Villa Comunale

A short walk from town will take you to the beautiful Villa Comunale gardens. Local brides head to this shaded oasis for fairytale wedding photos. Others seek out this lush paradise for a cool picnic spot on a warm day, as well as some of the most amazing ocean views in Sorrento.

Standa Supermarket

A trip to Sorrento wouldn’t be complete without purchasing a bottle of limoncello. Although there are plenty of shops where you can taste and purchase this refreshing liqueur, you’ll find the best prices at the local Standa supermarket.

Sedile Dominova

For a real glimpse of local everyday life, venture to the Sedile Dominova, the Romanesque Cathedral of Sorrento. Once a meeting place for 15th century aristocrats, this elegant building on Via San Cesareo now serves as a gathering place for retired locals who pass the time playing cards.

Marina Grande

At the south end of Sorrento, you’ll discover the small fishing harbor of Marina Grande. Pop into the small Ristorante di Leva to taste its famous Spaghetti Vongole while you admire photos of Sophia Loren, who filmed many movies at this picturesque harbor.

Gabriele’s

Inlay wood art is prevalent in Sorrento and there are many woodworker studios to visit. One of the lesser known shops is Gabriele’s. A fourth-generation woodworker, Gabriele will custom carve small objects on the spot and may even offer you a cup of espresso while you watch.

Ciro Bimonte

The art of carving extends from wood to seashells in Sorrento. At Ciro Bimonte, witness the art of cameo carving. You can even purchase one as a special souvenir.

Fattoria Terranova

If you’re searching for a gift for the gourmet back home, make sure you visit the Fattoria Terranova shop in the Piazzo Tasso. This agricultural shop sells olive oils, preserves, and other Italian staples made on the family-run farm in nearby Massa.

Sorrento Street Market

Should you find yourself needing additional clothes during your stay in Sorrento and you don’t want to pay top dollar for designer duds, visit the weekly street market held every Tuesday for great bargains on clothing and other products.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

The luxury Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria rests on the edge of a cliff overlooking semitropical gardens and the Bay of Naples. Its terrace is a lovely spot to enjoy a cocktail while you watch the sun set behind Mount Vesuvius.

Fauno Nightclub

For drinks later in the evening, head to the Fauno nightclub in the Piazza Tasso for beer, folklore music, and the chance to witness the tarantella, a southern Italian dance characterized by whirling couples.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 11:06 am and is filed under Italy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.