A splendid and famous holiday resort, Sorrento stands on
a terrace rising steeply above the sea on one of the most spectacular points
of the Campanian coast. Because of its enchanting position and mild climate,
sheltered by the surrounding hills, Sorrento has been a favorite resort
since Romans times, Agrippa, Augustus and Antonius all had villas here, and
it became an elite tourist resort from the eighteenth century, its hotels
welcoming such luminaries as Ibsen, Wagner and Nietzche.
Torna a Sorrento Neapolitan version (Enrico Caruso)
Video by schunizze
The high position of Sorrento, above the sea and the consequent
absence of a true sea promenade create its extremely original nature. In
fact, the port of Sorrento, the Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, picturesque bays with
a beach and the harbor, are reached by steps and narrow alleys, which offer
panoramic views of incomparable beauty of the coast, the surrounding hills
covered in olive-groves and citrus fruit trees, and the crystal-clear sea.
Linked to the enchanting beauty of the place is the tradition whereby the
name of Sorrento originates from the mythical mermaids whose soft singing
tempted Ulysses and his crew in the Odyssey. The site on which Sorrento
stands, probably founded by the Greek colonies, was already inhabited in
prehistoric times.
Sorrento is situated at 26Km from the A3 Napoli-Salerno, with exit at the
tollgate of Castellammare di Stabia and proceeding on the national S.S. 145
Sorrentina.
The nearest train station is the Circumvesuviana on the Sorrento-Napoli line.
There are 38 daily runs to Naples, 38 runs to Pompei ruins and 38 to the Ercolano ruins.
The town of Sorrento can also be reached by public bus-line of SITA on the
Sorrento-Salerno line with 13 daily runs to Positano, 13 daily runs to Amalfi and
12 to Salerno.
It is possible to get to Sorrento by sea with
departures from the dock of Marina Piccola. Connections to Naples are provided,
with 38 daily runs in summer time and 14 in winter
time, to Capri 33 daily runs all year around,
to Ischia 8 runs all year around.
