I Giardini di Cataldo

The basics

I Giardini di Cataldo is a popular stop on Sorrento food tours, which often let you sample local specialties like pizza and mozzarella before visiting the lemon farm for a limoncello tasting. You’re also free to visit I Giardini di Cataldo on your own. Staffers are on hand to show you around the citrus grove, and the shop sells edible souvenirs to take home, in addition to coffee, gelato, and other desserts to enjoy right away.

Things to know before you go

• While you can contact I Giardini di Cataldo to arrange a guided visit in advance, you can also stop by during business hours for an impromptu tour.
• The garden doesn't have a restaurant serving full meals, but you can sit down for coffee or dessert.
• The path running through the citrus grove is flat and wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

I Giardini di Cataldo is located on Via Correale in central Sorrento, a short walk east of Piazza Tasso. It’s within walking distance of the main sights, train station, and cruise port, but you can also take the bus to the Sorrento stop just outside of the gardens. If you’re driving, park in the garage by Parco Lauro next door.

When to get there

To see the lemon trees at their fullest, aim to visit I Giardini di Cataldo in the spring, summer, or early fall. This coincides with the best months to travel to Sorrento—May and September—for warm weather and minimal crowds. Still, even the peak summer season is a good time to visit the grove, which has gelato and plenty of shade for a break from the sun.

What makes Sorrento lemons special

Lemons have thrived on the Sorrento peninsula for millennia—so much so that they have IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) status from the government. Per these standards, farms like I Giardini di Cataldo grow their lemons beneath chestnut-pole pergolas to slowly ripen the fruits and protect their oil-rich peels. This tradition is why so many Sorrento and Amalfi shops tout their limoncello, delizie al limone, and other lemony specialties.