Naples or Sorrento?

I would do Naples because if you are interested in Pompeii, you are probably interested in seeing the stuff that was removed and placed in the archaeological museum in Naples. Naples has some other blockbuster sites as well, or you can just enjoy the craziness and the waterfront.

I've just spent 7 nights in Naples. I liked it a lot, but it's a big, boisterous, noisy city. It doesn't say "honeymoon" to me, and 2 nights wouldn't give you time to settle in and begin to understand the place. Therefore, I suspect Sorrento (where I've never been) would be a better choice in this case--unless the presence of the top-qualty archaeological museum in Naples tips the balance the other way. A lot of the best stuff uncovered at Pompeii is in that museum.

I gather that folks like Sorrento a lot for the resorty environment, good food, etc., but it doesn't seem to have a lot of important sights--not that it matters for a short stay.

Welcome to the forum

You’re in luck as there are numerous recent threads about visiting the Amalfi Coast.
Take some time and read thru and your questions will likely be answered. Do a few searches to pull up old threads as well

Or post any specific questions here and there are quite a few of us that have experience traveling Italy and in particular the AC.

I’d choose Sorrento over Naples. You could day trip to Naples for the museum.

Could you post your actual itinerary as you have it now? Flights booked? How many nights?
How will you travel place to place? Do you need help with trains?/transportation?

Thank you all so much for the info! I did not know anything about museums having most of the Pompeii stuff.

Right now my itinerary is:
Fly into Rome and go directly to Florence by train
Spend 3 nights in Florence
Take a train back to Rome and spend 4 nights in Rome.
Take the train to Naples/Sorrento
Spend 2 nights in whichever of those places we choose.
Take the train?/ferry? To Amalfi.
(We still aren't totally sure how we're getting to Amalfi.)
Spend 4 nights in Amalfi.
Take the train back to Rome and fly back home from Rome.

I would love help with the trains too if you have any advice. I literally know nothing lol

Where exactly in Amalfi are you staying?

If you can change your accommodations I would go from Florence all the way to Sorrento/Amalfi
Then back to Rome putting all your Rome nights together at end -avoids split stay/1nighter

Once you are settled with your route we’ll help you with transportation options

Ferries won’t be running in March

The reason we're doing Rome at that time is because my husband really wants to go to a soccer game between the two Rome teams that is on the 19th. I know the itinerary seems a little odd but we played with every different way to configure it and that just seemed like the best way to do it.

We're staying in the town of Amalfi at the Hotel Bellevue.

So there's no ferries in March? I didn't know that. Does that mean we wouldn't be able to go to the island of Capri? I wanted to do a day trip there.

It is normally impossible to wake up on the Amalfi Coast and fly out of Rome the same day. It is even risky to fly out of the Naples airport the same day, but it is possible. Naples and Sorrento are equally good for visiting Pompeii. You need to do research (Search box top center) about the Circumvesuviana train service and car services to the Amalfi Coast.

I agree that Naples doesn't say "honeymoon" to me. Note that March is a little ahead of season, but it will be warm enough in either place. It will be easier to get rooms in March, except maybe ? U.K. school holidays?

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-to-sorrento-train-or-private-driver

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-7-nights-itinerary-help

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/herculaneum-and-pompeii-questions

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/surviving-naples

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-5-days-where-to-set-base-from

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/how-do-i-get-from-pompeii-to-positano-is-there-a-direct-route

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-day-trip

Regarding Pompeii, yes a lot of statues and stuff is in museums, but nothing beats actually being there and walking the streets. And there is a small museum on-site. Get a good guide to help you understand what you are looking at. It's fascinating!

Just saw the info about the soccer game dictating the order--what time is your outbound flight?
The Amalfi coast ferries (just between the Amalfi villages and Salerno) operated by Travelmar start in April, Naples-Sorrento-Capri ferry operators are different. Search schedules here: https://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule

I don't agree Naples is any less of a honeymoon destination than Florence or Rome. It is a large chaotic city, but so is Rome. Both have pretty parts, both have interesting history.
If it is rainy and gloomy, cancel the Amalfi hotel. I wish for sunny days for you!

You guys are all amazing with all this info!

Our plane home departs Rome on the 27th in the morning so the plan was to leave the Amalfi coast on the 26th and just stay one night at a hotel near the Rome airport. We didn't really have much planned for that day except traveling back to Rome.

I've been obsessively checking the weather. The extended forecast doesn't show too far ahead yet into when we will be in the Amalfi coast so hopefully it's okay.

