17. Most Innovative Museum Experience 2026 – Sorrento Sorrento is a charming coastal town in southern Italy, known for its panoramic views of the sea and, on clear days, Mount Vesuvius. The town boasts a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years, preserved in its centuries-old buildings and archaeological sites. Those seeking to explore the deep history of Sorrento need look no further than Sorrento Experience Museum, an independent, family-run museum dedicated to showcasing the town’s detailed history through an engaging, multimedia experience. We took a closer look at Sorrento Experience Museum below, following its recent recognition in the European Travel Awards 2026. Located beneath the ancient Roman walls in the historic centre of Sorrento, just steps away from the Bastion of Parsano, Sorrento Experience Museum is the first multimedia museum to highlight the history, customs, and traditions of Sorrento. The museum caters to individuals, small groups, school tours, and large groups alike, with a dedicated and knowledgeable guide who accompanies each tour from beginning to end. The 2022 establishment of Sorrento Experience Museum was a lifelong dream for Owner Antonino Pane, an eclectic entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to this unique project. Antonino worked as a hotel porter through the 1990s, and often heard guides praise the beauty of other towns in the region, but never Sorrento. This realisation sparked within Antonino a mission to show the history and beauty of Sorrento with people from around the world. Today, Antonino has realised his dream in Sorrento Experience Museum: an immersive exhibition that winds visitors through installations, artistic elements, and the creations of master craftsmen. This is the perfect venue for travellers visiting Sorrento for the first time, providing them with invaluable information regarding all the landmarks they may see, as well as locals seeking to refresh their knowledge of their home’s history. He told us, “I have made many plans in my life, but this museum is a dream come true – to make the great history of my hometown known to tourists.” Sorrento Experience Museum displays the full history of Sorrento, with exhibits ranging from the first century BC to the present day. Upon entering the building in Via Sersale, guests approach the first exhibit: a painting that depicts Torquato Tasso, a major Italian Renaissance poet best known for his epic Gerusalemme Liberata. The painting begins to speak as it is approached, telling visitors the story of his life and his connection to his hometown. Beyond Torquato, visitors will encounter the mythical sirens said to have bewitched Ulysses, as well as exhibitions focusing on Queen Giovanna, Lucio Dalla and Caruso, Wagner, Nietzsche, and more. A wooden boat pays homage to the fishermen at sea and the shipwrights who make that possible; an array of local crafts and tools decorate the space, such as crib art and inlay; and hooded figures represent the Easter Rites and its long-standing tradition of the hooded processions. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Sorrento Experience Museum is its Mount Vesuvius exhibition. Here, guests are taken through a video reconstruction of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD that destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The exhibit simulates what the true eruption would have been like, with special effects and sounds to create an engaging, immersive experience. Since its inception, Sorrento Experience Museum has worked tirelessly to showcase the beauty, history, and culture of Sorrento with people from around the world. The museum has earned its position as a toptier destination within Sorrento, preserving and promoting the legacy of Sorrento without ever compromising on the visitor experience. For its significant contributions to the cultural heritage of Sorrento and the vacations of countless visitors, we at EU Business News are delighted to recognise Sorrento Experience Museum as Sorrento’s Most Innovative Museum Experience 2026. On TripAdvisor, one client wrote: “This is a wonderful, concise introduction to Sorrento, including multi-media presentations on local mythology, history, sights, culture, and famous people. We also had a guide to conduct us around the exhibits, and add additional explanations when needed. We would definitely recommend Sorrento Experience Museum to anyone visiting Sorrento as one of their first experiences.” While another shared, “This private guided tour is a fantastic immersive experience which is very informative and holds your interest beginning to end. We learned a lot about Sorrento and the region’s history during the war, and our guide was so lovely with great knowledge to match. This museum has been years in the making and is a lifelong dream of the owner. The dream has come true for him, and it’s been well worth it.” Contact: Antonino Pane Company: Sorrento Experience Museum Web Address: www.sorrentoexperiencemuseum.com
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