Travellers in search of a seaside escape have flocked to Sorrento for centuries. Feast your eyes on pretty lemon and peach houses, and seek out historic churches. Stroll into town and browse for handmade, regional crafts. Or simply relax on a private terrace at your boutique hotel and gaze out across the sparkling Mediterranean. When it comes to Italy's best hotels, Sorrento has it covered.
HISTORY
Sorrento may be a bright and buzzing modern resort, but it also has a wonderful historic charm. Visit the Duomo to see the striking exterior fresco, or sit and listen to chirruping birds in the cloisters at the San Francesco church. For a window on craftsmanship in Sorrento over the centuries, Museo Correale has an eclectic collection featuring everything from clocks to elaborate embroidery.
SHOPPING
Sorrento is renowned for its traditional crafts, kept alive in artisan shops. Hunt for delicate lacework and colourful ceramics, or search for the town’s famous intarsio furniture. This style of ornate, inlaid wood goes back hundreds of years, and there are many fine examples in the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea.
DAY TRIPS
The coast and countryside around Sorrento has a wealth of sights to explore. You could travel to the poignant remains of Pompeii, or take a boat tour out to the glamorous island of Capri. Or savour the high life at the chic resorts and golden beaches of the Amalfi coast. Closer to home, there are many walking trails to explore on the rocky Sorrentine Peninsula.
Sorrento may not have a large beach, but there are plenty to discover nearby. Hire a private boat and cruise along the coast to find your perfect stretch of sand.