Talk to Me About Sorrento

We love Sorrento but honestly I would not go out of my way to visit.
There are no “ sights”
It’s just a fun walking around, shopping, eating, drinking town with terrific views

An alternative if you go thru Salerno would be to drop your luggage there and take train to Paestum.
Not sure if there is luggage storage at Paestum- but if there is you can train right from there to. Naples

OR
Just spend the day in Salerno, visit Duomo and Crypt, walk the waterfront, have lunch and gelato

You do know that Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast?
What I liked about Sorrento is you have access to the Circumvesuviana (commuter train), ferry. and is the starting and ending point for busses that operate out of and into Sorrento. In other words, it’s a great transportation hub to access the Amalfi Coast. Especially if you want to see the coast by bus. If all the seats are taken on the left when facing the driver all you need to do is wait for the next bus so you can board first and grab a window seat.
I also liked the early evening passeggiata (stroll) when everyone goes outside and gets an ice cream cone or visits with neighbors or both.
What I did not like about Sorrento is that it’s a very touristy city with mediocre restaurants.

It is perfectly true that Sorrento is a purpose-built, postwar resort town. But it is attractive, and has lovely views of Vesuvius from the clifftop that it is built on, as well as bigger and faster ferries than small towns on the AC. We enjoyed the 1.5 hour, all downhill walk from Sant' Agata Sui Dui Golfi, which is 99% paved, not an Appalachian Trail kind of walk. It can be hard to find the start of the walk.

You did not give your travel mode, but it's a very long bus ride, and you have to change busses in Amalfi. Some people report carsickness on this bus, but we didn't have that problem in the car and driver we chose for an 8 hour day on the AC. The Circumvesuviana can be crowded and hot, but maybe less so in October. (?)

I am not going to say that you must see Sorrento, but so many people go there, it's kind of an obligation to take a look, IMHO. You have to see the 30' sand beach at the foot of the 2 Euro elevator to believe it, and smell the diesel fumes from the adjacent marinas! That's it for public beaches in Sorrento!

We spent five nice nights in the Ambasciatori hotel in Sorrento, perfect for our daily day-trips.

Edit: We had to discard the idea of a daytrip to Paestum from sleeping in Sorrento. It's just too far, regardless of budget or transport means. Note that ferries don't go after dusk, and busses don't run very late. Even the Circumvesuviana closes earlier than you would like. We spent a night in Naples (happy to do so) because our bargain flight from Heathrow arrived after dinner hours.

Thanks for your replies. Very helpful.

Yes, I am aware that Sorrento is not on the AC. As to the tip about Salerno, I will actually be stopping there for one night already. I will be coming from Matera via bus. While I almost wanted to press onto Maiori, decided to stay in Salerno to do Paestum. I do not normally like one night stays, but this was the alternative to try to do Paestum from Maiori as a day trip.

My thought process was originally to avoid backtracking. Which, I may have to do if I skip Sorrento and go to Naples via Salerno.

Mode of travel would be, depending on weather and operations, via ferry IF they are still running to Sorrento, albeit not direct. I am aware of transport complications and having to stop or change, maybe even change mode as well, which is why I am leaning towards nixing it.

It won't hurt to save Sorrento for another time, I suppose. When I have time to explore Ischia and Capri as well, perhaps. Do not have the time for this trip, unfortunately, Or may just leave my decision up to when I am already in Italy, depending on weather and such.

I was hoping to include it because we have a slight family connection to it. Not a huge one, but not the end of the world if I cannot work it in this time.

You mention that you are planning to take a ferry "if they are running" to Sorrento. Not sure if you are aware that ferries aren't reliable as they may be cancelled due to rough seas. Sounds like you probably are aware of this... Last October, we had to wait a couple of days to take the ferry for a day trip from Sorrento to Amalfi (we were based in Sorrento & did other bus trips while waiting). Have a wonderful trip!

You are correct in your thinking. Sorrento does not make much sense logistically. There’s zero reason to specifically go there. Sure, it has some nice views, but they don’t compare to where you’ll be on the Amalfi coast. You’d be disappointed.

Sorrento gets the love because it is a nice, genteel town with excellent transportation options in an area with sightseeing aplenty. Maori is a good example of the opposite: beautiful town with spotty transport.

Talk to Me About Sorrento

a nice town on the north shore of the peninsula, therefore - if it isn't raining in October - great views across the Bay to Naples and Vesuvius.

Lovely lemon orchards, beautiful flowers and then huge lemons - but not in October, it will be harvested and too early for blossom. That's too bad, Sorrento is pretty neat in very early spring.

Sorrento also has the small harbour, down the bottom of the cliff. There is an elevator/lift to a hotel, I don't know if it will be working in the off-season, which October is. If you want to walk down and back it is a fair old trek.

Sorrento is a better base than just for a visit, if that makes sense. We spent 5 nights there March 2017 after a week in Rome. Perfect weather in the Eternal City--50s/60s--and pretty much a monsoon in Sorrento. It happens, luck of the draw, especially in late winter.

Fortunately, Sorrento is situated perfectly to visit Naples and the Archeological Museum, and then just knocking around and dining. I will say that Sorrento has some of the very best cuisine in the country. Seafood & lemon-based for sure, but simply fabulous. Il Leone Rosso is steps from the train station and we came back from Naples on the Circumvesuviana and were tired, wet & hungry. OK, this place looks good. What a find! Mid-afternoon, sat at a back table and they brought us soup, bread, wine, some more soup, then we split an entree. Absolutely delightful time on a washout of a day.