Sorrento City Guide
Surrounded by olive and lemon groves and overlooking the Bay of Naples, the scenic city of Sorrento is the perfect base to explore the attractions of the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento itself has a wealth of sites from the 8th Century Church and Cloister of S.Francesco to the stunning Via Fuorimura; enjoy a Limoncello in lovely Sorrento.
What to do and see in and around Sorrento
Sorrento Cathedral
This beautiful Romanesque Cathedral in the Old City centre was built in the 15th Century. As well as the beauty of the building itself you can admire the wonderful ceiling painting by artists such as Oronzo Malinconico and Giacomo del Po, and beautiful woodwork and marble work.
Museum Correale
Located in a splendid pink villa, the Correale Museum was set up by the Counts of Terranova, Alfredo and Pompeo. The Museum has 3 floors and an attic containing Romanesque items, 18th century paintings and furnishings and 17th and 18th century chinaware amongst others.
Church and Cloister of S.Francesco
Dating back to the 8th Century the Church and Cloister of S.Francesco is an interesting architectural study with its crossed tuff arches and elements taken from heathen temples. Adjacent to the cloister is the 16th century church which contains a 17th Century wooden figure of Christ donated to the church as a gift from the family Vulcano.
Valley of Flour Mills or Via Fuorimura
Named after the remains of a mill that was still in use in the early 20th century, Via Fuorimura is a series of valleys crossing Sorrento Peninsula, fed by spring water. This beauty spot is a photographer's dream.
Pompeii
You can’t take a trip to Sorrento without visiting Pompeii. During the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in August 79 AD, the Roman city was buried under thick layers of ash and pumice and preserved human remains, frescos and buildings which can be seen today.
Herculaneum
Herculaneum succumbed to the same fate as Pompeii during the August 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius, but the remains of this holiday resort are much better preserved than the bigger town of Pompeii. Travel back in time at Herculaneum and see Roman villas with coloured mosaics and inlaid marble floors.
Capri
This beautiful island on the south side of the Gulf of Naples has been a holiday resort since Roman times. Capri has an attractive harbour and sights including the Blue Grotto, a sea cave that the Romans used to use as a private bath.
Amalfi
Set against a back drop of dramatic cliffs at the foot of Monte Cerreto, Amalfi is a picturesque city with pastel coloured houses and charming piazzas. Amalfi is renowned for its production of Limoncello, the sweet lemon liqueur that is so evocative of the Amalfi Coast.
Mount Vesuvius
If you dare, a visit to Mount Vesuvius is well worth doing. Vesuvius is famous for destroying the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD. This active volcano stands at a height of 1,277 metres. You can trek to the top, from the ticket office, up the orchard and vineyard covered slopes. There is also an observatory near the crater.
Positano
Positano is situated on an enclave in the hills leading down to the Amalfi coast. The town was originally a fishing village, but became a tourist destination during the 1950s and has frequently been used as the backdrop for films. Sights of interest include the Santa Maria Assunta with its renaissance tiled dome and 13th Century Byzantine icon of a black Madonna.
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