<12Hr Naples stay - Is Sorrento or Ischia do-able and recommended?

Have you already visited Naples?

We have docked in Naples previously, and jumped over to Capri for the day but didn't spend any real time in Naples.

I've never been to Ischia but I've heard it described as a less crowded Capri. Sorrento is nice but more of a place to stay to visit other places such as Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. I loved Naples, it's dirty, loud, crowded, but in a good way. I've never been to a city quite like it. Naples is an experience.

I've not been to Ischia. I have stayed in Sorrento. It is nice enough, but we mostly used it for a place to stay. Depending on your interests and perhaps past travels, some possible places to consider are Ravello and Amalfi, Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii.

How will you be moving about- on your own? The traffic congestion and poor infrastructure must be taken into account if you're on a time line. Do you really have 12 hours, or is that the time in port? If you have the option of a ship- sponsored excursion, I'd recommend that. Also, weather would be a factor in getting to Ischia- the ferries don't run in bad weather. Sorrento, however, can still be fun to wander in the rain. If you could supply more details, I may be more helpful. Safe travels!

the days are shorter in October - looking at Naples on 5th October the sunrise is after 7 and sunset is before 6:30 so at least some of your 12 hours will be in the dark. Since you may be returning after dark it worth looking carefully at the area around the ship in the morning so that when you return you don't get misplaced.

Thank you all for your thoughtful and timely responses! The ship will dock in Naples at 8AM for only 11 hours. I'm refocusing now on shorter tours. Would anyone recommend staying local for Naples' tours? My wife has a gluten allergy, so food-centric tours are not ideal.

Anywhere there is a lot of transit, especially with trains and ferries, I tend to want to go through the cruise line, as so many things could go wrong. Ischia really is neat and many people don't get there, so I would say that visiting when you have a chance is a great idea! Don't shirk away just because it's far (if the cruise ship offers to manage the hassle for you! haha)!

If you're just sticking to Naples, there are plenty of things to do, but don't miss the Archeological Museum!

At first glace, Sorrento by Circumvesuviana sounds do-able. But it's well over an hour each way, plus 15-minutes (average) waiting for the next train. So that's 3 hours out of 11. Sorrento is interesting and attractive, but in fact, a postwar, purpose-built resort town, with a lot of modern reinforced concrete buildings. However, it has year-round demand, especially from the U.K. But it's on a cliff, so there is only one tiny public beach. The SITA bus from Sorrento takes so long to get to Positano from Sorrento that it would be dumb to use it on your port day; Honestly, you'd be better off taking the "expensive" cruise-company trip to the Amalfi Coast if you want to see Positano.

I would not go to Ischia independently because of the risk of missing the cruise ship departure. But apparently you already rolled those dice for Capri on a previous trip (??) My vote would be for one or two of the three other ancient-sites, by Circumvesuviana train, probably Oplontis first. I like the Caserta idea, but it's a train trip, introducing return time uncertainty. And an argument with the taxi driver over entrepreneurial false fees when you are short of time getting back to the ship. (Print out the official rate sheet before leaving for your trip.)

I will say that we enjoyed a half-empty bus ride up to Sant' Agata Sui Dui Golfi, a living local 2-hour lunch, and a 1.5 hour walk (98% paved, this is not "hiking") back downhill to Sorrento, after enjoying the views. We missed the open hours for the convent or whatever is up there. But it's not a life-changing excursion.

Having stayed in both Sorrento and Ischia in October 2023, hands down I would choose Ischia. It's a beautiful volcanic island with incredible views around every corner. Getting there would be super easy by ferry (takes about an hour), as your will already be in the port with your cruise ship.

Thank you all again. Great info!