.

Perhaps the most popular citrus orchard in Sorrento is I Giardini Di Cataldo. Here, you will not only experience a fascinating tour of the grounds but also sample their lemon products, such as marmalade, jam, gelato and liquors. You can also dine at the elegant lemon grove restaurant, O Parrucchiano La Favourita, which has served guests since 1868.

• Watch the Sunset from the Harbour

One of the best places to see the sunset in Sorrento is at the Marina Grande. The old port offers dramatic views of the Bay of Naples, the Isle of Capri and Mount Vesuvius.

Although Marina Grande is essentially a rustic fishing village, its harbour abounds with cafés, bars, and restaurants. You can have a sundowner while watching the sun sink on the horizon.

Hovering directly above the marina is the picturesque Villa Comunale Park, which is a great place to position yourself as the evening arrives. You will have unobstructed views of the sunset from a terraced outlook at the park and a stunning panorama of the harbour below.

Other Tips

The temperature in Sorrento in April is ideal for outdoor activities. Whilst still relatively early in the year, the sun can be very bright and sunburn is possible, so take precautions by wearing sun-protective clothing and always apply sunblock before you go outside.

As tempting as it looks, the sea is not really warm enough for swimming in April. The water is a chilly 16°C, which is not enjoyable for many. But even if you can't swim, you can still enjoy the beach. Head to Bagni Della Regina Giovanna and explore the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, take pictures by the hidden natural pool and marvel at the fascinating rock arch.

Sorrento typically caters to a more upscale market. Therefore, it is quite an expensive place to stay, so you may be looking for ways to save money where you can on your trip. Get away from the town centre and stay in a quieter neighbouring village, where accommodations are more affordable. Visit less popular destinations such as Ischia instead of Naples or Positano. While posh restaurants are good for splurging, small eateries are cosy and intimate. The tap water in Sorrento is safe to drink and free, so bring a reusable water bottle.

To discover more about holidays in Sorrento in April and what else you can enjoy on your trip to Italy, check out the rest of the Italian Breaks website for when to go, where to stay and what to do.