Destinations Mediterranean

Cunard recommends: Sorrento

In Greek mythology, Sorrento was home to the Sirens, who lured passing sailors with their songs. Today, the southern Italian town continues to enchant with its sun-soaked charm and rich history. Tour guide Stefano De Novellis shares why Sorrento offers a taste of la dolce vita.

3 min 24 Oct 2025

Cunard

Author

Sights to see

With terraced vineyards, sun-drenched lemon groves, and cliffs plunging into a sea that shifts through a spectrum of blue, Sorrento is the embodiment of Mediterranean allure. For me, the best way to soak it all in is on foot. A short walk from the harbour leads you to a maze of pastel-hued houses and cobbled alleys, scented with citrus and sea salt, where history is woven into every corner. Don’t miss the cathedral or the Basilica of Sant’Antonino, an 11th-century church, dedicated to the town’s patron saint. Nearby, the vine-covered Cloister of San Francesco offers a tranquil escape in summer months.

The bustling, café-lined Piazza Tasso sits at the heart of town, named after Sorrento’s famous son, Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso, whose statue stands proud. Enjoy a morning cappuccino at Fauno Bar, one of my very favourite spots, while Vespas zip by and life in the square unfolds around you. Once a defensive high point, the square is the perfect place to admire the picturesque shoreline. On a clear day, the mighty Mount Vesuvius looms across the bay – a view to bottle up and take home.

When the piazza’s bustle gets too much, head to Marina Grande, an ancient fishing port. Here, the waterfront, with its bobbing fishing boats and checkered-tablecloth trattorias, offers a welcome change of pace. Sun-seekers flock to the town’s stabilimenti balneari (beach clubs), where wooden-decked pontoons stretch into the sea. Rent a sunbed, sip a spritz, and take a dip in the clear waters.

Tastes to try

Few places embrace food as passionately as southern Italy, and Sorrento is no exception. Fertile volcanic soil and abundant sunshine give local produce an intensity of flavour you won’t find elsewhere. Fresh salads, handmade pastas, and the famous Gnocchi alla Sorrentina are staples in every restaurant and streetside café, where simplicity lets the ingredients shine. Sorrento’s own take on pizza is well worth a try. And, naturally, being a seaside town, fresh seafood is plentiful. My favourite is spaghetti alle vongole – a dish of perfectly-cooked pasta tossed with clams, garlic, and white wine.

Lemons play a huge role in Sorrento, with the town surrounded by terraces of groves. They are used in everything, from soaps to bath oils, but their most famous use is in limoncello, a tangy liqueur that’s the pride of the region. Served chilled as a digestif, it’s the only way to round off your meal.

For a true taste of the region’s flavours, there’s nothing like joining the locals, so I recommend our Taste of Sorrento tour. You’ll visit a family-run farm, nestled among fruit-laden citrus trees, to learn mozzarella making and indulge in a spread of fresh breads, white cheeses, and salami.

Experiences to enjoy

I recommend a tour of Herculaneum, a hauntingly well-preserved glimpse into life in Ancient Rome. Destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, this once-thriving seaside retreat for the elite remains remarkably intact. Unlike its more famous neighbour Pompeii, which was covered in ash, Herculaneum was engulfed in mud, preserving organic materials like wooden doors, fabrics, and even food. Wander its streets to explore frescoed villas, public baths, and mosaics – an unparallelled window into the past.

Sorrento is the gateway to the legendary Amalfi Coast, home to Italy’s most breathtaking route and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour is a must – wind along the dramatic coastal road past the stunning cliffside towns of Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi, seemingly suspended between sea and sky. In Amalfi, stroll through storied streets and sun-dappled piazzas on a guided walk, leading to the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Andrea, with its striking medieval cloister.

Shopping

Shopping in Sorrento is an adventure itself. Wander along the main shopping street, Corso Italia, and the alleys of Via San Cesareo, where boutique shops overflow with hand-painted ceramics, leather sandals, linen, and lacework.

For a slice of Sorrentine life, head to the weekly Mercato Rionale, where residents shop for their essentials among stalls piled high with fresh produce, local cheeses, cured meats, and oils. You’ll find handmade leather goods and clothing – often at lower prices than in the tourist-heavy parts of town. Of course, no visit is complete without picking up a bottle of limoncello.

If there’s one keepsake that truly captures Sorrento’s spirit, it’s a piece of Intarsia Sorrentina – the town’s famous inlaid woodwork. For centuries, artisans have honed the delicate craft of marquetry – the arrangement of slivers of walnut, mahogany, olive, and cherry wood into finely detailed patterns. While most souvenir shops sell an array of jewellery boxes, trays, and coasters, the finest pieces come from family-run workshops, where the tradition has been passed down through generations. Many are even happy to ship goods home. To delve deeper, visit the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea, housed in an 18th-century palazzo – an ode to this time-honored art.

Sorrento is a west-coast clifftop town in Italy’s Campania region, offering stunning views towards the Isle of Capri and along the coast to Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano in mainland Europe.

To view our voyages to Sorrento, click here.