Sun, sea and sand at Marina di Puolo

Marina di Puolo

Sorrento has developed a reputation for being a seaside resort without any good beaches.

It is true that near the centre of town there is only Peter’s Beach, a small strip of sand, which can be used by the public, although many of the big hotels have their own tiny areas of beach.

But there are some great places for swimming and sunbathing just out of town if you know where to look.

A lovely beach with an expanse of sand that is free to use can be found at the old fishing village of Marina di Puolo, south of Sorrento and just a little further along the peninsula from Villa Pollio and the Baths of Queen Joan at Punta del Capo.

How to get to Marina di Puolo

Marina di Puolo has a good, sandy beach

Leave Sorrento along Via del Capo in the direction of Massa Lubrense. If you take the Linea A (Line A) bus to Capo di Sorrento, get off at the stop for the Hotel Dania, from where you can make your way down to the beach along an old path.

Turn off Via Capo down Calata Puolo and then turn left again to go down some gradual steps and along a narrow path past olive groves and a vineyard until you reach the intersection with Via Marina di Puolo. You will pass a car park (the nearest point to the beach that you can drive to if you come from the main road) before going down a steeply descending, zig-zagging path to reach Marina di Puolo.

What does Marina di Puolo have to offer?

You will find a shop, a few restaurants and a hotel with its own private area of the beach when you get down there.

However, there is a good sized stretch of the grey, volcanic sand open to the public. You can hire sunbeds, deckchairs and umbrellas from Angelo, the resident bagnino, who can usually be found near the restaurant Raphael.

The view from the Raphael restaurant

Angelo and his helpful staff provide excellent customer service and keep the beach in good order.

When you enter the sea, it is shallow for several metres and you can wade out quite a long way before you begin to get out of your depth. Once you have crossed an area that is rather pebbly, you will find it is soft under foot and the water is pleasant for bathing. There is a substantial area for safe swimming, separated by a rope from the moored boats.

After your swim you will enjoy having lunch outside one of the restaurants along the sea front enjoying the view while you sample the delicious fresh fish and the local wine.

You can see Vesuvius and the coastline across the bay. To the right is the rocky end of Punta del Capo and to the left there is a promontory of land known as Capo di Massa, which is surmounted by the remains of a 16^th century look-out tower.

Marina di Puolo can be crowded on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer, when many Italian families head for the beach. But on weekdays it is a pleasant place to escape to.


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