| Sorrento is situated on a plain above the sea, overlooking the Bay of Naples. The view from Sorrento stretches back to the north, encompassing Vesuvius, the city of Naples, and the island of Ischia. The town is exceedingly popular with tourists, particularly the British - indeed, English appears at times to be Sorrento's first language. It has a pretty old town, a harbor with ferry departures to Capri, Amalfi and Naples, and is within easy reach of the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum and the city of Naples. There is some good walking in the peninsula, and plenty of restaurants and bars for the less energetic. |
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The town of Sorrento is a veteran when it comes to dealing with tourism. Many tourists visit Sorrento in its own right, many more use the seaside town as a base for exploring the Naples area or the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Sorrento makes a good base, as it's well-connected by sea, road, bus and the Circumvesuviana metro train. The journey into Naples on the Circumvesuviana (which also stops at the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum) is not especially comfortable, but many prefer to stay away from the city of Naples, with its dubious reputation, and make daytrips into the city for sightseeing purposes. |
| Time passes pleasantly in Sorrento; there are, of course,
hundreds of tourist shops, but also relaxed cafes and restaurants
where you can sit at pavement tables and watch the world go by. The
tourist focal point is Piazza Tasso, where tables and chairs crowd
the central square which is built over a gorge. As you look out to
sea, the old, more attractive part of town is on your left, and the
station on your right. The tourist information office is located
just off Piazza San Antonino, in the old town. Take the Via dei Maio,
the small road towards the sea, and the Tourist Office is on the
right, through a gateway labelled 'Foreigners Club'. You can pick up
free town maps, leaflets and timetables for local transport. There aren't a great deal of actual 'sights' in the town, although there are plenty of panoramic views and pleasant spots. The fourteenth century Chiesa di San Francesco has a charming flowery cloister, and a small garden next to the church offers a spot of tranquility with splendid views across the Bay of Naples. South of Corso Italia there is a medieval cathedral, and more of the town's history can be seen at Museo Correale, near the station. Note that there aren't many actual beaches in Sorrento; sea access is generally via wooden or stone bathing platforms at the foot of the cliffs. As well as independent travelers, the destination is also a popular one with tour operators and features in package holiday brochures. There are a very wide range of accommodation options in Sorrento, from luxury hotels above the sea to self-catering apartments ideal for families. The town is used to the constant incursions of holidaying Brits, and you hear the English language everywhere. The locals know their market; bars offer chips and hot dogs, and waiters coax tourists into cafes with promises of 'a nice cup of tea'. For the novice traveler, or the linguistically-cautious, Sorrento is reassuringly familiar and easy to deal with, while still oozing Italian charm. |