Hi all! Looking for advice on how to maximize travel time and where to base for 3 full days in Naples and the AC. I'm thinking one day for Pompeii and Naples (archaeological museum and pizza!), one day for self-guided tour (by public ferry) to see Positano/Amalfi/Ravello (or just two towns if three is too rushed??), and one day to be determined. We arrive to Naples via cruise ship. Should we make that the Pompeii day? If so, logistics help, please: taxi to train, store luggage and train to/from Pompeii? Or should we go straight to Sorrento (I was thinking this for a base for optimal transport) and do Pompeii and Naples another day? If we go straight to Sorrento, is the best choice for transportation a ferry, seeing that we will already be at the port? Is there enough to fill a day in Sorrento? Not looking for much other than enjoying the atmosphere, good food and a little shopping. If we stay in Sorrento, is transportation to Naples airport realistic or should we stay in Naples the night before we fly home (flight not booked yet, so I can't supply time)? If we need to stay in Naples, maybe that day we should leave the AC early and do Pompeii and the city then? Sorry, a lot of scenarios bouncing around in my head! Any help to form the most sensible itinerary for these three days is most appreciated!
Posted by
Minnesota
118 posts
Definitely stay in Naples the night before your flight. Traffic from Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast to Naples is slow and there are unpredictable backups. Seeing the Archaeological museum in Naples the day before your flight would work well.
Your idea of taking a ferry from Naples to Sorrento is good. We had a car service and I got motion sickness from all of the curvy roads.
We loved Sorrento and stayed in a cliffside hotel which had wonderful views of the Bay of Naples and gorgeous sunsets. The Centro Storico area of Sorrento has great restaurants. We took the train from Sorrento to see Pompeii one day and took the ferry from Sorrento to Capri one day also.
The public ferry to see Positano/Amalfi/Ravello provides spectacular views.
Alternately you could try to see Pompeii on the way to Sorrento and go by train, storing your luggage in Pompeii if that is possible. Or you could see Pompeii by train on your way from Sorrento to Naples on your last day.
Lots to think about. Happy planning!
Posted by
Canada 1st, not 51st.
4903 posts
Is there enough to fill a day in Sorrento?
Sorrento is a great base to visit other sites from but it's not a tourist attraction in itself. Wandering there in the evening after a day of visiting other areas will likely be enough (we spent 2 weeks based in Sorrento and were rarely there in the daytime).
I'm thinking one day for Pompeii and Naples (archaeological museum and
pizza!),
It will depend on your level of interest. We loved Pompeii and spend about 10 hours there over 2 days. We only had 3 hours for the Archaeological Museum in Naples and that only got us through the top floor. In hindsight I wished we had stayed at least one night/two full days in Naples. As someone else mentioned, be in Naples the night before your flight unless it's late in the day. Don't trust the transportation system.
one day for self-guided tour (by public ferry) to see
Positano/Amalfi/Ravello (or just two towns if three is too rushed??)
Transportation along the Amalfi Coast is slow, confusing and chaotic. We did one day self guided and another day on a tour. Even with the tour out of Sorrento 4.5 hours out of our 9 hour tour were in the car. We had an hour each in Positano (more than enough time) and Ravello and 2 hours in Amalfi. Consider Capri instead. We enjoyed it much more than the Amalfi Coast and the views are just as spectacular.