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

Experience a fusion of heritage buildings, narrow laneways, great cafés and a vibrant atmosphere in the antique centre of this ancient Italian city.

A walk through the cobblestone streets of Sorrento Historic Town will take you past boutique designer shops, artisan workshops, Italian restaurants, ancient palaces and medieval monasteries. This vibrant old town is at the heart of the city and is one of the most popular places to visit in Sorrento.

Many of the stone buildings here date from Roman times and there are also many examples of medieval Gothic and Byzantine design to be found among the warren of narrow laneways. The city’s main square Piazza Torquato Tasso, built in 1866, lies at the heart of the area and was named after Torquato Tasso, the renowned Renaissance author of “Jerusalem Delivered” who was born in the city. Follow the signs from the plaza to the House of Cornelia Tasso, the former residence of the famous poet’s sister.

Fans of religious buildings will find plenty to keep them occupied here and the Chiesa de San Francesco, St Mary of Carmine and the Basilica of St Antonio all offer interesting architecture and ancient artworks. The Sorrento Cathedral, the town’s largest church, is a millennium old and has an impressive triple-tiered bell tower. Step inside to see the marble bishop’s throne, vivid frescoes and decorative wooden choir stalls, crafted in the intarsia inlay style unique to the region.

You’ll see more examples of this style among the huge collection of inlaid wooden furniture and crafts at the Museo Bottega, a palace which dates back to the 18th century. If you want to pick up a few souvenirs or browse the local designer boutiques then head to Via di San Cesareo, where you’ll find a multitude of Neapolitan Baroque shops selling local arts and crafts. On a corner of this shopping street is the Sedile Dominova. This domed, open-sided 14th-century building is where the local noblemen met to discuss politics hundreds of years ago – the last remaining such noble seat in the region.

As the evening closes in, the cliffside Villa Comunale park is a wonderful spot for sunset views across the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius. If you get peckish during your visit, head to Piazza San Antonino where you can choose from an array of classic Italian restaurants, serving the best seafood, pastas and pizzas.


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
The price is AU$228 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
AU$228
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (596 reviews)
"We traveled many hours and it was terribly hot -our ferry ended up arriving about 45 minutes before the check-in time of 3 pm they told us to go and return in 45 minutes. Didn’t actually check to see if the room was ready just a return after 3 pm. That was kinda disappointing we were sweating and ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Hotel Il Faro
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! (457 reviews)
"Stayed there 3 nights."

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

Villa di Sorrento
Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Imperial Hotel Tramontano

4 out of 5
Via Vittorio Veneto 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is AU$688 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
AU$688
19 Aug - 20 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
Hotel Tirrenia

Hotel Tirrenia

4 out of 5
Via Capo 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is AU$401 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$401
17 Aug - 18 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 Sorrento Beach and Piazza ...
8/10 Very Good! (343 reviews)
"Piscine vraiment belle sur le toit , vue sur le Vésuve. Localisation parfaite, chambre très propre! Wow"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Hotel Tirrenia
Hotel Antiche Mura

Hotel Antiche Mura

4 out of 5
Via Fuorimura 7 - P Zza Tasso, Sorrento, NA
The price is AU$535 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
AU$535
8 Aug - 9 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! (995 reviews)
"Wonderful location. Beautiful inside and out. Staff went beyond my expectations."

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

Hotel Antiche Mura
Hotel Villa Maria

Hotel Villa Maria

4 out of 5
Via Capo 8, Sorrento, NA
The price is AU$278 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
AU$278
7 Aug - 8 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! (336 reviews)
"Great location and very friendly staff. The breakfast was excellent!"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Hotel Villa Maria
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

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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
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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
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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, Baths of Queen Giovanna and Bagni Regina Giovanna are top sights worth seeing.

Capo di Sorrento

Sorrento Historic Centre Travel Guide

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