We are planning to go to Naples and visit Amalfi Coast, Pompei and Sorrento. How many days do you suggest and are they doable without a car?
Also is it better to stay in Naples or Sorrento as a base?
Sorry forgot to add : planning for the last week of February
A car is nothing but an expensive hindrance for the area, transport is excellent. But, we need to know which month.
You could spend weeks, but I think about five for Naples and five for the Amalfi coast would be nice. You can visit Pompeii from Naples or in between the two. If you have ample time, a stay on an island in between is nice, and if you have luxurious time, a stay in Salerno so you can visit the Greek temples at Paestum is extra nice.
Okay, February is a totally different story. Ferries will not be running--the Amalfi Coast will be largely shut down. If you get a sunny day, then it could be nice to hire a driver, but I would not plan on staying in a small village.
I think I would split my time between Naples, which will have tons to do no matter the weather, and then a few nights in Salerno, so again you could visit Paestum, but also be well positioned in case of a nice day for touring the coast. You can visit Pompeii from either.
From Salerno you can take a bus to the villages as well.
Do you think April would be a better time to visit?
We have traveled last week of February our last two trips, and other than the chance of rain or brisk winds--never too cold--I think it's a marvelous time to travel--no crowds! Yes, the A.C. is pretty much shut down, but Sorrento is wide open, with awesome restaurants. Based there once. Other time based in Salerno, another great town, especially without the crowds. Did not rent a car--public trans just fine.
I'd love to go in February for cultural and historical pursuits--Pompeii without as many people, etc. But if you want to see the Amalfi Coast at its best and do outdoor activities like boat trips and hiking, then April would be better.
This was exactly 10 years ago, over New Years, but we had 5 days, and stayed in Sorrento. We used the Circumvesuviana train to visit Naples, and Pompeii and Herculaneum on separate trips, plus Capri via ferry from Sorrento. The owner of our lodging, a chef who also ran cooking classes, said Aril is the time of year he’d choose to visit the area.
April is nice weather wise although rain is of course possible. It is crowded, however, as a lot of people travel around Spring break and Easter, and the Italian holidays on April 25, and May 1. I was there for both of those holidays last spring and found the crowds overwhelming. I have never visited in the summer, always in the off season so I can’t compare to that, but April is jam packed.
we were thinking of the first week of April
Without a doubt, I would stay in Sorrento instead of Naples. From Sorrento, you can spend a day in Naples by taking the train (circunvesuviana) in one hour you are in the city center. You can do the same to visit Pompeii. If, on the other hand, you intend to visit the Amalfi Coast, as others have already written, you will find 90% of everything closed except for the beauty, the scenery and the tranquility in winter. To get around you will need a taxi or a limousine service on the Amalfi Coast Naples is very beautiful and interesting, so I still recommend you to plan a day there!!
Have a good vacation, enjoy Italy.
If you go in April you will find everything open and you will be able to travel the entire Amalfi coast by boat or bus. Even in the dead of winter, which is not April, the buses run.
