One of Italy's most popular holiday destinations, Sorrento, in the country's exotic Campania region is home to hundreds of hotels ranging from luxury 5-star establishments to affordable Bed & Breakfast venues. It is also a great base for exploring this culturally rich region, with direct trains to the centre of Naples in as little as 45 minutes. With long, hot summers and very mild winters, you'll find plenty of memorable things to do in Sorrento all year round.
Culture
An impressive sight in Sorrento is the Museum Correale, which has a large collection of paintings and other decorative arts. It's housed in an attractive patrician villa and has excellent views of the Bay of Naples. One of the most interesting Sorrento things to do at any time of the year is a visit to the cathedral, a Roman Catholic church that was originally built in the 11th century and was redesigned in a Romanesque theme in the 15th century.
Take a leisurely stroll near the picturesque Marina Grande port, see the Roman remains at Villa Pollio, or head to the Marina Piccola beach for some time out on the sand or a dip in the sea.
Shopping in Sorrento
The resort holds a weekly street market on Tuesdays at Via San Renato, where you can find everything from fresh produce to clothing and souvenir gifts. If you're looking for an authentic gift to take home with you, consider Limoncello, a delicious lemon liqueur that gets its distinctive sweet flavour from the famous sweet lemons produced in this area of Italy.
You can also find wonderful inlaid woods at the Notturno Intarsio, which has been serving customers for centuries. Although many of the items on display here will be rather too big to put in your luggage, the company ships its products all over the world.
Dining in Sorrento
You'll find a good range of traditional Italian restaurants where you can enjoy fresh pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and other traditional Sorrentina cuisine. Try a glass or two of the region's renowned DOC wine, and don't forget to have some gelato, which is one of the most essential Sorrento things to do, no matter how old you are!
Take a day trip to Capri
Experience something magical. Take a ferry from Sorrento to Capri, a spectacular island famed for its dark cavern known as the Blue Grotto, where the colour of the sea looks almost unnaturally blue! With unspoilt coves, dramatic cliffs, and the remnants of a Roman palace at Villa Jovis, the island could easily take a few days to explore. Capri is also a popular filming location, with Mutiny on the Bounty and the Talented Mr Ripley are just some of the big titles that were partially filmed here.
Discover the Amalfi Coast
Can't get enough of those dramatic views? Head to the stunning Amalfi Coast, where you'll find some of the world's most photogenic cliffs and coastal resorts, all within easy reach of Sorrento. Visit Amalfi, where you can see the marina's luxury yachts and the large 10th-century cathedral with its intricately decorated paintings and mosaics.
Then head to Positano, where you can walk around the beautiful harbour and see one of Italy's most impressive churches, the medieval Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta. As you can see, there's an incredible variety of things to do in Sorrento and the surrounding area.
