Lying just across the bay from Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy is perhaps the most stunning stretch of coastline anywhere in the world. With its beautiful location on the north coast of the peninsula, the small community of Sorrento is perfectly situated looking out over the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Isle of Capri. It is hard to imagine a more perfect setting than this.
Famous for its lemons and Limoncello, Sorrento has much to offer its visitors and makes for a great base from which to explore the region. There’s so much to do and so much beautiful shoreline to explore and these suggestions will delight you physically, mentally and spiritually. There’s something for the whole family in this exquisitely beautiful part of the world.
The old section of Sorrento is a wonderful place to get lost in – with its narrow streets and alleyways. Here you will discover the true essence of Sorrento – colorful shops, quaint eateries and the old-world lifestyle. The old town center is home to numerous historical buildings including the Basilica of Sant’Antonino and the complex of San Francesco, which includes the church, cloister, and a convent.
Here are 5 things that you may want to see to fully embrace Sorrento and its picturesque coastline:
1. Cathedral of Sorrento (Duomo)
With its beautiful clock tower, the Cathedral of Sorrento is easily recognizable and is centrally located on the main thoroughfare in the heart of Sorrento. The exterior of the church is very simple but once you enter, you will behold some wonderful frescoes and a dramatic altar with a crucifix above it. If you have time to attend a mass in this beautiful cathedral and it will be well worth your time.
2. Amalfi Coast
If there is one thing that you must do when visiting Sorrento it’s head to the Coast. The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula. It’s a popular holiday destination with sheer cliffs and a rugged shoreline dotted with small beaches and pastel-colored fishing villages. The coastal road between the city of Salerno and Sorrento winds past terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves. The main attraction along the Amalfi Coast is Amalfi Drive which offers some of the most amazing coastal scenery in the world. It’s common for folks to rent a car for a day and take a drive on this twisting, cliff-hugging route.
Sorrento makes for a great base from which to do lots of day trips down the coast and buses run throughout the day from Sorrento to Amalfi Coast. Another approach to travel to the coast is by ferry. The communities of Ravello, Positano, and Amalfi and are all beautiful and worthy of a visit. But if you have a short amount of time, Positano is probably the best use of that time. The seaside community is built right into the mountain side and offers a dramatic, stunning landscape.
3. Day Trip to Capri
The Isle of Capri will certainly be a highlight of your trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula. You can catch a ferry from Marina Grande for a short cruise to Capri. For a unique experience. you can book a private boat tour of the island. There are many grottos on the island and taking the boat tour affords you the luxury of seeing all of them from the comfort of your private boat. This would be a highlight of your stay and an unforgettable experience. Take a boat tour in the morning and then enjoy a chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro in the afternoon for a 360-degree view of Capri.
4. Day Trip to Pompeii or Herculeneum
Hop on the train for a 30-minute trip to Pompeii or Herculaneum. Spending some time at either of these archaeological sites is a must for any trip to the Sorrento area. There is ongoing work being done in Pompeii to unearth new archeological treasures and it’s fascinating to walk thru the ruins and imagine the thriving culture that once existed in this area. From here there are amazing views of Mount Vesuvius – which makes one imagine the close vicinity it has to the mountain and why this community was so protected and powerful.
5. Shopping and the food.
Shopping in Sorrento can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Small shops offer leather goods, ceramics, jewelry, fruits and vegetables, and anything associated with lemons. There is excellent shopping all along the Corso Italia (the main road thru town). But the truly interesting mom-and-pop shops are on the back streets of Sorrento – off the main drag. This area is a great way to discover the true essence of Sorrento. This area is not only famous for its shopping but also for its food.
And the food….oh the food.
Piazza Tasso
If you’re looking for a chill spot, Piazza Tasso is the place to grab a table at one of the cafes. The Piazza is surrounded by shops, cafes, fruit stands and horse drawn carriages waiting to take visitors on a leisurely tour of Sorrento. It all makes for a non-stop symphony of colorful activity.
Take this opportunity to enjoy some of Sorrento’s famous dishes. At the top of the favorites list is obviously seafood. Sorrento offers dishes in shrimp, octopus, spider crab, calamari, etc. You name it…they have it – fresh, fresh, fresh!
Another favorite is pizza. Naples may have come up with the idea of pizza….but Sorrento locals will insist they have improved on their 
neighbor’s recipe over the years. Whether you keep it simple and choose the tried and tested tomato, mozzarella, and parmesan combination or go for something more exotic, you can wash the pie down with a glass of Rosso Sorrento wine as a great accompaniment. Part of the reason the pizza is so exquisite is the local cheese – Treccia. This beautifully presented cheese is a regional variation of Mozzarella. The cheese is woven into a braid and is enjoyed with bread, salami, with pasta or all alone.
Another Sorrento specialty is Limoncello which is a digestive liqueur made by infusing lemon peel in alcohol. This is the common “after dinner drink” in Sorrento, especially during the holidays. The truly wonderful part about this Sorrento favorite is that some restaurants will offer a Limoncello free of charge when you ask for the bill.
It seems unfair to describe the delicious food without sharing some recipes to wet your whistle. Two recipes that are enjoyed in and native to this region are Limoncello and Caprese Salad with Kalamata Olives. Accredited author – Rita Romano has shared these tasty recipes with us so indulge yourself a bit and enjoy these authentic Italian delicacies to your heart’s delight.
CAPRESE SALAD WITH KALAMATA OLIVES
Ingredients:
- Large ripe tomatoes – 2 sliced ¼-inch thick
- Fresh mozzarella cheese – 1 lb. sliced ¼-inch thick
- Fresh basil leaves – ½ cup torn in small pieces
- Kalamata olives – ¾ cup
- Extra virgin olive oil – 3 Tbsp.
- Himalayan salt – to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Preparation:
On a platter, alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella in two rows. Between the two rows arrange the Kalamata olives. Garnish with basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and freshly black pepper and serve. Serves 4.
LIMONCELLO
Ingredients:
- Organic lemons – 12 greenish yellow, thick skin
- Alcohol – pure grain, 1 liter, Everclear.
- Water – 1 liter
- Sugar – 2 cups
- Cheesecloth
Preparation:
Wash the lemons well. Use a potato peeler and remove the rind off the lemons without the white pith. The pith gives a bitter taste.
Place the peel and the alcohol in a large glass jar. Seal tightly.
Store for two weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking the jar daily.
After two weeks, combine the water with the sugar and boil for five minutes. Cool the syrup to room temperature.
Strain the alcohol through cheesecloth. Discard the peels. Mix with the syrup; pour in sterilized glass bottles.
Place bottled liqueur in the freezer. It is best when the liqueur is icy cold.
If you are interested, you can get Rita Romano’s newest book – Italian Gluten Free Gastronomy: The Art of Selecting, Preparing and Savoring Gluten Free Meals on Amazon:
