Coastal Battle: Amalfi vs. Sorrento Coast

How to choose the right coast?

The Sorrento Coast

(Updated: February 2024). It’s like a fairytale of two sisters: One is beautiful and well-admired, while the other one is just as beautiful, but stands in the shadow of her sister. This could be the tale of the Amalfi and the Sorrento Coast.

The famous lookout spot from Villa Rufolo in Ravello

The famous lookout spot from Villa Rufolo in Ravello – an Amalfi Coast classic!

Amalfi vs. Sorrento Coast – who wins?

The Amalfi coast has many admirers. It’s scenic coastline & pastel coloured villages are popular all over the planet – to an extent that makes a visit feel like a tour of Disney World sometimes. And the Sorrento coast? It’s overshadowed by it’s Eastern counterpart, although it is equally beautiful.

The Sorrento Coast

The Sorrento Coast is overshadowed by the Amalfi Coast.

Staying in the quiet town of Massa Lubrense

During our spontaneous trip with bbacksoon (where we got surprised by the destination) we stayed at the Sorrento Coast, in a village called “Massa Lubrense”. This way we experienced a region, that is way less touristic then the Amalfi Coast. And yet we got the chance to compare both regions with each other – as they are only a 1 hour drive with the car apart!

Alleys of Massa LubrenseMassa LubrenseSunset as seen from Massa Lubrense Sorrento Coast

The Sorrento Coast has one clear advantage:
It’s facing to the west – perfect for sunsets like this one!

Comparing the two coastlines in Southern Italy

The Sorrento coast stretches from Napoli to the island of Capri. The coastline faces to the Northwest and has similar features like the Amalfi Coast. It’s undulating landscape is adorned by steep cliffs that fall down into the turqouise-blue Mediterranean ocean. Nestled in the bays you’ll find small villages and towns, that are built into the cliffs and overlook the most gorgeous sunsets at night.

Massa LubrenseMassa Lubrense at NightSunset from our terrace at Art Hotel Villa Fiorella in Massa Lubrense

Massa Lubrense as seen by day and night – and the sunset views from the Sorrento coast.

Our recommendation

If we would have to choose, we would stay at the Sorrento Coast again. Why? You get to have an original taste of Italy, more local flavour, less tourists and therefore more calm and quiet. And you can still take your car to go the Amalfi Coast for a day trip, whenever you feel like it!

An Arpeggio in Massa Lubrense Sorrento CoastSorrento Coast ItalySorrento Coast as seen from the coastal road

We enjoyed the calm and quiet of the Sorrento Coast!

Day trips to the Amalfi Coast

So what if you want to see the famous places like Ravello, Positano and Amalfi? There’s actually no “What if?”. We definitely recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast, but we think day trips are sufficient to experience those famous places. The Amalfi Coast is truly overrun by tourists – even during our visit in May, when it’s still only the pre-season, the famous Amalfi villages were overcrowded with visitors.

Positano Amalfi CoastRed Fiat Cinquecento at the Amalfi CoastItalian Street Scene at the Amalfi Coast

You can easily visit the towns of Positano & Ravello within day trips from the Sorrento Coast.

In Positano we were pushed through the streets by hordes of tourists – all clad with selfie sticks and other weapons of travel destruction. We made our way down to the harbour and bought the famous lemon sorbet at the overpriced ice cream vendor. All that was left is a bitter taste. This was the famous, picturesque town of Positano? Let’s better get out of here!

The quiet streets of Massa Lubrense, Sorrento Coast

When in Positano you just want to go back to the quiet streets
of Massa Lubrense at the Sorrento Coast.

What to visit at the Amalfi Coast

Of course you want to see the famous spots at the Amalfi Coast with your own eyes – and we totally get that. The Sorrento Coast is an ideal place to stay, but doesn’t offer as many famous “attractions” or “sights” as the Amalfi coast. But that’s also what makes the beauty of the Sorrento Coast. It feels real and you don’t run into the risk of being hit with a camera tripod in towns like Massa Lubrense. Here you can take an evening walk through the streets all by yourself!

Dog in Massa Lubrense, Sorrento Coast

Villages like Massa Lubrense at the Sorrento Coast can be quite sleepy 😉

Top 3 day trips at the Amalfi Coast

But without further ado, here are our favourite places at the Amalfi Coast, that we all visited within short day trips from the Sorrento Coast:

1.) Villa Rufolo in Ravello

Of course this place is no secret – whoever travels to the Amalfi Coast probably also visits the Villa Rufolo. Our personal highlight: The multi-colored tiled floors of the Villa and the view of the bay. Entrance fee: 7 Euros.

