Sorrento
By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2023
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Simply put, Sorrento is one of Italy's most popular destinations for visitors from abroad. Located on the eponymous Sorrento Peninsula in the region of Campania, the town has been welcoming people from across the world for a very long time now and as such, has become something of a by-word for hospitality.
Sorrento is situated on a stretch of dramatic coastline where imposing cliffs dominate the horizon towards the town of Meta to its east, while the glorious Gulf of Naples stretches out from every vantage point in the town. |
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A busy rabbit-warren of shops characterises the town centre and during the evenings, couples take their evening passeggiata in the elegant park, Villa Comunale. At the centre of Sorrento is the bustling square called Piazza Tasso and from there, everything you might wish to visit is within an easy walk.
The recently-pedestrianised Corso Italia offers a wide boulevard of shops, bars and restaurants and eventually leads down to one of the town's main attractions, Marina Grande. This is an area where you can take a swim at one of the bathing establishments or just sit on the beach and enjoy the views. It's a typical seaside borgo and a place where you can eat some great fish at one of the many restaurants.
Further along from Marina Grande is the town's other marina, known as Marina Piccola. The "big" and "small" names of the two marinas can cause a bit of confusion as their sizes are comparable, but Marina Piccola is the one from where you can sail to Capri, Ischia, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It also has its own beach establishments and the Sorrento Lift which is essential to avoid a tiring walk up to the elevated town centre.
One of the great advantages of Sorrento is its location which allows you to make it a base to explore the region from. It's very easy to visit the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum from here; the Campania Express train is there for the benefit of tourists with Sorrento's train station just a short walk from the town centre. It's also an ideal spot to rent a car and explore the Amalfi Coast towns from while still being able to return the same day.
I have dedicated a website not just to Sorrento but to the whole Sorrento Peninsula which includes numerous other towns and bays. Just below, you'll find a link to the Sorrento Review website where you'll find a wealth of information and advice on the area.
The recently-pedestrianised Corso Italia offers a wide boulevard of shops, bars and restaurants and eventually leads down to one of the town's main attractions, Marina Grande. This is an area where you can take a swim at one of the bathing establishments or just sit on the beach and enjoy the views. It's a typical seaside borgo and a place where you can eat some great fish at one of the many restaurants.
Further along from Marina Grande is the town's other marina, known as Marina Piccola. The "big" and "small" names of the two marinas can cause a bit of confusion as their sizes are comparable, but Marina Piccola is the one from where you can sail to Capri, Ischia, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It also has its own beach establishments and the Sorrento Lift which is essential to avoid a tiring walk up to the elevated town centre.
One of the great advantages of Sorrento is its location which allows you to make it a base to explore the region from. It's very easy to visit the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum from here; the Campania Express train is there for the benefit of tourists with Sorrento's train station just a short walk from the town centre. It's also an ideal spot to rent a car and explore the Amalfi Coast towns from while still being able to return the same day.
I have dedicated a website not just to Sorrento but to the whole Sorrento Peninsula which includes numerous other towns and bays. Just below, you'll find a link to the Sorrento Review website where you'll find a wealth of information and advice on the area.
Comune di Sorrento
Province: Metropolitan City of Naples
Region: Campania Population: 15,600 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 10 km² Highlights: marinas, beach establishments, Villa Comunale Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2021 - 2022 Close by: Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Cetara, Naples, Salerno Recommended accommodation: Hotel Antiche Mura Nearest train station: Sorrento Stazione (500 metres from centre)
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