According to simplyyellowpages, Sorrento is located on the Sorrento Peninsula south of Naples, on a steep plateau by the sea. There is no fuss and crowds here, and swimming in the sea is not the most important thing, but rather a pleasant addition to everything else.
The main advantage of Sorrento is nature itself: landscapes, sea, vegetation and healing air. The resort is ideal for those who want to combine entertainment and the beach with an interesting excursion program. Here you have to sit back and enjoy life, for example, go through the lemon groves to the fishing villages and taste pasta with shells there. By the way, the lemon is considered a symbol of Sorrento, and local lemons are much larger than those we are used to. Citrus fruits grow everywhere here, and from this the local places are filled with an incredible aroma.
Today, Sorrento attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, including many well-known politicians, athletes and cultural figures. However, from time immemorial this town has been considered a prestigious holiday destination: back in the 1st century, Roman patricians built luxurious villas here.
It is no coincidence that Sorrento was chosen by literary geniuses and famous artists, eminent artists and legendary music creators, representatives of the nobility and even members of the Russian royal family. Goethe, Stendhal, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Casanova, Caruso, Dickens, Nietzsche, Maxim Gorky, Vladimir Solovyov liked to visit these places. Russian painter Sylvester Shchedrin created many masterpieces dedicated to Sorrento. In addition, the Sorrentians are proud that the famous poet of the 16th century was born in their city. Torquato Tasso.
History
Archaeologists testify that people lived in these places in the Stone Age. The Phoenicians built a port here through which the Greeks traded with the Romans. They gave the name to this area – the Greeks called it “Sireon”, which means “land of the sirens” – women with fish tails, with their beauty forever luring sailors into the underwater world, they are mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey. Since Sorrento is very well located, it was constantly the object of strife and passed from hand to hand. It became part of Italy only in the middle of the 19th century.
How to get there
First you need to get by plane or train to Naples, then by bus. In addition, buses to Sorrento run from Positano, Amalfi and Rome. There are also ferries between Sorrento, Naples and the islands of Ischia and Capri.
Sorrento Hotels
Sorrento is extraordinarily beautiful: it is located on a natural terrace that breaks off by the sea, so the views of the Gulf of Naples and the cone of dormant Vesuvius from the giant natural balcony of Sorrento are amazing. That is why accommodation in hotels near the cliff itself is much more expensive than in hotels inside the city or in its environs – small towns that are part of the general local resort area.
Sorrento and its surrounding suburbs offer a plethora of accommodation options – from modest threes to fives with all amenities. No noisy resort complexes can be found here – all hotels are small, cozy, with a homely atmosphere. Hotels are located both on the coast and at a distance from the sea, on a hill. You can even stay at a hotel whose history goes back several centuries. Ancient hotels are interesting not only for their architecture, but also for the fact that they have repeatedly received famous guests in their chambers. For example, in the guest book of the Minerva Hotel of the 19th century, from the terrace of which an amazing panorama of the bay opens, there is a memorial entry of Maxim Gorky. See also descriptions of the most popular hotels in Sorrento.
The level of service in all hotels is high, regardless of location.
Resort area and beaches of Sorrento
In Sorrento and the surrounding area, there is a rocky coast, and the beaches there are appropriate. Some have piers in the sea to facilitate entry into the water. The infrastructure is well developed in all local resorts. The Sorrento zone includes the city of Sorrento itself, as well as the towns of Castellammare di Stabia, Sant’Agnello, Vico Equuenze, Massa Lubrense, Sant Agata sui die Golfi.
- Castellamaredi Stabia is a picturesque town in the southeast of the Gulf of Naples on the site of the ancient city of Stabia, destroyed along with Herculaneum and Pompeii. The resort is very popular with Neapolitans who come here for the air, bathing, sulfur springs and acidic mineral waters.
- Sant’Agnello(St. Agnello) is an ancient town located on tuff rocks 2 km from Sorrento. It is named after the church of Sant’Agnello. There is a very beautiful panoramic road (approximately 5 km) up to the hills of Fontanella. Another popular excursion is by boat to the Grotto of the Sirens, located near the beach of the Cocumella hotel.
