Sorrento

placed in the category: Cities

Sorrento is a city in Campania overlooking the bay of Naples. It is one of the popular tourist destinations in Southern Italy. The town of Sorrento is across the bay from Naples and on bright days you can see Naples from different viewpoints in the city. It is also possible to see Vesuvius and the island of Capri from Sorrento.

Tourists ride ferryboats and hydrofoils from Sorrento to Naples, Capri, and Amalfi making it a convenient place to visit. The various luxury hotels that dot Sorrento's impressive sea cliffs are favorite destinations of tourists, watching the sun set by the bay of Naples while sipping limoncello, a local alcoholic drink from lemon rind, alcohol, water and sugar.

Sorrento is known for its big lemons. Along with their limoncello, they also produce lemon liqueur and lemon chocolate. As you go to the shops in the middle of town along Via S. Cesareo, you will also see lots of ceramic articles with lemon designs and also lemon soap. You can go bargain hunting during Tuesdays in Sorrento at the weekly market.

Sorrento's fishing harbor, the Marina Grande is beautiful in its simple and natural beauty. There are several hotels near the shore, which means the fresh bounty from the sea makes its way to the tables in flavorful platters.

Sorrento's coast with its terraced gardens, steep mountain cliffs and beautiful villas have attracted visitors for more than 200 years from all over the world. Roman history shares that Sorrento was founded by Liparus, son of Ausonus, the son of Ulysesses and Circe. Sorrento was called Surrentum by the Romans but the Greek influence is strong in this land where oranges and lemons grow abundantly.

Tourists who wish to go to other important sights in southern Italy would do well to start off at Sorrento. The peninsula of Sorrento's summit is just a good 5 kilometers away from Capri. On clear days, you can see Ischia and Procida from across the harbor and they can be easily reached on a speedboat.

Aside from travel by sea, traveling by land is also quite easy from Sorrento. The train from Naples called the Circumyesuviana, passes by Sorrento. From there it can go on to famous Pompeii and reach Herkulaneum in only about 30 minutes. The train then goes back to Naples and finishes its journey in an hour's time.