Thinking of a city break in Sorrento?

Read our brief city guide to Sorrento below to help you decide if a weekend getaway or short break in Sorrento is what you want, then click on Sorrento short break packages to view our short break packages to Sorrento.

Perched high on a cliff and surrounded on three sides by deep ravines, Sorrento is an enchanting town. Its spectacular position overlooking the sea to Vesuvius in the distance has been attracting visitors since the early 19th century. Today it is a lively, vibrant resort, a lovely place to get a feel for the southern Italian way of life.

One of the great pleasures of the day is to join the locals in their traditional stroll or passegiata through the old town, a ritual that begins at dusk and continues well into the evening. Wander the same streets by day when the shops are open, and you will be tempted by an array of local crafts such as perfume, lace, straw plaiting and inlaid walnut woodwork, Sorrento's speciality.

The wonders of Pompeii are within easy reach, or you can take a ferry or hydrofoil to the islands in the bay. The most famous is Capri, a magical spot with dramatic cliffs and rocks and an abundance of luxuriant suptropical plants plus designer shops at designer prices. Its neighbour Ischia has many excellent beaches and is known for its hot mineral springs, which have attracted cure-seekers since Roman times. Back on the mainland, don't miss the chance to drive along the spectacular road that borders the Amalfi coast and, of course, dont miss out on a visit to Rome while you are there.