| Overview | Things to do | Suitability | Country Info (Italy) |
 |
Perched high on a cliff and surrounded on three sides by deep ravines, Sorrento is an enchanting town. Its spectacular position overlooking the sea to Vesuvius in the distance has been attracting visitors since the early 19th century. Today it is a lively, vibrant resort, a lovely place to get a feel for the southern Italian way of life.
Not without reason is Sorrento one of Italy's most popular resorts: its temperate climate, undeniably scenic coastal setting and refined ambience have been attracting foreign visitors for over 200 years. Though it hasn't a lot of individual sights to boast of, it's a superb town for wandering, and comfortable, too, given that it measures a compact, fairly level 2¼ by ¾ mls. There are two public beaches, Marina Piccola has a tiny patch of dark sand/shingle protected by a long jetty and Marina Grande has a tiny, crowded strip of sand, plus groups of wooden platforms with amenities. This city caters for both upmarket and middlemarket visitors. There is not much to do for children, who may find it boring. It is beautiful and titillating for singles, romantic for couples of all ages and very popular with honeymooners. Locality: Sorrento is located about a third of the way up the W coast of the boot of Italy, on the S side of the Bay of Naples ( 160 mls SE of Rome, 11 mls W of Positano, 22 mls W of Amalfi, 34 mls S of Naples and its airport). Sorrento is positioned in a sheltered spot on a flattish clifftop terrace, 50 yds above the sea, surrounded by steeply rising, thickly wooded hills with olive and citrus groves and vineyards. Bordered on one side by steep cliffs; a deep gorge runs down to a port. |
