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We have no idea how many unforgettable destinations you have already visited in the big world, but Sorrento is especially hard to forget. Those who have been there will probably very much want to return for another round, and those who have not yet been there are likely to meet the most beautiful jewel in southern Italy and the Campania region, whose sparkling and maddening diamond is the Amalfi Coast.
The secret here lies in the balance: between mountains and steep cliffs and mesmerizing sea bays, between refreshing limoncello on a hot summer day and elegant wine in the evening, between mysterious alleys with an ancient look and modern and energetic tourist centers. Sorrento (or “Sorrianto” in the local dialect) is a beloved and desirable destination on the southern Italian coast and many continue there from the nearby city of Naples and stop there to admire, hang out and explore. In addition, the town is very suitable for star trips: overnight in Sorrento itself with making small forays to the various and favorite sites that are around it.
Although it is a tourist destination with a small area (compared to the big cities like Naples, Rome and Milan ), Sorrento contains all types of accommodation units and hotels, in all price ranges and in a wide variety of accommodation options. Most hotels in Sorrento maintain a successful service, even if the accommodation is only basic. If you want to reduce costs, you can rent an apartment at good prices or a room in one of the guesthouses around the city. Most of the hotels overlook the sea and include shuttles (in season) to the town center where most of the sites are located.
Since a large part of travelers move around Sorrento by car, it is extremely important to check if your hotel has private parking (always for a fee and not particularly cheap) because this is not obvious. In many cases the parking lot will be completely full and you will not be able to enter it. If this happens, ask for directions to the nearest parking lot (but keep in mind that the rates are expensive). Also, Sorrento is a town full of alleys where it is easy to lose your way. Make sure you have the accommodation address and a contact phone number when you tour the place.
The southern Italian region stands out for its authentic foods and flavors and in Sorrento itself you can find a wide variety of restaurants serving local dishes, from Neapolitan pizza that characterizes nearby Naples to Caprese salad (named after the nearby town of Capri) and limoncello that characterize the coastal towns. Like the variety of hotels, the selection of restaurants here is also wide and ranges from fresh fish and seafood to popular types of pasta to incredibly fine meats such as cuts of beef and buffalo.
It is recommended to leave the busy places that include popular food at “tourist” prices and look for smaller, less flashy restaurants from the outside where the locals eat. In addition, during the tourist season (mainly summer) you can catch good food tours here, some of which are organized centrally by the hotel.
Throughout history, Sorrento was under Greek, Byzantine, Roman, French, Spanish and Turkish control. The influence of all these can be recognized in the architecture, the art, the houses and the streets, even in the local dialect which has a trace of Ladino in it.
Sorrento’s two harbor marinas provide a relaxed and picturesque leisure atmosphere, with plenty of good restaurants overlooking the water and plenty of boats moored along each marina. If you get here very early in the morning, you might have time to watch the fishermen unload the boats with the fresh daily catch and later include it in the restaurant menus.
An eighth-century monastery named after St. Francis and containing an impressive construction that provided the inspiration for many buildings in the city (note the round arches and corner pillars).
One of the most interesting sea sights in Sorrento, which concerns a turquoise-painted sea pool surrounded by a rocky arch and steep cliffs, at the head of which is the Villa di Pollio Felice – a Roman villa from the first century BC. You can get here by walking about half an hour from the city center or by boat from one of the marinas. There is a walking bridge that allows you to walk over the natural pool, but it is not uncommon to see many waders here in the summer.
The Duomo of Sorrento has been restored many times throughout history but has left behind quite a bit of its original Renaissance design on the front entrance and the old bell tower which includes motifs from the classical period. The tour inside also collects many periods and special works of art from then and now.
Saint Antonino was the patron of the city and the protector of sailors (some believe he even saved a child swallowed by a whale) and his statue is placed in the square. Next to the statue there is a special church in baroque design, in front of which is placed a model of a bone, which apparently belongs to the same killer whale. The square is lively and full of tourists and includes plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants.
The small and beautiful Villa Comunale park will allow you to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the beaches of Sorrento, Marina Piccola and the Gulf of Naples which includes Mount Vesuvius in the background. You can go down and up to the beach using an elevator (for a fee) and enjoy the park’s bar-restaurant. The urban gardens will provide you with a green and well-kept setting with a lovely view of the sea. The monastery of San Francesco is located here and also a “disappearing garden” (a kind of inner courtyard) which includes the peak of flowering and pastoralism of this green lung.
Curiela Museum which includes art collections in which Sorrento and its beauty have been depicted throughout history. Here you will find glass works, reliefs, furniture and paintings. The museum is housed in an ancient villa that includes impressive gardens that are well worth seeing.
Sorrento is characterized by folk art that includes wood inlays in a wide number of frescoes and paintings. The Museum of Wood Arts will introduce you to the special art and make you eagerly go after special wooden furniture, pictures and hidden boxes created by wood artists in the 19th century and an abundance of special exhibits.
Usually, Sorrento is part of the “big” trip in the Campania region, which includes a number of particularly picturesque towns that are on the roads from Naples to Amalfi and are considered must-see points in the region, which are also suitable for a whole day trip:
Two Roman cities that were destroyed by a powerful volcanic eruption of the nearby Mount Vesuvius (Vesuvius) in 79 AD and left behind many buildings and remains including an amphitheater, baths, basilicas, a temple, mosaics and more. Pompeii is considered the more attractive destination of the two, although the remains of Herculaneum (founded by Hercules, by the way) are better preserved.
