Valley of the Mills

Travellers embarking upon an Amalfi Coast adventure often pass through Sorrento on the way there, but it is well worth taking some time to explore this charming corner of Southern Italy. With a dramatic cliff-top location overlooking the Bay of Naples, combined with beautiful architecture and a rich history spanning thousands of years, it’s no wonder it has been a sought-after tourist destination for centuries. Our introductory walking tour is a great way to get a feel for the city with a carefully curated route around the key highlights of the historic centre.

On this 2-hour walking tour, you will:

• Explore Sorrento with a local expert guide;
• Embark on a flexible itinerary showing off the most important sights;
• Get a crash course in Sorrento’s history from the Ancient Greeks who gave it its name to the 19th-century intellectuals who made it a must-see on a Grand Tour;
• Begin in the bustling Piazza Tasso to get a feel for the spirit of the town and hear how it became the beating heart of Sorrento;
• Uncover the secrets of the Sorrento nobility at the Sedil Dominova;
• See the verdant Valley of the Mills and learn the story behind it;
• Stroll along Corso Italia, the town’s majestic main street;
• Admire the Church of Sant’Antonino, the city’s patron saint;
• Discover the best spots for breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples;
• Visit Sorrento Cathedral and find out about the different architectural styles that have been incorporated across the centuries.

Step into the soul of Sorrento on a captivating two-hour private walking tour that peels back the layers of this coastal gem, from its mythic roots to its elegant present. Led by a local expert guide, your journey begins in lively Piazza Tasso, where the energy of Sorrento pulses beneath your feet. As scooters zip past and café tables fill with locals, you’ll hear how this bustling square evolved into the town’s quintessential gathering place.

From there, your guide weaves a narrative as textured as the cobblestones beneath you, tracing Sorrento’s arc from its Greek origins to its golden age as a refined stop on the 19th-century Grand Tour. You’ll make your way past the Sedil Dominova, a rare relic of aristocratic life, where Sorrentine nobles once gathered under frescoed domes to govern in grandeur. Just a few steps away, the lush, unexpected chasm of the Valley of the Mills opens up like a secret whispered by the landscape with its silent ruins thick with vines and stories of an industry long past.

You will wander along the elegant Corso Italia, lined with boutiques and with the scent of Amalfi lemons in the air, and pause at the Church of Sant’Antonino, where the town’s patron saint rests in peace and reverence. Your guide will reveal a wealth of interesting anecdotes about Sorrento’s people and places, as well as the best spots for panoramic views of the Bay of Naples, perfect for a return visit with an aperitivo in hand. The tour culminates at Sorrento Cathedral, a striking fusion of Romanesque structure, Baroque flourishes, and 20th-century mosaic art. Here, in the hushed stillness of its nave, you’ll learn how the town’s layered past is reflected in every stone and spire.

Thoughtfully paced and rich with insider knowledge, this immersive introduction offers not only a deeper understanding of Sorrento’s history and architecture but an intimate sense of the authentic local culture, leaving you perfectly poised to explore the town and the surrounding area on your terms.