Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Italy / Campania / Sorrento
 |  | Destination Guide : Sorrento |
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| | | Take me back to Sorrento |  | Why go on holiday to Sorrento?
To drive the stunning Amalfi coastline, to explore nearby ancient ruins including Pompeii, to hop across to the isle of Capri and gaze across to majestic Mt Vesuvius.
How much does it cost?
A seven-night, half-board hotel package including flights is from £450, a week's self catering accommodation from £379. Flights only to Naples are from £60.
When should I go?
July and August are hottest (around 30F/86F) and busiest. Pick May, June or September for warm weather and fewer crowds.
Where should I stay?
Sorrento and other towns along the Neapolitan Riviera cling to the steep cliffside in picturesque fashion. Its hilly nature may however make some hotels unsuitable for less mobile or elderly visitors so check access before you book. It may look pretty but may not be practical.
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| | | Island life | | What's in Sorrento itself?
The town is perfect for a stroll with little squares, lots of cafes, antique and gift shops, elegant boutiques and stunning views across the bay to Vesuvius.
What else should I see?
The top excursion is to the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii. The town was destroyed in 79AD when Vesuvius erupted, freeze-framing its inhabitants and their lifestyle forever.
Equally impressive and in some respects better preserved are the ruins of Herculaneum, which was buried in the same eruption as Pompeii but covered in volcanic mud rather than ash and rock, which helped protect the buildings. Herculaneum is often less crowded than Pompeii but both are impressive.
What boat trips can I take?
The most popular is to the isle of Capri, about 15 minutes away, which Lancashire songbird Gracie Fields made her home in her later years.
The island is split into the main Capri Town, reached from the landing marina by bus or funicular railway, and Anacapri, where you can explore the elegant villa San Michele, former home of eccentric Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, from the veranda of which there are excellent views. On a clear day, take the chairlift to the top of Mt Solaro. If you want to stay afloat, take a boat trip from the marina to the Blue Grotto.
What's to see along the Amalfi Drive?
This is one of the most scenic bits of coastline in all Europe. The hairpin bends can test your nerves but the views are worth it. The road winds along steep cliffs peppered with villages and towns clinging precariously to the edges.
Worth stopping at are Positano with its pretty houses and pricey shops, the seaside town of Amalfi itself (famous for paper-making since medieval times) and Ravello, perched above Amalfi.
Ravello is probably the most exclusive and expensive of the towns. Its 13th-century Villa Rufolo hosts a music festival each summer, when prices hike up even more.
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| | | Shop for bargains at the market | | What's the food like?
Home-made pasta (especially spaghetti) and pizza are staples, with many sauces being tomato based. There's plenty of fish on offer but it can be pricey. For those with a sweet tooth, try almond cakes or local ice creams.
Apart from Italian wines, sample one of the local liqueurs, including limoncello, based on lemons, and nut liqueur.
What should I buy?
In Sorrento town centre, the main shopping street is the Via S Cesaro. Top buys are inlaid wooden boxes, ceramics, embroidered table linen, cameo jewellery and limoncello sweets. Snap up a bargain at the weekly market, held on Tuesdays.
Where's good for nightlife?
Tasso Square is a popular place in the evenings. In the town centre, there are nightclubs and some very lively pubs and bars, some with live music. If you're looking for a bit more sophistication there are outdoor concerts in the cloisters of the 14th-century Chiesa di San Francesco church in the summer months.
Many hotels offer live music in the evenings, useful for older guests who don't want to brave the hilly terrain at night. Throughout the summer there are various festivals on the Sorrento peninsula and at these you may catch a performance of the famous traditional folk dance known as the tarantella.
What is there for children to do?
Older children will enjoy visiting Pompeii and Italians love children so they will be welcome in local restaurants. On the whole though, Sorrento is best for singles, couples and senior citizens.
Tourist Office
Italian State Tourist Board, 1 Princes St, London W1R 8AY. Tel 020 7408 1254. Brochure line: 09001 600 280 (calls cost 60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Sorrento |
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| |  | | Villa Silvana
Charming villa a few minutes from the centre of Sorrento
|  | | Casa del Corso
two-woomed apartment situated on the main street of Sorrento
|  | | Crystal
Large and bright holiday home in Sorrento, in a small villa made up of a total of three holiday apartments. It is located in the hilly area of Sorrent
|  | | Maya
Large and bright holiday home in Sorrento, in a small villa made up of a total of three holiday apartments. It is located in the hilly area of Sorrent
|  | | Amana
Large and bright holiday home in Sorrento, in a small villa made up of a total of three holiday apartments. It is located in the hilly area of Sorrent
| | Click here for more properties... |
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