Take me back to Sorrento
Why go on holiday to Sorrento?
To drive the stunning Amalfi coastline, to explore nearby ancient ruins including Pompeii, to hop across to the isle of Capri and gaze across to majestic Mt Vesuvius.
How much does it cost?
A seven-night, half-board hotel package including flights is from £450, a week's self catering accommodation from £379. Flights only to Naples are from £60.
When should I go?
July and August are hottest (around 30F/86F) and busiest. Pick May, June or September for warm weather and fewer crowds.
Where should I stay?
Sorrento and other towns along the Neapolitan Riviera cling to the steep cliffside in picturesque fashion. Its hilly nature may however make some hotels unsuitable for less mobile or elderly visitors so check access before you book. It may look pretty but may not be practical.
What's in Sorrento itself?
The town is perfect for a stroll with little squares, lots of cafes, antique and gift shops, elegant boutiques and stunning views across the bay to Vesuvius.
What else should I see?
The top excursion is to the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii. The town was destroyed in 79AD when Vesuvius erupted, freeze-framing its inhabitants and their lifestyle forever.
Equally impressive and in some respects better preserved are the ruins of Herculaneum, which was buried in the same eruption as Pompeii but covered in volcanic mud rather than ash and rock, which helped protect the buildings. Herculaneum is often less crowded than Pompeii but both are impressive.
What boat trips can I take?
The most popular is to the isle of Capri, about 15 minutes away, which Lancashire songbird Gracie Fields made her home in her later years.
The island is split into the main Capri Town, reached from the landing marina by bus or funicular railway, and Anacapri, where you can explore the elegant villa San Michele, former home of eccentric Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, from the veranda of which there are excellent views. On a clear day, take the chairlift to the top of Mt Solaro. If you want to stay afloat, take a boat trip from the marina to the Blue Grotto.
What's to see along the Amalfi Drive?
This is one of the most scenic bits of coastline in all Europe. The hairpin bends can test your nerves but the views are worth it. The road winds along steep cliffs peppered with villages and towns clinging precariously to the edges.
Worth stopping at are Positano with its pretty houses and pricey shops, the seaside town of Amalfi itself (famous for paper-making since medieval times) and Ravello, perched above Amalfi.
Ravello is probably the most exclusive and expensive of the towns. Its 13th-century Villa Rufolo hosts a music festival each summer, when prices hike up even more.
What's the food like?
Home-made pasta (especially spaghetti) and pizza are staples, with many sauces being tomato based. There's plenty of fish on offer but it can be pricey. For those with a sweet tooth, try almond cakes or local ice creams.
Apart from Italian wines, sample one of the local liqueurs, including limoncello, based on lemons, and nut liqueur.
What should I buy?
In Sorrento town centre, the main shopping street is the Via S Cesaro. Top buys are inlaid wooden boxes, ceramics, embroidered table linen, cameo jewellery and limoncello sweets. Snap up a bargain at the weekly market, held on Tuesdays.
Where's good for nightlife?
Tasso Square is a popular place in the evenings. In the town centre, there are nightclubs and some very lively pubs and bars, some with live music. If you're looking for a bit more sophistication there are outdoor concerts in the cloisters of the 14th-century Chiesa di San Francesco church in the summer months.
Many hotels offer live music in the evenings, useful for older guests who don't want to brave the hilly terrain at night. Throughout the summer there are various festivals on the Sorrento peninsula and at these you may catch a performance of the famous traditional folk dance known as the tarantella.
What is there for children to do?
Older children will enjoy visiting Pompeii and Italians love children so they will be welcome in local restaurants. On the whole though, Sorrento is best for singles, couples and senior citizens.
Tourist Office
Italian State Tourist Board, 1 Princes St, London W1R 8AY. Tel 020 7408 1254. Brochure line: 09001 600 280 (calls cost 60p per minute).
Sorrento
Did you know?
The area around Sorrento was known as the Temple of Sirens, where sailors in ancient times were lured onto the rocks by the songs of these monster-maidens.
Language
Italian.
Visas
None required from the UK.
Getting there
International flights go direct to Naples, the nearest airport.
Flying time from London
About 2hr 30min.
Getting around
Sorrento town centre is small enough to do on foot. Boats go to Capri and Naples from the harbour. If you want to drive the Amalfi coast you can hire a car but beware hairpin bends and erratic drivers.
Currency
Euro.
Costs
Things can be pricey, but as a rough guide: pint of beer £3.50, moderate restaurant meal £10-£15, litre of unleaded petrol around 70p, roll of film (24 exposures) £4, short taxi ride £8-10.
Weather
April-June and September-October are the best times to go, when the weather is good, prices are low and there are fewer tourists. Late July and August is very hot, prices rise and it's pretty crowded everywhere.
Time difference
One hour ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 39.
Voltage
220V, 50Hz, though some places still use the old 125V system, so check before plugging in any appliances. You'll also need a European plug adaptor.
Opening hours
Shops open at 8am, shut at 1pm for a long lunch and open again at 3/4pm till 7/8pm or later. Banks open 8.30am-1.30pm and 2.45-4.30pm Monday-Friday.
Health — before you go
No jabs needed. The UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Italy but you'll need an EHIC form, available from UK post offices.
Health — when you are there
Take the E111 form to the local Unita Sanitaria Locale office, which will give you the information you need. But as many Italian public hospitals are underfunded, you may prefer to take out travel insurance to access a private clinic.
Warnings
Sorrento is a pretty safe area but its proximity to Naples may attract pickpockets looking for easy targets, so be careful with your bags and wallets. The landscape of the resort means many hotels are on hills with steep steps or drives so watch your footing, especially at night.
Emergency
Police, dial 113. British Embassy in Rome: Via XX Settembre 80a, Tel 06 482 54 41.
Customs
Siestas are the norm so expect shops to shut between 1 and 4pm. There are strict dress codes for places of worship all over Italy, so be as inconspicuous and considerate as possible.
Pets
Italy is included in the Pet Travel Scheme but be aware that the process takes several months before travel to set up. See your vet for further details.
Tipping
You are not expected to tip on top of restaurant charges or taxi fares. Restaurants usually have a cover charge that includes bread, olive oil and water.
Tourist office
Italian State Tourist Board: 1 Princes St, London W1R 8AY, Tel. 020 7408 1254. Brochure line: 09001 600 280 (calls cost 60p per minute).
Reviews for : Sorrento
Sorrento is the perfect base for exploring the Amalfi Coast, and for visiting the wonders of Roman antiquity, Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples and towering Mt. Vesuvius are easily reached from here as well. Unless you want to stay put in either picturesque Amalfi, Ravello or Positano, choose Sorrento over these as your base. Just visit them instead! Reaching them along the tortuous narrow road which clings to the cliff side makes for vertginous driving and though the buses are marvellous and inexpensive, the boats which ply the coast are fairly costly on the pocket however much they save your stomach from lurching! Extremely friendly, Sorrentans make you feel you are in a special place even if their town has become overwhelmingly tourist-driven. On the whole the restaurants have resisted what must be a great temptation, given their captive audience, to serve poor quality food and instead we found the menus to be good varied and generally delicious. Sorrento is not a place for children - the beaches are poor and hard to access, but for the childless or for teenagers upwards, it is to be recommended.
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Soreento is a beautiful city and thre is plenty to do and lots of lovely shops and restaurants. Capri is just a short boat ride away and is absolutely amazing and a must see place. Also pompeii is just a short train ride from Sorrento. The scenery is just lovely although there is a shortage of beaches but is is very cultural and you will not be disappointed with a holiday here.
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I liked the scienic part of Sorrento but not the day to day hustle and bustle.
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