Perched high above the water overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius rising from the clouds in the distance, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve just stepped into a painting. It’s no surprise, really, that Sorrento was such a popular place for artists and writers like Lord Byron, John Keats and Henrik Ibsen who were inspired by the area’s beauty and charm. Our travel experts at Plum Guide are also big fans of the place, and have put together this travel guide to Sorrento to help you plan the perfect vacation.

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Sorrento has a rich history, having been inhabited by various civilisations like the Etruscans, the Greeks and the Romans. During the Middle Ages, the town came under control of various feudal lords, often getting caught in clashes between the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States. It was also frequently attacked by pirates which led to the defensive walls and fortifications being constructed. Thankfully, its tumultuous past is well behind it, and Sorrento is now a popular tourist destination known for its magnificent views and historical charm.

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With its Mediterranean climate, there’s never a bad time to visit Sorrento. Summer is the busiest season with plenty of blue skies and sun, but bear in mind it can get a little too hot during the middle of the day. Our favourite time to visit is spring or autumn, where the weather is pleasant and temperatures are mild, making sightseeing much more bearable.

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Sorrento is easily reachable by car or public transport. The nearest airport is Napoli Capodichino which has regular buses to Sorrento. From Naples, you can also take a scenic ferry ride which takes around forty-minutes. If you’re arriving from other Italian cities like Milan, Florence and Rome, Trenitalia has high-speed trains arriving at Naples. Switch here for the Circumvesuviana train connecting Naples with Sorrento.

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While you’re in Sorrento, why not take the ferry to the island of Capri? A favourite spot for A-listers, Capri is glamorous but with a laid-back vibe. The best way to admire the views is to sail around the island, stopping at its best sights like the famed Faraglioni rock and Grotta Azzurra with its glowing blue waters. For jumping off the boat and swimming, Grotta Bianca and Grotta Verde are both idyllic spots. Sail to Lido del Faro, a relatively quiet beach right next to Punta Carena lighthouse, a fantastic place to watch the sunset.

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Sorrento is home to many fascinating museums. Museo Archaeologico Georges Vallet features many architectural elements, an array of decorative arts and artefacts, as well as sculptures, dating between prehistory to the latter years of the Roman era. For fine arts, the Correale di Terranova Museum is a treasure chest of 17th and 18th-century paintings, porcelains such as Meissen, Sevres and Capodimonte, as well as Bohemian and Murano glass and reliefs dating from the Augustan era. If you’re interested in Sorrento’s traditional inlaid wood, the Museo-Bottega della Tarsia Lignea is the best place to learn about this artform.

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The World Heritage Site of Pompeii is just a train ride away from Sorrento. When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, Pompeii was covered by ash and pumice, entombed until 1748 when a surveying engineer discovered the site. Make your way around and see what the city used to look like. Visit the public baths, the amphitheatre, the House of the Vettii and even the brothel for a glimpse of what daily life was like here.

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Sorrento and its surrounding area is known for its abundance of lemons and lemon-based products. The most famous is limoncello, a liqueur made from lemon peels which is drunk as an aperitif or digestif. Head to the Old Town-based store Limonoro (where they’ve been busy making limoncello since 1905) and watch them brewing round the back of the shop. As well as limoncello, you’ll find crema di limoni and lemon chocolate liqueur, as well as limoncello-infused chocolates, candied peel and ceramic cups and jugs featuring bright Sorrentine lemon patterns.

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Visiting Sorrento means you’re well positioned for a drive along the winding Amalfi Coast. This 50 kilometre stretch of coastline is one of the most jaw-dropping in the world. The drive may be a little hair-raising (think hairpin bends and high drops) but the views of shimmering blue water, pretty secluded bays and pretty houses set amongst lemon groves will have you forgetting your fears.

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What would a travel guide to Sorrento be without a few hidden gems? If secluded swimming spots are your kind of thing, then you’ll love Bagni della Regina Giovanna. Located at the tip of Capo di Sorrento, this natural pool is surrounded by steep rock cliffs and connected to the sea by a channel. Another spot which doesn’t see as many people is Vallone dei Mulini, an abandoned mill nestled at the bottom of a crevasse. Reclaimed by nature, the ruins are a beautifully haunting place which make for excellent photo opportunities.

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The Old Town is the beating heart of Sorrento, where narrow winding lanes are packed with bars, restaurants and shops. Stroll down the main shopping street of Via San Cesareo to pick up souvenirs for friends and family (or for yourself). For history nerds, keep an eye out for historical buildings like the Cloister of San Francesco, the Basilica and the Sorrento Cathedral. Find your way onto Piazza Tasso, a wonderful square surrounded by beautiful buildings, old statues and alfresco cafes where you can enjoy an aperol spritz in the shade.

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With its colourful houses lining the pebble beach and its fishing boats bobbing up and down in the water, Marina Grande is the best place for a holiday by the sea. It’s known for its family-run seafood restaurants, supplied by local fishermen who come in each day with their fresh catch. Choose from plates piled high with grilled seafood at Trattoria da Emilia or the more up-market Ristorante Bagni Delfino which serves up mouthwatering dishes with a side of harbour views.

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Just a short drive or train ride from Sorrento is Piano di Sorrento, a residential area mainly popular with locals. The two main areas are Cassano and Carotto. Along the waterfront is Cassano where you’ll find a marina and two small beaches – this is a tranquil spot to soak up the sea views and observe the fishing boats arriving with their fresh catch. The town centre is Carotto, a lively area with several piazzas including Piazza Mercato, Piazza delle Rose and Piazza Cota. This is also where you’ll find shopping and entertainment on Corso Italia street.

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Heading east from Sorrento is Sant’Agnello, easily accessible by public transport from Sorrento. At its heart is the Piazza Matteotti with its well-maintained gardens – its shaded spots providing a welcome break from the sun. One of the area’s highlights is the 15th-century Chiesa Di San Francesco Dei Frati Cappuccini, or Church of the Capuchin Friars. With a pretty pastel exterior and incredible views out to sea, this is an unmissable spot for a photo. There’s even a beach below it should you need to cool down.

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Set in the hills above Sorrento is Priora, a relaxed neighbourhood away from the hustle and bustle of the centre. Its close proximity to the Punta Campanella Natural Marine Reserve means that it attracts nature lovers keen for outdoor adventures. It may be less touristy, but there’s still a great selection of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional dishes. We love that the dining experience here is more authentic compared with the more tourist-centric town centre.

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Food is an important part of any holiday, and we couldn’t leave it off our travel guide to Sorrento. With its seaside location, it’s no surprise that seafood is a main feature of the local cuisine with dishes like grilled octopus, squid ink pasta and seafood risotto. The food in Sorrento also has a focus on seasonal products, so you’ll often see ingredients like walnuts in autumn, caciocavallo cheese in winter, and so on.

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Local delicacies to make note of include gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato dumplings served in tomato sauce with melted mozzarella or pecorino cheese), spaghetti Nerano (spaghetti with zucchini, Parmigiano cheese and basil), cannelloni alla Sorrentina (tubes of pasta filled with minced meat, Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta and tomato sauce). Thanks to its abundance of lemons, there are plenty of lemon-based desserts such as delizia al limone (sponge cake stuffed with lemon cream, dipped in limoncello and covered in whipped cream).

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You won’t have to worry about going hungry in Sorrento, as there is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Whether you opt for kid-friendly pizzerias, cosy trattorias, fine dining restaurants or waterside seafood restaurants, there’s something for even the pickiest eater.

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