We are thinking of basing ourselves in Sorrento and doing day trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast.
I am considering the possibility of catching a ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi and then returning by bus with a stop in Positano.
I know that this would be but a tiny taste of the Amalfi Coast. Are there better options or ideas for a day on the Amalfi Coast?
A significant amount of climbing/walking is not on our agenda.
Thanks for your help.
You do not want to stop in Positano if you do not want walking or climbing if is lovely but almost straight up and down very hilly.
The ferry to Amalfi is fine. Between Amalfi and Positano you should take the ferry also, since the bus stop in Positano is way up the hill. The bus stops in Amalfi just near the port, so that's the best place to catch it back to Sorrento. You could take the ferry to Positano, spend the time you want there, then ferry to Amalfi, sight-see there and then bus back to Sorrento.
Instead of Positano, the best view of which is from the sea, I would catch a bus in Amalfi to visit Ravello. At last you don’t have to be part mountain goat 5o enjoy it.😏
When is your trip? Ferries are seasonal
We day tripped to Positano from Amalfi (town). Took the bus. It lasted not a minute too long. We walked down thru Positano, wandered a bit, had lunch then took ferry back to Amalfi.
I am sure there is a ferry that goes from Positano to Sorrento. Try taking ferry or bus from Sorrento to Amalfi, visit then take bus to Positano- the bus drops you at top, walk down catch ferry back to Sorrento.
Limits the bus time and uphill walks.
Ravello is lovely but don’t think you’ll have time using public transportation to do it justice.
Mondo Guides www.sharedtours.com offers an affordable day trip.
Ferry/bus info
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/t/sorrento/sorrento
I have stayed in Sorrento and done just what you suggest multiple times, always enjoyed it. I have taken the bus from Sorrento to Positano, then on to Amalfi and then the local (tourist) bus up to Ravello. I have also taken the ferry from Sorrento (stops in both Positano and Amalfi). I've also done trips where I did the bus one way and the ferry the other.
The ferry is seasonal and not that frequent (I think two each way per day) so you do have to be aware of the times. The bus can get very crowded and some people suffer from motion sickness on it but the views from both the bus and the boat are fantastic (and different) so if you have time it's good to do both. Best bet for the bus from Sorrento is to get to the bus stop at least a half hour before the first bus.
Positano is very vertical. But it's also quite small and if you don't want to do a lot of shopping in expensive tourist clothing shops or eat a sit down meal you can see it in a short time. It's gorgeous though, especially from the water and also from the upper road (where the bus runs) looking across the town. I enjoy Amalfi more, for exploring and walking around. Also love the walk from Amalfi to neighboring Atrani. We took the bus up to Ravello and then walked down. Hard on the knees but at least it's down hill.
Easy to do day trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum (and Naples) from Sorrento.
Here's my photos (include three different trips) https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p266655284
Am surprised people are suggesting taking a ferry from Sorrento to Positano / Amalfi and a bus from Amalfi / Positano to Sorrento. The bus from Sorrento to Positano / Amalfi rides along the Amalfi Coast Road (west to east) where you can look out your window seat and peer down at the coves that hover underneath this curvy hilly road guaranteed to give you motion sickness.
The buses I road on that ran from Amalfi / Positano to Sorrento (east to west) was an inland road that did not run along the coast. You won’t even know that you’re near it. The only good thing about it is you won’t experience nausea.
I highly suggest wearing motion sickness bracelets on each wrist and it wouldn’t hurt to ask your doctor for a prescription. I would then get an early start in Sorrento and make sure you can sit on the right side of the bus facing the driver. If not get off and wait for the next bus. Take the bus from Sorrento to Amalfi and explore the town and then take a direct ferry from Amalfi to Positano (30-minutes) that will eliminate climbing issues. After an hour in Positano you’ll be ready to move on unless you want to eat dinner there. If the ferry is still operating take that back to Sorrento (45-minutes), otherwise you’ll need to take the bus (1h). If there's one section of the coast you want to see from the ferry it's Amalfi to Positano more so than Positano to Sorrento.
Thank you everyone for your detailed replies. There is some really useful information here which is most helpful. Much apprceciated. :)
Ok how winding are the roads from Sorrento to amalfi town and Positano? Seriously considering just taking boat for fresh air. I recently developed motion sickness as I’ve gotten older.
Nausea sets in just before reaching Amalfi town when the elevation level changes, it was brutal but the view was superb.
Thank you. I brought bonine (meclizine) just in case.
