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Sorrento

Contents

  1. 1 Getting to Sorrento
  2. 2 Stuff To Do
  3. 3 Where to Eat
A friendly, English-speaking resort on the Sorrentine Peninsula (the northern side; the southern side is the Amalfi Coast), Sorrento is the mythical home of the Sirens who seduced Odysseus (Ulysses), and is known for its citrus fruits and products produced from them (such as limoncello).  When you leave the town, you will certainly want to Torna a Surriento ("Return to Sorrento"--a famous Neapolitan song).

Getting to Sorrento

The following are ways to get to Sorrento:
  • Car - Take A3 south (towards Salerno); get off on the Castellammare di Stabia exit.  Follow blue signs for Sorrento.  Parking can sometimes be difficult, but there are several lots around town, and often there is parking at Piazza della Vittoria (40°37.62'N 14°22.28'E).
  • Train - You can ride the Circumvesuviana from Piazza Garibaldi (Napoli Centrale) to Sorrento; it takes about 1 hour.  Read the transport page for details and how to avoid pickpockets.  As noted in the Ticket Section, you'll want a UnicoCampania Fascia 5.
  • Ferry - One of the most scenic and relaxing ways to visit Sorrento is via ferry.  See the transport page's ferry section for more information.
  • Bus - There are also buses from Capodichino (6/day for 10 euro; see www.curreriviaggi.it or 081-801-5420) and Naples (near Castel Nuovo, see SITA Bus line XV).

Stuff To Do

  • Shopping/Walking  - the town itself is fun to walk around, although you may be overwhelmed at the tourist trap souvenirs.  If you venture a bit outside of Corso Italia and Via San Cesareo, however, you can find peaceful lanes and beautiful views of the Bay of Naples.
  • Lemon Grove - there is a nice grove of citrus trees run by a family just off of Corso Italia (near the train station)
  • Duomo - the town cathedral includes some magnificent marble and inlaid wood.
  • La Botteguccia ("Jasmine's") - Jasmine and her sisters Maria and Giosefina give you a warm welcome in their tiny inlaid wood (intarsia) and liqueur shop.  They routinely produce custom-made inlaid wood for the U.S. military, and actor Danny Devito once praised their limoncello as the best in Sorrento (you can even get a bottle of it with his name on the label).  If it's not too busy, Jasmine will show you how they make the inlaid wood.  Corso Italia 137, 081-877-3878 or 081-807-2342, info@botteguccia.com, every day 9-1 and M-Sat 3:30-9 PM.
  • Davide Gelateria - Don't miss this wonderful gelateria, which has a smorgasbord of wonderful flavors, including the citrus medley profumi di Sorrento ("smells of Sorrento").  Via Giuliani 41, 081-878-1337, info@gelateriadavide.com, closed during off season (Nov-Mar).

Where to Eat

The following are recommended restaurants in Sorrento:
  • Trattoria da Emilia - Great, cheap local place in the Marina Grande, with a terrace on the water.  Big portions of wonderful food, especially seafood pastas.  Recommended by Rick Steves, Let's Go, Frommer's, and Cadogan's (!).  ~€25, Via Marina Grande 62, 081-807-2720, 12:30-3, 7:30-11, closed during off-season.
  • Trattoria Leone Rosso - A busy local favorite, not far from the train station.  Via Marziale 25, 081-807-3089, rec'd by Let's Go.
  • Pizzeria Giardiniello - Via Accademia, a nice, no-frills pizzeria/restaurant in a cozy garden setting, 11 am - mid, rec'd by Rick Steves and Let's Go.
  • The Garden - Via Tasso 2, wine bar/enoteca, ~€25, 081-878-1195, 12-3, 6-11:30, rec'd by Time Out.
  • "La Favorita" O'Parrucchiano - Corso Italia 71, citrus, seafood pasta, homemade gnocchi, invented canelloni (?), ~€35, 081-878-1321, 12:30-3, 7:30-10:30, rec'd by Time Out, Frommer's, and Cadogan.
  • Zi'Ntonio - Luigi Demaio 11 and marina Grande, friendly family trattoria, ~€20, 081-878-1623, 12-3, 6:30-mid, rec'd by ??.
  • Sedil Dominova - Via San Cesareo, cheap, long lines unless arriving early, good gnocchi, 081-878-1351, 7-11:30 (dinner only), rec'd by Let's Go.
  • Pizzeria da Franco - Corso Italia 265, near Lemon Grove, popular pizzeria/panini/antipasti, rec'd by Let's Go, Rick Steves, Cadogan.
  • L'Antica Trattoria - Via Padre Reg. Giuliani 33, good mix of seafood and land favorites, €35 fixed price menu, rec'd by Frommer's, Rick Steves.
  • O'Canonico - Piazza Tasso 5, good value for traditional cuisine (gnocchi alla sorrentina, etc.), 081-878-3277, rec'd by Frommer's
  • Mondo Bio - via degli Aranci, cheap, vegetarian, 081-807-5694, rec'd by Frommer's
  • Taverna Artis Domus - Via San Nicola 56, cheap snacks/drinks, live music in summer in basement of Roman villa, rec'd by Cadogan.
  • Pizzeria da Gigino - Piazza San Antonio - rec'd by Rick Steves
  • Pizzeria Sant' Antonio - Piazza San Antonio - rec'd by Rick Steves
  • More expensive places rec'd by various guidebooks:  Il Buco (Frommer's, Rick Steves), La Laterna (Cadogan), Caruso (Frommer's, Cadogan)