Sorrento Historic Centre

Sorrento

Sorrento Coast showing a city and street scenes
Capri which includes rocky coastline, a coastal town and swimming
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

Things to do


Top hotels in Sorrento Historic Centre

Hotel Il Faro
Hotel Il Faro
3 out of 5
Via Marina Piccola 5, Sorrento, NA
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! (579 reviews)
"The location is excellent if you are taking the ferry to Capri, Positano, Naples, etc. You walk right outside and it is directly out the door. Incredible views from the port. There is a very small beach nearby which is nice to put your feet in. The lift up to the city center is also very close and ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Hotel Il Faro
Hotel Villa Maria
Hotel Villa Maria
4 out of 5
Via Capo 8, Sorrento, NA
The price is S$225 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$225
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (313 reviews)
"We had a wonderful stay in early July. It was wonderful to cool off in the pool after our daily excursiona. Located just outside of the busiest walking area, so we have the convenience without the bustling noise."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Hotel Villa Maria
Imperial Hotel Tramontano
Imperial Hotel Tramontano
4 out of 5
Via Vittorio Veneto 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is S$391 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$391
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (843 reviews)
"Great location and impressive hotel, beautiful swimming pool and views over the bay. No tea or coffee in the rooms and the hotel is a little older but its still a great place to stay."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Imperial Hotel Tramontano
Hotel Antiche Mura
Hotel Antiche Mura
4 out of 5
Via Fuorimura 7 - P Zza Tasso, Sorrento, NA
The price is S$417 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
S$417
2 Aug - 3 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! (993 reviews)
"The many good features of the hotel include friendly, helpful staff, a wonderful pool area, comfortable room with effective air conditioning, and a very convenient location, with train station and many good restaurants within 10 minutes’ walk. We were surprised to find that there is no restaurant ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Hotel Antiche Mura
Villa di Sorrento
Villa di Sorrento
3 out of 5
Viale Enrico Caruso 6, Sorrento, NA
The price is S$350 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
S$350
26 Jul - 27 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (448 reviews)
"This hotel is in a great location. Close to everything. We needed towels for our boat excursion and they let us use their beach towels. The included breakfast is pretty good too. We booked the family room and it was plenty big for two teenagers and we adults."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Villa di Sorrento
Hotel Tirrenia
Hotel Tirrenia
4 out of 5
Via Capo 1, Sorrento, NA
The price is S$443 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
S$443
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sorrento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Sorrento ...
8/10 Very Good! (331 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, very clean and well maintained. Looks like it has been recently remodeled, so everything felt very fresh/new. Some ongoing construction, but it was very discreet/not bothersome. Only two points of feedback: 1) the restaurant is new and clearly working out some issues. Staff don’t ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Hotel Tirrenia
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(123 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and breathtaking beach views are just a few highlights of Sorrento City Centre. Make a stop by Piazza Tasso or Piazza Sant'Antonino 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 Piazza Tasso and Sorrento Beach, 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, Piazza Tasso or Sorrento Cathedral are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Priora
Baths of Queen Giovanna featuring general coastal views and forest scenes

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