Basilica di Sant’Antonino

The Basics

The original Basilica di Sant’Antonino was built in the 11th century, but numerous changes have been made over the centuries, including the addition of a baroque interior and Renaissance facade and belltower.

The best way to visit the church and explore Sorrento’s other top attractions is by joining a small-group walking tour. Wander the picturesque lanes lined with artisan workshops and boutiques and visit the Basilica di Sant’Antonino as well as the Church of San Francesco, Corso Italia, and Piazza Tasso. Sorrento is also a popular day-trip destination from Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Photography is permitted inside the Basilica di Sant’Antonino.

• Modest attire covering shoulders and knees is required to enter the church.

• Visiting the basilica and town requires a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.

• The basilica has a number of steps at the entrance and is not accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The Basilica di Sant’Antonino is located along the main street, Corso Italia, in the center of Sorrento. From Marina Piccola, you can either walk up the hill or take a local bus or taxi. The city's transport hub is Piazza Tasso, just a short walk from the basilica, where buses connect to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and Naples.

When to Get There

The Basilica di Sant’Antonino is particularly interesting to visit on February 14, when the town celebrates the saint’s feast day with religious services and processions. The church also offers a cool respite from southern Italy’s midday heat in the summer.

Legends of Sant’Antonino

Most statues of St. Antonius depict him standing on a sea creature, representing his rescue of a child who had been swallowed by a whale; the two whalebones displayed in the church are said to come from this very creature. Another legend says that the Archangel Michael appeared to Antonino and told him to build a church in Sorrento. In the 11th century, this ancient chapel was replaced with the current basilica, though St. Antonius’s crypt inside was rebuilt in the 18th century.

Ways to explore

You’ll find this basilica just steps from Piazza Tasso, Sorrento’s main square. It's a regular stop on walking tours of the centro and is often paired with landmarks such as Corso Italia, a shopping boulevard, and the 15th-century Sedile Dominova palazzo. Though modest by Italian standards, it remains one of Sorrento’s highlights, and even some Pompeii tours from Rome that pause in town include a quick visit. Booking a guided tour offers added insight into the life and legends of the quirky San Antonino, and the chance to quickly explore Sorrento’s central highlights before heading elsewhere.

Accessibility

The square around the church is flat but cobblestoned. The church entrance has steps, and the staircase leading down to the crypt is not wheelchair-accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Scarf to cover shoulders, cash for donations, coins for votives

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, modest clothing in breathable fabrics

Not allowed

Uncovered knees and shoulders, outside voices, disruptive photography

Amenities

Seating for rest and contemplation, shops and cafés on Piazza Sant’Antonino

Address

The Basilica di Sant’Antonino sits in the heart of Sorrento’s historic center, just a brief stroll from Piazza Tasso and other key attractions. It’s easily accessible on foot from most areas of the town.

Driving

From Naples, take the A3 and E45 south toward Salerno. Turn towards Castellammarre di Stabia on SS145. Enter Sorrento and follow Corso Italia toward Piazza Tasso—stop before reaching the historic center, where parking is limited.

Public transportation

From the main train station in Naples, take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Step outside the station in Sorrento and walk west toward the center of town on Corso Italia. Turn left on Via Luigi de Maio and continue to Piazza Sant’Antonino. The walk should take about 10 minutes.

Best times to visit

Visit in the early morning or evening for a quieter experience and a peaceful break from Sorrento’s busy streets.

Best days to visit

Visit on Sundays to see families and locals at Mass and experience everyday Sorrentine life—but remember that services are not a tourist attraction, so observe respectfully.

Best months to visit

The best months to visit Sorrento are May, June, late September, and early October. These periods offer mild, comfortable weather. July and August are very hot and best avoided.

Special events

On February 14, Sant’Antonino’s feast day, locals honor his remains in the crypt and take part in a procession through Sorrento’s streets, led by clergy and city officials carrying a silver statue of the patron saint.