Positano and Sorrento are about 17 km apart. A distance that can be easily covered by a scooter. You should take the “Amalfi” SS163 to Piano di Sorrento, then take a slight stretch of the SS145 to the city. It is not a straight road; there are many curves, but the landscape, both on the coast and inland, certainly deserves the tour.

A first alternative is to reach Sorrento by traveling north. After Piano di Sorrento, riding your scooter or Vespa, continue along the SS145, pass through Meta, and reach Vico Equense, then head back toward Sorrento.
Vico Equense is a seaside resort on the Gulf of Naples and is also famous as a spa center for its sulphurous waters. The fourteenth-century cathedral of the Santissima Annunziata, which stands out on a rock overlooking the sea, is an example of Gothic architecture on the Coast. The landscape also offers a view of the medieval Giusso Castle, used both for military purposes and as a residence. Interesting are the Vico Museum and the Antiquarium Silio Italico, which, since the 1960s, has collected the finds from a funerary necropolis discovered in those years near the town. Today, Vico is also famous for the “meter of pizza”: here, in fact, pizza up to 2 meters long was born, which can be topped with various ingredients on the same base, so it can satisfy the desires of an entire table without sacrificing quality. If you want to stop for a bite, you can park your scooter near the main square, just a few meters from the famous pizzeria.

Background

According to tradition, its origins are attributed to the Greeks. Still, the first permanent inhabitants were most likely the Etruscans and then the Romans, traces of which are found in the city’s layout. Unfortunately, there is little historical documentation of the town of Sorrento: the invasion by the Saracens in 1558 and the destruction of the archives of the Angevin chancellery in the 1940s resulted in the near-total loss of historical traces of this period, leaving considerable gaps.

We know that it was the seat of the bishop since 420. After a period of autonomy, it followed the historical events of the Kingdom of Naples, ending up under Aragonese dominion. It has always been fighting with Amalfi, Salerno, and the Saracens.

At the beginning of the 1700s, a period of cultural, economic, and social rebirth began, which led to the inclusion of the Sorrento peninsula in the Grand Tour in the 19th century. And so many illustrious guests, such as Byron, Dickens, Goethe, Wagner, and Nietzsche, came to stay in Sorrento. Tourism gradually developed and even today, represents the backbone of the Sorrento economy, to the extent that in 2018, Sorrento was the most sought-after location according to the Booking.com portal.

The legend of the beautiful Sirentum

The legend says that the city’s name derives from Sirentum, the girl born of the union of Leucosia, the siren daughter of Acheloo, and Mirone, a farmer from the hinterland. Sirentum was beautiful, with a sweet, lovable character: a truly unique creature. She married the prince of the Durazzo family, with whom she shared an incredible generosity towards the city’s inhabitants. During the invasion by the Saracens in 1558, the beautiful girl was taken prisoner. It was thanks to the town’s inhabitants that she was released, as they gave everything they had to have her back with them. Legend says that this devotion to this extraordinary figure, between the human and the mythological, inspired the use of her name for the city.

History and myth together

Even ancient literature, however, speaks of Sorrento as the land of the Sirens: in fact, the Greek poet Homer chose this splendid land as the setting for the meeting between Ulysses and the Sirens. In the Odyssey, in fact, we can read that, to resist their amazing voices and avoid ruining his ships on the rocks, Homer put wax in the sailors’ ears and had himself tied to the mainmast. The Sirens, having failed to enchant the traveller, threw themselves into the water, turning into rocks and giving rise to the three islands of the Li Galli archipelago, in front of Positano.

Once you arrive in Sorrento, park your scooter for free in Piazza Lauro or near the train station and continue on foot; the attractions are very close to one another and are often located in limited traffic zones.
The historic centre of Sorrento shows the architectural style of past centuries quite intact, with its ancient narrow alleys and high walls to protect against invaders.

The ancient medieval walls are visible on the eastern side of the city and are about 20 meters high. They date back to the end of the 1500s, the result of a significant intervention that became necessary after the Saracen invasion, as the previous fortifications were almost destroyed. We know that under these walls there were other older ones, as can be seen near the door of the Marina Grande.

It is interesting that the Sedile Dominova, on the ancient Roman decumanus, was the seat of the noble institution of the Angevin age that administered the city. The building features an arched loggia, closed on two sides by balustrades, and crowned by a seventeenth-century majolica dome.

The cathedral of Sorrento today has a neo-Gothic style, but its foundation dates back to around 1400, on the site of a previous place of worship that has been restored several times.

The Correale di Terranova Museum is located in the eponymous villa. It is a real treasure of precious collections, both historical and artistic, and of jewellery, created at the beginning of the twentieth century by the Correale brothers of Terranova, the last descendants of a very noble local family.

In the park behind the building, the viewpoint overlooking the sea offers an enchanting view of the Gulf of Naples and the Marina Piccola below.

I Bagni della Regina Giovanna

A few kilometres from the historic centre (in Capo di Sorrento), easily reachable on foot or by scooter, lies a very particular archaeological area, one of the most enchanting and mysterious places on the Sorrento peninsula. It owes its name to Queen Giovanna d’Angiò, who, between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, used to come and swim in this small bay, between the rocky beach and the cliffs. A natural stone arch divides the bay from the sea. A few steps from here, there are the remains of the Roman villa of Pollio Felice, dating back to the 1st century BC. C. and overlooking the sea. From here, at sunset, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples.

The Marina Grande is a small town west of Sorrento, characterized by the typical houses of the seaside villages of southern Italy, which can be easily reached on foot from the city. It is the ancient port of fishermen, and one of the old Roman gates that allowed access to the city from the sea is still visible. One of the strengths of this town, which over the years has become touristy and welcoming, is the location: from here, in fact, you can enjoy a splendid view of the Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius, and a characteristic tuff rock ridge, typical of the Sorrento peninsula. This magnificent setting was chosen for the famous film “Pane, amore e …”, starring Sophia Loren, Vittorio De Sica, and Dino Risi, which undoubtedly contributed to making the area very well-known and to developing the various economic activities related to tourism.

The Australian Sorrento

Perhaps not everyone knows that there is also a “Sorrento” in Australia, in the State of Victoria, 90 km south of Melbourne. The first European settlements here date back to the early nineteenth century, but the territory was later abandoned due to a lack of fresh water. It was then repopulated and intentionally took the name of Sorrento, probably thanks to illustrious personalities who had made the Grand Tour in Italy. It is a seaside resort overlooking Port Phillip Bay, characterized by beautiful sandy and rocky beaches, where nature is still the protagonist.

The hawks

Not everybody knows that on the Sorrento Peninsula, it is possible to spot different species of hawks. There are the Peregrine Falcon and the Kestrel, which lay their eggs in rock cavities or on natural terraces and manage to raise two or three chicks at a time. This is possible thanks to excellent air quality, low pollution, and extremely low use of pesticides and other chemicals on the land. Therefore, it will not be challenging to spot hawks in flight or swooping on their prey.

In conclusion, renting a scooter in Positano offers the most authentic and enjoyable way to explore the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula at your own pace. It lets you discover scenic routes, charming villages rich in history, and hidden spots hard to reach by car. Whether you choose to arrive in Sorrento passing through Vico Equense or crossing Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, every turn becomes an adventure: the sea beneath, the aroma of lemons, the vibrant colors of the houses, and the lively energy of the coast. With a scooter, you can stop anytime, enjoy the view, and experience the journey like a true local. If you want to turn a simple trip into a memorable experience, this is the perfect way to do it.