A seaside town, Sorrento sits on a rocky peninsula on the southern edge of the Bay of Naples. Packed with Renaissance charm, this upmarket destination is a perfect staging point for the Amalfi coast and island resort of Capri, which is just a short ferry ride away. If you’re looking to dive into some history, cheap Sorrento holidays are also your ticket to Pompeii, considered one of the most significant records of ancient Roman civilisation in the world.
Sorrento is a popular choice for Italy holidays, ideal for both relaxation seekers and history buffs. Steeped in the adventure and romance of the Renaissance, the city's many cultural draws include the Museobottega della Tarsia Lignea, a museum dedicated to the history of marquetry, which is a fancy way of saying “applying veneer to objects.” If you want to travel further back in time, a walk through the narrow alleyways between Corso Italia and Via Vittorio Veneto will reveal a wealth of medieval architecture.
Water lovers can make waves at Marina Piccola, which is accessible from the harbour by steps or a lift. Additional beaches can be found at Punta del Capo, roughly 5 km to the south. This hidden inlet is a world away from Sorrento's tourist-bustle, offering uninterrupted views of the Bay of Naples' rugged coastline.
A holiday to Sorrento is not complete without a visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum, 27 km and 40 km from Sorrento respectively. Hope you can take the “suspense” of these Roman towns paused in time, just as they were on the day that Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 year ago. To get the most out of these and other attractions along the Amalfi coast, consider booking car hire options in Sorrento from Wotif.
Sorrento is known for its elaborate marquetry in furniture, called intarsia. Watch it being made and purchase the wares at Via Padre Giuliani. Shopping connoisseurs may also want to check out the homemade preserves, cheeses, jams, liqueurs and olive oil, as artisan stores can be found on nearly every street corner in the downtown region.
As for dining, fill up on plates of straight-off-the-boat, lemon-sautéed mussels in one of the gourmet seafood restaurants on the Via Marina Grande. For dessert, join the locals in a late-night gelateria. You're in the land of lemons, but you don’t have to make lemonade—just try the crema di limone flavour, washed down with a glass of limoncello.
You’ll find the nightlife scene in Sorrento's centro storico. These narrow streets come alive after dark with clubs, cafes and restaurants open until the early hours. Depending on the season, the crowd can be a mix of all ages and nationalities.
Ready to go? Find Sorrento holiday deals at a price that suits your budget with just the click of a mouse thanks to Wotif's awesome booking software. We also offer Sorrento package deals, so you can choose your ideal flight and hotel combination. Then “wine down” with a glass of Taurasi—you deserve it.
What's a break without trying some new things? Dive out of your comfort zone and into a world full of amazing adventures.
Forget about sleeping in — Sorrento offers too many exciting adventures. Read on for some of our top picks:
