Sorrento: Guide and info
Sorrento has a strategic position which allow to visit in a short time the most beautiful places around Campania, you can reach Sorrento by Circumvesuviana, a local train connecting Naples to Sorrento and stopping at all the important archaeological sites, as Pompeii and Herculaneum; the station is just a short walk from thecenter.
Sorrento stands on the grey tufa rock on the southern side of the Gulf of Naples. It was named by Greeks Syrenusion or Syreon, that means Siren’s land. The Sirens were mythological creatures half woman and half fish who fascinated sailors with their song. Homer told them in his famous work “Odyssey”.
Over the years Sorrento has been ruled by the Byzantine, Normans and Aragonese, and invaded by the Turks before it went through a period of cultural, economic and social regeneration in the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming an important stop in the Grand Tour. Artists, men of letters and musicians enjoyed the mild climate and amazing scenery, finding renewed inspiration for their works. Sorrento continues to attract visitors and travellers from all corners of the globe, seeking the kind of leisure and experience that only the fragrances and colours of this land can give them.
Sorrento gives its name to the Sorrento Peninsula, a great area extended from Vico Equense to Massa Lubrense. Thanks to its geographical shape, suspended between the green hills and the blue of the sea, Sorrento coast is a great attraction of the southern Italy and one of the most popular destinations of the entire Campania region.
The old centre of Sorrento shows the usual Greek and Roman plan, with parallel streets around the main axes of Via San Cesareo and Via Tasso. It partially keeps the original plan, nowadays occupied mainly by souvenir shops and tourist services.
In Sorrento is rich in churches, convents, palaces and villas, such as:
- Basilica of S. Antonino, dedicated to the Patron Saint.
- The Cathedral, where you can admire the examples of the local art, famous in all Italy: the wood intarsia.
- Church of Carmine, in Baroque style with one only nave and paintings by seventeenth and eighteenth century artists.
- Church and Monastery of S.M. delle Grazie, with a majolica floor rich in flower motifs on white vitrified enamel.
- Sedile Dominova, the ideal place where met the representatives of the local nobles to discuss about matters related to the political and administrative life of the city. In the area opposite Sedile Dominova once stayed a small fountain. From this fountain was given to the square the name ” Schizzariello” that means a small squirt of water.
- Convent of S.Francesco, formed by three buildings: the church, the convent and the very famous cloister. They have a rich variety of architectonic styles melted together to form an ideal setting of the art exhibitions, festivals, concerts and events.
- Correale Museum, where are shown the highest examples of arts and crafts in Sorrento: inlaid wood work, embroidery, silks, furnishings.
- The museum -workshop of wooden tarsia, with its rich collection of furniture and objects made by the inlayer masters of Sorrento for all the XIX century.
- The ancients walls, defensive Greek enclosure walls
- The Villa Comunale (Public Gardens), with a wonderful view over the bay in front of Sorrento.
- Marina Grande, a typical fishing village where the famous Sorrento fishing wood boats are built.
- Marina Piccola, where land the ferries and hydrofoils coming from other localities in the Gulf of Naples.
- Sorrento Cape, with contains the Regina Giovanna Beaches and the archaeological site of the patrician Pollio Felice’s Villa.
- Marina Puolo, a suggestive seaside village.
How to reach us in Sorrento
By plane: From Naples airport, the bus service of the private Curreri company, with numerous daily runs, around every 2 hours, takes passengers to Sorrento. The closest stop is in Sorrento railways station.
By car: From Naples follows the signs for freeway A3 towards Salerno. After 25 km get off the freeway at the Castellammare di Stabia exit and take the highway towards Sorrento. Once here, go along Corso Italia, turn right in Vico Secondo Rota, left in Via Bernardino Rota and continue along Via Aniello Califano, where you will find Villa Rosa on number 30. You can park your car in the villa’s private parking.
By train: From Naples’ main train station take the Circumvesuviana railway service towards Sorrento, where the station is placed only 500 metres from Villa Rosa Sorrento. Once here, go along Corso Italia, turn right in Vico Secondo Rota, left in Via Bernardino Rota and continue along Via Aniello Califano, where you will find Villa Rosa on number 30.
By ship: From the port of Naples (molo Beverello) you can take the hydrofoil. It takes around 35 minutes to reach Sorrento port (Marina Piccola). Minibuses leave the harbor of Sorrento every 30 minutes for Sorrento centre; taking a taxi you’ll reach Villa Rosa in less than 5 minutes.
By SITA bus, from the train station in Sorrento, you can reach Positano and Amalfi or other destinations in Sorrento Peninsula. To take a hydrofoil or ferry to Capri or Ischia you are close to Marina Piccola by bus or a little walking.
Itineraries
- The Sorrento Peninsula (Massa Lubrense, Sant’Agnello, Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Vico Equense), an enticing pageant of blue seas, jagged coastlines, delightful towns and lush hills with coltivations of citrus fruits, oranges, lemons, olives and vines,
- Capri, Ischia e Procida, a panorama and a Mediterranean vegetation that will take your breath away.
- Pompeii and Herculaneum, two enchanting sites where you can admire the most astonishing remains of Roman civilization and the the fury of the Vesuvius volcano.
- Oplontis, whose main monument is the Villa of Poppea, inserted in the “Patrimony of Humanity” by UNESCO.
- Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Vietri), a wonderful part of Italy with rich history, culture and folklore, popular sayings and gastronomical traditions. Amalfi Coast tour and Excursions
- Naples, a city of unrivaled tradition, history and beauty where you can admire:
-beautiful and charming churches, such as Cathedral-Duomo, Church of Santa Chiara, Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, Church of san Gregorio Armeno, Church of Gesù Nuovo.
-famous museums, such as National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Museum and
Gallery, San Martino Museum, Royal Palace Museum.
-historical buildings and monuments, such as The Royal Palace and Gardens, Reggia di
Capodimonte, Castel Maschio Angiolino, Castel dell’Ovo, Castel Sant’Elmo.
-places and charm, such as SpaccaNapoli, Vomero, Quartieri Spagnoli, Via Toledo, Via San
Gregorio Armeno, Galleria Umberto I, Posillipo Hill, Underground Naples, Piazza del
Plebiscito, Piazza Bellini, Piazza del Gesù Nuovo.