10 Day Trips from Sorrento

1. NAPLES

Naples, the capital of the Campania region, is noted for its rich history, art, culture and gastronomy, not to mention it has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Naples is a city on the sea, a place full of light yet with dark, hidden foundations. Some food selection to absolutely try in Naples are: 1) the Neapolitan pizza, we suggest going to Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, the birthplace of the Margherita pizza; 2) Spaghetti con vongole, Spaghetti with clams; 3) the delicious pastry called “sfogliatella”, which can be riccia or frolla (try both!); and 4) Fried seafood from Friggitoria Vomero. Places not to be missed: Maschio Angioino, National Museum of Archaeology, Teatro San Carlo and Pizza Plebiscito.

2. AMALFI

The origin story of Amalfi is a rather mysterious one, however its Roman roots have been assessed. The current downtown area of Amalfi corresponds to what it looked like during its Medieval era. The most famous place to visit is the magnificent Cathedral of Amalfi. Being an area known for its cultivation of lemons, Amalfi is famed for its production of Limoncello liqueur.

3. CAPRI

An island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off of the Sorrentine Peninsula, south of the Gulf of Naples, Capri has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic. Some of the main sights of the island include: Marina Piccola, the Belvedere of Tragara, the Faraglioni--the so-called sea stacks that project above the sea-- the town of Anacapri, the Grotta Azzurra, and the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas.

4. SALERNO

Located at the geographical center of a triangle nicknamed Tourist Triangle of the 3 P, namely Pompei, Paestum and Positano, Salerno has been in recent years, one of the most attractive cities to visit. While there, do not miss the chance to visit the Cathedral, which in its crypt resides the tomb of one of the twelve apostles of Christ, Saint Matthew the Evangelist; take a stroll down the Lungomare Trieste, one of the best in Italy, oftentimes compared to those in the French Riviera, or visit “Minerva’s Garden”, situated in the fringes of the castle hill which still dominates the old Salerno, in it can be found the medieval “Hortus sanitatis” of the Schola Medica Salernitana, the first European botanical garden.

5. MAIORI

A little town on the Amalfi coast in the province of Salerno, Maiori has also been another popular tourist resort since Roman times, renowned for its longest unbroken stretch of beach on the Amalfi coastline. Don’t miss out on the Santa Maria de Olearia in Maiori! The ruins of the XI Benedictine Abbey just above the town is a great way to enjoy the oldest part of Maiori.

6. MINORI

Home to one of the most important Roman monuments of the Amalfi Coast, the splendid Villa Marittima Romana, Minori is a true jewel of a town. In the olden days, Minori was filled with mills and because of such the vocation for pasta was born. Here, it is necessary to stop by the pasticceria di Salvatore De Riso, creator of the ricotta and pears cake.

7. POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM

Do not miss the chance to visit two of the most well-preserved Roman cities completely devoured by the famous Vesuvius. In these “ghost” Roman towns, you will be able to immerse yourself as well as imagine what a typical city in the Roman Empire looked like. In Pompeii, try to visit the Villa dei Misteri and the Casa del Fauno.

8. CASTELLAMMARE DI STABIA

Castellammare di Stabia is located south of the Metropolitan area of Naples, Do not miss the the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Stabiae, also attacked by the Vesuvius back in 79 AC; take a bath at the Stone Beach or instead stroll along the Lungomare of Castellammare di Stabia. If you’re still good on time, try going to the Grotta San Biagio, an ancient Christian temple, which later became used by the worshippers as a catacomb.

9. PAESTUM

Paestum is an ancient city of the Magna Graecia, named after the the god of the seas, Poseidon. It is located only 30 km south of Salerno. A true ancient Roman “ghost town”!

10. POSITANO

Coming to Positano from the sea, one might mistake it for looking like a shell, leaving all of those that visit fascinated. A seductive place, just like the sirens of the rocks of de Li Galli. Positano was once a Saracenic property, thus the presence of typical Saracen watchtowers.