Basic attractions of Sorrento

Sorrento is a popular touristic city of the South of Italy of 20,000 habitants located between Naples and Amalfi and wedged on the ledge between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. A lot of people believe that Sorrento is part of the Amalfi coast but it is geographically not. It is part of the Sorrentine Peninsula across the Bay of Naples. It is a beautiful little city but also quite a good base to visit the top tourist sights of the region.

In this article you will find the basic attractions of Sorrento:

Historic centre: Many medieval buildings are still intact in the historic centre. Tour guide usually starts at the main Tasso Square as it is based in the heart of basically the main things to see in Sorrento. Getting to the street S M Pietà, you will find several building that worth a visit: The Correale Palace from the 14^th century that includes a Neapolitan arched Durazzo portal; the Veniero Palace representative of the Byzantine and Arab style with its three main arched windows painted and the Cathedral “Bell Tower” with Romanesque-era influences. Passing the Cathedral Corsa Italia will take you to the “Greek walls” or “gate”. Originally from the 4^th century BC the round arched gateway has been restored and is now accessible to the public. From there you will get a beautiful view on the beach of Marina Grande and some traditional fishermen’s houses.

Still from the Corso Italia but stepping back, you will find the Church of the Servants of Mary completed in the 18^th century in the Baroque style. A wooden statue of the Christ is conserved inside the church and carried every year during the Holy Friday procession. Take via Giuliani to discover the Sedile Dominova “the Seat of Power”, originally the meeting point for the town’s medieval aristocracy. Today, it is a place where men after work come to play cards and spend a good time. It is definitely worth to see.

Sorrento is also famous for its historical craft of marquetry and wood. I would recommend the Museum Bottega della Tarsia Lignea- The Wooden Marquetry Museum located two blocks away from Corso Italia.

Don’t forget also to enjoy the shopping district of Sorrento concentered in the city center. You kind of find the typical products for the region as ceramics, shoes and food but also the local clothes brands and lasts trends. Taste also the limoncello, famous lemon liquor made in Amalfi.

Finally to take full advantage of the well-positioned city, enjoy day-trips to the many must-see places around Sorrento. From Naples, to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Paestum and also one of the many Islands in the Gulf of Naples, the coast is rich in culture, history, traditional monuments and cities, but also relax beaches and good restaurants. Many hiking trails leading to panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea are also a good way to discover the coast. One of my favorite spots is the “Valle delle Ferriere” located close to the city of Amalfi.

About the author:

Amandine Dowle is a French fashion and lifestyle photographer. She has lived in New York, Ottawa, Greece and now resides in Milan. In addition to photography, Amandine also writes articles for travel and fashion publishers.