Massa Lubrense both a small town, and the largest municipal region on the sun-drenched Sorrentine Peninsula, lining the blue delight of the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Sorrento Cape down to Punta Campanella, and all the way inland to Sant’Agata sui due Golfi. Along this stretch, rocky, secluded coves picturesquely alternate with idyllic beaches. And the interior is no less inspiring, with two nature reserves, Punta Campanella, and Ieranto, looking across the water to the island of Capri, plus rural pockets producing olive oil, wine, lemonade and grapefruits, and hilltop hamlets to explore. Our pick of the best places to stay in Massa Lubrense are dotted throughout the region, with some beach-side resorts on the Bay of Naples, hilltop villa conversions, rural retreats, and a family-run restaurant with rooms right on the sea front.
Massa Lubrense is believed by many to be the region Odysseus and his sailors were lured to by the sweet siren song, and that Ieranto Bay is where he dedicated a temple to Athena. Even if you find this idea just too romantic, Massa Lubrense’s fact-checkable historic credentials are impossible not to be impressed by. Close to Pompeii and Paestum, the region has a surprising number of medieval monasteries, cathedrals and churches, as well as Greco-Roman relics. This is certainly a gorgeous region with a lot to discover.
Massa Lubrense’s centre or town is just seven kilometres along the coast from Sorrento, its pretty port with charming pastel buildings is sheltered by wooded hills. The church, with its colourful cupola is the centre of town, and around it are shops, bars and restaurants. Many of the region’s 11 famous walking routes start in the town of Massa Lubrense, then lead walkers away to lemon and olive groves, and through woods to hilltop hamlets and ancient discoveries. Some of the best places to stay in Massa Lubrense aren’t far from these trails.
