What is sorrento italy famous for

Heading to the south of Italy? There are plenty of things to do in Sorrento. This lovely coastal city close to Naples has many charms of its own as well as being the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area.

This guide was compiled with input from friends in our online community Italy Travel Planning. Sorrento is a city for relaxing and enjoying the best of southern Italian hospitality. Simply stroll, wander and enjoy la dolce vita the sweet life. You first point of call should be Villa Comunale. This lovely park with manicured gardens and floral displays is known for stunning views over the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius looming in the background. Visit at sunset to enjoy one of the most romantic vistas in Sorrento.

From the park you can also walk or take the lift down to the port known as Marina Piccola. The piazza commemorates Torquato Tasso, a prolific 16th century poet born in the city. Ask for an outside table at Bar Fauno for the best views of the goings on in the square.

An Aperol spritz is a great choice in summer but we can also vouch for the decadent hot chocolate. This characterful area is where the locals shop for fruit and vegetables. In the evening the laneways come alive with locals and visitors enjoying an evening stroll or night out at one of the many cafes and restaurants. Go in the morning to see the catch of the day unloaded by the local fishermen. Or make a plan for lunch or dinner to try tasty dishes straight from the sea.

You can choose from plates piled high with grilled or fried calamari at rustic Trattoria da Emilia or enjoy a more refined dining experience at Ristorante Bagni Delfino. But either way, the fish is delicious and the atmosphere is magical with stunning views out over the Bay of Naples.

Limoncello is a famous liquor made from alcohol, water, sugar and the freshest lemon rinds produced nowhere else but in Sorrento , sourced from Italy's sun-soaked huge lemons. Academy Award-winning actress Sophia Loren has given Italy years of entertainment, one of her best pre-Hollywood films being 's Scandal in Sorrento , an Italian romantic comedy set in the magnificent Bay of Naples. Piazza Tasso , named by the Sorrentini after their native born poet, sits at the heart of the town that makes for a popular meeting spot.

It's the focal point where several roads meet and millions of tourists pass by. During the day, the square a lively hub brimming with tourists and citizens wrapped in history and art. Noted for his classic weird stories and numerous novels with Italy as the setting, Francis Marion Crawford is Sorrento's famous American resident.

The writer lived at the historic Hotel Cocumella in and upon getting married to Elizabeth Berdan, settled in Sant' Agnello to what is now known as Villa Crawford. Famous for its lemons and limoncello, Sorrento has much to offer its visitors and makes for a great base from which to explore the region. While there is certainly much more to do and see than I have listed here, this makes for a great start to experiencing this wonderful region of Italy.

With its beautiful clock tower, the Cathedral of Sorrento is easily recognizable and is centrally located on the Corso Italia, the main thoroughfare in the heart of Sorrento. The interior of the Duomo, as it is known, is in sharp contrast to the simple exterior of the church and treats visitors to some wonderful frescoes and a dramatic altar with a crucifixion above it.

We were lucky enough to attend a mass in this beautiful cathedral and it is certainly worth a visit. The old section of Sorrento is a wonderful place to get lost in its narrow streets and alleyways. Looking for a spot to just chill and relax for a bit? Piazza Tasso is undoubtedly the hub of activity in Sorrento and a great location to find a seat and get off your feet for a spell.

The piazza is surrounded by shops, cafes, fruit stands and horse-drawn carriages waiting to take visitors on a leisurely tour of Sorrento. It all makes for a non-stop symphony of colorful activity. Spending some time at either of these archaeological sites is a must for any trip to the Sorrento area.

The famous ancient city of Pompeii is constantly unearthing new finds and it is fascinating to walk among the ruins of what was once a thriving community. Great views of Mount Vesuvius make one realize just how close to the mountain this community was and why there was no escaping its fury. One of the highlights of our trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula was a day trip out to the Isle of Capri. For something a little different book a private boat tour of the island.

We did this right upon arriving in Capri and got to see all the grotto's that most visitors will miss out on. Instead we opted for a private boat tour of the island and got to go into all of the other grotto's and even swim into some of them. This was definitely a highlight and an unforgettable experience. If you plan your day out in advance you can take a boat tour in the morning and then spend the afternoon strolling through the communities of Anacapri and Capri.

Or take the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro for a stunning degree view of the island. Sorrento makes for a great base from which to do this and the SITA buses run throughout the day from Sorrento to Amalfi.

For a different approach hop on the ferry and get a unique look at Positano as you approach from the sea. The communities of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are all beautiful and worthy of a visit.

If time permits visiting only one then by all means make it Positano. This stunning seaside community is built right into the side of the mountain and offers a dramatic landscape. The main attraction, however, is the famous Amalfi Drive which offers up some of the most amazing coastal scenery in the world. Find the Church and Cloister of San Francesco and admire its arches and architecture, which date back to the fourteenth century.

