Beaches and Beach Clubs: from Sorrento to the Coast

Sorrento sits on top of tufa cliffs, so it isn’t a place of long sandy beaches — swimming here means stilted lidos, beach clubs built onto the rock, and a handful of little coves, many of them best reached by boat. Once you know how it works, though, the coast is wonderful. Here’s where to swim close to the centre, the free natural spots a short trip away, and the finest beach clubs along the coast towards Positano, Capri and Nerano.

Swimming in central Sorrento

The two harbours below the town — Marina Grande and Marina Piccola — are the closest places to swim. Most of the shoreline here is taken up by beach clubs (lidos) on wooden platforms, where you pay for a sunbed and umbrella and can rent a locker or grab lunch, with only small free stretches in between. Both are a short walk from the centre, and the Sorrento Lift drops you at Marina Piccola in seconds.

• Bagni Sant’Anna Marina Grande — beach club and restaurant on the water.
• Bagni Il Delfino Marina Grande — sunbathing jetties and a seafood restaurant.
• Peter’s Beach Marina Piccola — beach club by the ferry harbour.

Good to know: the Sorrento Lift runs from Piazza F.S. Gargiulo (in the Villa Comunale gardens) down to Marina Piccola for €1.20 a ride, and in high summer (June–September) stays open from 07:00 until around 00:30. At the beach clubs you pay for the sunbed set-up; a few small public patches are free but fill up early.

Free coves and beaches near Sorrento

A short trip out of town opens up a few more natural spots, some free of charge:

• Bagni della Regina Giovanna A striking natural rock pool among the ruins of a Roman villa at Capo di Sorrento — free, but with no facilities, so bring water and sturdy shoes.
• Marina di Puolo A small sandy beach with fishermen’s huts and simple seafood tavernas, just west of Sorrento towards Massa Lubrense.
• Marina di Cassano A quiet fishing beach at Piano di Sorrento, a few stops along the coast.

The best beach clubs along the coast

Some of the most beautiful beach clubs in the area are a short hop away by sea. Reaching them by boat is half the fun — see our boat tours and rentals guide.

• La Conca del Sogno Nerano — an idyllic cove with a beach club and famous seafood, best reached by boat.
• Maya Beach Club Massa Lubrense — a stylish club on the peninsula.
• L’Incanto Beach Club Positano — right on the main Marina Grande beach.
• Arienzo Beach Club Positano — the “300 steps” beach, sunny into the late afternoon; boat shuttle available.
• Laurito Beach Club Positano — a secluded cove near Villa TreVille, reached by boat or a steep path (no working website; book by phone).
• Il Riccio Anacapri, Capri — the Capri Palace’s Michelin-starred beach club and restaurant, near the Blue Grotto.

Good to know: in high season most beach clubs require booking, and some are reachable only by sea or a private shuttle. Check access and availability before you go, and remember that sunbed hire is charged separately from any food or drink.