Sorrento Coast, Italy

The Sorrento Coast is a jagged promontory that shores up the southern end of the Bay of Naples. This peninsula of hilly terrain ends abruptly at a cliff that plunges sheerly down to the Mediterranean sea. The entire coastline around Sorrento was a Greek colony during the period of Magna Grecia, the legendary site of Homer's sirens, before being conquered by the Romans who enjoyed the area as a summer playground. It has maintained a reputation as an exclusive resort destination ever since. It boasts a mild climate, gorgeous panoramas and citrus-scented air.

From the Sorrento Coast, views sweep along the bay to Naples, Mount Vesuvius and across the water to the island of Capri. Sunset is especially stunning from the point of Massa Lubrense, Faro, or one of the coves below the cliffs on the promontory's edge. On the Sorrento coast you'll find tucked-away bays, deep gorges, sandy sunbathing spots and hilltop hamlets.

Terraced farms grow a riot of lemons and oranges, as well as olives and grapes. Sorrento is especially known for its lemon production, which is used to produce the famed liqueur known as limoncello, but it goes into desserts like sorbetto, crostata, and breakfast cakes, too. Being seafaring folks, the local cuisine centers of fresh seafood, but baked gnocchi and Naples-style pizza are common specialties as well.

While the Mediterranean is the big draw that made Sorrento famous, there are hamlets in the hills that should be explored, too. These time-worn villages maintain their traditions and their charm. Visit Vico Equense, which is dwarfed by the Lattari Mountains that rise up behind it, the village of Seiano, the white-washed town of Priora and Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, high in the hills. Up here you'll find natural beauty, hiking trails, tranquility and clean, dry air.

Sorrento itself may well be the ideal destination, as it offers seaside splendor coupled with easy access to other points of interest: you can take a train to Pompeii or Naples, a ferry to Capri, and buses or boats to the other towns strung along the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento

Sorrento is one of Italy's most famous resort towns.

Massa Lubrense

Massa Lubrense is popularly known as the legendary Land of Sirens (from which it derives the toponym of “Sirenusion”).

Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi

Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi is nationwide famous for sweeping panoramas and great number of trekking routes.

Baia

Baia, preserves a wonderful blend of agricultural and marine landscapes, a magic place where legend and history come alive.

Castellammare di Stabia

Castellammare di Stabia is a small town in the Gulf of Naples, shaped as a natural bowl among the hills, into an extremely fertile area, rich in mineral waters.

Colli di Fontanelle

Colli di Fontanelle, hamlet of Sant'Agnello, is located on top of the Sorrento Peninsula hills.

Marina della Lobra

Marina della Lobra is a small port and historic seafaring village belonging to the municipality of Massa Lubrense.

Marina di Puolo

Marina di Puolo, is a delightful small fishing village with a population of about 150 people, tucked in a cove.

Metrano

Metrano is a wisp of a hamlet housing only 300 inhabitants high in the hills of the Sorrento Peninsula.

Piano di Sorrento

Piano di Sorrento, historically known as “Planities” because of the flat area on which it is built, is located just next to Sorrento.

Marina del Cantone

Marina del Cantone overlooks the Gulf of Salerno between the Bay of Jeranto and Recommone.

Meta di Sorrento

Born as Bourbon's territory, Meta used to be the first village that people encountered going towards Sorrento from Vico Equense.

Monte di Procida

Monte di Procida sits like a beautiful balcony on the tip of the promontory that dips into the Gulf of Naples.

Nerano

Nerano is a charming fishing village situated half way between Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

Santa Maria del Castello

Sitting at 670 meters above sea level, the teensy hamlet of Santa Maria del Castello rests on a spur between the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts, in the cooler air where panoramas are breathtaking.

Sant'Agnello di Sorrento

The worldwide renowned Sorrento Coast offers another unique beauty: the village of Sant'Agnello.

Schiazzano

The first news of this village, formerly called Scazano, date back to the late fifteenth century.

Termini

The hamlet of Termini is in one of the Sorrento Coast's least explored corners.

Torca

Torca, splendid hamlet of Massa Lubrense that counts no more than 1000 inhabitants, lies on a stunning slope overlooking the whole Gulf of Salerno at 350 metres above the sea.