- VicoEquense is a small town founded in the 13th century by Charles II of Anjou. If you look at it from the sea, you can clearly see the church of San Siro y Giovanni with a majolica dome, picturesquely rising on the edge of a cliff. Of interest to tourists are also the Church of the Annunziata and the small Antiquarium, where you can see interesting archaeological finds dating back to the 7th-5th centuries. BC.
- MassaLubrense is a pleasant little resort town located in a very beautiful corner of the Gulf of Naples. The earthquake of 1688 destroyed most of the local ancient monuments, but some of them were restored. On the small Piazza Vescovado is the Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie, restored in the 18th century. Nearby is Bishop’s Palace (Palazzo Vescovile). Mostly vacationers are attracted by the coastal part of the resort – Marina della Lobra with beautiful beaches and a bay.
The beaches in Sorrento are artificially created; you can go to the sea through wooden or stone platforms. Convenient ladders are provided for descent into the water.
Restaurants and shops
On the central street of Via Corso (Via Corso) is located most of the bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and clubs of the city. Toward evening, Via Corso becomes noisy and crowded. Here you can look into branded shops and treat yourself to trendy Italian clothes or sit in a cozy restaurant. In local establishments, be sure to try real pizza, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic soup.
Very close to Piazza Tasso is a cozy restaurant “Caruso”, the main attraction of which is an old gramophone.
Souvenirs
Perhaps the best gift from Sorrento is the strong Limoncello liqueur, made from juicy lemons grown on Italian soil. It is served chilled after meals. Connoisseurs of good wine will certainly enjoy the traditional wine “Christ’s Tear” (Lacrima Christi). This wine has its own legend: once the Lord was so upset by the cruelty of people that he involuntarily shed a tear that fell at the foot of Vesuvius and turned into a vine.
In addition to alcohol, figurines of the local porcelain manufactory Capo di Monti can be brought from Sorrento.
Entertainment and attractions in Sorrento
The main attraction of Sorrento is the Duomo Cathedral in the city center on Via Corso. The main cruciform building was erected in the 11th century, but during its existence the shrine has undergone many alterations. The facade of the cathedral, which tourists see today, was made in the 18-19 centuries in the neo-Gothic style. Inside the temple is decorated with majolica, wood carvings and frescoes created by Neapolitan masters. In the Duomo Cathedral, a font has been preserved, in which in the middle of the 16th century. baptized the future poet Torquato Tasso. The bell tower, which keeps the memory of Byzantium, and the ancient ceramic clocks installed on it, often attract the special attention of tourists.
It is worth visiting the Old Town and visiting Piazza San Antonio and the Basilica di San Antonio located on it. By the way, not far from the square there is an information office where you can get free leaflets, maps, as well as the schedule of local transport.
Tasso Square (Piazza Tasso is the main gathering place for all tourists. On this square there is a statue of the Holy Martyr Anthony, the patron saint of Sorrento, there is also a monument to Torquato Tasso, the great Italian poet, created at the end of the 19th century. On Tasso Square, the church also attracts attention Mary del Carmine (Chiesa di S.Maria del Carmine), built in the 14th century.
Church of San Francesco (Chiesa di San Francesco) 18th century. unique for its picturesque flower galleries. From the small garden, located next to the church, offers an unforgettable view of the Gulf of Naples. And in its courtyard of the 13th century, the famous festival “Sorrento Musical Summer” is held annually.
The famous Neapolitan song O Sole Mio was created by Sorrento musicians on the order of Count Polenov, and the premiere of the song took place in St. Petersburg.
You can get acquainted with the history and life of Sorrento in the Museo Correale di Terranova on Via Correale in an 18th century building. Any sightseeing tour includes the magnificent Palace of Verniero (Palazzo Verniero) in the Arab-Byzantine style, the Palace of Coreale (Palazzo Correale) with a Baroque church of ancient origin, the Palace of Archivescovile (Palazzo Arcivescovile) with a circular wall to protect against pirates and the monastery of St. Paulo (Monastero di S.Paolo), referring to the 9th century.
Finally, from the port of Marina Grande you can get to the islands of Capri and Ischia, as well as make a trip to the picturesque coastal cities of Positano, Amalfi, Naples, Pompeii.
Weather in Sorrento
Sorrento has mild winters and clear, warm summers. The tourist season lasts from April to October. The hottest time is in July and August, when the air warms up to +35 °C. The best time for swimming is the period from May to September, when the water temperature is kept within +22…+24 °С.
