If you follow my blog you’ll know by now that I have a bit of a travel addiction and I especially love to visit Italy. I’ve blogged about Rome, Venice, Positano, Capri, Ravello and today I will share with you my adventures in Sorrento. Sorrento is usually the base city for our visits to the Amalfi Coast, and even though it may not get as much attention as Amalfi or Positano, we love this quaint town. It’s also situated on a cliffside as all of the Amalfi Coast towns, and also has plenty or history, beautiful sights, shops and restaurants. But perhaps one of the things we love about it most is the hotel we always stay at, the Hilton Sorrento Palace. I can’t say enough about this property, especially if you’re traveling with kids. While it is not situated right in town, it’s only a 10 minute car or cab ride away, and it has all of the amenities you may need. Let me just say, it’s definitely worth to spend the extra money and reserve a room with a view, because the views you will wake up to are absolutely stunning! Take a look at this:
View from the Sorrento Palace Hotel
The hotel also has a great Kid’s Club with plenty of activities every day, situated right by the gorgeous multi-level pool area (again with stunning views of Mount Vesuvius), as well as a great poolside café, perfect for lunch or gelato snacks. Also worth mentioning is the amazing buffet breakfast served in the breakfast room every morning. My daughter goes crazy over the freshly made crepe and pancake stations, not to mention any other item one can desire for breakfast. And last but not least is the amazingly delicious rooftop restaurant, serving some of the best dishes we’ve eaten in Sorrento, and mind you, we are not usually big on hotel restaurants.
Hubby and daughter ordering their freshly made crepes at the breakfast buffet.
Dinner at the rooftop restaurant of the hotel.
But enough about the accommodations and let’s get to the beauty of this town. The cobblestone streets and narrow lanes that lead out of the Piazza Tasso, the town’s main square, include Via San Cesareo, the town’s primary shopping street, full of shops and cafes. If you return in the evenings, when vehicle access is restricted the central hub becomes one of the town’s most popular places for the traditional Mediterranean pastime of an easygoing evening stroll. And in typical Italian fashion, all of the stores and restaurants stay open pretty late. Also on the main square is a terrific little snack bar, Bar Ercolano, that sells the most amazing gelato, our daughter had her nightly treat at this place. A small white tourist train (Sorrento City Train) also leaves from the square. For a few euros it takes you on a 30-minute round trip through the old town and down to Marina Piccola. But perhaps one of my favorite sights on the square is the Baroque Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, with its beautiful yellow and white facade, stop in and take a look inside this gorgeous church. In the center of the square stands a statue of St. Antonino Abate, the patron saint of Sorrento.
Baroque Church of Santa Maria del Carmine
Another view of Piazza Tasso
Enjoying her evening gelato at Piazza Tasso
Finishing our train ride
One of our favorite restaurants in town is the Michelin star rated Il Buco, (reservations strongly recommended). The restaurant, housed in the wine cellars of an old monastery in the center of Sorrento, has some of the best food I’ve had anywhere in Europe, not to mention some of the most exceptional service as well. The place is not easy to find, as it’s tucked away on a side street off of Piazza San Antonino, but ask anyone and they will lead you right to it. You can sit outside on the romantic cobblestone street, but we much preferred to sit in the stunning indoor restaurant, created in the beautiful, old cellar of the convent of Theatine monks, dating all the way back to 1400. The dishes rotate on a nightly basis, and if you don’t particularly like anything on the menu, (our daughter is quite picky) they will try to accomodate you by creating something special with whatever fresh pasta, fish and ingredients they have for the day. As they like to say…You are invited to discover all tastes and flavors of our tradition, reworked and revised to create exciting new experiences for the senses. The presentation of the food was also spectacular, and every meal and wine came with a perfect explanation of its components, ingredients and where it came from. Oh and make sure you leave room for the delectable desserts. Needless to say, we went back for a second meal.
Il Buco Restaurant
You will find many types of shops in Sorrento selling leather sandals, ceramics, limoncello and soaps, all sorts of goodies. One of our favorite leather shops is La Conchiglia, where you can have your sandals custom made while you wait. Take your time and stroll through the town and I’m sure you’ll find something you like.
Typical souvenir store
La Conchiglia leather sandal shop
Gorgeous leather sandals made while you wait
Lemon drinks, soaps and candles, all very popular throughout the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento is also a great place to take day trips from, especially by ferry. You can take a boat to Positano, Amalfi, Capri, and many other Amalfi Coast towns.
A view of Sorrento from the ferry
Here are a few more photos from our various trips for your enjoyment. Have you ever been to Sorrento? I’d love to hear what you enjoyed most…
Bell Tower of the Sorrento Cathedral
Kid’s Club activities by the hotel pool
One of the many pedestrian shopping streets in town
Typical limoncello shop
Beautiful view from our room balcony at the Hilton Sorrento Palace Hotel
On Piazza Tasso, getting ready for our evening stroll
One of the many unique shops in this town
Beautiful scenery on our drive leaving Sorrento
Listen2Mama 
My husband and I talk about going to Italy all the time. I am Italian, so I think it’s mandatory that I get there at least once in my life, right? Sorrento looks GORGEOUS.
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A trip to Italy is on my bucket list! Your photos are just gorgeous and really show what a wonderful time your family had! That gelato (and all the other food pics) make my mouth water!
