where to stay between naples and positano

How are you getting to Positano? When is this trip? And- is Pompeii a priority ? Where are you going afterwards? Just trying to visualize your journey. It would help immensely if you threw in a few more details. Thanks.

Yes, and how many in the party? Are you interested in art and architecture? Or mainly sun and swimming? Where else will you have been/go on this first trip to Italy? Honestly, budget is a factor too, because daytrips (like Pompeii or Herculaneum) from Positano can be pricey. It's very important to know where you are going the last day you wake up in Positano, because it is slightly out of the way.

We are a family of 5. We rented a villa for a week in Positano (Saturday to Saturday) in July. We are flying into Naples arriving early friday morning. We will depart from Rome on the end of our trip (Sunday). We wanted to have a buffer on each end in case there were any travel delays.

We would consider Pompei for the day or the museum in Naples.

Those details do give us an expanded picture. Are you using public transportation or private transfers?

I should have asked you what time your plane lands in Naples. We arrived by discount air from London after the Archaeology Museum had closed for the day, and too late to transfer to Sorrento. Anyway, my feeling is that if you never go to museums at home, you may not need to go to the Archaeology Museum. Naples has lots of lovely Baroque and Classical buildings to see, but a few of it's more famous sights require advance booking to enter. There is also shopping and eating to do. (There are now so many officially certified Neapolitan Pizza Ovens in the US that I am not sure you "must" have pizza in Naples, and it takes an hour to get a seat.)

Having slept five nights in Sorrento, I don't think you "must" see it, except that zillions of people GO there. You can always visit from Positano (up to an hour each way) if you decide you must see it. Another possible attractions is the Royal Palace of Caserta, if you have time to get there, and a particular interest.

There are actually at least five important ancient sites, but Pompeii and Herculaneum are by far the most visited. Weather and time of day are important, especially in July, when the sun and heat are just BRUTAL in Pompeii.

We ask about transportation because the Circumvesuviana train ENDS in Sorrento. There is only one two-lane road to Positano, and it is a winding mountain road, where some busses have to stop and back up to get around the worst curves. It can be very slow, even in a private (air-conditioned) Mercedes (which can't take five passengers and the driver, BTW. Book a big enough car service.)

Note that it will take you at least four hours to get to Rome, if the trip goes well.

Edit: I should have offered a bottom line, and I agree with the later post that you should overnight in Naples. Get an air conditioned hotel. In the morning, we checked our luggage at the hotel, and went to the Archaeology Museum (where many Rick Steves readers overlook the really important Farnese Marbles), and waited an hour outside for superb Gino Sorbillo pizza. We actually rolled our luggage (a mile?) all the way to the train station, to increase our walking time in Naples. But we skipped too many important free standing monuments of art history.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/request-for-naples-advice

Consider Salerno. easy to get to by train from Naples.
Inexpensive lodging compared to AC/Positano
It's a real town, less touristy. You can enjoy the lungomare- waterfront and beach, have some great gelato, enjoy one of the best passegiattas in southern Italy.

Next am- check out- have hotel hold yout luggage and take the regional train to Paestum to see some magnificent Greek temples. Then make your way to Positano.

How did you plan to get to Positano from wherever you stay on Friday night?
You could take ferry all the way to Positano from Salerno
Great views along coast

I would stay in Naples and spend the day there. It’s a beautiful city with lots of things to see and do, even if you don’t have the time or the inclination to see the museums.

Pompeii is not a place I would visit on the day you get there. It’s huge and tiring, and in July it’s going to be scorching hot especially because there is very little shade around. I would visit Pompeii from Positano during your weeklong stay (bus to Meta di Sorrento then Circumvesuviana train). It’s a little bit farther than going from Naples, but if you get an early start you could visit it in the morning when the outside temperature is more bearable. All things at Pompeii archeological site are open every day except for Tuesdays when a few things close, from 9am to 7pm (in summer).

While a public transportation trip from Positano to Pompeii is really cheap, it's probably two hours each way. And when you get in line for the bus, you can expect to be so far back in line that you can't get on, and have to wait 30 minutes for the next one. Most Circumvesuviana cars are not air conditioned.

Follow up question. The boat tour of Capri from Positano is almost double of Amalfi coast, is it a must see? And which boat tour do you recommend?

Nothing is a must see if it doesn't fit your budget, itinerary or interests

We loved our boat tour around Capri island more than our time on the island
(Mondo tours from Sorrento)
Others insist you must stay overnight

The views and gardens on Ravello are fantastic
Could be a good substitute for Capri

Which tour are you looking at?