Pro Tip:
Check out the concert calendar of the Ravello Festival, as there are several concerts at the terrace during the summer months!

Villa Rufolo Ravello Amalfi CoastVilla Rufolo Ravello Amalfi CoastTile floor of Villa Rufolo, Ravello, Amalfi CoastTile floor of Villa Rufolo, Ravello, Amalfi CoastLooking down from Ravello at the Amalfi Coast

2.) Terrazza dell’infinito at Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

This villa from the 11th century is a hotel nowadays, but the gardens are accessible for the public. The most famous element of the gardens is the “Terrace of infinity” with an incredible view of the Amalfi Coast. Entrance fee: 10 Euros.

Terrazza dell'infinito at Villa Cimbrone, RavelloTerrazza dell'infinito at Villa Cimbrone, RavelloTerrazza dell'infinito at Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

3.) The famous Pasticceria Sal De Riso, Minori

This pastry paradise feels more like an art gallery with it’s tiled floors and beautifully decorated cakes. We tried the famous Lemon Pastry, but liked the wild strawberry pastry more.

Pro Tip:
If you appreciate hiking you can take the “Lemon Path” from Maiori to Minori. You’ll pass by lemon groves and get lost in the scent of their flowers and fruits. At the end of the hike you can easily enjoy a full plate of Pasta with lemon sauce and finish with a dessert at the Pasticceria Sal de Riso.

Pasticceria Sal De Riso, MinoriPasticceria Sal De Riso, MinoriPasticceria Sal De Riso, Minori

A hidden gem at the Sorrento Coast: Cala di Mitigliano

If you’re searching for a quiet bay with crystal clear water, we can recommend Cala di Mitigliano. Although you have to be prepared: To get there you have to walk at least 8-10 serpentines downhill, which means you also have to hike them back up again 😉 This can be quite an exercise, but we think it’s worth it!

Pro tip:
Be prepared though: this is not a sandy beach, but a stone beach. Bring bathing shoes and an air mattress for some comfort! And don’t believe Google Maps – you cannot drive down there by car (at least pre-season the gates are closed).

Cala di Mitigliano, Sorrento Coast, ItalyCala di Mitigliano, Sorrento Coast, ItalyCala di Mitigliano, Sorrento Coast, Italy

Cala Mitigliano with it’s crystal clear water – you can have it all to yourself on a weekday.

How to get to the Sorrento Coast?

We made our way to the Sorrento Coast via a 1:50 hour direct flight from Vienna to Naples. At the airport our patience was tested while waiting for a rental car. It was a Friday around noon and it seemed everyone had arrived at the same time.

Our rental car company “Sicily by Car” was one of the smaller rental companies at the airport. This way we had a rather short line and “only” waited for approx. 30 minutes. We suggest not to rent from the big name rental companies here – the lines at their desks were insane… (or not arrive on a Friday at noon)!

Fiat 500 in Ravello Amalfi Coast

Unfortunately this wasn’t our rental car, but on the other hand: Ours had an AC and other modern comforts 😉

Theoretically the drive from Naples Airport to Massa Lubrense takes just a little more than 1 hour. But we stopped at too many occasions for some incredible look-out spots and Lemon Granita along the way.

The famous lemons of Sorrento CoastAmalfi Coast Sorrento CoastGranita al Limone at the Sorrento Coast Italy

There’s always a good reason for a stopover at the coastal road: Views or Lemon Granita!

The verdict: Amalfi vs. Sorrento Coast

Our verdict: The Sorrento Coast is the perfect place for a less overcrowded experience of the Italian South. You’ll experience small villages all by yourself and can watch the sunset from the balcony of your hotel (that probably also costs you less then the hotels at the Amalfi Coast). If you want to check off the landmarks and postcard motifs from the Amalfi Coast, do that within day trips instead of staying there the whole vacation!

The Sorrento Coast

The Sorrento Coast is our coastal battle winner!

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Amalfi vs Sorrento Coast: A travel guide comparing the two regions in ItalyAmalfi vs Sorrento Coast: A travel guide comparing the two regions in ItalySorrento vs Amalfi Coast

Find out more about our favourite regions in Italy:

In our Italy category you can find more posts covering anything from Venice to Turin, Cinque Terre to South Tyrol.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. We have been invited and paid for this trip by bbacksoon, but the views in our blogpost stay independent from that invitation.