Where to stay in Sorrento & Surrounding Areas?

We will be staying in Sorrento in early March for 5 nights at the Piazza Tasso B&B, and will daytrip to Capri, Naples, maybe Ercolano. We will also take a cooking class at a bufala mozzarella farm at the tip of the peninsula facing Capri.

But that is not technically the Amalfi Coast. A year ago March, we based 5 nights in Salerno, mainly to do some geneological research in SE Italy. But we did take daytrips to Amalfi and Pompeii (both taking an hour or less), and probably should have taken one to Paestum 45 minutes to the south as well. But I thought Salerno--a small city of just over 100,000 residents--was a wonderful base with a picturesque lungomare along the sea, an Old Town with a 10th century cathedral, and also great shops and restaurants.

However, seeing all you want to see in 3 days is a lot and you need to be close to your destinations, which may or may not rule Salerno out. For example, just getting to Sorrento from anywhere on the Amalfi Coast is at least 2 hours by bus, maybe even longer that time of year. And since most of what you want to see is on the A.C. and archeology doesn't appear to be on your wish list, I would forego Sorrento & Capri, sticking to staying either in Amalfi, Ravello, Minori, Maiori or Atrani--all beautiful--and commuting from there. Positano is picturesque, but way too touristed-up for my liking.

Enjoy your planning!

I've spent several days based in Sorrento for the past decade. I can't imagine being in Italy and not spending time in Sorrento. It's so easy to get to places by ferry, train or bus (except Paestum, which is difficult no matter how you plan to get there - but worth it!). I stay at the hotel il Nido. It's on the hill overlooking the city, the bay, Vesuvius, Naples, and Capri, it's a wonderful place run by wonderful people. BTW the bus to the Amalfi Coast towns stops right in front of the hotel (ok, during the summer it will be crowded). It is possible to do Positano and Amalfi Town and Ravello in one day (did it a couple of times). I usually take the ferry, which stops along Capri to let everybody go swimming, I'm not a huge fan of Positano so I stay on board until Amalfi Town. Then I'll take the bus back to the hotel, sometimes getting off for a while in Positano.

Capri is a full day by itself. Plan carefully, the boats get full especially at the end of the day - you don't want to get stranded if they won't let you on! The train (careful of pickpockets) will take you Pompeii and Herculeum (my personal favorite).

Sorrento is reason enough to be in Sorrento. The town, albeit a tourist shopping town, is charming. The sunsets from the edge of the cliff are the most beautiful I've ever seen. Fresh seafood, amazing lemon specialties, real buffalo (steaks and cheese) served at restaurants, wonderful wines, and extremely nice people. I'm a sucker for their local spice mixes (great gifts) and linen shirts and inlaid wood and ceramics and stunning places to stop for a drink and to look out over the bay. Limoncello never tasted better. Lemon gelato or lemon ice - this is the real thing!

Hmm, I guess I'd stay in Sorrento and day trip the rest. Somehow Sorrento is where the magic is for me.

with only 3 days Sorrento is the pick, we are going there again in may 2017, it is the transport 'hub'( and an interesting town to visit) so ferries to capri, positano and train to pompei etc are so easy. if you visit capri, then take the chairlift up from anacapri and visit villa san michele, if you want good views.
http://villasanmichele.eu/

Thank you so much for everyone's detailed responses!!
Everyone has been incredibly friendly and helpful on this forum.

I think in order to make things easier, I may just use Sorrento as my main hub, and day-trip everywhere.

Everyone seems to suggest taking a bus. Is there a reason why ferries weren't suggested? I assume buses are more cost effective. Perhaps I can take the ferry one way, and the bus back to Sorrento.

I'm also wondering if anyone has an opinion on the Blue Grotto in Capri. Is this an overpriced tourist trap? Or if even for just a couple minutes inside, is it worth the hefty fee?? Please advise. :)

Again, thank you so much for everyone's help!

Is this an overpriced tourist trap?

Yes (sorry, that's my opinion). I'd skip the blue grotto. Given the short time you have, there are much better uses of that time (and money). Capri is wonderful just on foot (or, better yet, a hike if you have time) so you can take full advantage of the lovely views.

