Sorrento sits on Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula with a classic Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The town’s position on a tufa cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples means you get coastal breezes that take the edge off July and August heat, while spring and autumn deliver the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the Amalfi Coast on foot. Sea temperatures peak in August at 26°C (79°F) and bottom out in February at 14°C (57°F). Here’s the month-by-month breakdown with real numbers. For an overview, see the Sorrento travel guide.
Sorrento Weather in January
January is Sorrento’s coldest month with average highs of 13°C (55°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F). Rainfall averages 104mm across 12 wet days, making it one of the wettest months. You’ll get about 4 hours of sunshine daily. Sea temperature sits at 15°C (59°F), too cold for swimming. Most beach clubs (stabilimenti) and ferry services to Capri run on reduced winter schedules. Hotel rates are at their lowest: €60-120 per night for a 3-star. Pack a waterproof jacket and layers.
Sorrento Weather in February
February temperatures nudge up slightly to 13°C (55°F) highs and 6°C (43°F) lows. Rainfall is 91mm over 10 days. The sea remains cold at 14°C (57°F). Sunshine increases to 5 hours daily. Carnival (Carnevale) events bring some life to the town, but most tourist-oriented restaurants remain closed. This is the cheapest month for flights into Naples (NAP), with round-trip fares from London or New York often below €100/$400.
Sorrento Weather in March
Spring arrives with highs of 15°C (59°F) and lows of 8°C (46°F). Rainfall drops to 80mm across 10 days. You get 6 hours of sunshine. The sea is still cold at 14°C (57°F), but the first brave swimmers appear. Lemon trees start flowering and the town begins waking up. Ferry service to Capri resumes full schedule by mid-March. Easter crowds can spike hotel prices to summer levels, especially if Easter falls in late March or April.
Sorrento Weather in April
April highs reach 18°C (64°F) with lows of 10°C (50°F). Rainfall is 65mm over 9 days. Sunshine increases to 7 hours. Sea temperature rises to 16°C (61°F). Wisteria blooms across the town’s pergolas. This is the start of the walking season on the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), with comfortable hiking temperatures. Hotel rates are still moderate at €100-180 for a 3-star. Book Pompeii and Vesuvius day trips now before summer queues form.
Sorrento Weather in May
May is one of the best months: highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), only 44mm of rain across 7 days, and 9 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature reaches 19°C (66°F), warm enough for a quick swim. The town is filled with flowering bougainvillea and jasmine. Hotel prices rise to €140-250 for a 3-star but remain below July/August peaks. All ferry routes operate at full summer schedules. Book Capri day trips early: the 8:05 AM ferry fills fastest.
Sorrento Weather in June
June brings summer heat with highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F). Rainfall drops to 26mm over just 4 days, making this the start of the dry season. You get 10 hours of sunshine daily. Sea temperature climbs to 22°C (72°F). The town is busy but not yet overwhelmed: you can still find a seat at Marina Grande’s waterfront restaurants without a reservation. Hotel rates hit €180-300 for a 3-star. The Sorrento Summer Music Festival begins mid-month.
Sorrento Weather in July
July is the hottest month with highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F). Rainfall is just 14mm over 2 days, effectively zero precipitation. Sunshine peaks at 11 hours daily. Sea temperature reaches 25°C (77°F), ideal for swimming. The town is packed with tourists; Piazza Tasso is shoulder-to-shoulder after 7 PM. Book restaurants 2-3 days ahead for dinner. Day trips to Pompeii are punishing in midday heat: go at 9 AM opening or skip to a 5 PM entry. Hotel rates top out at €250-400+ for a 3-star.
Sorrento Weather in August
August matches July’s intensity: highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), 26mm of rain over 3 days. Sea temperature peaks at 26°C (79°F). This is Ferragosto month (August 15), when Italians take their own holidays and the entire Amalfi Coast hits maximum capacity. SITA buses from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi become standing-room-only sardine cans by 9 AM. The Circumvesuviana train to Naples is equally packed. Beach access at Marina Piccola costs €15-25 for a sunbed. Hotel rates remain at July levels through the 25th.
Sorrento Weather in September
September is the sweet spot: highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 18°C (64°F), 65mm of rain over 7 days, and 8 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature holds at 24°C (75°F), still warmer than June. The crowds thin noticeably after the first week, and hotel rates drop to €150-250 for a 3-star. The Sant’Agnello Lemon Festival runs in the second week. Ferry schedules remain at summer levels through September 30. This is the best month for hiking the Amalfi Coast trails.
Sorrento Weather in October
October sees highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F). Rainfall increases to 107mm over 9 days, with the first autumn storms possible. Sunshine drops to 6 hours. Sea temperature is 22°C (72°F), still swimmable early in the month. Hotel rates fall to €100-180. The grape and olive harvests begin, and many agriturismi offer harvest experiences. By late October, some beach clubs close for the season and ferry schedules reduce. The last week can feel distinctly autumnal.
Sorrento Weather in November
November is the wettest month: 140mm of rain across 13 days. Highs drop to 17°C (63°F) with lows of 10°C (50°F). Sunshine is down to 4 hours. Sea temperature falls to 19°C (66°F). This is low season: many hotels close for annual renovations (chiusura annuale), and ferry service is weather-dependent. The Circumvesuviana train remains reliable. Hotel rates hit winter lows of €60-100. If you catch a sunny spell, you’ll have Sorrento’s viewpoints nearly to yourself.
Sorrento Weather in December
December highs reach 14°C (57°F) with lows of 7°C (45°F). Rainfall is 119mm over 12 days. You get 4 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature is 16°C (61°F). Sorrento decorates for Christmas with lights along Corso Italia and a nativity scene (presepe) in Piazza Tasso. Christmas Eve dinner (La Vigilia) is the big event; book restaurants a week ahead. New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Bay of Naples draw locals and visitors alike. Hotel rates are at winter lows except for December 24-31.
Sorrento Weather Data at a Glance
Monthly averages based on historical data for the Sorrentine Peninsula:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Sea Temp | Sun (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 104 | 12 | 15°C / 59°F | 4 |
| Feb | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 91 | 10 | 14°C / 57°F | 5 |
| Mar | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 80 | 10 | 14°C / 57°F | 6 |
| Apr | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 65 | 9 | 16°C / 61°F | 7 |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 44 | 7 | 19°C / 66°F | 9 |
| Jun | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 26 | 4 | 22°C / 72°F | 10 |
| Jul | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 14 | 2 | 25°C / 77°F | 11 |
| Aug | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 26 | 3 | 26°C / 79°F | 10 |
| Sep | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 65 | 7 | 24°C / 75°F | 8 |
| Oct | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 107 | 9 | 22°C / 72°F | 6 |
| Nov | 17°C / 63°F | 10°C / 50°F | 140 | 13 | 19°C / 66°F | 4 |
| Dec | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 119 | 12 | 16°C / 61°F | 4 |
