Sorrento was probably founded by Greeks. Like many cities of southern Italy it had close contacts with the Mycenaen civilization from which it derived the myth of Sirens. It fell under the domain of the Greeks of Syracusa in the year 474 B.C., and then it was subsequently subjected to the Samniti and then to the Romans. Under the Roman Empire it became a post much sought after by the wealthy who had luxurious villas built there.

After a long period of Byzantine administration, and when this started to decline, it became a free Dukedom (start of the IXth century) with boundaries that went from Punta Campanella (ends of the Sorrentine Penisula in Massalubrense) to Stabia. In the XIIth century it was conquered by Ruggiero the Norman and in the following centuries it became feud of Gabriele Correaale and Giovanna D'Aragona.

It went through one of the most crutial crisis for the attempts of rebellion against the Spanish domain, for the local conflicts with the near Vico Equense, for a serious of epidemics and for the terrible Turkish invasion in 1588.

Although in such unsteadiness, between the end and the whole space of the 1600s, Sorrento renewed its urban tissue also for the presence in the city of many religious orders. In the XVIIIth century the policy of distension and reformism of Charel of Bourbon allowed a general resumption of the economic life and the revival of agricultural and mercantile activities. Country home of Torquato Tasso, between the XVIII and the XIX cen.) it became destination of the greatest intellectuals of the time.

Sorrento, for its natural beauties and for its links with the classical myths, has always fascinated visitors, inspiring painters and engravers that for years depicted typical costline spots.