Advice please: Naples or Sorrento
 

Hi,

Can anyone help me please!

I have booked flights to visit italy in October, flying to Naples and returning from Venice. We are looking at spending 2 nights in the Naples area before moving onto Rome.

My question is whether to spend the two nights in Naples or Sorrento? I have read other reviews saying Naples can be a dangerous place to stay? Is it worth the 90min transfer to Sorrento? We would be willing to do this if it means we will have a better expeirence!

Any comments would be appreciated!

Thanks

No city in Italy is as "dangerous" as an American city of comparable size, but some cities in Italy have accomplished pickpockets, and Napoli (like Rome) is one of them.

Many visitors perceive Naples to be "dangerous" because it has much more disorderly than Rome, and certainly more disorderly than American cities, and has lots of visible poverty, drug selling, prostitution, many non-Italian immigrants, many street people, lots of chaotic traffic, lots of littering and graffitti. Being an ancient port city, Naples has lots of incredibly narrow and sunless alleyways, which often unnerve visitors.

Sorrrento, by contrast, is a tourist port, and it is maintained for tourists to be open and sunny and reassuring. It shares much of the same good food as Napoli, and beautiful views too of volcanoes and the sea.

People who choose to go to Napoli with their eyes wide open, curious about this important Italian city, stuffed with art, history, life and pizza, with is tough reputation -- often come away loving it and singing its praises to whomever will listen.

People who find themselves in Napoli not prepared for it are often terrified and appalled at the grime and disorder, and even if nothing untoward happens the entire time they are there, they warn others not to set foot there.

If you are looking to relax in the sun, rather than have a unique and rollicking urban adventure like no other in Europe, you probably want Sorrento over Napoli, and vice versa.

Very well said.

There is no city in Italy that is more Italian than Napoli.

I agree with most of what Zeppole, except I find it hard to find good authentic food in Sorrento. Little touristy for my taste.

If you decide on Naples, which I would as it is surely one of my favs in Italy you may visit Sorrento, or better skip Sorrento for Capri, by hydrofoil. If you decide to take the Naples adventure and want to do Capri, leave Naples early in morning be in Capri for lunch and a stroll and back in Naples for Apertif hour and dinner. Maybe add a third night to make time for this time out of Naples. If you decide on Sorrento 2 nights is plenty.

Well, MyriamC, I know plenty of Italians that would not agree with you actually. But having said that I agree with zeppole's description of Naples and Sorrento. Sometimes we do agree! Personally, tinks, I would chose Naples over Sorrento but not knowing what your reaction to Naples would be and what you are looking for as in "a better experience" again I can only say that zepole gave you a good description of each city so that should be of great assistance in making your decision. Wishing you a lovely trip.

IMO, the decision between staying in Naples and staying in Sorrento depends more on what you hope you do/see while you're there. Two nights means only one full day.

If your focus is on the coastal towns like Amalfi and Positano, then Sorrento is a much better choice. Depending on how late in October your trip is, ferry service may be reduced which will affect your transportation options to a degree.

we are wanting to see Pompeii as part of the trip and are open to suggestions for the rest!

Can anyone suggest what area are good in naples to look for hotels?

Thanks again for everyones help!

we prefer to stay on Via Partenope. Spectacular views, great area, easy to get around... Hotel Excelsior is pricey and excellent. There are a few others in this area that are nice as well. Check one of the hotel aggregator sites for hotels in that area by using map. Another interesting hotel is Art Resort in the Galleria Umberto.

Since you are interested in Pompeii be sure to plan on going to Naples National Archaeological Museum - most important for artifacts of the Roman Empire in the world and it is where most of the artifacts from Pompeii are displayed. Museo di Capodimonte is also one of the finest art museum in the world. Naples to Pompeii you can take the circumvesuviana train line in about 1/2 hour you'll be in Pompeii.

In Naples there is also its opera house if that is of interest and walk Spaccanapoli, which is the historic vein to the cities historic must-see sights. Via del Gregorio Armeno is unique street where presepi are built by local artisans - now probably pushing out many Maradonas, where here you'll find he has been canonized.

Lots to do in this city not to mention excellent espresso, mozzarella di bufala, limoncello, and pizza!

What do you think of the location of Donna Regina at
Via Luigi Settembrini, 80? We're planning on a week mid September and we'd like to stay someplace central. We want to be close to good restaurants, museums, and so on. Since we'll be in Italy for a month I'm looking for moderately priced lodging.

If you decide to stay in Sorrento, there is a shuttle bus (10€)from the airport to Sorrento so the transfer is not difficult.
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

Tinks,

This is a very good overview of the neighborhoods of Napoli. Don't stay in the train station area (sometimes called Garibaldi). Also, while Vomero is nice, it is inconvenient for sightseeing in the city and day tripping.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...058025074.html

Marija,

That looks like a good location for museum going in particular, and exploring the oldest quarter of Napoli. But one of the best ways to get a feel for whether it works for you is to look up the hotel on Tripadvisor, Venere.com and Booking.com. All have lots of user reviews, and people are usually pretty good about describing the pros and cons.


Love Italy, thank you.

Prego, zepole! We two have more in common than first thought. And we both love Italy. Best regards.