12 Things to Do in Sorrento and Ravello With Kids

You’ll find endless family adventures in Sorrento and Ravello, from splashing at Marina Grande‘s gentle beach clubs to exploring the magical Emerald Grotto‘s glowing waters. Let your kids discover ancient Pompeii‘s preserved bakeries, hike Mount Vesuvius’s crater trails, and pick lemons at traditional farms overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Ravello’s car-free cobblestone streets become treasure hunts, while Villa Comunale’s gardens offer perfect picnic spots with stunning bay views. These destinations reveal unforgettable experiences that’ll captivate your entire family.

Splash Around at Marina Grande’s Family Beach Clubs

Marina Grande’s sheltered bay offers three key advantages that make it perfect for families with young swimmers: gentle sandy entry points instead of rocky cliff jumps, calmer waters protected from coastal swells, and a collection of traditional beach clubs that cater specifically to children’s needs.

You’ll find Leonelli’s Beach particularly toddler-friendly with its small sandy section and shallow water where kids can safely splash around. The club rents canoes and pedalò boats that older children love exploring with.

Marameo Beach provides excellent value at €12 per sunbed, plus they’ve got 30 changing cabins and floating sunbeds that fascinate kids. The beach also serves as the main departure point for private boat tours to nearby islands like Capri, making it easy to extend your family adventure beyond the shore.

Book ahead during summer months—these family-focused clubs fill up quickly. Most accept cards, but bring cash for snacks and equipment rentals.

Explore the Natural Swimming Pool at Bagni Della Regina Giovanna

While Marina Grande offers gentle waters for toddlers, older kids who crave adventure will absolutely love the natural swimming pool at Bagni Della Regina Giovanna—a hidden lagoon that feels like discovering a secret pirate cove. Your children will be mesmerized by the crystal-clear emerald waters formed by a collapsed sea cave, complete with ancient Roman ruins to explore.

The 15-minute hike through olive groves becomes an adventure itself. Pack water shoes since the pebbly bottom can hurt little feet. Arrive early morning to avoid crowds and claim the best rocky sunbathing spots.

Brave kids can swim through the natural arch to reach the open sea, while younger ones stay in the calm lagoon. Don’t forget snacks—there aren’t any facilities here. The site sits within the Protected Marine Area of Punta Campanella, adding to its pristine natural beauty.

Stroll Through Sorrento’s Historic Center and Piazza Tasso

After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring hidden lagoons, head straight to Piazza Tasso—Sorrento’s beating heart where your kids can people-watch from sidewalk cafes while you sip espresso and they devour gelato.

This bustling square, named after poet Torquato Tasso, connects the historic district with modern shops through cobblestone streets that’ll captivate curious minds.

Let your children spot the dramatic statue of Tasso on his granite pedestal while you explore the Baroque Church of Santa Maria del Carmine.

The square’s energy is infectious—horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past as street performers entertain crowds. The pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy for families to navigate safely while exploring the vibrant atmosphere.

From here, you can easily access Via San Cesareo‘s maze-like old town streets, perfect for a family treasure hunt among limoncello shops and leather boutiques.

Play and Picnic at Villa Comunale Gardens

When you need a breather from Sorrento’s bustling streets, Villa Comunale Gardens offers the perfect escape. Your kids can stretch their legs on manicured lawns while you soak in jaw-dropping views of the Bay of Naples.

This clifftop terrace-park functions like a natural balcony overlooking Mount Vesuvius and distant islands.

Pack snacks from nearby bakeries or grab gelato from the on-site café. Your children will love exploring decorative fountains and shaded paths under centenarian olive trees.

The park’s high walls create a safe, car-free environment perfect for letting little ones roam freely. Best of all, entry is free and no ticket purchase is required for this family-friendly attraction.

Visit during late afternoon for cooler temperatures and stunning golden hour photography.

The elevator down to Marina Piccola makes this accessible for strollers too.

Discover Ravello’s Peaceful Hilltop Streets

Perched 1,200 feet above the Amalfi Coast, Ravello’s car-free cobblestone streets offer your family an invigorating escape from the crowded chaos below. You’ll find narrow alleys perfect for wandering with little ones, since vehicles can’t access the historic center.

The stepped passageways connecting piazzas create natural scavenger hunts—my kids loved counting archways and spotting stone fountains.

Piazza Duomo becomes your family basecamp, where you can grab gelato while children play safely within sight. The cathedral’s cool interior provides welcome relief during hot afternoons.

Don’t miss the side streets leading to hidden chapels and medieval houses—they’re like stepping into a fairy tale. These historic pathways also connect to ancient footpaths and mule trails that follow mountain ridges, creating exciting adventures for curious explorers.

Loop walks prevent backtracking frustration, and the peaceful atmosphere means you’ll actually hear your kids’ excited discoveries echoing off ancient walls.

Marvel at the Views From Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity

While the uphill walk to Villa Cimbrone might test your kids’ patience, the payoff at the Terrace of Infinity will leave them speechless—even my typically chatty eight-year-old went quiet for a full minute. This cliff-edge belvedere sits 1,200 feet above the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering breathtaking 180-degree views where sky and water seem to merge.

The marble bust-lined terrace creates perfect photo ops, though keep younger children close to the balustrade—it’s a sheer drop below. The same stunning vistas once captivated famous personalities like Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill, and Greta Garbo, who all fell in love with this extraordinary location. Entry costs around €10 per person, and the garden walk along Viale dell’Immenso builds anticipation beautifully.

Visit during late afternoon for spectacular sunset colors. Pro tip: bring water for the uphill trek, and promise gelato afterward to motivate reluctant walkers.

