Marina Piccola

Marina Piccola is the ferry and hydrofoil port of Sorrento, at the foot of the cliff on Via Marina Piccola in Campania, Italy. It is the main departure point for sea routes to Capri, Naples, Ischia, Positano and Amalfi, operated by companies including Alilauro, NLG, SNAV, Gescab and Travelmar. For most visitors the port is a functional stop rather than a sightseeing destination, but it has its own character: a long jetty with a line of ticket kiosks, boats arriving and leaving every few minutes in season, the cliff rising directly behind, and a small bathing area and cafes along the front. Passengers reach the port either by a 10-minute walk down Via Marina Piccola, a steep winding route from the old town, or by the public lift from the Villa Comunale area. A typical stop lasts about 30 minutes, longer when boarding a ferry. The best views are from the jetty looking back at the cliff and the town perched on top, and from the boat deck as it pulls away. Ticket offices open from about 6AM to 8PM, and prices vary by operator and destination, so visitors should compare schedules at the kiosks. The port is busiest from mid-morning to early afternoon in summer, when day-trip boats to Capri leave in quick succession; early departures are calmer. Queues for tickets can be long in July and August, so buying in advance online from the operator is sensible. In rough weather, services can be cancelled. Entry to the port area is free, and the zone is open 24 hours, though ferries run mainly by day.