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Exploring Sorrento by Hire Car

Sorrent, with a population of just under 17,000 in an area of around nine square kilometres, is a tranquil medium-sized town on the Gulf of Naples in southern Italy.

It stretches picturesquely over a steep cliff of volcanic rock on the peninsula of the same name on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

The view of Naples and Mount Vesuvius enjoyed from Sorrento is unique. But the city has much more to offer. You can hunt for souvenirs in original shops and magnificent churches and palaces invite you to visit.

Also in the surrounding countryside there are many destinations worth seeing, which can be easily discovered by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

Most travelers reach Sorrento via Naples airport. There you will find numerous hire car stations in the immediate vicinity of the terminal. A shuttle runs to the hire car center at regular intervals. Before you book your car, you should only make sure that your rental company is also located in the immediate vicinity of the airport. If they only operate their station in the vicinity of the airport, you may have to wait a very long time before the shuttle of your hire car company takes you to your hire car.

Booking the right hire car

The best way to brave the often murderous traffic in Italian cities is with a small and manoeuvrable hire car. It will also make it easier for you to find a parking space.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Sorrento are usually in the middle range. It often gets significantly cheaper if you rent the car in Naples. You can often get the best deal by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Sorrento

Insuring the car properly

The often hot-blooded driving style of the locals ensures that an accident can happen quickly. Cover yourself and book a car with fully comprehensive insurance with no excess. With liability insurance, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros. This way, you will at least enjoy some protection if several vehicles are involved in an accident or if people are injured.

age limit

You must be 21 years old to hire car in Naples or Sorrento with almost all hire car companies. With some rental companies, the age limit is 23. And there are also hire car companies that do not rent cars to drivers over 75. Drivers younger than 25 are often charged an additional fee. Check the conditions of your rental company before renting the car.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as a navigation device or child seat, you must always order the desired equipment separately from your rental company. Make a reservation well in advance so that the items are also available on the day you pick up the vehicle.

Free kilometers

The countless delightful destinations around Sorrento make it advisable to hire car with all the miles free. This way, you can enjoy your excursions without having to keep an anxious eye on the mileage all the time.

Tank control

With some rental companies you have to buy the first tank of fuel for a sometimes high fee. In return, you are then allowed to return the car with an empty tank. Since you will never succeed in driving the car completely empty, you should rather book with a rental company where you take over the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This will also save you the service charge.

Language barrier

Don’t expect to find staff who speak flawless English at all rental stations in Naples and Sorrento. Instead, make a note of the phone number of your rental company’s Italian head office before you travel. With a little luck, you will find a member of staff there who can interpret in case of communication problems.

Bail

When it comes to the deposit, it’s important to make sure you book with a rental company that only blocks the amount due on your credit card. This is because if the money is actually collected, it may take longer for your hire car company to transfer the amount back to your account after you return the car.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are quite satisfied with the rental companies in Naples and Sorrento. Only some complain about the external condition of some vehicles. If you notice any damage to your hire car, such as scratches or dents, you should always have it confirmed in writing in a damage report. Keep the document well to be able to prove when returning the car that you are not responsible for the damage.

Safety hire car

Although most hire cars in Sorrento and Naples are perfectly roadworthy, you should still test that all the vehicle’s lights are working before your first drive. Don’t forget the indicators and brake lights. Also check that you have warning vests, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit on board. Check the tread of the tyres and do a quick brake test in the car park of the rental company. After you have checked the correct tyre pressure at the first petrol station, the journey can begin.

Sights in Sorrento

Domo: Magnificent ceiling paintings
The cathedral with its white façade is a good point to start a city walk. It was built in the 15th century. The magnificent ceiling paintings in the interior are particularly worth seeing. They were created by Oronzo Malinconico and Giacomo del Po. The crucifixion scene that adorns the high altar is also worth a closer look.

Palazzo Correale: Garden with a View
Neapolitan art from the 17th and 18th centuries can be admired when you visit the Museo Correale in Palazzo Correale. The palace itself dates back to the 18th century and is adorned with intricate murals. Do not miss to visit the garden of the palazzo. From here you have a fantastic view of the sea.

Museo Bottega: Antique Furniture
Also worth a visit is the exhibition in the Museo Bottega, including much-noted pieces of furniture from the 19th century.

Corso Italia: See and be seen
At the end of the city tour, you could head for the Corso Italia. Here, one may stroll in a relaxed manner and then turn into the narrow streets of the old town. The best time for a stroll on the Corso is the morning from 10:00 to 13:00 and the time after 18:00. At these times, the area is closed to vehicular traffic.

Finding the good restaurant

Many excellent restaurants vie for favor in Sorrento. We recommend Ristorante Il Buco. Here you’ll get traditional dishes that have been carefully modernised by the chefs. It is served in a noble setting. The seven-course menu costs around 85 euros.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Sorrento either. You might book your room at the Hotel Capri. The hotel is centrally located on Corso Italia. All rooms are nicely furnished in light colours and have air conditioning and a safe.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Positano: Picturesque small town
Direct the hire car to Positano. The town is just 16 kilometres from Sorrento and can be reached in just over half an hour. Few places fulfill the cliché of a picturesque small town right on the coast as well as Positano. However, you need to be good on your feet here, as the town was built into the rock. You can only reach many points of the town via narrow stairs.

Visit the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. The Black Madonna, which you will find above the altar, is particularly worth seeing. It was created in the 13th century in the Byzantine style. Afterwards, you have the option of heading to Via Positanesi d’America. From here you will have a great view of the coast and the sea. To finish your visit, you can then stroll through the picturesque streets of the town, buy colourfully decorated Amalfi ceramics in the small shops and then relax in a café with a cool drink. While soaking up the sun’s rays and enjoying a drink, you can take your time planning which destinations around Sorrento you would like to visit next in your hire car.

Suggestion for a hire car trip

Amalfi: Lively coastal town
A trip with the hire car could take you first to Amalfi. You’ll be there in just over an hour. A holiday resort that is as lively as it is worth seeing awaits you. Start your stroll at the Piazza Duomo, which is dominated by a cathedral in the Norman-Arabic architectural style. Especially the richly decorated interior in baroque style captivates visitors. After visiting the church, you can direct your steps to the Valle dei Mulini, an old paper mill that recalls the time when Amalfi was a leader in paper production. The Museo della Carte is also dedicated to paper making. There you can learn how handmade paper is made.

Atrani: Colourful bell tower
Continue your journey to Atrani, which you can reach in less than five minutes by car. The small town impresses with its bell tower, which is covered with colourful majolica shingles. Piazza Umberto I is also worth a visit. In the bars around the square you can enjoy the sun with an espresso and observe everyday life.

Ravello: Mountain Village with Flair
Before you now drive back to Sorrento with your hire car, you can still make a stop in Ravello. Your hire car will take you there in a quarter of an hour. Since the Middle Ages, the wealthy nobility settled in this town and so even today magnificent palazzi line the streets. Particularly charming is Villa Rufolo, which inspired parts of Richard Wagner’s opera Parsifal. The villa’s terraced grounds offer fantastic views of the sea. If you decide to stop in Ravelo for a little longer, you might consider staying at Villa Cimbrone. Residing in a palazzo built in the early 20th century, you’ll enjoy a charming park, comfortable rooms and excellent service.

Conclusion

Sorrent is ideally suited for a trip by hire car. Not only the city has a lot to offer, but also in the surrounding area there are numerous attractive destinations that can be easily reached by car. Our practical price comparison will help you to find the right car for you at favourable conditions.

Hire car Sorrento