We have 6 days for Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Is it best to stay in Sorrento (we DO want to see Sorrento) and launch day trips to Amalfi Coast, or stay in one of the towns in Amalfi and ferry to the towns in Amalfi Coast and then go to Sorrenot?
Posted by
6273 posts
To me it comes down to what other day trips you would do--Sorrento is more of a base, and I find the Amalfi villages more appealing as destinations themselves. It very much comes down to resort town versus village, plus your personal preference on day tripping. Also, add time of year as that can make a difference (for one thing, ferry schedules but also heat and lines). How many in your party? Are you planning visiting Pompeii, Naples, Capri, or doing any hiking?
You could always just do a 50-50 split for the best of both worlds, but I think the questions above will help clarify for you what you would prefer. I'd rather do just about anything than stand in line and be on a long ferry ride (and the bus ride is out of the question) when I can walk among the villages. Others would find unpacking and moving intolerable.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
410 posts
It depends what your goal is. If you’re going to the area to primarily see Sorrento, stay in Sorrento. If you’re going to primarily see the Amalfi Coast, stay in Amalfi. From Amalfi, the other AC towns and Capri are easy to reach. I spent two (or maybe three) nights in Sorrento and that was a mistake. The AC and Capri are filled with postcard views, Sorrento not at all. Sorrento is also packed with people during the day and night as it’s a base for day trippers. It was not a pleasant town to just walk around. The AC towns empty out a bit in the evening after day trippers leave. With six nights, I would spend two in Capri and four in Amalfi.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
1010 posts
I think Marco makes good points. Amalfi (or nearby walkable Atrani) is a good place to base if you want to experience the coast at all hours and take ferries to other places or hikes. I say Amalfi because it has the most transport links as most of the buses start and end there.
You have to decide what your goals are, like others have said. If you want to visit Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, and Amalfi, then Sorrento might be good. If you want to ONLY do the Amalfi Coast (and possibly Salerno and maybe Paestum) then Amalfi is your spot.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8634 posts
Where are you coming from/going to before/after these 6 nights?
Need to know time of year
Advice in your previous posts
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/best-way-to-see-naples-amalfi-coast-and-isle-of-capri-in-6-7-days-july-2026
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8535 posts
Month of Year??
Next stop on trip? Airport flying home from?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-7-nights-itinerary-help
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/one-week-on-the-amalfi-coast
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/herculaneum-and-pompeii-questions
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-to-sorrento-train-or-private-driver
Posted by
101 posts
I based in Sorrento and had a beautiful view of the bay and Mt. Vesuvius. It was easy to day trip from beautiful Sorrento: Herculaneum was awesome. We spent four hours there. Bussed up to Positano and then Amalfi. It's all a matter of personal taste, but I was the least impressed by Amalfi. It seemed the most touristy. Although if you can see the Black Madonna it's worth it.