A lively and special island that includes scenic gems, flavors and successful shopping. There are several attractions on the island, the most prominent of which is the Blue Cave (Grotta Azzurra) where a surprising optical and geological phenomenon takes place (note – in the summer the queues for the cave can reach three or four hours. Arrive very early). Capri also excels in its night life and clubs.
A magical peninsula that many come to admire its beauty. The 50 kilometers of the journey from Sorrento to Amalfi are considered one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world and at the end awaits you the diamond of Campania – an unusual picturesque coastal town, full of a pleasant atmosphere that ranges from ancient to modern and full of attractions. Next to Amalfi there are two other villages that are worth your visit – Ravello and Positano. Both have attractions and other sites worth seeing.
Attraction Type
springs
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A natural and pastoral pool located in the heart of an archaeological site from the Middle Ages.
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Marina, pier
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Beautiful marinas with a pier where ships are moored and restaurants, shops and cafes next to it
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monastery
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The Monastery of San Francesco is an ancient monastery from the 14th century AD that was founded by Franciscan monks.
Attraction Type
public space
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A central square dedicated to Saint Antonino, patron of the city of Sorrento and protector of sailors
Attraction Type
cathedral
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An impressive cathedral with elements from different periods, which is among the must-see sites for visitors to the city of Sorrento.
Attraction Type
Nature baths
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Magnificent baths are located on the ruins of an ancient villa dating back to the first century AD.
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City park
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The central park of Sorrento is not just another park - it is extremely well maintained and has views of the bay that you really shouldn't miss.
Attraction Type
A historical site
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A building hundreds of years ago was used by the wealthy of the city as a meeting point. The murals and arches are something not to be missed
Attraction Type
Historical site and museums
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A church that looks very ordinary from the outside, but inside it is very impressive and has a large collection of art pieces from different periods.
Most vacationers in the city prefer to rent a car to travel along the special coastal road to Amalfi and also to provide themselves with a convenient and independent way of getting to all the surrounding destinations by public transportation. The car rental companies will provide you with a wide variety of vehicles, but due to the narrow and winding roads in the city and beyond, it is advisable to choose a small and reliable vehicle.
Although Sorrento is easy to get to by car, driving in the city itself is difficult. During the season, there are terrible traffic jams and most of the city’s roads consist of alleys carved out of the steep mountains, making it very difficult for non-locals to drive. Also, the entry of vehicles is prohibited in the central and tourist area and you must park in a nearby parking lot to avoid heavy fines. Parking in the city is very expensive (about 16 euros per hour!). Find out in advance in front of your hotel if there is a private parking lot and if not, what is the nearby parking lot. Also, equip yourself with as many tips as possible regarding good parking lots. We can tell you that the Parcheggio Achille Lauro car park near the city center charges only two euros per hour. Also, it is advisable to drive in the city according to the signs and the verbal intentions and as little as possible according to navigation software, which do not always manage to be accurate in the areas where vehicles are allowed and prohibited.
Sorrento can be reached via a direct flight/connection to Naples (Aeroporto Internazionale di Capodichino), but it can also be done via the airport in Rome (Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport), and both can be reached by bus or train. Naples also allows arrival by ferry, which is considered the fastest of the many options.
Direct flights to Naples are rare and take place mainly in the summer. Naturally, they are also more expensive. Therefore, it is recommended to arrive with a stopover in Rome (mainly with Elal, Israir, Alitalia, Ryanair and EasyJet), or in another European capital (Aegean Airways, British Airways, Welling, Air France, Lufthansa, etc.). Alitalia is considered the most available and fastest company to arrive due to its large variety of flights from Israel. Along with easyjet airline, it is also considered the cheapest.
The prices at the peak of the season (July-November) hover around 550 dollars on average for a single round-trip ticket. The flexible and spontaneous will save significantly if they fly in the cold months and enjoy a cost of 200-150 dollars per person. In the 90th minute, the prices stop at only 70-80 euros.
The favorite season for most Israelis is May-June or September-October. The weather is very comfortable but the price is more expensive. The weather in Sorrento is similar to that in Israel, so if you are ready to fly in the peak of the season (July-August), take into account the heat loads and the tourists. For those of you who are interested in reducing costs and visiting here in the winter, you should know that sometimes spring (March) is colder and snowier than December-January.
Sorrento is a destination you won’t forget and is considered the jewel of the Campania region in southern Italy. Both in Sorrento and its surroundings there are plenty of places to see, and you can read about them on the website.
The selection of hotels in Sorrento is large and you will find places of all types and for all budgets. It’s worth taking a look at the Sorrento hotels page on the website and find the right place for you.
Many of the travelers in southern Italy spend the night in Sorrento and depart from it every day to travel to a different destination. On the website you will find offers for star tours in the Southern Italy region with overnight stays in Sorrento.
Due to the nature of the trip in the southern Italian region, it is worth arriving in Sorrento with a rental car, thus making it easier to get around during the vacation. You can find on the website all the details about renting a car in Sorrento.
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