Best places to visit in the town of Sorrento
Are you planning a holiday on the Sorrento coast and the Amalfi coast?
Would you like to take a day trip to Sorrento?
DISOVERING SORRENTO
Sorrento is the coastal town from which the Sorrento coast takes its name. The town is built on a cliff overlooking the sea and is famous for the panorama.
Tourist attractions abound; the surrounding nature is enchanting, the historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets with ancient buildings and monuments, and the food is great.
Furthermore, Sorrento can be visited throughout the year. In spring you can go trekking and hiking, in summer you can sunbathing on a beach, autumn is the best time for foliage, while winter is magical thanks to the Christmas lights and decorations.
The beauty of Sorrento became famous from the 19th century when the wealthy northern Europeans began to spend their holidays on the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast. However, the origins of town go far back in time. Over the centuries it was then colonized by the Greeks, the Romans, the Normans and the Aragonese.
The name Sorrento derives from the Greek “surreo” which means “to merge”, referring to the waters that flow down from the valleys to the sea.
BEST PLACE TO VISIT DURING A DAY TRIP TO SORRENTO
Many are the places in Sorrento that deserve a visit.
Here we will focus on the attractions within the town, leaving out all the natural ones hidden in the surrounding area.
PIAZZA TASSO AND CORSO ITALIA
Once in Sorrento there was a castle built by the Aragonese but it was demolished in the late 19th century to create Piazza Tasso.
The square is usually swarming with pedestrians and cars at any time of the day or night. This is partially due to the fact that in Piazza Tasso are several cafes and bars where people enjoy their free time. It is definitely the heart of the town.
From Piazza tasso starts Corso Italia, the shopping street. In Corso Italia you can find any kind shops, from the minimarket to the high end boutique, from the souvenir shop to the artisan workshop.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
The Cathedral of Saints Philip and James (Cattedrale di San Filippo e Giacomo) dates back to the 1st century AD. However, the current building is the result of a recent restoration. Thanks to it, it is now possible to see the signs of the several retouching that the cathedral has undergone over the centuries.
The Cloister of San Francesco is located inside a 14th-century Baroque church. The columns marked by time, the flowering shrubs and the ornamental plants make this cloister a place with a quiet atmosphere in contrast with the liveliness of the town of Sorrento.
THE ANCIENT WALLS OF SORRENTO
The Ancient Walls are the ruins of the defensive wall that surrounded the city in pre-Roman times. Parts of the walls are still visible today throughout the town center. The best place to admire the ruins is Bastione di Porsano.
VILLA COMUNALE
Among the best places to see in Sorrento is the Villa Comunale. This is a large public green area overlooking the sea, enriched with lush trees, sculptures and fountains. From the Villa the view is stunning, especially for the silhouette of the Vesuvius volcano that stands out on the horizon.
SEDIL DOMINOVA
Sedil Dominova is a building where in ancient times the noble council met to decide the town administration. Today it is a very fascinating meeting place.
It is worth visiting it for the frescoed walls and the beautiful dome. The drawings reproduce architectural elements and create truly remarkable illusions of perspective wings.
