Sorrento Historic Centre Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sorrento Coast featuring street scenes and a city
Capri which includes rocky coastline, swimming and a coastal town
Marina Grande showing a city and general coastal views
Sorrento Historic Centre
Sorrento Historic Centre

Shopping, sightseeing and socialising come with history and heritage as standard in this ancient quarter of the city.

The network of cobblestone streets known as Sorrento Historic Town has its origins in distant antiquity. The central artery, Via San Cesareo, still follows the route of the Decumano Massimo, the main street of the Roman city, which was in turn built over the earlier Greek settlement. Subsequent eras, from medieval Gothic and Byzantine to Neapolitan Baroque, have all left their mark on the architecture of this town on the cliffs, whose narrow lanes were designed to shade shopkeepers and their customers from the blazing heat of the sun.Sorrento Historic Town is a charming place to while away the hours, wandering past ancient palaces, lively street markets, artisan workshops and aromatic trattorias. Start from Piazza Tasso, named for the Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso who is best known for his epic La Gerusalemme liberata (Jerusalem Delivered). Tasso’s sister’s house can still be seen nearby. This lively square dating from 1866 is the beating pulse of the city.In the historic quarter you will find many interesting religious buildings in contrasting styles, such as the Chiesa di San Francesco, the church of the Madonna Addolorata and the sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine. The Basilica of St Antonio houses the remains of the patron saint of Sorrento in its crypt, while Sorrento Cathedral dates from the 11th century and is famous for its three-tiered bell tower and nave paintings by Nicola Malinconico and Giacomo del Po. Find out more about the local technique of intarsia inlay, which features on the choir stalls, at the Museo Bottega, an 18th-century palace housing a fine collection of inlaid furniture and objets d’art.No visit to Sorrento Historic Town would be complete without a spot of shopping, so head for Via San Cesareo to browse among the boutiques, stalls and workshops for local crafts, fashions and leatherware, tasty regional delicacies, citrus products and quirky souvenirs. Then put the finishing touches to your day of discovery with a tasty meal at one of the lively restaurants that line the narrow lanes around Piazza San Antonino, before strolling to Villa Comunale park to watch the sun set over the Bay of Naples.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Sorrento Historic Centre Hotel Deals

Hotel Il Faro

Hotel Il Faro

3 out of 5
Via Marina Piccola 5, Sorrento, NA
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
7.6/10 Good! (593 reviews)
"We really enjoyed Sorrento! The location of this property was convenient to get to the ferry, train station, and shopping/restaurants. However,"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hotel Il Faro
Hotel Villa Maria

Hotel Villa Maria

4 out of 5
Via Capo 8, Sorrento, NA
The price is NZ$251 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
NZ$251
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (331 reviews)
"Very clean and the buffet breakfast was very good"

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Hotel Villa Maria
Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Imperial Hotel Tramontano

4 out of 5
Via Vittorio Veneto 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is NZ$754 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
NZ$754
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (846 reviews)
"We had the most incredible stay at Imperial Hotel Tramontano – it truly exceeded all of our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the staff were so warm and welcoming. We stayed in the most beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the sea. It was absolutely magical – in fact, we actually got ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Imperial Hotel Tramontano
Villa di Sorrento

Villa di Sorrento

3 out of 5
Viale Enrico Caruso 6, Sorrento, NA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (455 reviews)
"Stayed there 3 nights."

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

Villa di Sorrento
Hotel Antiche Mura

Hotel Antiche Mura

4 out of 5
Via Fuorimura 7 - P Zza Tasso, Sorrento, NA
The price is NZ$462 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
NZ$462
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (999 reviews)
"Great location and beautiful property. The staff was very helpful."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Hotel Antiche Mura
Hotel Tirrenia

Hotel Tirrenia

4 out of 5
Via Capo 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is NZ$438 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$438
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Sorrento ...
8/10 Very Good! (342 reviews)
"Nice property"

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Hotel Tirrenia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sorrento Historic Centre

Default Image

Sorrento City Centre

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and breathtaking beach views are just a few highlights of Sorrento City Centre. Make a stop by Piazza Sant'Antonino or Sorrento Marina while you're exploring the area.

Sorrento City Centre
Default Image

Marina Grande

When in Marina Grande, you can plan a visit to Sorrento Beach and Sorrento Lift, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Marina Grande
Default Image

Priora

Some popular features of Priora include its seaside views and restaurants. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Sorrento Cathedral or Sorrento Beach are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Priora
Baths of Queen Giovanna showing forests and general coastal views

Capo di Sorrento

If you're spending some time in Capo di Sorrento, La Pignatella Beach and Baths of Queen Giovanna are top sights worth seeing.

Capo di Sorrento

Sorrento Historic Centre Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: