How does that old song, “Come Back to Sorrento,” go? “Vir 'o mare quant’è bello” . . . or, “See the sea how beautiful it is.” You’ll be humming a few bars, because the sea, the scented gardens, and sun-drenched vistas that have been luring visitors to this cliff top town for millennia really are beautiful. Monuments are few and far between, but views from center of town Piazza Tasso or a trek down to Marina Grande, a fisherman’s port, show off the town’s irrepressible appeal. Besides, Sorrento provides easy access to such fabled places as Capri, Positano, Amalfi, and the ruins at Pompeii and is usually thronged with happy holidaymakers, providing pleasant company. When the happy hordes get to be too much, find refuge in the 14th-century atmosphere of Chiesa di San Francesco, Via San Francesco ((tel) 081-8781269), a delightful spot where flowering vines climb over delicate arches. The cloister is open daily 9am to 6pm, and admission is free.
The tourist office is at Via de Maio 35 (www.sorrentotourism.com; (tel) 081-8074033), off Piazza Tasso. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:15pm; in summer it’s also open on Saturday mornings.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
