Perched high atop cliffs on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples, the southwestern Italian town of Sorrento is a charming coastal town that is famous for its winding cobblestone streets, café-lined Piazza Tasso, the historic center with the 14th-century church Chiesa di San Francesco, and sweeping water views. Surrounded by fragrant orange and lemon groves, the beautiful town oozes charm with sun-drenched piazzas, elegant hotels, and quaint cafés and restaurants serving delectable Italian cuisine, and is famous for its homemade Limoncello.
Marina Grande
Set around a small bay and sheltered by cliffs on both sides, Marina Grande is a picture-postcard pastel-colored fishing village on the waterfront in the western part of Sorrento. Exuding rustic charm and a laidback traditional fishing harbor ambiance, the quaint town is lined with colored houses and family-run tavernas with terraces overlooking the water that serve fresh seafood and handmade pasta dishes. A small beach offers a spot to relax in the sun and have a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, and the Church of St. Anne celebrates its Feast Day on the 26th of July with impressive firework displays.
Sorrento NA, Italy
Marina Piccola
Marina Piccola is a bustling port at the mouth of the Valley of the Mills, where ferries and hydrofoils depart for various locations in the Gulf of Naples. The port is a major tourist hub with more than a third of international tourism passing through every year and offers plenty of accommodation and dining options for people wanting to visit the nearby towns of Capri, Positano, and Pompeii. While luxury hotels have replaced most of the quaint buildings that once housed fishermen, a small chapel dedicated to Santa Maria del Soccorso and the Souls of Purgatory remains.
Via Marina Piccola, 43, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-67-60
Marina di Puola
Marina di Puola is a delightful little fishing village nestled in a secluded cove between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense on the Costa Lubrense. The inlet was once the private hideaway for notable Roman politician Pollio Felice who built a luxurious villa here, which was surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens adorned with beautiful marbles and rolling vineyards. Today, the remains of the villa are still visible in the tiny village, which exudes a timeless charm and has a small population of about 150 people, most of whom are fishermen. The town has several quaint tavernas that serve fresh seafood and local wines against a backdrop of beautiful views.
Sorrento NA, Italy
Bagni Della Regina Giovanna (Baths of Queen Giovanna)
The Bagni Della Regina Giovann (Baths of Queen Giovanna) is a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep rock cliffs and separated from the sea by a rock arch. The pool is famous for being the secluded spot where Giovanna II of Durazzo, the Queen of Naples in the late 14th century, used to entertain her lovers. The cove features the ruins of a grand villa (Domus Maritima) that once stood on the cliffs overlooking the sea and had beautiful hanging gardens and pergolas, creating a secluded paradise for the queen. The pool can be reached via a path that leads across the bridge formed by the natural arch where the sea meets the pool or by boat.
Traversa Punta Capo, 14, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
Ulisse Deluxe Hostel Sorrento
The Ulisse Deluxe Hostel Sorrento is a laid-back hotel on a tree-lined street close to the bustling Piazza Tasso that features comfortable guest rooms and an array of modern facilities. Spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms have bright décor and colorful accents, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and modern amenities such as flat-screen televisions, minibars, and complimentary wireless Internet. A breakfast buffet is served in the hotel restaurant in the morning, and an elegant lounge has a full-service bar and stylish wooden décor. Hotel facilities include a fully-equipped fitness center with a swimming pool, a deluxe spa with geothermal pools, hot tubs and a saltwater pool, and a 24-hour reception. The Ulisse Deluxe Hostel is situated under a mile from the Sorrento Train Station and the harbor.
Via del Mare, 22, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-47-53
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Surrounded by lush gardens overlooking the Bay of Naples, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is a luxurious retreat dating back to 1834 that offers an unforgettable stay. Spread across three historic buildings in a beautiful Mediterranean park with a private lift from the harbor to the property, the hotel features elegantly furnished guest rooms and suites with rich period décor, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and deluxe amenities such as flat-screen televisions, minibars, and private balconies with spectacular views. The hotel has a luxury spa with massage rooms, hot tubs, and an outdoor swimming pool with hydromassage area, a sun terrace with free parasols, sunbeds, and deck chairs. Several highly-acclaimed restaurants serve award-winning cuisine and fine wines, a buffet breakfast is served in a gorgeous room with frescoed ceilings and sea views, and live music and entertainment are offered regularly. Guest services include a pick-up service from Napoli Train Station, and private parking with valet service is available on site.
Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-71-11
Olive Oil Tasting - Frantoio Gargiulo
Sorrento is surrounded by terraced hills covered in olive trees and is known for its production of award-winning olive oils. Visitors can explore the estates surrounding the town on guided farm tours and sample some of the region’s finest olive oils on guided olive oil tastings. One such estate is Frantoio Gargiulo, which has been producing top-quality olive oil for more than a century, keeping ancient traditions that have been handed down for generations alive. Visitors can learn about the history of olive oil production, the growing, picking and pressing of the olives to produce virgin and extra virgin olive oil.
Olive Oil Tasting - Frantoio Gargiulo, Via Nastro D'Argento, 9, 80065 Sant'Agnello NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-23-00
Terrazza Bosquet
Housed in the magnificent Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Terrazza Bosquet is an award-winning Michelin-star restaurant with a beautifully appointed and elegantly furnished dining room with a terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples. Michelin-starred Chef Luigi Tramontano creates a menu of refined gourmet cuisine that takes diners on a culinary journey around the globe with sublime dishes like stewed salt cod with smoked black tea, mushrooms mille-feuille with red prawns and chives, violet potato gnocchi with razor clams and caviar, and pan-fried John Dory fillet with lemon confit. The cuisine is accompanied by an impressive list of premium wines from around the world, which are paired with each by professional sommeliers. Terrazza Bosquet is open for dinner only, daily.
Piazza Torquato Tasso, 34, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-71-11
Ristorante Il Buco
Housed in the cellars of an old monastery in the heart of Sorrento, Ristorante Il Buco is a sophisticated restaurant that serves simple, rustic, and far-from-monastic cuisine and an extensive wine list of more than 1,000 different labels. The unique restaurant boasts an inviting, homely ambiance that takes diners on an enchanting taste experience with an innovative menu of creative dishes using fresh regional ingredients. Signature dishes include seared bass with lentil caviar and artisan seafood pasta in a smoked broth, all of which are paired with an award-winning selection of fine wines from Campania and around the world. Guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails on a charming terrace near one of the city’s ancient gates.
2ª Rampa Marina Piccola, 5 (Piazza S.Antonino), 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-23-54
Don Alfonso 1890
Nestled in the tranquil village of Sant’Agata just outside of Sorrento, Don Alfonso 1890 is a charming family-owned hotel and restaurant offers a sublime Michelin-starred dining experience. The restaurant offers a gourmet experience in a comfortable and elegant ambiance with Champagne upon arrival and a delectable tasting menu bursting with Mediterranean flavors and paired with award-winning wines from around the world. Signature dishes include red snapper ceviche with chili pepper; duck breast served with a Shirley Temple elixir, prepared using local ingredients like honey, olive oil, lemons, and hand-picked herbs from the nearby family-run farm.
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Corso Sant'Agata, 11/13, 80061 Massa Lubrense NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-00-26
Hike Sorrento
Sorrento is surrounded by a network of scenic hiking trails that offer a variety of hikes suitable for ages and all levels against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. Once the ancient donkey trails that initially linked the villages of the peninsular, the trails are a couple of feet wide and well-engineered, making for comfortable and safe hiking. The trail network extends from Sorrento along the peninsular as far as Positano, Amalfi, and beyond with the highest trail being just over 1,600 feet. Serious walkers can enjoy up to six days of hiking in and around Sorrento with both comfortable and hardcore trails for all levels.
Sorrento NA, Italy
Bar Fauno
Set on the busy main square in Sorrento and surrounded by beautifully preserved, pastel-colored buildings, Bar Fauno is a stylish, laid-back café and bar that serves an array of delicious Mediterranean cuisine, house-roasted coffee, and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests can tuck into plates of fresh seafood, succulent steaks, fresh salads, and housemade pasta prepared using fresh regional ingredients. The bar serves an array of local and imported beers by the bottle and on tap, Italian and global wines by the glass or bottle, handcrafted cocktails made with high-end spirits, and freshly brewed Italian coffee. Bar Fauno is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.