Wander Through Villa Rufolo’s Medieval Gardens

Though Villa Rufolo’s gardens might seem like just another historic stop, they’ll captivate kids with their treasure-hunt atmosphere and fairy-tale towers. Your children will love exploring the two-level layout, racing through the Moorish Cloister’s 36 columns and discovering hidden ruins along winding paths.

The Torre-Museo’s interactive exhibits bring medieval history to life, while the outdoor viewing platform offers spectacular coast vistas that’ll make them feel like royalty.

Visit between May and October when exotic blooms create a magical backdrop. Kids enjoy wandering the geometric flowerbeds and spotting tropical plants among ancient cypresses.

The garden pavilion’s enormous pointed arches provide perfect photo opportunities, and the atmosphere truly feels like stepping into a storybook castle where popes and kings once walked. The villa’s connection to Wagner adds another layer of enchantment, as he found inspiration here for Klingsor’s magic garden in his opera Parsifal after visiting in 1880.

Take a Family Boat Tour Along the Amalfi Coast

When you’re ready to see the Amalfi Coast from its most spectacular angle, a family boat tour transforms sightseeing into an adventure your kids will remember forever. Private luxury yachts equipped specifically for families offer safe swimming stops and snorkeling gear, keeping children entertained while you soak in those iconic cliff views of Positano and Amalfi.

Your skipper—maybe it’s Carmine—will navigate to exclusive coves only accessible by boat, where kids can swim in crystal-clear waters around Li Galli Islands.

These small group tours limit participants to 10-12 people on traditional Gozzo boats, ensuring personalized attention. Half-day cruises from Amalfi to Positano last four hours, while sunset tours include local cheese and wine tastings. The 7-8 hour tour duration can be adjusted to accommodate your cruise schedule if you’re departing from Naples. Departures from Sorrento make scheduling simple.

Visit the Emerald Grotto Near Amalfi

Just fifteen minutes down the coast from Amalfi, the Emerald Grotto delivers pure magic that’ll have your kids gasping in wonder. This sea cave glows an otherworldly emerald green when sunlight filters through an underwater opening, creating Instagram-worthy moments your family won’t forget.

The 20-minute rowboat tour keeps little ones engaged without testing their patience. Local guides point out rock formations that look like animals – my daughter spent the entire ride spotting shapes in the stalactites. At €5-6 per person, it’s budget-friendly too.

Visit between 11 AM and 3 PM for the brightest colors. You can drive directly there via SS 163 or catch boats from Amalfi’s harbor. The gentle waters make this perfect for nervous swimmers, though you’ll stay comfortably dry in the boat. Deep beneath the surface, kids will be amazed to spot the famous underwater nativity scene made of colorful ceramics that’s been enchanting visitors since 1956.

Journey Back in Time at Pompeii

Two thousand years ago, Mount Vesuvius buried an entire Roman city under 19 feet of ash – and now your kids can walk its ancient streets like they’re exploring a real-life time machine.

The preserved bakeries with bread still in ovens absolutely fascinated my eight-year-old, who couldn’t believe people lived exactly like this 2,000 years ago.

You’ll cover about 44 hectares of excavated streets, houses, and the main forum where Romans once gathered.

The plaster casts showing people’s final moments might seem scary, but they’re incredibly moving and help kids understand history’s reality. About 100 are plaster casts of the approximately 1,200 skeletons discovered at the site.

Book a family-friendly guided tour to navigate the massive site efficiently.

Wear comfortable shoes for the ancient stone streets, and bring water – there’s limited shade among these remarkable ruins.

Hike to Mount Vesuvius Crater

After exploring where Vesuvius left its mark, you can actually climb this famous volcano with your kids for an unforgettable adventure. The main trail, “The Great Cono,” starts at 1,000 meters near the ticket office and covers 3.5-4 kilometers roundtrip.

Your family will gain 170 meters of elevation while walking on gravel, pumice, and ash surfaces with some steep sections.

The hike takes 25-40 minutes up and 90-120 minutes total including breaks. It’s classified as easy for average fitness, though the first section’s steepest.

There’s a refreshment stop midway where kids can refuel with snacks. The wide, well-maintained path leads to spectacular crater views and La Capannuccia cafe. Scientists continuously monitor the volcano with seismic activity sensors and gas composition analysis to ensure visitor safety.

Entrance costs 10-15 euros per person, with hours varying seasonally.

Learn About Lemons at a Traditional Sorrento Farm

While Mount Vesuvius offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, the Sorrento Peninsula’s lemon groves provide a completely different but equally enchanting experience for families.

You’ll walk among centuries-old trees where kids can pick Ovale di Sorrento lemons using traditional baskets and scissors. The hands-on activities keep children engaged—they’ll watch farmers climb chestnut ladders and help make fresh lemonade during the tour.

Most farms offer tastings of homemade limoncello (for adults), lemon cake, and marmalade that kids love. Tours last 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes with small groups of 10-20 people. Many tours conclude on a scenic terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples, providing a perfect setting for families to relax while enjoying refreshments.

Children ages 2-10 pay around €12, while those under 2 enter free. The uphill walking isn’t suitable for strollers, but kids who can walk independently will thoroughly enjoy this authentic farm experience.

The Sum Up

You’ll create magical memories exploring these Italian coastal gems with your little ones. Pack comfortable walking shoes—your kids will love scrambling around ancient ruins and chasing waves at Marina Grande. Don’t skip the lemon farm; my daughter still talks about making fresh lemonade months later. Remember to bring plenty of water for those Vesuvius hikes, and expect lots of gelato stops. These experiences will spark curiosity that’ll last long after you’ve returned home.