Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SORRENTO
POP 16,589
An unashamed resort, Sorrento is still a civilized old town. Even the souvenirs are a cut
above the norm, with plenty of fine old shops selling ceramics, lacework and
intarsio
(mar-
quetry items) - famously produced here. The main drawback is the lack of a proper beach;
the town straddles the cliffs overlooking the water to Naples and Mt Vesuvius.
Sorrento makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area: to the south, the best of
the peninsula's unspoilt countryside and; to the east, the Amalfi Coast; to the north, Pom-
peii and the archaeological sites; offshore, the fabled island of Capri.
Sights
The town centre is compact and all the main sights are within walking distance of Piazza
Tasso.
Museo Correale
( 081 878 18 46;
www.museocorreale.com
; Via Correale 50; admission €7;
9.30am-6.30pm Tue-Sat, 9.30am-1.30pm Sun)
Located to the east of the city centre, this
museum is well worth a visit whether you are a clock collector, an archaeological egghead
or into embroidery. In addition to the rich assortment of 17th- to 19th-century Neapolitan
art and crafts, there are Japanese, Chinese and European ceramics, clocks, furniture and, on
the ground floor, Greek and Roman artefacts.
The bulk of the collection, along with the 18th-century villa home, was donated to the
city in the 1920s by aristocratic counts Alfredo and Pompeo Correale. Do wander around
the gardens with their breathtaking coastal views and rare plants and flowers.
MUSEUM
Marina Grande
(Via Marina Grande)
The closest thing to a
spiaggia
(beach) is the pleasant sandy stretch
at the harbour at Marina Grande; if you want to just loll in the sun, nearby jetties sport the
ubiquitous umbrellas and deckchairs. While it's far smaller than the island of Procida in the
Bay of Naples, this former fishing district has a glimmer of similarity with its pastel-col-
oured houses, brightly painted boats and fishermen mending nets.
HARBOUR
