Our trip is Rome-Positano (via Naples) with a day trip to Capri-Florence-Venice.
I have revisited and changed our plans so many times over and now, and as I am making one last pass over our Italy trip itinerary leaving Mar 27 I am afraid I have made the wrong call. I have 3 sets of friends who swear by Rick Steves' advice but all gave me different advice on our trip:)
I am arriving Naples Mar 30 and was originally planning to take train to Sorrento and make Sorrento our home base (w day trips to Positano and Capri via ferry). That seemed like a lot of day trips and based on other advice, I then changed to a private transfer to Positano making Positano our home base( with one day trip to Capri and missing Sorrento entirely).
My husband and I own our own business and work 7 days a week meaning we have had to jump in and out of planning this trip. No surprise that we missed something important in that Positano is basically closed down right now and many of the shops and restaurants will not be open when we are there plus the weather will be very cool with the beach clubs not having any lounge chairs out to even chill and read a book. I am quickly fearing that this will be an expensive disappointment.
In a panic I tried last week to book a hotel in Sorrento and go back to our original plan but realized I would have to rebook a ferry and now the cost of hotels has gone up to almost match what we are paying in Positano. Out of shear exhaustion of planning this trip, I left it alone.
I am reading conflicting info and can't shake this nagging feeling that I should possibly change this. I am reading that Sorrento is not a great place and also that it would be much better to have Positano as home base. Then I am reading that Positano was a disappointment. My kids are 20 and 22 and very easy going but this is a once in a lifetime trip for us and I don't want to regret my decision...Please help...thank you:)
Posted by
6648 posts
You can never predict the weather. Even in off season, at least one restaurant is open. I would not find Sorrento any more fun in bad weather than I would Positano.
If you get a really terrible dismal forecast a few days out, I’d consider changing it, otherwise make the best of it!
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
469 posts
I traveled to Italy in 2024 and arrived in Naples on March 28. After Naples, I stayed in Sorrento for 3 nights starting April 1. From Sorrento I visited the Amalfi Coast by ferry one day and did a minivan tour another day.
Everything seemed open to me (in Positano, Amalfi and Capri), so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
FYI, I checked the dates of my trip just now before responding.
Posted by
828 posts
I’ve been to the Amalfi Coast/Sorrento/Naples area many times in March/April. Shops and restaurants are open. Sorrento would probably be a better base for your family because there is more going on than in Positano, and easier to do day trips from there. And you should do as many day trips as you can.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13336 posts
Early April is not beach weather. From a quick look it appears highs are in the high 50s, low 60s.
I think Sorrento makes a better base for day trips. ( logistically)
Posted by
Washington DC
30309 posts
I haven't spent more than a few hours on the Amalfi coast, but there's something I've read often on this forum that hasn't so far been mentioned in this thread: The dock at Positano is tricky, and ferries are more likely to have to skip that stop in bad weather than is the case elsewhere along the coast. I believe that can even happen on occasion in the summer and would be a bit concerned about the end of March and early April. However, I imagine you'd be able to pivot and arrange for a driver to get where you want to go (including the port in Sorrento for the trip to Capri).
People write about motion sickness on the roads in that area, so if any of your family are susceptible, I'd recommend packing your favorite remedy.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7900 posts
We spent a day in the AC last February and I thought there was enough open. It didn't feel "dead". We didn't go to Positano, though. The other time we were in AC and did visit Positano was at the beginning of November. Positano itself was a bit quiet, but there were places open. It was a sunny warmish day and we had a lovely time. I did notice that there were many shops closed, but we don't shop so that was fine. We were most interested in views. I highly recommend seeing Ravello while you are in the Amalfi area.
Sometimes when we are going somewhere and there is something like weather, strikes, or other looming, I'll research some alternate plans. For example, we were just in Australia. We had some hot days. One of the days, Melbourne was about 105F, I was later told that Melbourne was the hottest city on earth that day. I had done some browsing and found a couple indoor venues to visit.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5638 posts
How many days are you spending in Positano? There really isn't much to do there; the scenery is fabulous but how long can you sit and look at it? For me the whole purpose of stays in Sorrento or on the Amalfi Coast is for day trips. If the plan is that then I'd definitely consider either Sorrento or Amalfi Town. If rest and relaxation is the prime objective then Positano is as good as any.
*we spent 2 weeks in Sorrento in late April in 2023 and needed to have a light jacket with us most days. Sorrento was perfect for us because transportation was much easier. We did day trips almost every day to somewhere, including two trips along the Amalfi Coast, and spent a total of about 1 hour in Positano.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1154 posts
Sounds like you have a lot on your plate and planning a trip can be tricky. I have stayed in both Positano and Sorrento in late May 2023 and the weather was so bad that many ferries were not operating and it was too rainy to lay on the beach. However, we managed to have a wonderful time. We substituted water activities for wine tour, food tour, and shopping.
Given the time of year if you can make a change in reservations, you will have more options staying in Sorrento than Positano, especially given that Positano beach clubs may not be open at the time. In addition, if there is inclement weather, you have a better chance of catching a ferry from Sorrento than Positano. Before you make your decision, reach out to your hotel in Positano to see if they can make recommendations that allow you to have the beach experience you might like. They may know of a beach club that will be open in late March and they should have a list of local restaurants and activities. Also, an alternative is to explore a boat tour that takes you to small swimming places and allows you to visit different stops along the Amalfi coast (looked at Viator and there are options for end of March). The water may be a bit chilly, but it would be an alternative if there are not beach clubs available.
Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will have an amazing time with your family. Rain or shine, the Amalfi coast is a treat. We liked it so much, we are going back in September (hoping to actually get to Capri this time).
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7900 posts
Amalfi has a paper maker/museum you can visit for a small fee. Amalfi city and Salerno have interesting cathedrals. Salerno’s is beautiful/