Piazza Torquato Tasso, 13, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-11-35
Ristorante Museo Caruso
Ristorante Museo Caruso is a unique and elegant museum-restaurant founded by restaurateur Paolo Esposito and Guido D’Onofrio that combines exquisite cuisine and an unrivaled passion for opera. The restaurant pays homage to famous tenor Caruso with a collection of over 400 artifacts, vintage memorabilia, and photographs about Caruso. The restaurant has a warm interior with walls adorned in postcards and photographs of the tenor and serves a menu of Campanian and Neapolitan coastal classics, such as seafood salad, fresh mussels and clams, hand-caught squid, and oven-roasted sea bream. Other dishes on the menu include paccheri with tomato ragout, ravioli with crab and zucchini sauce, eggplant Parmigiana, and Delizia Sorrentina, and the full-service bar offers a range of libations including Italian and global wines, imported beers, and signature cocktails. Ristorante Museo Caruso is open for lunch and dinner daily.
Via Sant'Antonino, 12, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-31-56
Ristorante TavernAllegra
Situated in the historical center of Sorrento, Via della Pietà, Ristorante TavernAllegra offers an exceptional dining experience with authentic Italian cuisine, fine global wines, and musical entertainment. The cozy 40-seat restaurant serves a menu of traditional Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, including fresh seafood and catch-of-the-day, prime beef and chicken dishes, organic salads, housemade pasta with ragout, and other sauces, and decadent desserts. Live Neapolitan and Italian music create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, and the restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner daily.
Via Santa Maria della Pietà, 30, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-78-42-21
Ristorante Donna Sofia
Ristorante Donna Sofia is an elegant eatery dedicated to the great Italian film actress Sophia Loren with an intimate dining space adorned with countless images of the star and a charming outdoor terrace for evening dining. Situated about 15 minutes from Sorrento and surrounded by lush green gardens, the hidden gem serves classic Italian dishes like fresh calamari, catch-of-the-day fish, porcini ravioli with truffles, and fresh organic salads. The full-service bar offers a range of libations including Italian and global wines, imported beers, and signature cocktails made with high-end spirits, and the restaurant offers a complimentary pick-up service from hotels in Sorrento.
Via Talagnano, 5, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-77-35-32
Terrazza Marziale
Located opposite the Cloisters of San Fernando and the Villa Communale public gardens, Terrazza Marziale is an elegant boutique hotel based in a beautiful Catalan-Durazzo style mansion with a stunning pink stucco façade. The hotel features elegantly decorated guest rooms and suites with high ceilings, en-suite bathrooms with whirlpool baths, living rooms with sofa beds, and deluxe amenities. The hotel has a celebrated restaurant that serves classic Mediterranean and Sorrentine cuisine and a wine bar offering globally-inspired wines and signature cocktails. The hotel has an expansive garden terrace and a patio for outdoor wining and dining.
Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo, 2, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-44-06
L’Antica Trattoria
Tucked away on a secluded terrace with traditional tiles canopied with trailing grapevines in the historic heart of Sorrento, L’Antica Trattoria is a charming eatery that is renowned as one of the finest restaurants in town. Owned by Aldo D’Oria, the posh trattoria serves an array of delicacies such as melt-in-the-mouth quail, courgette flowers, and cod au gratin followed by entrées of prawns in a sardine sauce and roasted lamb in Mediterranean herbs and provolone sauce. The cuisine is accompanied by an impressive array of award-winning wines from Italy and around the world, and a resident mandolin player creates an intimate ambiance with soft music.
Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani, 33, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-10-82
Don Geppi Restaurant
Based in the prestigious Majestic Hotel in Sant’Agnello north of Sorrento, Don Geppi Restaurant is a highly acclaimed Michelin-starred eatery that offers an unrivaled dining experience. The restaurant boasts elegant décor with beautifully dressed tables, gleaming silverware, polished glassware, and crisply dressed waitrons who serve an array of award-winning fare. Signature dishes include amberjack tartar in corn crust mayonnaise, risotto with mussels and potatoes, red shrimp and marine plankton in a citrus sauce, and crispy octopus with escarole and lemon. The full-service bar offers a range of libations including Italian and global wines, imported beers, and signature cocktails made with high-end spirits, and the restaurant is open for dinner only, Wednesday through Monday.
Corso Marion Crawford, 40, 80065 Sorrento NA, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-07-20-50