I really got to figure out the train system because that intimidates me but everything I read said taking trains throughout Italy is much better than renting a car.

Oh you're all set then--was just making sure you were not trying to get to Rome to fly out the same day.
You can peruse the Trenitalia and Italotren websites in advance to get a sense of the names of the stations. There are little tutorials all over the web to help you feel more comfortable if you are from somewhere with little public transport (a lot of us). But millions do it, you'll be fine!
It's more complicated around the Amalfi Coast area, but just pop back after you decide between Naples and Sorrento and we can help you sort it out.

Well then you must be in Rome for the soccer game!

Your train connections will be very simple.

On arrival- what time do you arrive? There is a 1:53 train direct to Florence from FCO. That’s usually too long to hang around but might work for you.
Otherwise take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini- very easy- just follow the signs at the airport.
From Roma Termini take a fast train to Florence.
It’s best not to book either in advance in case your flight is delayed, etc. If you download the app you can purchase your tix as soon as you land.
(It’s too late for any discounts now anyway)

From Florence direct fast train back to Rome.
From Rome to Naples or Sorrento- direct fast train to Naples.

If going to Sorrento you will then transfer to the Circumvesuviana- local train- go downstairs for that. There are directions for this here (do a search) and on the Sorrento Insider sight.

If you decide to stay in Naples- take direct train to Salerno- then bus, driver or taxi to Amalfi.

Sorrento books up early- you are only 2 weeks out so accommodations might be very limited there although it is not height of season yet.
Salerno is also a nice place to stay- not touristy at all, inexpensive lodgings, can get to Pompeii easily, it's got a loverly waterfront and some very good restaurants. The evening passiegiatta there was so delightful. Paestum (Greek temples) is amazing and an easy train ride day trip.

You will take the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii from either Naples or Sorrento. The stop you want is Pompeii Scavi

Many people prefer to hire a private driver to get them from Naples to Sorrento- that will cost about 120 euros but it is door to door and easier than Circumvesuviana with luggage.
We used this company and were very pleased. You may also want a driver to take you from Naples or Sorrento to your hotel in Amalfi, then from Amalfi to Salerno. The other option is bus. (No trains on the AC)
While in Amalfi don't miss visiting Ravello. Fabulous views from the Villa Cimbrone.

www.topexcurionsorrento.com

From Amalfi back to Rome- taxi, driver or bus to Salerno. Then fast direct train to Rome.

What time is your departure flight? We just stay in Rome on last night and have no issues but our departures are usually around 11 am.

Trenitalia- and get the easy to use app.
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html

Be sure to set the clock to 00:00 so you see all the trains that day

Station names are:
Roma Termini
Firenze SM Novella
Napoli Centrale
Salerno

Circumvesuviana
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

Sorrento Insider- lots of practical info
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/

You would have to visit Capri from Naples or Sorrento- not sure you have time along with Pompeii. You might consider doing the Capri day trip with Mondo Guides. It was the highlight of our time there- tons of fun. We also used them for our Pompeii tour.
https://www.sharedtours.com

From the Sorrento Insider site:
Ferry routes from Sorrento to Capri and Naples are active all year round. Fewer ferries run in the winter months and the hydrofoil to Naples only runs from Monday to Friday. Ferries to Positano, Amalfi, Salerno, Ischia, and Procida run from April through October and there are more ferries routes to Capri during these months. You need to arrive at the port about 15 minutes before departure to board your ferry.

Bus schedule
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/sorrento-to-positano-bus-schedule

General train info:
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm

Buy your tickets on the official site- not a reseller like ItaliaRail. There are 2 train companies- Trenitalia and ItaloTreno. We just always book with Trenitlalia for simplicity sake, but check both and choose the best time/price for you.

Thank you so much! This is so thorough and so helpful! I appreciate it.

Unless your flight out of Rome is at the crack of dawn, you may want to stay in a Rome hotel near Termini train station the night before your flight. The express train to the airport from Termini station is called the Leonardo Express and takes 30 minutes. I found a 4-star hotel in the neighborhood, the Leonardo, and will be trying it out.

I highly recommend using a guide to see Pompeii. We did it on our own and don't think we got nearly as much as we would with a guide. A guidebook will have a few pages on Pompeii, compare that to how many pages it would take to write down what a guide says over two hours. Rick Steves has set up a shared guide deal for Pompeii and a few other places in the area. See https://www.sharedtours.com/ If one of these tours isn't available for the day you'll be in Pompeii then I recommend hiring a different guide.