A week on the Amalfi Coast in August for £532pp? Here's how
With its Mediterranean sunsets, beach clubs and exquisite gelati, Sorrento is a delight in August. Hot sunny days in the early 30s are perfect for exploring more of Amalfi's coastline on boat trips to surrounding islands or for swimming in the town's natural cove and snorkelling in the nearby Punta Campanella Marine Reserve. There are also plenty of easily reached historic sites and a lively old town full of restaurants for alfresco lunches on days off the water.
Prices soar in August's peak season, but the Amalfi Coast can still be affordable if you stay just outside Sorrento's centre at the Hotel Villa Igea Sorrento. Seven nights' B&B, including flights from Stansted with Ryanair, costs £532pp with Thomas Cook, departing on August 27, or you can upgrade to half-board for an extra £212pp for the week. A small under-seat bag is included or check in a 20kg suitcase for an additional £75 return.
Naples airport is about an hour from Sorrento and taxis cost at least £80, but an hourly bus runs to Sorrento's railway station (£11; curreriviaggi.it), where you can take the same company's blue or orange line bus to Capo di Sorrento, right outside the hotel (£1).
The three-star hotel overlooks the Bay of Naples and has a smart white marble lobby and 60 bright, buttercup-yellow rooms with tiled floors and traditional carved wooden beds. Some have sea views. There's a seasonal outdoor pool, an all-day snack bar and a restaurant serving dinner. It's a 40-minute walk to the centre of Sorrento but there's also a free shuttle bus.
• Read our full guide Amalfi
The turquoise natural pool at Bagni Regina Giovanna, on the site of a ruined 1st-century Roman villa, is a 15-minute stroll from the hotel. The town's main beach, Spiaggia di Sorrento, is a five-minute drive and lined with beach clubs providing loungers and plenty of Aperol.
In Sorrento's old town, stroll the main square, Piazza Tasso, then wander the cobbled side streets to stock up on leather gloves, limoncello and hand-painted ceramics. Pop into the 11th-century Basilica di Sant'Antonino, home to the tomb of Sorrento's patron saint, and ogle the elaborate frescoes at the 15th-century Palazzo Sedil Dominova (both free entry).
The nearby Museo Correale di Terranova houses a vast art collection donated by a noble Neapolitan family, including Roman artefacts discovered in the town itself (£13; museocorreale.it). Afterwards, people-watch over seafood pasta on the patio at Da Gigino (mains from £7; Via degli Archi) then finish with artisan ice cream at Fresco Sorrento (cones from £2; frescosorrentogelateria.weebly.com).
• 23 of the best things to do on the Amalfi coast
The Unesco-listed ancient Roman city of Pompeii (from £15 entry; pompeiisites.org) is 40 minutes away by train (£21 return; eavsrl.it), while ferries to the island of Capri run regularly from Sorrento's Marina Piccola port (£36 return; nlg.it). You can visit the best snorkelling sites at the protected marine reserve on a boat trip with a marine biologist on board (£50; puntacampanelladiving.com).
• Return Stansted-Naples flights, departing on August 27• Seven nights' B&B at Hotel Villa Igea (thomascook.com)
If you're inspired to visit Sorrento and have more to spend, you could try…
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Perfectly placed for day trips, Hotel Michelangelo is two minutes' walk from Sorrento's railway station on the main shopping street, Corso Italia. The salmon-pink four-star property is built around a 16th-century tower and has an outdoor swimming pool, a bar with live piano music and a roof terrace with views of the Bay of Naples. A restaurant serves dishes from the Sorrentine Peninsula and has a patio overlooking the pool. Simply decorated rooms feature terracotta-tiled floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and pale blue soft furnishings. Most have balconies and one recently renovated modern suite has its own hot tub. Details Seven nights' B&B from £1,000pp, including flights (firstchoice.co.uk)
• 25 of the best hotels on the Amalfi coast
It's all about the views at the four-star Grand Hotel President which looks out over the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the Sorrento coast from its hilltop perch. A glass-walled cocktail bar, rooftop sun terrace, outdoor pool and main restaurant all make the most of the panoramic location. There's also a small fitness centre and spa with Turkish bath and whirlpool, while flower-filled gardens are ideal for sunset strolls. Rooms have ornate Vietri-style tiling, inlaid wooden furniture and warm touches of peach, lemon and sea-blue. The centre of Sorrento is two miles away and a free shuttle service is provided. Details Seven nights' B&B from £1,438pp, including flights and hold luggage (jet2holidays.com)
• The in-the-know Amalfi coastal spots that don't cost the earth
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