Things to do in Sorrento
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Pizzeria Da Franco
More deli than pizzeria, with hams hanging from the ceiling and bottles of olive oil squeezed onto the shelves, this hugely popular place does the best pizza in town. Served on a metal tray with plastic cutlery, the house speciality comes with tomato, mozzarella, rocket and Parmesan. Expect queues most summer nights.
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La Stalla
Go up the grand staircase to the large, open-air terrace covered by bamboo awnings and flanked by an orchard of lemon and orange trees. Here a small army of waiters works tirelessly, serving pastas and pizzas, meats and fish. The pastas are fine but it's the wood-fired pizzas that stand out.
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Mondo Bio
Flying the banner for organic vegetarian food, this bright shop-cum-restaurant serves a limited range of meat-free dishes. The menu, chalked up outside, changes daily but might include zuppa di soia verde (soybean soup) and polpette di tofu (tofu balls).
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Chiesa di San Francesco
One of Sorrento’s most beautiful spaces, the medieval cloisters of the Chiesa di San Francesco are well worth a look. A harmonious marriage of architectural styles – two sides are lined with 14th-century crossed arches, the other two with round arches supported by octagonal pillars – they are often used to host exhibitions and summer concerts.
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Teatro Tasso
Head to Teatro Tasso for a good old sing-along. The southern Italian equivalent of a cockney music hall, it’s home to the Sorrento Musical (€28), a sentimental revue of Neapolitan classics such as ‘O Sole Mio’. The 75-minute performances start at 9.30pm every evening from Monday to Saturday from March to October.
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City Sightseeing Sorrento
City Sightseeing Sorrento runs a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Sorrento and the surrounding area. Daily departures are at 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm from Piazza De Curtis (Circumvesuviana station). English-language commentaries are provided, and tickets, available on board, are valid for six hours.
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Bollicine
An unpretentious wine bar with a dark wooden interior and boxes of bottles littered around the place. The wine list includes all the big Italian names and a selection of local labels –the amiable bartender will happily advise you. There’s also a small menu of panini, bruschetta and a pasta dish or two.
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Duomo
On Corso Italia, the gleaming white facade of the Duomo gives no hint of its inner exuberance. Of particular note are the marblebishop’s throne and the beautiful wooden choir stalls. Outside, the triple-tiered bell tower rests on an archway into which three classical columns have been set.
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Da Emilia
One of a clutter of eateries along the Marina Grande seafront, Da Emilia is the archetypal family-run trattoria. It's welcoming and laid-back, and serves an uncomplicated menu of seafood classics - pasta with mussels and clams, fried squid and grilled fish. The food is delicious and the portions are huge.
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In Bufalito
A brilliant Slow Food mozzarella bar-restaurant. Head here for sterling local produce – think Sorrento-style cheese fondue, buffalo meat carpaccio and salsiccia (local sausage) with broccoli. There’s regular cheese tastings, along with photography and art exhibitions and occasional live music.
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Ristorante Il Buco
Hardly the hole its name suggests, this Michelin-starred restaurant is housed in a former monks’ wine cellar. The emphasis is on innovative regional cooking, so expect modern combos such as pasta with rock-fish sauce or treccia (local cheese) and prawns. Reservations recommended.
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Cathedral
The gleaming white facade of the cathedral gives no hint of the exuberance housed within. There's a particularly striking Crucifixion above the main altar. The triple-tiered bell tower rests on an archway into which three classical columns and a number of other fragments have been set.
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Ristorante Sant'Antonio
Running the gamut from pizzas through pastas and risottos to meats, fish, salads and crepes, the menu here is the longest in town. If you don't fancy scrolling through the whole thing, the steak is excellent and the profiteroles come in a luxurious chocolate sauce.
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Angelina Lauro
It might look like a college canteen, but this place hits the spot for a filling, inexpensive lunch. Grab a tray and choose from the daily selection of pastas, meats and vegetable side dishes. You can order à la carte too, but it’s pricier and not as good.
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Bagni Regina Giovanna
Bagni Regina Giovanna is a rocky beach set among the ruins of the Roman Villa Pollio Felix, and the best place for swimming near town. It is possible to walk there (follow Via Capo west for about 2km) but it's quicker to get the SITA bus for Massalubrense.
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Museo Correale
The Museo Correale is Sorrento’s main museum. Waiting inside is a rich collection of 17th- and 19th-century Neapolitan art, Japanese, Chinese and European ceramics, clocks and furniture, as well as Greek and Roman artefacts.
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Too-To-Train
Operating out of a converted train carriage outside the Circumvesuviana train station, Too-To-Train offers an extensive range of tours, including trips to Vesuvius (around €20), Pompeii (around €23) and the Amalfi Coast.
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Fauno Bar
This elegant cafe covers half of Piazza Tasso and offers the best people-watching in town. Expect stiff drinks at stiff prices – cocktails start at around €8.50. Snacks and sandwiches are also available (from €7).
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Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea
Since the 18th century Sorrento has been famous for its intarsio (marquetry) furniture, some great examples of which you’ll find at the palatial Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea.
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Gelateria David
Sweet tooths can learn the art of gelato-making by taking a course at Gelateria David. Classes last around one hour and times vary according to demand, so call or drop by to organise.
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Café Latino
A romantic choice, this is the place to sit among orange and lemon trees and gaze into your lover’s eyes over a chilled cocktail. If you can’t drag yourselves away, you can also eat here (meals €30).
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Fauno Notte Club
Fauno Notte Club offers ‘a fantastic journey through history, legends and folklore’. In other words, 500 years of Neapolitan history set to music.
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Sorrento Diving Center
Sorrento Diving Center organises dives and a series of courses. Budget on around €95 for a half-day course, €45 for a single dive.
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Gargiulo & Jannuzzi
You’ll find plenty of inlaid wood at Gargiulo & Jannuzzi, a historic warehouse-cum-shop just off Piazza Tasso.
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Sic Sic
Sic Sic rents out a variety of boats, starting at around €32 per hour or €95 a day (excluding petrol).
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