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Tumbling down a cliffside in a palette of bright hues, Sorrento is a popular and long-standing resort town with a charming historic heart, atmospheric ruins and a bustling port. The town looks out over the Bay of Naples and is known for its high quality ceramics, lace and marquetry, and its delicious Sorrentine lemons. It's also a very convenient coastal base with easy access to major local destinations. You can drive or get a boat to Positano on the Amalfi Coast, a ferry or hydrofoil to Capri or set off to explore the ruins of Pompeii. Unfortunately, it does get extremely busy in the summer months.
Italy specialist CarolineSorrento makes a convenient base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. Its piazzas are great for morning coffee and people watching. Many properties sit on the cliff edge, with sweeping views over the Bay of Naples.
Things to see and do in Sorrento
Piazza Tasso and the old town
The heart of Sorrento is a warren of little streets flanked by numerous churches, beautifully restored 19th-century townhouses and palaces, and quaint trattorias. At its heart is Piazza Tasso, a hub of activity with many lively bars and restaurants lorded over by the elegant Palazzo Correale with its beautiful majolica courtyard. From here you can veer off and explore the narrow alleyways now lined with cafés and boutiques selling local produce, such as limoncello and linen clothing. Don't miss the 14th-century Church of San Francesco, one of Sorrento's most beautiful, with its tranquil cloister showcasing a variety of architectural styles.
Take a boat to Capri Island
The chic and wonderfully scenic island of Capri is just a 45-minute hydrofoil ride from Sorrento. A popular destination for celebrities, politicians and the wealthy for centuries, Capri is a decidedly glamorous spot and the best place to soak up the atmosphere is with a coffee or an ice cream under the clock tower on the bustling central square or Piazzetta. From here you can wander the narrow streets, enjoy some shopping in the designer boutiques, take in the spectacular views from the Augustus Gardens, go on a coastal hike, or simply sit and have a long lunch in the sunshine.
Uncover the archaeological wonders of Pompeii
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii, one of Italy’s most renowned attractions, is less than an hour’s drive from Sorrento. Devastated by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the entire city was covered in 6 m (19.6 feet) of ash, which perfectly preserved the buildings and their remarkable mosaics and frescoes. You can explore numerous grand houses with elaborate decorative details, the main forum with its civic buildings, as well as shops and public baths, all of which display extraordinary fragments of the daily life of those who were unfortunate enough to have lived here at the time.
The ruins in the Valley of the Mills
A short walk from Sorrento's Piazza Tasso, but a world away in atmosphere is the Valley of the Mills, a deep natural ravine blanketed in lush vegetation. Nestled at the bottom is the ruin of Sorrento’s old flour mill, a largely medieval structure, though some elements show the site was in use in Roman times. Standing on street level, you get a perfect view of this beautiful, otherworldly structure now completely overgrown with moss and ferns. The mill supplied flour to Naples until the early 20th century and looks even more magical at night when it is illuminated by spotlights.
who's been there
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Suggested itineraries featuring Sorrento
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Sorrento, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Sorrento
- Capri 16 kilometers away
- Pompeii 18 kilometers away
- The Amalfi Coast 20 kilometers away
- Herculaneum 21 kilometers away
- Naples 26 kilometers away
- Ischia 39 kilometers away
- Matera 188 kilometers away
- Rome 213 kilometers away
- Puglia 231 kilometers away
- Alberobello 243 kilometers away
- Fasano 253 kilometers away
- Ostuni 271 kilometers away
- Palermo 293 kilometers away
- Orvieto 300 kilometers away
- Umbria 303 kilometers away
- Assisi 309 kilometers away
- Taormina 319 kilometers away
- Sicily 320 kilometers away
- Perugia 322 kilometers away
- Lecce 323 kilometers away
- Mount Etna 325 kilometers away
- Erice and Trapani 327 kilometers away
- Otranto 353 kilometers away
- Marsala 357 kilometers away
- Villa Romana del Casale 363 kilometers away
- Agrigento 376 kilometers away
- Siena 392 kilometers away
- Syracuse 403 kilometers away
- Ragusa, Modica & Noto 413 kilometers away
- Costa Smeralda 414 kilometers away
- San Gimignano 420 kilometers away
- Florence 435 kilometers away
- Sardinia 459 kilometers away
- Ravenna 459 kilometers away
- Southern Sardinia 475 kilometers away
- Pisa 476 kilometers away
Photos of Sorrento
Our expert guides to exploring Sorrento
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Sorrento, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Sorrento at its best.
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Food highlights of Italy Food highlights of Italy
Food highlights of Italy
Italy specialist Caroline talks about her love of Italian food in this guide, focusing on the more renowned culinary cities and regions. She also talks about her experiences of creating pasta, catching fresh fish for dinner in Sorrento, wine tasting in Tuscany's Chianti region and where to eat like a local.
Read this guide -
Honeymoons in Italy Honeymoons in Italy
Honeymoons in Italy
Having got married in Tuscany, specialist Eva outlines some of the best honeymoon options across Italy. Would you and your spouse-to-be prefer pampering on the Amalfi Coast or living la dolce vita in Venice, Rome and Florence?
Read this guide
Accommodation choices for Sorrento
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Sorrento. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Bellevue Syrene 1820
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Hotel Minerva
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Hotel Plaza Sorrento
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Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
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Grand Hotel la Favorita
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Hilton Sorrento Palace
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Hotel Antiche Mura
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Grand Hotel Ambasciatori
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Imperial Tramontano
Sorrento