Naples or Sorrento?

A while back I flew into Naples from Seattle and went on to Sorrento. I don't remember that bus ride being bad. And Sorrento is a wonderful base. I do like Naples - it definitely has it's positives.

But Sorrento . . . ah Sorrento! Smaller and easy to get around. Lovely in April. The strawberries are in season. And the lemons. Mild weather.

You could definitely entertain yourself in Naples for a few days, but for me, it would be easier to chill in Sorrento.

It depends on the type of experience you're looking for. Naples is fantastic - intense, but wonderful. Sorrento, as a previous poster has said, is quiet - at least it was when I was there many years ago. IMHO, there wasn't much to do or ee in Sorrento, itself, but I used it as a base to explore the Amalfi Coast.

I have only spent 24 hours or so in Naples (1 hotel night), and we slept 5 nights in Sorrento because it is such a good base for daytrips in the immediate area. Naples is loaded with history and with art. But it is a gritty city that has a ... what's in it for me (?) ... culture, based on decades of neglect by the northern-oriented national government. Sorrento is a postwar, purpose-built, reinforced-concrete resort town, built on a cliff with essential no beaches.

That sounds like a slam on both places, but I am only trying to make sure that you have some information for further study. We liked both of them fine. Both places have a high tourism load, anyway, and are worth visiting. I grew up in a city, and happen to like them. It is fair to say that Naples is not at all "like Rome." But Sorrento is also unlike both of them, in the way that (poor comparison) Orlando is not "like Miami".

I try to avoid important religious holidays in observant countries. American school vacations are not observed in Europe. I don't have a 13-year old child, but it sounds like you need to give a lot more consideration of how to engage him, based on his interests and emotions. Have you checked April climate? Any point in watching "That Hamilton Woman" or "The Borgias"?

https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/naples/212466/april-weather/212466

Sorrento books up six months in advance, most of the year. Pompeii was on my must-see list since my second year in college. How would he feel about that? Any interest in the Royal Palace in Caserta? I think one or two movies were filmed there. (?) I don't think it's on any 13-year old's list, but the Farnese Marbles in the Naples Archaeology Museum are life-changing. I think his ages prohibits (?) his admission to the Pompeii brothel frescoes in the same museum.

For your son, check out the Gladiator School in Rome. Very nicely geared for children 6 - 16. Perfect blend of talk and activities.

Sorrento for sure. Any kid would love seeing Pompeii.

Apples vs oranges--what kind of experience are you looking for?
Underground, forts, volcano, ruins, pizza, desserts--what a 13 year old not to like?

We just got back from visiting that part of Italy. The museum doesn’t restrict who can see the brothel frescoes, so it’s up to you. Our 18 year old daughter thought they were funny!

What is your son interested in? Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s some of it in Italy if you look. That’s our favorite part of traveling, seeing the regular things that aren’t “tourist sites”. Good luck!

Spent 10 days in Naples at the end of November/beginning of December 2024. Initially arrived in Naples in early November and took the train to Sorrento for the day while transiting to Amalfi. I had planned to stay in Sorrento for the week but when I realized I was going to spend every day on the AC, changed to staying in Amalfi.

That said, one day in Sorrento was enough for me. I spent the rest of the month in every small town south of Naples, hugging the west coast, up the toe into the instep, around the heel and up to Bari. Naples was then a shock to the system but sooooo much to do. For your kiddos I would stay in Naples. Archeological Museum, a couple of underground sights to see, ferry rides, lots of churches with lots of skulls, of course, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplantis, google things to do with teens in Naples, maybe there is a guided tour he might be interested in with GetYourGuide or similar, cooking class for pizza, or Museo delle Carrozze.

Forgot to mention Easter Monday is a holiday in Italy.

Sorrento is walkable but it will be filled people in April, especially around Easter. You’ll need reservations for everything. It’s a base for sightseeing elsewhere up and down the coast.

As valadelphia pointed out “Underground, forts, volcano, ruins, pizza, desserts…” Add to that Naple’s Easter traditions, sidewalk shrines including one to the soccer great Diego Maradona, waterfront. In Naples there’s more than food and desserts to open up a 13 year old’s world. Rick Steves was 14 on his life changing trip to Europe. Granted, that was before cell phones hijacked teens attention from the real world, but Naples can compete very well.

What about something different like Ischia or Procida islands? You mention wanting to chill a bit before Rome. I don't think Naples will fit the bill that well. We loved it, but " chill" is not the adjective that I would use for it. Sorrento could be theoretically quieter if you get a very lovely resort, but I wonder how busy it will be otherwise.

Another quieter option if you can fly into Rome instead would be to train to Orvieto before Rome. It is a smaller town, has some sites your son might enjoy ( a well, funicular etc).

Sorrento all the way! It’s an easy extra hour but worth it totally. The town is beautiful sitting on the cliffs and is a hopping of point for more spots down the coast.

Have you considered staying in Salerno? Salerno's trains were not crowded and very convenient. Naples is a very 'grimy city, and I often visit New York City which I have always considered grimy. Salerno is a working class city, but very nice. We stayed in a nice small B&B in Salerno: Aquasalata.

In Rome, your son may be in awe of Aqueduct Park outside of the city.