Sorrento is an excellent base for exploring the stunning attractions of the Campania region. Its central location, charming atmosphere, and easy access to transportation make it a convenient and enjoyable starting point for a wide variety of excursions.
Capri – Anacapri
One of the most important visits during your stay is to the famous island of Capri, which is full of natural, panoramic, and historical beauties and is divided into two municipalities: Capri and Anacapri.
The island can be reached from the port of Sorrento by scheduled hydrofoils, providing a fascinating crossing along the entire Sorrento coast.
Once you arrive at the port of Marina Grande in Capri, you can easily reach the famous “Piazzetta”, which is a symbol of elegant and prestigious Capri.
A few steps away are the Giardini di Augusto, where you can admire the famous Faraglioni, as well as the Marina Piccola, the last residence of Grace Field.
Other places to visit are Villa Jovis, dedicated to Jupiter by the Roman Emperor Tiberius, and the Blue Grotto, which is famous for the splendid blue color inside the cave (since it is very small, only small boats can access it, and the sea conditions must be very quiet).
From Capri you can take the public bus to reach Anacapri and visit Villa San Michele, which was built by Dr. Axel Munthe, a famous Swedish writer of the book The Story of San Michele, which describes his time spent in Capri and its wonderful beauties.
In Anacapri, you can also visit Monte Solaro, from where you can admire the two Gulfs of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno.
On the wooden seats of the chairlift, travelers from all over the world reach Monte Solaro through a breathtaking ascent where the slow pace of the ride allows you to feel cradled and suspended between sky and sea. An experience destined to remain indelible.
Ischia
Ischia is known as the “green island” due to its lush vegetation. It is a volcanic island dominated by Mount Epomeo and is famous for several thermal gardens that offer various services, such as swimming pools with water of different temperatures, waterfalls, saunas and access to the sea through the private beach.
The island can be reached from the port of Sorrento by scheduled hydrofoils providing a beautiful view of Nisida, the Campi Flegrei up to Capo Miseno.
Places to visit in Ischia include the Castello Aragonese, which is known for its unique connection to the island through a bridge.
The Mortella Gardens are also a must-see attraction, known for their beautiful Mediterranean and subtropical vegetation, making it one of the most beautiful examples of its kind in Italy.
The Borgo di Sant’Angelo is another charming location with its colorful houses, pedestrian center, and a plethora of bars and souvenir shops, complete with many outdoor tables to enjoy an aperitif or breakfast in peace.
Naples
Naples is a historic city full of palaces and monuments that bear witness to the splendors of the past.
It can be reached from Sorrento by train (about 1 hour and 10 minutes journey) or public hydrofoils (journey approximately 45 minutes).
Naples has many must-see attractions, such as Spaccanapoli, the San Severo Chapel (which houses the Veiled Christ, a marble sculpture created by Giuseppe Sanmartino), Piazza del Plebiscito, the Maschio Angioino, Castel dell’Ovo, the Capodimonte Museum (which is rich in ancient and contemporary art), the district of San Gregorio Armeno (famous all over the world for its tradition of nativity scenes, where the famous craft shops exhibit their extraordinary statuettes), and the Santa Chiara Museum complex.
The Teatro San Carlo is also a significant cultural attraction.
Pompei
Pompeii attracts visitors from all over the world who want to rediscover the ancient splendor of the Roman Empire. The city was partially destroyed and covered by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and forgotten over the years.
Excavations began in the 18th century and gradually led to the discovery of fabulous villas with well-preserved frescoes, an amphitheater and much more, which demonstrate the city’s past prosperity.
The excavation work is not finished, and it still continues today with the aim of revealing more of the city’s treasures to modern civilization.
Herculaneum
Herculaneum was destroyed, together with Pompeii, by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Herculaneum was a residential area without the commercial importance of Pompeii, but it had rich villas belonging to wealthy Romans.
Herculaneum was submerged by a torrent of lava that turned into soft tuff, thus managing to preserve many frescoes and objects that visitors can still see today.
Part of the old Herculaneum is still submerged today, so excavations continue to uncover more of the city’s ancient history.
Positano – Amalfi – Ravello
Other places that are worth visiting are Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
You can reach them by bus (changing buses for Ravello in Amalfi) and enjoy the view of the “Amalfi drive,” one of the most spectacular routes in Europe, or by hydrofoils that offer a stunning view from the sea.
Positano is the first municipality that you will find entering the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento. It is famous for its narrow streets full of small shops, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, easily recognizable from every corner of Positano thanks to its dome covered in yellow, green, and blue glittering under the sunlight, and the long beach of Marina Grande.
Then there is Amalfi, one of the oldest maritime republics and the homeland of Flavio Gioia, inventor of the “compass.” In the center of Amalfi, preceded by a wide staircase, stands the Cathedral, consecrated to St. Andrew (9th century), with a spectacular facade decorated in the tympanum by a 19th-century mosaic. A visit to the “Grotta dello Smeraldo,” which can be accessed from the port of Amalfi, should not be missed.
Continuing on to Ravello, the natural beauty of the landscapes harmonizes with the enchantment of the precious monuments. We visit the Cathedral dedicated to San Pantaleone and Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner’s “Parsifal,” and where a series of musical concerts are organized every year in his honor.
Vesuvius
Located at the origin of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum with the eruption of 79 AD, the crater of Mount Vesuvius is an impressive sight that dominates the entire Gulf of Naples.
Visitors can reach the volcano, up to an altitude of 1,000 meters, by taking a bus from Pompeii station and then continuing on foot to the crater with authorized alpine guides for a visit.
