The insider's guide to Italy

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

Sorrento lies on a peninsula separating the Bay of Naples, which it faces, from the Gulf of Salerno on the south. Of Greek origin, the town was the ancient Surrentum, a Roman resort.
The Sorrento & Amalfi peninsula is remarkably well served by public transport, it's a hub of communications. Regular ferries and hydrofoils connect it to the islands of Capri and Ischia and to Naples. Trains link it to Pompeii and Herculaneum. And spectacular drives run along its coastline, joining its various resorts.

The Bay of Naples, in Italian Golfo di Napoli, is a semicircular inlet of the Tyrrhenian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean Sea.
The bay is noted for its scenic beauty, which is enhanced by the steep, mainly volcanic hills surrounding it (including the still-active Mount Vesuvius). Along the bay shore are the extensive ruins of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the bay's entrance are the islands of Ischia, Procida, and Capri.

The Amalfi peninsula, coated in vineyards, citrus and olive groves, almond trees and bougainvillea, is a place of stunning beauty.
The short stretch of coastline between Sorrento and Salerno has been repeatedly dubbed the most beautiful and dramatic in the entire Mediterranean. The coastal road itself, known as the Amalfi Drive, is part of this great scenic beauty.
Passengers may relax and be spellbound. It's so glorious that you will want to repeat the journey in the opposite direction...

SORRENTO

It's a town of less than 20,000 inhabitants and archiepiscopal see, in the province of Naples, in the region Campania, southern Italy. It lies on a peninsula separating the Bay of Naples, which it faces, from the Gulf of Salerno, south-southeast of Naples. The backbone of the peninsula is formed by the Lattari Mountains, which culminate in Mount Sant'Angelo (4,734 feet, or 1,443 m).

Probably of Greek origin, the town was the ancient Surrentum, a Roman resort. The seat of an autonomous duchy in the 7th century, Sorrento became part of the Norman kingdom of Sicily in 1137. The poet Torquato Tasso was born there in 1544.

Notable landmarks in the town include the frequently rebuilt cathedral, the 14th-century cloister of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Correale di Terranova Museum, containing an important collection of Campanian decorative art, medieval sculpture, paintings, and classical remains. Long popular as a resort for its climate and scenic location, Sorrento is also noted for wine, olive oil, and citrus fruit.

The Amalfi peninsula, coated in vineyards, citrus and olive groves, almond trees and bougainvillea, is a place of stunning beauty.

BAY OF NAPLES

Called in Italian Golfo di Napoli, and in Latin Sinus Cumanus, it's a semicircular inlet of the Tyrrhenian Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea), southwest of the city of Naples, southern Italy. It is 10 miles (16 km) wide and extends southeastward for 20 miles (32 km) from Cape Miseno to Campanella Point.

The bay is noted for its scenic beauty, which is enhanced by the steep, mainly volcanic hills surrounding it (including the still-active Mount Vesuvius). The major port is Naples; other coastal towns along the bay are Pozzuoli, Torre Annunziata, Castellammare di Stabia, and Sorrento. Along the bay shore are the extensive ruins of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. At the bay's entrance are the islands of Ischia, Procida, and Capri. The Gulf of Pozzuoli is a northwest inlet.
Amalfi, on the Surrentine peninsula, is an ancient town with a glorious history as a medieval naval republic, whose power rivalled those of Venice, Genoa and Pisa over the control of the Mediterranean.

GETTING THERE

The Sorrento & Amalfi peninsula is remarkably well served by public transport, it's a hub of communications. Regular ferries and hydrofoils connect it to the islands of Capri and Ischia and to Naples. Trains link it to Pompeii and Herculaneum. And spectacular drives run along its coastline, joining its various resorts.

Amalfi is close to the railway station of Salerno, and many bus and coach services connect all the various towns of the Amalfi Coast. Naples Capodichino international airport is also close by. The A30 motorway (autostrada) connects the Amalfi Coast, in Italian Costiera Amalfitana, with the rest of Italy.

The most spectacular section of the Amalfi drive is between Amalfi and Positano, approximately 25 km of paradise. The road is just two cars wide in many sections, so take care. Passengers may relax and be spellbound. It's so glorious that you will want to make the journey in the opposite direction.
The short stretch of coastline between Sorrento and Salerno has been repeatedly dubbed the most beautiful and dramatic in the entire Mediterranean.
The coastal road itself, known as the Amalfi Drive, is part of this great scenic beauty.

Coming from the north by car: from Rome take the motorway Al (also called "autostrada del sole", the most important Italian motorway, which connects the north to the south going through all the length of Italy), with direction south (Napoli) and, after leaving Napoli, take the motorway A3 to Napoli - Salerno and follow the sign for route S.S. 163 Amalfitana, Cetara-Maiori-Minori-Amalfi.

Coming from the south by car: on the A3 motorway, take the exit of Vietri sul Mare, and follow the sign for route S.S. 163 Amalfitana, Cetara-Maiori-Minori-Amalfi. Or take the exit of Salerno Centro on the A30 Motorway.

By air: International Airoport Napoli Capodichino. From Naples, Piazza Municipio SITA coach service goes directly to Amalfi.

By train: railway station Centrale of Salerno. Regular coach service to Amalfi almost every hour from SITA bus station.

By coach: direct daily bus service Roma (stazione Tiburtina)- Amalfi.

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