Would Sorrento or Positano be best for a May 2019 trip with two parents and a 21 year old daughter? We'll be arriving from Naples. We want to do a few day trips (not Pompeii), plus have some downtime for relaxation, shopping, wonderful meals, and a little nightlife. Also, how many nights in Sorrento or Positano is enough? We have between 5 and 8 nights available. Thank you. This feedback is SO helpful.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Lucky u to be going to a beautiful part of Italy. I have been 2x to amalfi coastal area, Naples, surrounding and Capri. Sorrento is the best base and lovely with plenty to see and do as well. Make Sorrento your base and venture out from there as u please. To include a daytrip tomCapri, a local bus trip to Ravello and of course Amalfi and Positano. You can ferry to Naples and take a tour it is worth it. But best done guided if u can. Do not forget Mt Vesuvius if u are Hiker/photographer. If u have interest in Naples and surrounding why not stay a cple of nights there is alot there to enjoy. If u decide on Sorrento 4- 5 nights
And poss a day to relax but for sure consider Capri! Nightlife in Capri at least in summer is rocking.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1070 posts
I planned my 10th trip to Sorrento as I left the hotel (il Nido) last July 1st. It's personal I know but Sorrento is where I need to be before i start a busy concert season (I'm a singer). Positano is beautiful, from the sea. Staying there? My negative impression is that the city is filled with women's shoe stores (I know, that's not the reality). The reality is: the city is built on the side of the mountain and is very, very steep. Hey, I'm not young anymore!
But Sorrento I find more friendly to me. The sunsets are most beautiful. Great shopping for everyone, including gifts to take home. Check out RS for food recommendations. Haven't found one that I didn't like. However, he does not include the restaurant at il Nido. IMHO this is the best food in Sorrento accompanied by the best view at any time of the day or night. From Sorrento you can take the ferry to Capri, to Positano, to Amalfi. The latter 2 make a great day trip. My suggestion, take the ferry to the coast and then take the bus back - you'll still have a 'cliff hanger' of a ride but you won't have long lines of people that could make you wait for a second or third bus. Capri has it's own problems - especially be aware of the last boat back. If you miss it, or the boat fills up, you are stuck!
You might want to consider taking the ferry from Naples to Sorrento (I consider it the first part of my vacation - much nicer than the train. There's a short walk along the beach to an elevator (1 euro) up to town. Depending on where you stay you might want to walk (taxis are extremely expensive). Or, many hotels have shuttle buses.
Whatever, enjoy Sorrento!
Posted by
5250 posts
What day trips?
If not needing to easily get to Pompeii, I'd choose Positano for sure, but I would want a bit of time in Naples as well--just depends on your interests.