“Vir o mar quant è bell, spira tanto sentimento” (Hear the music of the waters, bars of tender passion sighing…) Sing “Torna a Surriento”, sings the local anthem dedicated to the beauty of this city famous throughout the world. The sea is the key element of beauty in Sorrento, but certainly not the only one. Walking through the historical centre, visiting museums, tasting local specialties, we realize that there are many good reasons why to come and return to Sorrento.
The high and rugged coast of Sorrento does not create long vast beaches, but rather small coves dug into rock, often reachable only through long and steep trails. The closest beaches to the city centre are those of Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, all made of volcanic sand and where the little space you have is equipped with sun beds, umbrellas and all the rest for a relaxing day. Going towards the end of Sorrento are instead the Queen Giovanna baths, a great and natural white cliff that once housed the Roman villa of Pollio Felice. Between Roman ruins and rocks overlooking the sea lies a small natural pool, which is linked to the sea by a stone arch. A swim here, maybe at sunset, when all have gone away, is an unforgettable experience. If traveling with children we recommend, however, the Cala di Puolo, some hundred meters after the Capo di Sorrento, where you will find more extensive beaches, all of sand or pebbles.
The Correale Museum of Terranova
A good part of the artistic heritage of Sorrento is preserved in the Museo Correale of Terranova. This museum was donated to the city by the Pompeo brothers and Alfredo Correale, the last descendant of a noble Sorrentine family. On the first floor of the Museum is an archaeological section, with testimonies of the ancient history of Sorrento, on the second instead a pictorial area and a section dedicated to Neapolitan and Oriental porcelain. You can also the great garden inhabited by secular trees and terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples.
The Historic center
The historic old town of Sorrento is spread over a number of old streets reflecting the ancient Greco-Roman structure of the city. Today, alleys and narrow streets are full of shops, craftsmen and small laboratories making it a very pleasant stroll to savor in the atmosphere of the true of Sorrento. Walking along via San Cesareo your attention will be captured by the throne seating of Porta and Dominova, Renaissance painted domes, under which nobles of Sorrento met to administer city affairs. Here each year, at Christmas, a distinctive Neapolitan Nativity scene is created. At the end of via San Cesareo you will find the Museum of Wooden Marquetry, where masterpieces of this ancient art are exposed.
The gastronomy of Sorrento
The gastronomy of Sorrento is also famous worldwide for the quality of its cuisine and typical products, all to be enjoyed in any of the many great restaurants of Sorrento or buy them in the stores of local food delicacies to take home a little taste of Sorrento. Enjoy a plate of Sorrentine gnocchi, a cool fiordilatte, a lemon delight or a slice of caprese, accompanied by a glass of limoncello. A vacation in Sorrento is also a journey between the pleasures of your palates.