9 of the Best Museums in Sorrento and How To Visit

The Correale di Terranova Museum tops any list of must-visit museums in Sorrento; its collection of 17th- and 18th-century Neapolitan paintings, decorative arts, and ancient artifacts is one of the top Sorrento cultural attractions. The museum is a short walk from Piazza Tasso, housed in the historic Palazzo Correale overlooking the sea, and there are great views from both the villa and the surrounding grounds. It only takes an hour or two to cover the 24 rooms, so it’s easy to pop in after a Sorrento sightseeing tour by land or by sea.

Don’t miss: The archaeological collection on the villa’s underground level.

Sorrento has long been known for its intricate inlaid wood motifs—also known as marquetry—that decorate everything from minute jewelry boxes to entire tabletops. While the artform is disappearing, it's still celebrated at the Museobottega della Tarsialignea—or Marquetry Museum and Workshop—one of the top museums in Sorrento. Marvel at antique and modern marquetry works inside the 18th-century Palazzo Pomarici Santomasi, alongside archival photographs and displays highlighting the history and craft of Sorrentine marquetry. The museum is located in the heart of Sorrento’s old town, and a stop here is easy to combine with a Sorrento walking tour or street food tour.

Don’t miss: The collection of modern inlaid pieces on the ground floor.

The Sorrento Foundation, housed in the historic Villa Fiorentino along Sorrento’s main Corso Italia thoroughfare, is a cultural center that hosts a variety of concerts, literary events, and other initiatives throughout the year, as well as regular art exhibitions. Check the association’s website for a schedule of upcoming shows, or simply stop at the villa to break up your day of sightseeing and shopping to check out its two permanent exhibitions focused on Sorrentine marquetry and historic music boxes.

Don’t miss: The foundation’s lush garden surrounding the villa.

You don’t need to confine yourself to the city when visiting museums in Sorrento—one of the area’s most memorable collections sits on Capri, just a short boat or ferry ride across the Bay of Naples. Head to the town of Anacapri to explore Villa San Michele, a house museum filled with ancient Egyptian, Etruscan, and Roman sculptures amassed by Swedish collector (and physician) Axel Munthe. Take a turn through the villa’s panoramic gardens during your visit, and enjoy views that stretch to the neighboring island of Ischia.

Don’t miss: The sphinx overlooking the gardens, which is said to be 3,200 years old.

The Amalfi Cathedral—aka Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea—is one of the most important cultural sights on the Amalfi Coast, and no Sorrento museum guide would be complete without a mention of its small but excellent Diocesan Museum. Part of the cathedral complex, the museum holds silver, vestments, and other liturgical objects from the cathedral treasury, as well as sacred artworks and relics. Architecture fans will be impressed with the capitals, reliefs, frescoes, and other decorative fragments removed from the cathedral over the centuries. Visit during an Amalfi walking tour that covers the town’s top sights.

Don’t miss: The richly embroidered and jeweled ecclesiastic vestments.

Sorrento was once known for its marquetry, but in Amalfi, paper was king. Delve into the history of the local paper-making industry at the excellent Paper Museum, set in a functioning water-powered mill along the river that runs through the town. This family-friendly museum features working historic machinery and a hands-on paper-making experience that is especially engaging for kids. Enhance your Amalfi Coast boat or driving tour with a stop at this unique museum, set above the throngs that overrun the town’s port and main square.

Don’t miss: Demonstrations of the massive machine that would beat rags to pulp using only water power.

Tucked inside a historic shop in the clifftop town of Ravello, the Coral Museum is a pocket-sized treasure trove of antique and modern coral jewelry and art. A visit here is a journey into the history and techniques behind one of the most historic artisan crafts in southern Italy, and you can also purchase everything from small coral pendants to intricate—and pricey—handcrafted coral sculptures from the adjacent shop. Many Amalfi Coast day trips include time in Ravello, so spend a few minutes here admiring the unique collection before taking in the Duomo and the town’s other sights.

Don’t miss: The dazzling carved Madonna statuette made from a single piece of coral.

One of the most important Sorrento historical museums is set less than an hour outside of Naples Historic Center: the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). The institution houses one of the premier collections of ancient Roman art and artifacts in the world, most of which were unearthed at the Pompeii and Herculaneum archaeological sites set between Naples and Sorrento. Visit with a guide to focus on the highlights of this vast collection and gain a better understanding of its history and significance; some archaeology tours combine visits to both Pompeii and the archaeological museum.

Don’t miss: The massive and emotionally charged Farnese Bull sculpture.

The Sansevero Chapel’s Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmarino is so realistically rendered that it was long suspected that the 18th-century sculptor used alchemy or other magical means to create it. Visit this chapel-turned-museum on a Naples walking tour or art-focused itinerary in the city to see the masterpiece up close, plus admire its collection of baroque sculptures and esoteric oddities. You can also visit the museum on your own, but daily visitors are limited, so these are among the Sorrento museum tickets that you’ll need to book in advance.

Don’t miss: The legend-laden Anatomical Machines displayed in the chapel’s underground chamber.