lsutton

I am travelling in a group of 4 and we are desperate to see Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. We can arrive on the 17th July and are still unsure of whether to stay 2 or 3 nights. Can anyone recommend a place to stay and how long we should stay? I have read that Sorrento is a good option but am open to suggestions! We were looking to book a guided tour of Pompeii as well if anyone has a recommendation!

Blueeyedcod

Sorrento is a good option but is very touristy. You could stay in Salerno and take the train direct to Pompeii from there and explore the Amalfi Coast by ferry.
Salerno has far more ferry services to the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento has just one service per day).

nytraveler

It rally depends on what you wnat to see besides Pompeii?

Naples? Isle of Capri? Smaller towns donw the coast (Amalfi? Poitano? several others?)

And how many days you want to spend sightseeing versus jst relaxing by your hotel pool?

Also - b aware this is very late to book lodgings in this area - many people do it much earlier to get the best deals at a reasonable price.

bvlenci

Sorrento is a good half-way point between the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. Sorrento is a much smaller town than Salerno, and more touristic, which may be both good and bad.

The Pompei stop on the Trenitalia line from Salerno is not terribly convenient for visiting the archaeological site. There is an entrance about a ten-minute walk from the station, but most of what you'll want to see will be on the opposite side of the site, which is a good walk from that entrance. From Sorrento, you could take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompei Scavi stazione, which is right by the more conveniently located Porta Marina entrance to the site.

pookymimi

We've done it twice and we've stayed both times in Sorrento. I'm very biased towards it, love the town and we've gone to all the towns, Capri the other islands, Amalfi Coast, the ruins, Naples, etc. by bus, ferry, train from there. I think Sorrento is closer to what you want to see than Salermo. Herculaneum is also really convenient from there, you can't just see Pompeii and miss it.

Blueeyedcod

The OP wants to visit the Amalfi Coast.

Recommending Sorrento 'because we love it' is not answering their question or helpful in any way.

OP - visiting the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento has three options (a) the packed SITA bus (b) one ferry service per day or (c) a private car service at the cost of around 200 euro for a day.

The fact that Pompei's train station is a 500 metre walk from Pompeii's amphitheatre entrance is a blessing as you will be using the entrance WITHOUT the lines that can take a hour to process particularly during morning peak.

lsutton

Hi everyone, thanks for all your help! After considering your points and other research we have opted for Salerno. If anyone has suggestions regarding tour operators for either Pompeii etc. or a coastal tour that would be wonderful. Thanks!

Blueeyedcod

Tours at Pompeii are available at the ticket office or you could organise a private guide who will meet you at the gate. Try Mondo Guide
https://www.mondoguide.it/city-tours-from-pompeii

You don't need a tour along the Amalfi Coast - just use the ferries.

http://www.coopsantandrea.com/it/ser...rrivo=Positano

As you can see, ferries Salerno to Positano depart every hour in the morning.

ekc

Great choice to base in Salerno. Great ferry service to Positano and Amalfi, along with a short train or bus ride to Vietri.

TDudette

I'll vote for Sorrento as a nice base and very convenient to the train for Pompeii and the water for ferry rides.

Driving the Amalfi coast can be very time-consuming in the summer. We took a city bus from Sorrento to Amalfi and it took over an hour to go not too many miles. But Positano is the first stop so that could work.

Doesn't the Sorrento ferry also go to Positano?