Looking for relaxed lazy days by the sea with delicious food? What fits the bill more than lounging in the sun at a cliff side Italian town. Having been to Sorrento once before, its Italian charm, beautiful cliff side views, scrumptious fresh seafood and relaxing vibe brought me back.
Sorrento is a cliffside coastal town in south western Italy and forms part of the Sorrentine peninsula. It's a charming little resort town lined with lemon trees, renaissance influenced tiny chapels, restaurants serving the best seafood and store fronts filled with limoncello and lemon products.
It's convenient location also makes it the perfect spring board to explore its more famous counterparts of Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
Sorrento's beauty and coastal culture makes losing yourself here for a few days so easy. Below were my 5 favorite things to do in Sorrento.
1. Seafood lunch taking in the picturesque views at Marina Grande
When you arrive at Marina Grande, tiny fishing boats against a backdrop of beautiful warm seaside views grab your attention. This is when you know your truly on holiday, and nothing can take this feeling away. Marina Grande is Sorrento's little fishing village nestled between cliffs with a small little beach that welcomes you. Just as you think life could not get better, your greeted with a row of restaurants overlooking the bay serving some of the best and freshest seafood in Sorrento.
It's time! Grab a table, order a vino or a spritz and get ready to tantalize your taste buds as the catch of the days melts in your mouth.
I was recommended Porta Marina Seafood by the locals. A family run restaurant with generations of fisherman that continue to carry their family's legacy to this day. The seafood here was so fresh, delicious and well priced, that I had to go back a second time.
2. Soak in the sunshine with breath taking views at Villa Communale Park
Walking up to Sorrento's cliffside near Villa Communale Park, you are instantly captivated by the blue turquoise bay shimmering in the sunlight. Rows of blue sunbeds nestled over the rock banks float over the ocean. Breath taking views of the Bay of Naples lies on one side with Mount Vesuvius on the other. Soft gentle waves glide over the translucent turquoise waters below which you can spot the moss coloured rocks.
Your imagination takes you to a 1980's Italian summer. Sunbeds filled with sun soaked beachgoers, Aperol Spritz in hand, the Marina shore filled with drinks, music and dancing.
3. Stroll through the Sorrento main town
Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of the town center. Immerse yourself in the energy at the bustling cafe's, delis, gellaterias and stores selling everything from lemon lollies to bottles of Limoncello. Wander into into the charming little chapels. Be surprised by lemons the size of your face. Taste some Limoncello and hear from the older locals about the family run limoncello factories at the back.
4. Drinks and people watching on Corso Italia and Piazza Tazzo
Corso Italia and Piazza Tazzo form the heart of Sorrento, always bustling with locals and tourists alike. Laughter tantalizes your ears as you watch the people around you share their adventures. Settle here for an afternoon coffee and pastry, or early evening drink as you people watch and taken in the atmosphere. I spent my time here sitting outside 'Gellateria Il Duomo' for a pastry and coffee, and 'Bar Fauno' for early evening drinks.
5. Immerse yourself in an Agriturisimo experience in the Sorrento hills
Agriturismo is agricultural tourism, it merges culture with nature by welcoming visitors to the farm and the farmers home. Experiences are centered around the farm with produce grown on the farm. It can be anything from gastronomy tours, cooking classes, picnics to home stays with lunches and dinners. Most importantly it's circled around the art of food and plenty of wine!
I was recommended Agriturismo Prima Luce by a fellow traveler. Prima Luce is located in the Sorrento hills and is run by Francesco and his wife. Prima Luce as Francesco describes is 'a true love story with nature'. It's surrounded by views of the Sorrento hills with the bay of Naples at a distance. Their passion, hard work and love for their farm, family, culture and nature radiates through everything they do. From the mouth watering cheese and salami they make to the farms tours and pizza school.
I decided to do the pizza school experience, which included a transfer from the Sorrento center to the farm and back. It had a maximum of 8 people. The pizza school was a playground full of fun and excitement, we learnt how to make pizza's using their family recipe, drank a lot of wine, tried delectable home made cheeses, salami and limoncello. An experience that truly reminded me how much nature gives you and how truly amazing simple things in life can be.
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