A guide to Marina Grande, Sorrento

Restaurants line the waterfront, while sunbathers take advantage of the little sandy beach and relax away from the crowds which flock to this picturesque corner of Campania. Despite the name, Marina Grande is the smaller of the two marinas in Sorrento: nearby Marina Piccola is a much busier port, where ferries and cruise ships dock and the atmosphere is more bustling than its laid-back neighbour.

Marina Grande is in walking distance of Piazza Vittoria in Sorrento, and you can stroll from the historic centre to the marina in around 10 minutes, finishing with a set of stone steps to take you down to the sea. There are also buses which run from Piazza Tasso in the town centre down to Marina Grande, as well as some taxis if you don’t fancy the walk down (or the steep climb back up).

Unlike Marina Piccola, there’s no lift down to Marina Grande – you can take the Sorrento Lift from Villa Comunale Park to Marina Piccola for a small fee, and it’s then around a 10-minute walk if you wanted to experience the cliff lift, albeit along an often narrow path.

You can find some small boat tours going to the Blue Grotto, Capri and Anacapri from Marina Grande, with options to prebook online as well as from the various boat tour operators which have offices around the harbour. During peak season, it’s advisable to arrange your trips in advance as they can often get booked up very quickly.

The majority of boats leave from Marina Piccola, including the ferry to Naples, Capri, Positano or Amalfi, as do a lot of boat tours around the Sorrento coast, so always confirm you’re visiting the correct marina.

Make the most of the free time on our Highlights of the Beautiful Amalfi Coast tour or Contrasts of Ischia and Sorrento trip to explore Marina Grande or a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast.

No, you need to pay a fee to use the majority of beaches in Italy. The only free beach in Sorrento is the Spiaggia Pubblica between Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, a small section close to Peter’s beach club and Marameo beach, which gets very busy during the summer.

However, Marina Grande has one of the few sandy beaches near Sorrento, with dark volcanic sand and its own small beach club. You reach it through a tunnel dug into the rock in the third century BCE, which makes for a memorable approach.

There are also deckchairs and parasols to rent at Bagni Sant’Anna, the beach club built on the pier, which has its own restaurant. If you’re swimming, there’s a roped-off area for bathing – don’t venture beyond this, as Marina Grande is still a working fishing village so you can expect plenty of fishing boats and other boat traffic in the harbour area.

The biggest attraction at Marina Grande is its sheer charm, this is somewhere to stroll in the sunshine, stopping for a drink or a meal overlooking the waves, watching the timeless scenes in in this pretty corner of the Amalfi Coast. Watching hand-made wooden boats scud across the waves, you’re tasting a slice of Italian tradition, with Gozzi Sorrentini (as the craft are known) being made here for centuries.

If you’d like more from your visit than strolling and sunbathing, visit the little church at the heart of the village. The Chiesa di Sant’Anna is dedicated to the town’s patron saint, and popular for local weddings.

Otherwise the area’s main attractions are back in Sorrento, unless you travel a little further down the coastline to Punta del Capo, where there are the remains of a 1st century Roman villa.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat in Marina Grande, with some fantastic fresh fish and seafood, as you might expect from a village with such a long fishing heritage.

Ristorante Bagni Sant’Anna is the restaurant attached to the beach club on the jetty, a great option if you want to stroll from lounger to table. Or back at the marina itself, Nduli Osteria di Mare has some impressive views out to Mount Vesuvius, as well as a menu packed with seafood and pasta dishes.

Fantastic fresh fish and seafood are available at Marina Grande

At the other end of the harbour, Bagni Delfino has its own views to Vesuvius and a similarly tempting menu. Or venture just a little way back from the sea to Ristorante Il Gozzo for another option specialising in seafood.

If you’re looking for a leisurely drink with a view, Da Giniello is a great option, overlooking the marina and with views out to the sea and Vesuvius – perfect for an espresso break, or try their signature cocktail, containing limoncello, mint and prosecco.

If you’re wondering when to visit Marina Grande Sorrento, one of the main considerations is the weather in this part of southern Italy. The area has generally mild winters, with the wettest month in November, and hot sunny summers, with temperatures rising to around 30C in July and August.

For sunny days without the scorching heat, it’s best to visit in shoulder season, from April to June and September to October when you can still enjoy 11-12 hours of sunshine per day.

If you’re planning to swim, time your trip from at least May onwards, with the water temperature rising throughout the year.

Sorrento’s peak season runs from around April to October, so you won’t be able to escape the crowds entirely unless you come during the winter months, but the busiest times are during July and August. Marina Grande tends to be quieter than the town of Sorrento itself, so you can also avoid some of the throngs by heading down to the water.

We offer escorted tours to Sorrento, so it’s never been easier to discover the island’s highlights for yourself. Grab your sunhat and book Saga Italy holidays here.