Bars and Aperitivo with a View in Sorrento

There are few better ways to start a Sorrento evening than an aperitivo with a view — a spritz or a glass of local wine as the sun drops behind the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius turns pink across the water. Some of the finest terraces belong to the grand hotels, and several open their bars to non-guests too. Here are our favourite spots for a drink with a view, plus where to catch the sunset for free.

Terrace bars in Sorrento

These are the classic addresses for a cocktail above the sea, all in or around the centre.

• Bar Vittoria – Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria One of the most iconic bars in town, on the cliff edge above the port at Piazza Tasso.
• Bar and terrace – Hotel Bellevue Syrene Elegant, historic seafront hotel with a panoramic terrace (Terrazza Pompeiana) over the bay.
• La Colonna Sunset Bar – Hotel Lorelei Londres A relaxed clifftop spot on Via Califano, exactly as the name suggests — made for sunset.

A little further: Sant’Agnello

A few minutes along the coast, two more hotel terraces are worth the short trip.

• Coku Robata Grill and Bar – La Cocumella Cocktails and Japanese-style grill in the gardens of the historic Cocumella hotel.
• Vista Sky Bar – Hotel Mediterraneo A rooftop sky bar with a sweeping view towards Vesuvius.

Where to watch the sunset for free

You don’t need a reservation to enjoy the view. The terrace of the Villa Comunale, the public gardens beside the church of San Francesco, is the classic free sunset spot in Sorrento, looking straight across the bay to Vesuvius. Down at Marina Grande, the old fishing village, you can also nurse a drink at the water’s edge as the light fades.

Good to know: many of these bars are inside hotels, so it’s worth checking that they’re open to non-guests and booking a table for sunset, when the best terraces fill up. Smart-casual dress is a safe bet at the grander addresses.