3 days is not much time for the region.
I would not switch places for such a short stay, so vote for 1 place and commute to the other towns.

Normally Sorrento always wins logistically but in this case, Positano may work out better.
Capri takes a full day and is worthy of a full day ; Blue Grotto or not it still has enough to take up a full day and you will come back exhausted so don't try to fit in more.

There is a ferry from Sorrento or Positano. The Sorrento will run likely everyday in June, the Positano ferry I would say there is a small chance weather could affect it's running but should be ok.

Another perfect full day is combining Amalfi and Ravello into 1 day from Positano. Ferry to Amalfi, bus to Ravello, bus back from Amalfi to Positano would be what I would prefer.
As to your question regarding the bus: the bus ride is extremely scenic and usually an adreline rush, it is also much faster, more convenient and cheaper. So not saying avoid the ferry but rely on the bus and use the ferry as an alternative ; not the other way around.

Your 3rd day explore Positano, spend a couple of hours on the beach, then some time walking the streets (steps), visiting shops, etc...

Doesn't leave much time for Sorrento but given your timeframe it is the place I would skip ; alternatively you could base out of Sorrento and cut your time short in Positano.

There is not a more picturesque view than Positano in the entire Amalfi Coast. If you like the look of the vertical town, I know for me that look as in the Cinque Terre is almost the definition of a picture perfect town. Some views are more dramatic though, like those from up high in Ravello, Capri and Sorrento from the cliffs above looking out at the Bay of Naples.
Amalfi's views are not as picturesque, the better views in Amalfi are also from a little higher up.
Have stayed in both Sorrento and Positano and greatly prefer Positano though normally logistically and cost wise Sorrrento is most always better. There would not be any advantage to staying in Amalfi.

the ferries are dependent upon the weather/sea conditions, places like positano don't have a large port for getting off/on, so the sea conditions play an important role.
we avoided the blue grotto and spent our time looking around anacapri, which we very much enjoyed. next year we want to just hike about on the island. the ferry to capri was large and both sorrento and capri have larger docks so I think weather would not be a problem

Yes, the dock in Positano is why the ferry to Capri will not run on days of high waves. They also close the Blue Grotto on these days and the ferry that runs from Amalfi to Positano would be closed in these cases as well.
The Sorrento to Capri ferry uses a much larger dock so runs probably regardless of weather in June

On Capri, taking the chair lift to Ana Capri should be priority #1, then the Augustus Gardens for views ; with the rest of your time decide other what else you want to fit in ; Blue Grotto or Shopping / exploring the main town for example since you probably don't have time for both.

We loved Hotel Minerva in Sorrento - the expansive balcony over Sorrento was amazing and it was simple to walk the sidewalk into Sorrento day AND night.

Evelyn, do you have 3 DAYS or 3 NIGHTS? 3 days implies 3 full days, which needs 4 nights, since you'll use a good part of a day getting there and another getting back (even from/to Rome). I wouldn't go all that way for less than 4 nights.

Consider Salerno, which has good train connections to the north (2 hours to Rome) and seems to have ferry connections to the AC towns.

Underrated Salerno does have bus and ferry service to the Amalfi Coast, but doesn't have the views that the OP wants.

Zoe - Do you mean that the bus ride from Sorrento is scenic but the ride from Salerno isn't?

Thank you SO much, for everyone's help! This was my first post on this forum, and you've all shown me what a helpful and understanding community this is (i've had horrible experience with pretentious posters in the past on other forums).

I've taken all your suggestions into account, and just wanted to update you all with my decision.

I'll be staying in Positano for the duration of my Amalfi stay since logistically it does make the most sense, as mreynolds mentioned. I'll be day tripping to Capri, Amalfi and Ravello. Salerno and Sorrento will have to wait for my return trip, as I'm positive i'll be back!

As per all your suggestions, I will definitely take the chairlift up to AnaCapri and skip the Grotto in Capri.
Also, thank you for your tips on ferries and buses. I forgot the buses run along the cliffs, so i'll definitely take the bus for one of my trips.

Again, i'm so appreciative of everyone's input. Grazie!!

Chani, the ferry gives a better view than the bus from Salerno, in my opinion.