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I have never been to Italy much less Sorrento. It certainly looks like a place I would love to visit and browse. The scenery is gorgeous–and I LOVE that pool!!
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That looks like one HUGE pool that you could see from your Hotel. I would never see my Hubs if we stayed there. He would be in the pool all the time.
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What a beautiful place to visit. We currently are looking to take a family trip and it never even crossed my mind to think Italy. I love the option of a kids club as I have two young boys and sometimes you just need an hour of hubby time:) Thanks for sharing I will have to share with hubby. So my question is do they do things like all inclusive also?
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Not sure Tiffany, we never opt for that even when it’s available bc we like to have flexibility and explore the town’s restaurants. But I’m sure you can check with the hotel if you’re looking for meal plans to be included, many European hotels have those.
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Beautiful family!
This would be a dream vacation. Sandals made while you wait? Love that! 🙂
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I love seeing all the photos. What a beautiful city. The hotel looks comfortable.
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OMG – I read “Sorrento” and thought you were going to talk about a Kia! This is SO much better. Great photos!
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I’ve never been to Italy but it’s definitely on my bucket list. I’ve wanted to visit since I was in Elementary school and I’m going to make it.
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So many beautiful towns in Italia, thanks for sharing this one with us!
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Wow, this looks like a wonderful place to visit with my family. I love all of the great photos, especially the one of the sandal and lemon stands. Can’t wait until my boys are old enough to travel the world with us.
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That is so neat that you can have custom made sandals done while you wait. I’ve never heard of that. It’s a beautiful city and the resort where you stayed is incredible.
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I’d love to go to Italy. Everything is so beautiful and that spread.. Oh WOW!
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awesome pictures, love the train and store fronts, wish I had the chance to visit a place that was that beautiful:)
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Omg can I please be there right now. Such a gorgeous vacation!
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Sorrento looks so beautiful! Italy is HIGH on my European travel bucket list. I’m hoping to visit Paris next Spring but I’d loved to visit Italy while I’m in Europe as well ❤
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This looks like so much fun! I envy have much you travel! I’m hoping to travel this year with my hubby so I’ll have to show him this! Thanks!
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What gorgeous photo’s. That pool is amazing and I would gain 20 pounds with that food – yum!
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Wow what a beautiful destination! I can’t wait where your next travel takes you
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Wow. It looks beautiful. I haven’t ever even heard of Sorrento before. I would love to visit Italy and this looks like a beautiful place to explore!
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Right away your post made me want to take this dream vacation. The you said sandals made while you wait and I know it’s my destiny to visit Sorrento! lol
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i live in italy and yes there are many beautiful places to be visited. Sorrento is absolutly one of them. I love all the photographs you took. i am happy that u had great time here
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You make me want to pack my bags right now for Sorrento! Looks lovely. Great photos 🙂
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Amazing. Everything looks heat. looks like you had a one of a kind vacation.
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Everything looks amazing at this city!!! I love how the shoes are hanging at the sandal shop!
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Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Your pictures are beautiful.
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Looks like a luxurious hotel in a beautiful location!
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I love Italy but have never been to Sorrento. After looking at your gorgeous photos, I’m ready to book a trip!
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That’s so gorgeous! I’ve been drooling over Italy a little bit lately. It’s been too long!
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This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I love traveling as well and am looking forward to taking my own family on lots more adventures.
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This looks like a dream vacation! You are very lucky!
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The whole trip looks amazing but I really want to be in that pool right now. Hope you had a blast!
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I have never been to italy yet but I am planning to go for a weekend to rome and venice this year so will check out your posts on them. Sorrento looks absolutely stunning and place to be.
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I haven’t been, but I think you just convinced me to add Sorrento to my travel bucket list! It looks beautiful there!
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We loved traveling through Italy and want to return soon. We didn’t make it to Sorrento, the photos look wonderful. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
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Beautiful! I would totally love to visit. the water is beautiful
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Those are beautiful beautiful photos! I’d love to come to those places someday.
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The place has its old town charm. It feels nostalgic, refreshing and really scenic.
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Looks like a fun-filled vacation!@ Your daughter is beautiful! I hope I can travel to this destination someday!
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I actually never heard of it. Judging by the pictures, it looks like a gorgeous place to visit!
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I love visiting Italy when I was young. I hope to visit again some day.
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So scenic! I wish I could visit Sorrento, too. I enjoyed looking at your photos. Thanks for the tour!
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Sorrento is so beautiful. I would love to go. Your place to stay too sounds perfect. If the children are happy so are the parents! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
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What a beautiful place to visit. I would love to visit Sorrento one day and enjoy those scenic places
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It looks wonderful! Every single picture makes me want to visit it
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I haven’t been to Sorrento in a long time but I love that entire area. I especially love Capri! The lemon items everywhere and the ceramics are my favorites. Loved the pictures!
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how fun! looks like you guys had a blast on your trip.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and seeing your pics. I am making my first trip to Italy next summer and will be visiting Venice, Rome, and Florence. I can’t wait!
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Oh wow. What a gorgeous place. I would so love to visit there one day. Amazing!
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I love the pictures. Italy has more places I want to see than any other place on my bucket list. I’ve only been to one city there, but there are so many more to see.
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