We will leave our Rome apartment and head south. Eventually we will be in Calabria and later Lecce. I would like to see Pompeii and the Amalfi coast before heading south.We will be traveling by car. I would like to spend two nights on the coast. I would like to see Pompeii also. Any suggestions for a good base camp in this area? It seems the car will be a problem.. We will travel in May ( next year). Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm soooo glad you asked this question. I will be doing the same next Sept. There will be 4 of us and we planned on renting a vehicle as well. After reading various posts, I think we might consider taking the train from Rome, doing Pompeii and the amalfi coast with a private tour person. We are also thinking of only two days maybe three, just enough to see the coast and Pompeii.

Look at your map--you can see Pompeii and stay in Sorrento without driving on the Amalfi Coast--which I do not suggest. Coming from Rome just take the train, but from Lecce it does make sense to drive.

All of the towns are accessible by car. Expect about a 3 hour drive from Rome. Add another hour for the towns on the Amalfi. From Castellammare di Stabia you can up & over the mountain & pop out at Conca dei Marini – just east of Amalfi (the oft-used Sorrento is actually on the Bay of Naples & not the Amalfi coast). From Sorrento you arrive on the coast east of Positano. I didn’t drive the Ravello route but the map says there is one.

Note: All parking would have to be pre-arranged or pre-planned at the very least. Only Ravello & Amalfi appeared to have parking but check with hotels for details.

From the south coast, expect about an hour drive to reach Pompeii. There is parking near the entrance in large lots or in hotel parking lots & driveways. Very easy.

fwiw we stayed at the Hotel Belvedere in Conca dei Marini. Our car stayed there too.

Ian

In May a car will not be a problem. Just be sure your hotel has a parking lot (most don't). the problems with traffic standing still is more in July and August. We stay in Sorrento since it gives easy access to Pompei and down the coat by car and Capri by boat. Also, it is a larger town, which we prefer, with more choice of restaurants etc. If you prefer a smaller town head down the coat to Positano. (Oh - and if you want to swim make sure the hotel has a pool - the ses can still be kinds of cold.)

We usually park the car in Salerno for easy on and off the highway (and there's always parking there). I don't know overnight fees though (although, obviously not a problem if your hotel has parking....we're usually just driving in for a daytrip)

>pop out at Conca dei Marini – just east of Amalfi
>From Sorrento you arrive on the coast east of Positano.

I should have said 'west' of Amalfi & Positano respectively.

Contrary to many who fear/avoid the coast road & the mountain drives to get there, I actually enjoyed the adventure immensely. It is wise to avoid driving in Naples, however.

Ian

Ian: I have the Belvedere on my list! Relatives stay here often and adore the hotel.


The Hotel Floridiana in Amalfi is a truly lovely place to stay; in Amalfi town. Reasonable. No sea view, though.

Most important for you, they offer free parking.

For more on the hotel you can read my trip report from last May:

www.hotelfloridiana.it

Thank you all.. very helpful information! I will look at all the great suggestions. Thank you

Ekscrunchy

We stayed there 7 or 8 years ago. We had a room that shared a large outdoor sitting area with 3 other rooms. Room 101, I believe. The view was a postcard - in every direction. The only downside to the Belvedere is its distance from the towns. The SITA bus stops outside but it doesn't run at night so you must use expensive taxis to and from restaurants if you want to break out. It cost us 50 euros from Ravello one night.

Ian