Sorrento is a sun-soaked slice of paradise, where lemon-bearing trees and pastel-painted buildings meet turquoise waters framed by mountains. The home of Limoncello, high-class hotels and some of the country’s finest food, this Italian coastal town’s popularity is aided further by its connection to some of the region’s star attractions. Here are just a handful of the best things to see and do in and around the town.

Stroll through Piazza Tasso
Piazza Tasso is the beating heart of Sorrento. This ‘Old Town’ is a treat for the senses: shop for souvenirs before soaking up the ambience from a pavement café, gelato in hand. 

Cruise along the Amalfi Coast
There are a few ways to explore the Amalfi Coast. While the buses are often crowded and driving the twisted roads is not for the faint-hearted, booking a boat trip will allow you to enjoy the precipitous crags, cliff-clinging hotels and hidden coves – completely stress-free. Many boat trips will include stops at the towns of Amalfi and Positano, where you can take a dip in the turquoise waters for one of the most scenic swims in the world.

Spend a day in Capri
A favourite haunt for celebrities and the super-rich, Capri is a mind-blowingly beautiful island off the coast of Sorrento. It takes luxury very seriously, with no shortage of expensive restaurants and boutiques to splash your cash. However, Capri is much more than a shopping haven: soak up the views from the Monte Solaro chairlift, walk the cove-studded coastline or visit the Blue Grotto – a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue. Arrive early – it gets very busy in peak season.

Discover Pompeii
You can’t visit Sorrento without taking a day to explore the nearby ancient city of Pompeii. Simultaneously destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, it remains a remarkable example of how the Romans once lived and a dark reminder of the destructive forces of Mother Nature. Walk down Roman streets and explore millennia-old houses, temples, shops, cafes and  amphitheatres.

Climb Mount Vesuvius
Towering over the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius remains one of the world’s most carefully monitored volcanoes. Having erupted more than 30 times since its infamous explosion in AD 79, the volcano was believed to have once been much taller than its current height (1,281m). You can take a coach trip to the top from Sorrento or from Pompeii, where you’ll be dropped off and invited to climb the final 30-minute trek to the crater.

Explore on Foot
Some of the best sights in Sorrento can be seen by lacing up your walking boots and exploring on foot. There are numerous walking trails leaving from the centre, taking you through lush greenery, gorgeous lemon groves and quaint Italian villages. One of the most popular walks is the 40-minute trip to Bagni Regina Giovanna, home to a hidden swimming spot and an ancient Roman villa dating back to the first century BC.