What to See in Sorrento

Sorrento is a famous city in southern Italy. The city has also been called “The Land of Colors”, “The Land of Sirens” and “City of Gardens”. For each nickname that the city earned, there is a story that inspired others to call it like that, true or legend. Sorrento is made of pieces of culture and civilization from Greeks, Romans, Normans, and Aragonese since all of them passed here to get the fruits of a generous nature in exchange for something of their own.

Sorrento has been a tourist-favorite spot since the 19th century when the landscape of the Sorrentine peninsula started to be appreciated worldwide. If you are looking for a vacation spot, you can’t go wrong with Sorrento! It is an impressive city and lies in a great location, so if you want to spend some days in Sorrento, you will find it easy to reach famous areas of Italy. If you are wondering what to see in Sorrento, we have prepared a list so you won’t miss visiting some of the best attractions in the city.

Tasso Square

Tasso Square is the heart of the city! It was named after the poet Torquato Tasso. This is where you will find bars, shops, restaurants, and a gurgling life all year round. The square was build in the 19th century during the Urban transformation of the city. It was first named “Largo del Castello” and the locals still refer it with this name because of a 15th-century castle that once stood there.

The main monuments in the square are the Baroque Church del Carmine, which features a painting by Onofrio Avellino, and a statue of S. Antonino Abate. Nearby, you will also find Palazzo Correale which is now a museum.

Baths of Queen Giovanna

The baths of Queen Giovanna or Bagni Della Regina Giovanna is the name given to the fabulous natural pools in the surroundings of Sorrento. You will find these baths surrounded by cliffs and a rocky beach. The great Queen of Naples or the Joan of Anjou as it was known in English had a soft spot for these bathrooms. It is said that she would use these bathrooms to entertain herself and bring her young and charming lovers.

You can reach Baths of Queen Giovanna by bus and a short walk to the tip of Cape Sorrento, on the edge of town or by car – you will have to continue in the direction of Massa Lubrense, along via Capo, up to the Capo di Sorrento. A panoramic road, surrounded by huge cliffs and an ancient Roman villa, leads to a wonderful natural arch over the sea.

Basilica of Sant’Antonino

The Basilica of Saint’Antonio stands right where an oratory on the tomb of Sant’Antonio used to be. You will be amazed by the interior of this building – three naves, twelve columns of different marbles that were collected by the buildings of the Greek-Roman Sorrento. At the center of the ceiling on canvas, is a canvas by Giovan Battista Lama from 1734, depicting Saint Anthony delivering the daughter of Sicario, Duke of Benevento, from the devil.

Pompeii

The roman city of Pompeii is an ancient city, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It consists of 440,000 square meters filled with squares, temples, baths, public buildings, private villas, and shops. The city was totally buried in ash and dust and once it was discovered in the 18th Century, it soon became a huge tourist attraction. The site is now part of UNESCO World Heritage.

If you are staying in Sorrento, Pompeii is not far from there and it is a must-visit if you are like archeological monuments. To make you visit in this ancient city easier, you can visit the main monuments of Pompeii with a tour guide.

Cathedral and Bell Tower

The Cathedral of Saints Philip and James has been located in the historic center of Sorrento for over a thousand years even and now it is located just outside the city walls. There is nothing remained from the primitive appearance of the previous look. The present shape is the result of the renovations completed in the 20s of the last century with the neo-Gothic style facade.

The interior is in Baroque style, mostly built in the 18th century. Here you can find some important works of art: from the canvases, made by Giacomo del Pò, depicting the Assumption and Saints Philip and James (in the ceiling of the Presbytery), to the “Madonna and Child and the two San Giovanni” by Silvestro Good (in the pulpit).

The bell tower has a gorgeous 18th-century ceramic clock. Majestic. This monument has great historic importance. The small arched rooms and the vault on Via Peta of the Bishop’s Palace served as a meeting point for the people of Sorrento.

Correale di Terranova Museum

Correale di Terranova Museum is made of three floors, twenty-four rooms, a big library, and a beautiful garden. The museum was home to the brothers: Alfredo and Pompeo Correale, Counts of Terranova. It is an unmissable stop for anyone visiting Sorrento. Inside you will find precious furniture, Capodimonte porcelain, 17th-century paintings inspired by the spirit of the Counter-Reformation, still lifes, views of the Posillipo School, and many, many books and other documentary material on the history of the Kingdom of Naples. The garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Sorrento.

The most Instagrammable places in Sorrento

While being in Sorrento, try to get the best memories with you. During summertime, you shouldn’t miss visiting the best beaches in the region. If you will be visiting Sorrento out of high-season months, the churches, the castles and other attractions in the city also will make your trip unforgettable. Make sure you shoot some photos while in your journey in if you are looking for places to take Instagram worthy photos, consider the following.

• Piazza della Vittoria
• Marina Grande
• The metal pier at Marina Grande
• Via degli Archi
• Sorrento sunsets
• Leonelli’s Beach
• The fruit shops on and around Via S. Cesario