We are visiting Italy in October of 2026. We will be visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and the area. Where is a good place to stay while there? I initially thought we would stay in Naples and use the train to get around but I am having second thoughts about where in Naples would be best. We want a place that is clean, convenient but in a walkable area and have restaurants in the area to choose from. What are the best choices? Thanks
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1799 posts
Stayed in Salerno in October of 24 and it was a good choice. Salerno gives good access to Pompeii and great access to Paestum but for Herculaneum you should head through Naples and then down. (The train from Salerno drops you off further from the entrance than you want to be and I was unable to find any connecting bus transportation that made sense.) But Naples is worth visiting and the Naples National Archaeological Museum is a must see if you are doing the ruins tour of the south. Naples is about 37 minutes from Salerno via an unexciting train ride.
Naples is a fine choice but it is a big, very busy and chaotic city. Depending on your tolerance for cities and southern Italian chaos it could make a fine choice. If you're mostly interested in sights outside of Naples and have a lower tolerance for cities then I think Salerno would make a good choice.
Salerno has a long, major pedestrian shopping street Corso Vittorio Emanuele which ends running into old town with a bunch of restaurants, bars and cafes. Staying anywhere along this street gives easy access to the old town, the train station (you will use often) and the ferry if you want to do the Amalfi Coast thing as well while you are there. October is the end of season in Amalfi so you can see it at only partially overcrowded status.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Texas
9 posts
Salerno is a great choice! We stayed at Piccolo Principe B&B and it was convenient by train to Paestum and by bus or ferry to the rest of the Amalfi Coast. The host, Roberto, is very helpful and go to his suggested restaurants in Salerno! So much better than any of the touristy eateries along the Amalfi Coast!
In Naples we stayed at B&B Orsini46 - Napoli… Gabriele is your contact there.
We had excellent experiences with both places!
Posted by
new york
951 posts
There are also many hotels in Pompeii, and some excellent places to eat...I'm not recommending that over the others, just so you are aware.
In Naples, one area you might consider is Chiaia. (There is no single "best" choice). Chiaia is an upscale area that runs along the sea and within walking distance (but not a very short walking distance) from main (but not all) sights.
On that visit we stayed at PALAZZO ALABARDIERI which was a lovely hotel; good places to eat nearby. That area is not at all what the typical stereotype of Naples tells us.....
For that you'd have to go to: (see below)
Most convenient to sights would be the historic center/Spaccanapoli area. I've stayed around there at PALAZZO DECUMANI and liked that as well; it's more lively around there but there is a chance that some novice travelers might possibly find the area on the "gritty" side. Not in the least bit scary, but you might see graffiti,, etc... I walked around alone day and night and encountered no problems at all. (female). I think a lot depends on where you live now or lived before and how tolerant you are to big city living with its pros and cons. If graffiti bothers you, maybe avoid that area (???). (I say this only cause I've read the same)
This year we are trying yet another location in the city.....!