Mt Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from the hills above Sorrento.

Just across the Bay from Naples lies the Sorrentine Peninsula, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of coastline anywhere in the world. With its beautiful location on the north coast of the peninsula, the small community of Sorrento is perfectly situated looking out over the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Isle of Capri. It is hard to imagine a more perfect setting than this.

Famous for its lemons and limoncello, Sorrento has much to offer its visitors and makes for a great base from which to explore the region. While there is certainly much more to do and see than I have listed here, this makes for a great start to experiencing this wonderful region of Italy.

Cathedral of Sorrento (Duomo)

With its beautiful clock tower, the Cathedral of Sorrento is easily recognizable and is centrally located on the Corso Italia, the main thoroughfare in the heart of Sorrento. The interior of the Duomo, as it is known, is in sharp contrast to the simple exterior of the church and treats visitors to some wonderful frescoes and a dramatic altar with a crucifixion above it. We were lucky enough to attend a mass in this beautiful cathedral and it is certainly worth a visit.

Interior of the Cathedral of Sorrento

Interior of the Cathedral of Sorrento

Old Sorrento

The old section of Sorrento is a wonderful place to get lost in its narrow streets and alleyways. Here you’ll discover colorful shops and quaint trattorias and the true essence of Sorrento.

Spend a few hours wandering this section of town and you’ll know why Sorrento is such a popular destination. The old town centre is home to numerous historical buildings including the Basilica of Sant’Antonino and the complex of San Francesco, which includes the church, cloister, and a convent.

The narrow alleyways of the old town

The narrow alleyways of the old town

Piazza Tasso

Looking for a spot to just chill and relax for a bit? Grab a table at one of the café’s here on the Piazza Tasso and watch the coming and goings of Sorrento.

Piazza Tasso is undoubtedly the hub of activity in Sorrento and a great location to find a seat and get off your feet for a spell. The piazza is surrounded by shops, cafes, fruit stands and horse drawn carriages waiting to take visitors on a leisurely tour of Sorrento. It all makes for a non-stop symphony of colorful activity.

Piazza Tasso

Piazza Tasso

Day Trip to Pompeii or Herculeneum

Hop on the circumvesuvian train and in a quick thirty minutes or so you’ll be on the doorstep to Pompeii or Herculaneum. Spending some time at either of these archaeological sites is a must for any trip to the Sorrento area.

The famous ancient city of Pompeii is constantly unearthing new finds and it is fascinating to walk among the ruins of what was once a thriving community. Great views of Mount Vesuvius make one realize just how close to the mountain this community was and why there was no escaping its fury.

Pompeii

Pompeii

Day Trip to Capri

One of the highlights of our trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula was a day trip out to the Isle of Capri. Catch the ferry from Marina Grande and in no time you’ll be cruising into the port of Capri.

For something a little different book a private boat tour of the island. We did this right upon arriving in Capri and got to see all the grotto’s that most visitors will miss out on. I know everyone wants to see the famous Blue Grotto but it’s expensive and very time consuming. Instead we opted for a private boat tour of the island and got to go into all of the other grotto’s and even swim into some of them. This was definitely a highlight and an unforgettable experience.

If you plan your day out in advance you can take a boat tour in the morning and then spend the afternoon strolling through the communities of Anacapri and Capri. Or take the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro for a stunning 360 degree view of the island.

The marina on Capri

The marina on Capri

Head to the Amalfi Coast

If there is one thing that you must do when visiting Sorrento it’s head to the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento makes for a great base from which to do this and the SITA buses run throughout the day from Sorrento to Amalfi.

For a different approach hop on the ferry and get a unique look at Positano as you approach from the sea. The communities of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are all beautiful and worthy of a visit. If time permits visiting only one then by all means make it Positano. This stunning seaside community is built right into the side of the mountain and offers a dramatic landscape.

The main attraction, however, is the famous Amalfi Drive which offers up some of the most amazing coastal scenery in the world. If you’re feeling adventurous then rent a car for a day and take a drive on this twisting, cliff hugging drive.

Beautiful Positano

Beautiful Positano

Church of San Francesco

Find the Church and Cloister of San Francesco and admire its arches and architecture, which date back to the fourteenth century. A Convent and the Cloister are nearby and both were also dedicated to Saint Francis. Occasionally there are classical concerts held at the cloister in the evening during August and September if you happen to be lucky enough to be visiting when one is scheduled.

 Shop

Shopping in Sorrento can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Visitors will find a wide variety of small shops offering everything from leather goods and ceramics to jewelry, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and anything lemon.

Good shopping opportunities can be found all along the Corso Italia which is the main roadway through town. To find the quaint mom and pop shops head off of the Corso Italia to the backstreets of Sorrento. Whether you are looking for something particular or just browsing it’s a great way to discover the heart of Sorrento and get a flavor for this small community.

Marina Grande

Take a walk down to the Marina Grande for a different perspective on Sorrento. The easy walk down the cliff will be not so easy on the return trip but it’s worth the effort.

If you are planning a ferry trip to Capri or the Amalfi Coast while visiting Sorrento you may want to get your tickets early and familiarize yourself with the marina so you know where you are going when the time comes. While down here grab a bite to eat at one of the local eateries or watch the fisherman bringing in their catch of the day.

Marina Grande with Mt Vesuvius across the Bay

Marina Grande with Mt Vesuvius across the Bay

Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Hop-on hop-off bus tours are becoming quite popular across Italy and for good reason. They offer a great opportunity to see the city at your own pace. As advertized, you can hop off at anytime and hop back on when you are good and ready.

In Sorrento the buses traverse a route that takes about an hour and forty-five minutes and they leave each of the seven stops every hour or so. The buses are open-top double-decker buses and usually have a running commentary of the sites as you travel around the city. Tickets cost about $15, which makes for an economical way to see Sorrento and learn about its culture and history.

Hopefully you enjoyed this brief glimpse of Sorrento. Visitors can easily spend a full week just in this area in order to see all of the major sites that it has to offer. If your time is limited then pick and choose what interests you the most but a trip down the Amalfi Coast should not be missed. The scenery here is certainly one of the main attractions and something that you will not soon forget.