I will be arriving in Rome May 30. I have been to Italy before and want to concentrate 7 of my 9 nights on the Amalfi Coast. I have long wanted to go to Positano. I have heard stories that in the summer the transportation can be a nightmare. Are the buses that packed in early June. I know that transportation connections are easier in Sorrento. I don't want to spend a week in Positano - stuck there without the ability to explore the surrounding areas by public transportation.So should I book all 7 nights in Sorrento or positano, or would you suggest splitting them between the 2 cities? Advice would be appreciated!
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
306 posts
I would stay in Sorrento and use that as a home base to explore the region. Positano is a neat town but I think you would get frustrated if you made that your HQ for exploring the area. It might be worth a night so you can explore the town at night but as far as exploring the Amalfi region it is not a good home base.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Sorrento is a great central location for visiting almost anything else in the region. You can take ferries, the Circumvesuviana train, and buses. Plus its a pleasant town in its own right. So I suggest staying in Sorrento. BTW if you get on the earlier buses they tend to be less crowded (early being before 9am).
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
I might consider splitting time. Sorrento has better transportation options but I like Positano better. Spend a couple of days in Positano, enjoy an evening dinner somewhere with a beautiful view, spend the day at the beach, spend a day taking the bus along the coast, take a day trip to Amalfi.
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Tanya - Sorrento is the choice for a base of operations - From there you can take the Sita bus and be in Positano in 35 minutes, after a very exciting and scenic drive - please sit on the right side of the bus!!
Sorrento itself is a wonderful city with the Old Town section with great shopping, Cafes, and Restaurants and is also close to Amalfi. You might enjoy visiting Villa Massa - The largest producer of Limoncello in the world, with over 16,000 lemon trees - just outside of Sorrento.
Enjoy Italy, Greg
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
Another vote to stay in Sorrento. I would not split the time between the two cities. It takes more time than you realize to checkout, move to a new hotel, check-in and unpack.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
Stay in Sorrento and visit Positano. We spent 4 nights in Sorrento in July 2006 and loved it! We were here when Italy won the World Cup! We loved the energy in Sorrento! If you plan to visit Pompeii it is an easy train ride from Sorrento. We took the SITA bus to Positano for the day and the ferry back. Also very easy to get to Capri. As another poster stated you will be wasting time checking in and out of hotels if you split your time. Have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Charlotte, NC
49 posts
Thanks everyone for your advice. I have decided to stay in Sorrento and just day trip from there.
Posted by
Towson
125 posts
Tanya - Yes, the buses are that packed in early June. We were there the last days of this past May. The SITA bus was about 3/4 full on the way from Sorrento to Positano at 9:00 a.m. in the morning, but on the return trip all buses from Amalfi - Ravello, Ravello - Amalfi, Amalfi - Positano, Positano - Sorrento were jam packed, all seats and standing room taken, with folks left behind at each stop. Whatever they pay those bus drivers is not enough! Be sure you get to the bus stops early, or take the ferry for your trip back. :)