Things to do in Sorrento

What do you do when you find out you have not used up all your holidays? You book an Easyjet flight to Naples and head off for a weekend trip to Italy, right? Here are some things to do in Sorrento.

After what was possibly the most scenic airport transfer in the world, winding along the coast from Naples towards the Amalfi Coast, I got off the bus in Sorrento, headed to my hotel, exchanged my luggage for a map and off I went. Not having researched much, I didn’t really know much about the sights and what Sorrento is famous for. So I decided on just wandering through the village streets, soaking up the atmosphere. Tiny Sorrento is draped on top of steep cliffs that rise out of the Med, looking out across the bay to Naples which lies humbly at the foot of famous Mount Vesuvius.

I discovered that Limoncello is made here from the abundant lemon groves in the surrounding area. I discovered a quaint cloister courtyard that is host to evening concerts in summertime. I got lost in quiet, meandering streets, dotted with small shrines and decorated with murals dedicated to Mother Mary. laundry drying up over my head. Suddenly I found myself at the top of some steps that looked down onto a marina, called Marina Grande. A group of elderly men were engrossed in what sounded like a heated discussion, while local cats were playing at their feet.

I walked back up the steps to the centre of Sorrento, took a peek in a few of the omnipresent churches and indulged in some shopping at the local shops. By nightfall I was tired from all the walking around and I nipped into what looked like a cosy restaurant where I tucked into a hearty plate of spaghetti amatriciana.

A good start of my weekend trip to Sorrento, I’d say.