Massa Lubrense Holidays

Massa Lubrense is a colourful little fishing village at the southern tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It’s a quaint, laidback place where the ancient Romans built their country houses. Pizzerias line the harbour, and there’s over 100 kilometres of marked walking routes on your doorstep – they ziz-zag through olive and citrus groves to the thick pine forest beyond.

Massa Lubrense’s rocky shores aren’t ideal for swimming, but there are lots of beaches nearby. A 20-minute drive takes you to Nerano, a pebbly beach with sunbeds, umbrellas and bars – and it’s great for snorkelling along the rocky seabed. From here, you can hike to the hidden away shores of Baia di Ieranto, a peaceful cove with glass-clear waters and views across to the island of Capri.

The area around Massa Lubrense is laced with hiking trails. Some of the routes are steep, but there are plenty of easier ones if you’re after a more leisurely walk. Stroll to the hamlets of Nerano or Capo D’Arco for widescreen mountain views, and along the way you’ll hear the sound of goldfinches nesting among the pine trees.

It’s a 15-minute drive to the region’s most popular town, Sorrento, where you can explore the ruins of an ancient Roman villa and sip limoncello on bustling Piazza Tasso. Head to the marina, and you can take a 20-minute hydrofoil ride to the island of Capri – a celeb favourite. For an extra dose of history, there’s a train that runs direct from Sorrento to the famous ruins of Pompeii.