The Sorrento peninsula

A rugged coast south of the Gulf of Naples

A strip of land that juts out towards Capri and the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Gulf of Naples. A succession of cliffs overlooking the sea and creeks. "This is the Sorrento coast. A rugged coast of terraces sloping down to the sea where there are planted orange trees, grapes, olive trees and lemon trees, from which, in the spring, rises a heady scent of flowers and the fruits to make the famous limoncello”.

The man has been fascinated by this place since ancient times: the Greeks thought that the sea was inhabited by mermaids (according to legend, the ancient Surrentum was built in a sacred place for the worship of these creatures). The Romans built beautiful villas, roads and thermal baths  of which you can still see the remains, especially in Sorrento. Also inhabited during the Middle Age despite the incursions of the Saracens, in the 19th  century together with the nearby Amalfi Coast , the Sorrento Coast was one of the favorite destinations of the Grand Tour.

What to see

Sant’Agnello with its fascinating villas, Meta with the Basilica of Santa Maria del Lauro , Sorrento with its orchards and the old town , Massa Lubrense, the extreme point of the peninsula are just some of the beautiful places that overlook on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A natural paradise that still offers one of the most intense panorama in the region, among lush vegetation and a turquoise sea.

The most important city of the peninsula is Sorrento, founded on a plain tuff overlooking the sea.
The historical center, partially surrounded by 16th  century walls, is crossed by roads that still show the Roman Empire presence. It is definitely worth a visit the Sedile Dominova, an ancient loggia (XV) of nobility in Sorrento, and the Correale Museum. It is also interesting the Duomo with neo-Gothic facade, the St. Anthony Basilica (14th century) and St. Francis of Assisi church, with its small cloister. The beauty of the place and the mild climate have made ​​the city one of the most important tourist destinations of the region. Also worth seeing Vico Equense with the necropolis, the ancient village of Equa and the charming church of the Santissima Annunziata overlooking the sea .

What to do

For those shopping lovers you may want to take a ride in the center, between the 18th century buildings and the stores displaying the beautiful, typical hand carved woodwork crafts of the city.
A must, however, for nature lovers is a visit to the nearby natural areas of Ieranto Bay and Punta Campanella.

On the first Saturday of each month, at Piano di Sorrento takes place the "Market of Memories”. An opportunity to take a dip jump into the past by visiting the stands selling antiques, modern antiques and curiosities of the past.

Do not miss: Limoncello

Among the traditions that have been handed down for generations in this land, there is the ancient recipe of limoncello, a liqueur that is derived from the infusion of lemon peels in alcohol and that you must try when visiting the Sorrento peninsula.
Common throughout the peninsula and produced in other Italian regions rich in citrus groves, the real limoncello, however, is only the one you get from the lemons of Sorrento and  the whole peninsula, Capri inlcuded.

They are not just lemons, but large and fragrant ones,  grown in a " biological" cultivation without no fertilizers.
The gradation of limoncello is 30-35 degrees and the color is between yellow and pale green, depending on the lemons; it should be served very cold after the meal . You will love to taste also the Provolone del Monaco DOP, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP and many other typical products of the area.