Please advise where to stay on the Amalfi Coast in October for 2 adults. We would just like one home base. We will not have a car. We would like to visit Pompeii, Capri and a few locations on the coast as day trips. We were thinking of staying in Sorrento . Just wondering what you think about this? Is this a good home base?
Thank you!
Anne
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Safe travels!
Last May, we stayed in Atrani for four nights and enjoyed it there. We didn't make it to Capri but might have if we'd had another day. We trained from Florence to Salerno and rode the ferry to Amalfi. During our time there, we took buses and ferries to where we wanted to go. May was hot and the crowds were ramping up. When we left Atrani, we had a car pick us up, visited Pompeii and were taken to the train station in Napoli. It was an expense that was well worthwhile.
Personally, I'd think less about about where to homebase and more about where is the accommodation that you'd like to spend five days at. Going anywhere on the AC involves a lot of logistics no matter where you are. Do you prefer a certain kind of a hotel or Airbnb? To some, it isn't important. We choose Atrani because I found a centralized place with a kitchen, plenty of room and killer sea view. We'd tourist all day, come home to make dinner and enjoy wine on the balcony while evening settled over the sea. That's how we travel. Having a memorable place to stay made it relaxing and wonderful. If it had been in Salerno or Sorrento, we might have been just as happy. October is not far away.
Yes Sorrento is an excellent home base. Easy to get to Pompeii by train (We walked to the train station from our hotel) and you can ferry to Capri and other coastal towns or take the bus. We did not have a car in that area either and got around just fine.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/getting-around-amalfi-coast
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-7-nights-itinerary-help
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/herculaneum-and-pompeii-questions
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-5-days-where-to-set-base-from
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/one-week-on-the-amalfi-coast
Just returned.
Anne please take my advice--stay in Minori. It is more 'authentic' than most towns there, rivalled in that sense only by maybe Cetara, Atrani and Scala. We stayed in an affordable apartment (with a lift) in a prime Minori location called 'La Zinefra'. By October, its cost will have returned to a very attractive rate. Property manager Mario Arzano (+39) 3924740407, is a wonderful person who will take care of every conceivable logistical concern. Per favore, tell him that 'Gregorio di Toronto' sent you. Trust me, there is added value in that connection.
Just some thoughts to make your stay 'ottimo':
Consider the isle Ischia in your plans. Its 'Ischia Ponte' neighbourhood is similarly 'genuine' and faaaaaaar less costly than Capri. To contradict that last sentiment, we splurged there in an apartment that was fantastic. Note that both aforementioned rentals have world-class views!
Don't miss the tiny isle of Procida---exactly as advertised and a highlight. And Herculaneum will have fewer crowds, more shade and well-preserved relics. *see my recent post ('He came out through the bathroom window' on the Fodors forum where I go by 'zebec' for an amusing true tale of our most recent visit there).
As stated above, we just got back, and it was to a severe shock---my mom had died a week earlier and they couldn't reach us coz our rental contacts were on a relative's fon whose charger had also suddenly died---God's sense of humour.
Anne, I'm happy to further advise. Please don't hesitate.
I am done. the life cycle
I would shy away from Sorrento. Mainly because I think it is too far away from all you want to see on the Amalfi Coast. October ‘21 we spent 1 week on the coast and stayed in Praiano. It is more central but not ideal for transportation. If I were to return I would look into Amalfi town. On a map it may appear a bit far to the east (south?) but it has excellent transportation (buses and boats) and makes a very good strategic base. I see someone mentioned Minoro. Sweet little town and also centrally located, but transportation is not as good as Amalfi. Hope this helps
Sorrento is good base for Pompeii and Capri
Amalfi is good base for AC towns
Both are transportation hubs
We stayed at Villa Nina in Positano. It was a B&B and lovely and beautiful property, breakfast was included, beach club down the stairs. We booked it on Booking.com, you can walk to the village it's a little tricky but we did it but we are from NYC so we don't have any fears walking! Otherwise it's a taxi ride to town or the beach club let us have a shuttle to town too!
Sorrento is my choice
Where will you be coming from? Pompeii is a nice stop on the way to the Amalfi Coast if you’re coming from the north. If you would like to see the Amalfi Coast, then you would want to stay on the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi is a great hub for travel on the AC. You definitely won’t want a car. It’s so crowded and hard to drive there.
We were on the Amalfi Coast for 7 nights and used Positano as our home base. From there we made day trips to visit the ruins in Paestum, Pompeii, and the towns of Amalfi, Ravello, Sorrento, and the island of Capri. We traveled between these sights by bus, boat and train and had no problem doing each of them in a day. One day we took the bus up to Montepertuso for lunch and then hiked back down to Positano. We loved Positano and made sure we had a day to explore around there.
Hey robin, was it tedious to take a bus and then a train for each way of a daytrip? What about changing busses in Amalfi to get to Salerno? If you used a ferry, was it close to sold out, from the small Positano port?