A Convent and the Cloister are nearby and both were also dedicated to Saint Francis. Occasionally there are classical concerts held at the cloister in the evening during August and September if you happen to be lucky enough to be visiting when one is scheduled.

Shopping in Sorrento can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Visitors will find a wide variety of small shops offering everything from leather goods and ceramics to jewelry, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and anything lemon. Good shopping opportunities can be found all along the Corso Italia which is the main roadway through town.

To find the quaint mom and pop shops head off of the Corso Italia to the backstreets of Sorrento. Marina Piccola is the main port of Sorrento and where the ferries to and from Capri, Naples and Amalfi dock. Marina Grande is the old, former port of Sorrento that is now a quaint fishing village with excellent seafood restaurants and rustic homes and shops. If you are planning a ferry trip to Capri or the Amalfi Coast while visiting Sorrento you may want to get your tickets early and familiarize yourself with the marina so you know where you are going when the time comes.

While down here grab a bite to eat at one of the local eateries or watch the fisherman bringing in their catch of the day. Hop-on hop-off bus tours are becoming quite popular across Italy and for good reason. They offer a great opportunity to see the city at your own pace. As advertized, you can hop off at anytime and hop back on when you are good and ready. In Sorrento the buses traverse a route that takes about an hour and forty-five minutes and they leave each of the seven stops every hour or so.

The buses are open-top double-decker buses and usually have a running commentary of the sites as you travel around the city. Hopefully you enjoyed this brief glimpse of Sorrento.

Visitors can easily spend a full week just in this area in order to see all of the major sites that it has to offer. If your time is limited then pick and choose what interests you the most but a trip down the Amalfi Coast should not be missed.

The scenery here is certainly one of the main attractions and something that you will not soon forget. The colourful fishing boats that bring in the days catch line the waterfront and the beautiful pastel coloured houses keep Marina Grande in a traditional time warp. View of Marina, Sorrento. For couples seeking a romantic break, there is no better place than Sorrento.

Its views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, the sunsets, the laid-back atmosphere; all the elements make it a perfect place for a honeymoon or couples celebrating a special occasion.

However, you cannot deny that they are simply spectacular in Sorrento. One of the most famous and iconic hotels in town is the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Sunset view from Sorrento terrace. There is a reason why so many weddings take place at The Cloisters of San Francisco. It is by far one of the most romantic and magical places to visit in Sorrento.

The beautiful arches that circle the garden area are draped in greenery creating a quiet and calm feeling as soon as you step inside. During the summer, the Cloister is used for art exhibitions and concerts making it come alive. Cloisters of San Francisco, romantic venue in Sorrento. Sorrento might not be famed for its beaches; however, you do not have to travel far to reach some truly beautiful ones dotted along its peninsula.

During the high season and weekends the beaches near Sorrento can get busy with tourists and locals escaping the intense heat of the towns and cities. A tip is to head down early to get a good spot before all the loungers and umbrellas go. This is the closest beach you will find to Sorrento, located not far from its historic centre. Beach of Marina Grande.

Located just 2 kilometres from Sorrento this small beach with crystal clear waters is idyllic. It is just by Marina di Puolo where you can find a handful of restaurants to have a bite to eat before heading to the beach. The beach is made up of two sectors, the free public beach loungers and umbrellas at a cost , or the beach club entrance fees apply.

The beach is long and you have the option to hire a lounger and umbrella or bring a towel and use the free beach. For a completely unique experience try the authentic and harder to reach Laurito Beach which is in a secluded bay along from the main beach in Positano.

This is mostly accessed by small shuttle boat and well worth the journey. Positano beach. Sorrento is one of the best places to stay in Campania if you plan on booking up some excursions whilst on holiday.

Numerous group tours leave from the centre of Sorrento with many to choose from including full and half day tours. Below are some of the most popular and unmissable excursions from Sorrento. No trip to Sorrento would be complete without an excursion to the renowned Pompeii and Herculaneum. Grand Theatre Pompeii. For many, Mount Vesuvius is considered the ultimate reason to visit Sorrento. You may be able to see Mount Vesuvius from Sorrento but taking a visit to Vesuvio National Park to walk its summit is a rewarding experience.

Once you reach the summit you can see inside the crater of this magnificent active volcano. View of Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii. If you are planning a trip to Sorrento then an Amalfi excursion is a must.

The dramatic cliff edges of Amalfi overlook the glistening Tyrrenian Sea creating a jaw dropping coastal drive. Head to Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and the mountain high Ravello to visit picturesque villages that have views to take your breath away. View of Amalfi Coast from clifftop Ravello.