naples and sorrento advice?

Sorrento is one hour from Naples, Pompeii is between the two, Capri is easily reached from both, to go on top of the Vesuvius the easiest way is to get off at the Ercolano-Scavi station (Circumvesuviana line) and take a bus or taxi up. Or if you have your car, drive to Ercolano or Torre del Greco and drive up. Ercolano is after Portici, just outside of Naples.
Where you want to stay is really up to you and your personal preference. Naples is probably better logistically, but Sorrento wouldn't be bad either.

Some people love Naples, other people hate it. It seems that there are no half measures! Choose your area and accom in Naples carefully and you might fall into the first category Although I have enjoyed visits to Naples from Sorrento, and enjoy holidays in other large Italian cities, Naples is just too full on for me. I am always glad to get back to the relative peace and calm of Sorrento. One thing, because Sorrento is small you can easily walk to the port or railway station for trips. Perhaps not quite so much in Naples?

I feel safe wandering around the streets at night in Sorrento, the views are beautiful, the local businesses accustomed to tourists because so many Brits vacation there. I definitely would feel more cautious in Naples, especially wandering at nite. And its a large city as opposed to a small resort town. Some may prefer a home base there, but I've visited Naples while staying in Sorrento and have no desire to have reversed the two.

Sorrento is our favorite place in Italy and I would never miss a chance to stay there. We've been there 3 times for a week each and it never feels long enough and I'm always sad to leave (that's why we keep going back). Sorrento is relaxing, beautiful, safe, charming, quaint, and a lot of fun.

My husband and I just returned last week from 3 weeks in Italy including about 5 days in Sorrento. Even though you are from NYC, I personally would not recommend staying in Naples. Sorrento is so beautiful and the transportation connections to many of the ancient sight as well as the the Amalfi coast are really easier than being in Naples. You can easily walk to the Circumvesuviana train if you stay in Sorrento and the trains are frequent. We stayed at a lovely B&B that even has a cooking school. Let me know if you want the info. It was very reasonable.

thanks for the responses! it looks like im back to splitting my time between naples and sorrento.

I love Naples and always stay there, but I have also stayed in Sorrento. If you know what kinds of things you want to see in Naples, you might be able to do one or two daytrips there from Sorrento and use Sorrento for your base to other places. There are also several lovely towns along the coast just a Circumvesuviana stop or two away from Sorrento. If you have a chance to go to Paestum, it's a beautiful Greek settlement with three major temples, a good museum, and a beach.

Good idea to split your time, then you can make your own judgement. In early April 2011 we did the same thing. At first we were warned off Naples and booked 6 nights in Sorrento. Then we decided we would not be frightened off from Naples and stayed 3 nights in each. We liked Sorrento and although very convenient for the Amalfi coast bus ride we felt it was more of a touristy town with not much to see. In Naples, for convenience, we stayed in a hotel in Piazza Garibaldi near the metro and train station and within walking distance of many of the sites, but the area we were advised to avoid. Although it was crowded with immigrants selling things and the garbage did accululate as soon as the bins were emptied, we had no problems staying there. True, we did not venture out in the dark. During the day and early evening we found the people in that area to be kind and helpful. If they saw us walking with a map, some people would come up and help us get our bearings. The hotel staff and other clients were also very friendly. As with all cities you must be aware of your surroundings but we never felt threatened or concerned. Have a great time!

Naples is an exciting city. Sorrento is a beautiful, overpriced, touristy town.
I don't thing it really matters where you stay for access to the local sights, although you will pay a lot less for everything in Naples. I think it is a good idea to split your time between the two.

If you are not drawn to one or the other, I agree you should split your time between Naples and Sorrento. To say they are "different" is like saying New York City and the Grand Canyon are "different." My favorite quote about Naples came from the Cadogan Guide I used there in 1993: "the only thing subtle about Naples is its charm." Sure enough, it did get under my skin, and I'd like to revisit. But, again, it's an understatement to say "it's not for everyone." So, I'd split the risk by spending nights in both.

i promise to not take you guys in a day by day update on "today i changed my mind" "today i changed it again". it just kills me that naples is so much cheaper.

I've been working on a trip just like this. Does anyone have any recommendations on a "safe area" in Naples/lodging that is NOT near the train station? I find the areas around train stations in general be a bit shakey after dark. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread,
but I'm reading these posts for my edification as well.

Stayed a couple of months ago (alone) at the Mercure Hotel which is actually quite near the train station, but somehow seems less seedy than the other side of the train station, which I guess would be north.

More Naples lovers here! We also stayed in Sorrento on one trip. Check out Dante B&B in Naples, and the nearby Leon d'Oro ristorante. These are at the top of the list for our next trip. We like that part of town (not near the station, though we've also stayed in that neighborhood). Last time, we had an apartment in the Spanish quarter, where most guidebooks say that tourists shouldn't even set foot. My husband is fond of saying: "If you were a thief, would you be in the Spanish quarter stealing soccer balls from little boys playing in the street or down at the port where the rich tourists are?" Have a wonderful trip.

I agree that the Dante B&B is nice. Sorrento is beautiful, but made for tourists. You can see a wider variety of "historical stuff" in Naples, including the museum where all the artifacts from Pompeii are. I would recommend a split stay.