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Sorrento

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On the west coast of Italy just 30 miles south of the city of Naples lies Sorrento; a small town overlooking the Bay of Naples and one which is famous for its lemon trees. Sorrento is an ideal starting point for those looking to travel across the Western coast of Southern Italy with its close location to Capri, Amalfi, Salerno and Pompeii and being a coastal town, there is no shortage of wonderful hotels, restaurants and activities for couples and families alike.

This town which lies in the Campania region stretches across the Sorrento peninsula; a large piece of land jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea. Just off the peninsula lies the small island of Capri which is reachable by ferry or boat. The town in surrounded by spectacular Italian Art Nouveau style architecture, filled with quaint cafés, restaurants and lined with beautiful orange and lemon grove gardens. For those looking for a picturesque Italian holiday Sorrento is the place to be.

Areas

Sorrento is a small town, divided by its Piazzas: Tasso, Antonino and Antica. Piazza Tasso appears to offer an entrance to this Italian coastal town and is a wonderful introduction to all that lies within. At the shore the two marinas also offer a great meeting place before ferrying off to another destination, or relaxing at the beach.

In general Sorrento is a quiet coastal town and there is an incredibly laid back atmosphere across the shores and marinas. Meanwhile as you climb up the limestone mountain streets further into the heart of the town you are greeted by the shopping districts within the piazzas.

Weather

Southern Italy is well known for having a very warm climate and during July and August the sun can get extremely hot. The best time for visiting Sorrento is at the beginning of summer around early May to late June when it is warm but not humid. The temperatures reach up to an average of 28ºC in August and an average minimum of 12ºC during the winter months. In summer the average night-time temperature is around 17-18ºC.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	50	50	51	57	62	69	75	75	71	64	57	51
C	10	10	11	14	17	21	24	24	22	18	14	11

Average Precipitation/Rain

In./CM	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
In.	2.9	2.1	2.1	1.6	1.2	0.6	0.7	1.2	2	2.7	3.9	51
CM	7.4	5.3	5.3	4.1	3	1.5	1.8	3	5.1	6.9	9.9	129.5

Getting There

Depending on where you are traveling from, getting to Sorrento is remarkably easy as the Campania area is a great tourist location. The main methods of transport involved in getting to the town are by plane, train, driving and by ferry.

Plane

From Naples International Airport travelers can take a train directly to Sorrento which takes approximately one hour, called the Circumvesuviana. If you are looking to fly to the closest airport to the town which is Capodichino then there is a bus service to Sorrento from there also.

Train

By taking a train to Beverello, Naples or Rome from your original destination you can then catch a connection train or ferry journey straight to the town itself.

Driving

It is probably best to drive to Sorrento starting from Naples on the main motorway, where you will then join the A3 to Castellamere (signposted Sorrentine Peninsula and Castellamere di Stabia) and follow the main road for 14 miles. Once you have passed the nearby towns of Santagnello and Vico Equense you will arrive.

Ferry

As mentioned above, a ferry is a direct way to get to Sorrento once you have arrived at Naples, Beverello or any of the other coastal towns of Campania offering a service. While hydrofoil ferries can cost up to twice as much as a normal ferry, they can also be twice as fast.

Getting Around

Your first stop in Sorrento after arriving at the place in which you are staying should be the tourist information office in Piazza Tasso. At the office you can find information on all the methods of transportation in and around Sorrento.

By Car

During the summer months the Campania region is well known for getting very congested so bear alternative forms of transport in mind to get around the area. The Sorrento Peninsula itself, however, is usually not so hectic and the winding country roads are usually clear. There are plenty of places in Sorrento which offer car rentals, all of which can be found via the tourist information office.

By Bus

There are several daily bus journeys which take you around the Sorrento Peninsula and towards the Amalfi Coast. This is a great way to sight-see as you need not worry about finding a place to park or how to get to your destination.

By Ferry

Considering Sorrento is located on the Coast of the Mediterranean it’s a great idea to catch a hydrofoil ferry to the surrounding areas such as Naples, Capri, Ischia, Amalfi and Positano. Ferries to and from Ischia, Amalfi and Positano usually come once or twice daily whereas those to Capri and Naples are much more regular.

By Train

The most popular train in Sorrento is the Circumvesuviana, whose tracks run around the base of Mount Vesuvius and serve tourists links from Naples to Sorrento and all the towns in between. The train lines are the best and easiest way to get around Campania, and for just 3 euros you can travel from Sorrento to Naples in around one hour.

By Foot

Walking around Sorrento is often the best way to really get a feel of the place and find those little treasures that you would miss should you happen to drive. Due to the location of Sorrento on Limestone mountains there are many areas and many views that can’t be reached by any other method of transport than on foot or by bicycle.

Sights & Activities

While Sorrento is surrounded by popular tourist attractions such as Herculaneum and Pompeii, the town itself also has a lot to offer in the way of things to do and see. Staring from the Piazza Tasso, visitors have the opportunity to walk the streets of Sorrento visiting pizza restaurants, ice cream parlors and bars selling the famous Limoncello before going onto other activities.

Marina Grande

This is the town's "Large Marina" where visitors can rent boats for personal sailing, or take a ferry to the nearby Island of Capri and the surrounding towns. This area is highly geared towards tourists so there are plenty of facilities and places to eat.

The Gardens

Sorrento holidays are not known for adrenaline-inducing activities or exciting night-life, but rather for the traditional Italian architecture and environment. A few minutes walk from the town itself are coastal gardens boasting hoards of lemon and orange trees and spectacular sea views and are perfect for a romantic walk with a partner.

The Piazzas

Piazzas are Italy's "Plazas"; i.e. courtyards providing a central meeting place for the townspeople. Piazza Tasso, Piazza Antonino and Piazza Antica serve visitors to Sorrento with a host of quirky shops, atmospheric eateries and friendly bars. If you’re looking for unusual souvenirs on your holiday then spend the day at the Piazzas.