Amalfi coast

[intwrferingma]

Thinking of a break on the Amalfi coast this sept. Just me and OH. But unsure where to base ourselves. We intend to take the train through Europe to get there, and do a lot of walking once there. And we want luxury! But which town should we pick as a base? Or hotel for that matter. But mainly which town.
Any advice welcome. Thanks x

Sorrento has some luxurious hotels, you can get the bus around the coast to Positano which is also lovely, but you need to walk downhill to the beach. Sorrento has a rail station and you can go to Pompeii and further along the line Herculaneum. Naples is also accessible by train.

I agree re Sorrento. It's not as pretty as Positano, Ravello, etc, but is much more convenient for getting to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples for the day (you can get the ferry to the latter too). My criteria would be staying somewhere where you don't need a car, as the roads are pretty terrifying.

Sorrento. It’s a really good base for exploring up and down the coast. Train to and from Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii etc. Ferry to the islands, like Capri. Local buses for visiting Positano, Malfi, etc. I know that area well and always stay in Sorrento if relying on public transport. It’s a nice town and has some posh hotels.

Yes, Sorrento.

We went to the Amalfi Coast about 7 years ago. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Aminta, about a mile outside Sorrento. The hotel then was lovely, with beautiful views, but can't say what it is like now. It is the one hotel I would like to return to. They run a minibus into Sorrento, but you can walk too if upcfor it. I found Sorrento itself rather busy, but probably had some good restaurants, it is on a cliff so getting down to the sea is not easy. Sorrento is a good base for exploring the Amalfi Coast as there are buses and trains. We went to Positano and Pompeii, plus Herculaneum. Well worth a visit

Another one voting Sorrento.

Ravello. The most romantic place in the world and the bus takes you down to Amalfi. Lots of places to eat in Ravello too. There are some lovely 5 star hotels. Or what about Capri. Would recommend the Ceasar Augustus Hotel.

Agree - Sorrento is the best base, unless you want to be actually on the Amalfi Coast.
The bus from Sorrento takes about an hour to get to Amalfi & passes through Positano & Priano. You can then get a bus up to Ravello or further down the coast to Minori (has a Roman Villa excavated under the current town & some great cafes/restaurants), Miaori (nice beach) & further on to Paestum (Greek temples).
You can get boats from Sorrento out to Capri & Ischia. Plus there are ferries up & down the coast. And as OPs say, the train goes direct to Naples through Pompeii & Herculaneum, & you can easily get to Vesuvius too.
So you could do a few nights in Sorrento to explore & then head down the coast & stay on the coast.
Ravello is beautiful but very high up & you have to get the bus or a taxi to get out again. I've stayed in Minori, Amalfi & Sorrento & I'd say Sorrento was the best base for exploring the region.

Agree with Sorrento. We stayed at this hotel and it was divine! Perfect view of Mount Vesuvius, little port outside and a few cafes then you can take a lift in the mountain up to the main town.

www.marinapiccola73.com

Also go for steak at a restaurant called Meating. 10/10 for fillet steak with Gorgonzola sauce!

Sorrento is the obvious base as it has the train connections to many attractions and the boats to Capri and Ischia, but it's not a pretty town, so make sure to pick a hotel on the coastline or one of the recommendations here.

I'm dithering about the idea now. I've been told Amalfi is crowded and May disappoint. Any steers on quiet Amalfi or am I wanting the impossible?

Unless you are going for all out luxury, Sorrento is tawdry these days. Think plastic menus with photos of chips and "live Arsenal match" billboards.
It may have changed post-pandemic but it was really getting a rep as Brits and Germans abroad unless you went 5*.
It's beautiful, but it's gone downhill.

I live in Italy, and on the news last night they were interviewing hoteliers from Sorrento on how to pick business up after a 2 year stop on many foreign tourists. It still looks great- without the tourists iyswim? It's not an authentic Italian holiday experience by any stretch though. Expensive as well compared to other places.

Confirming some suspicions @Geamhradh, having done some research. What about walking? If we turn it into a walking holiday, going from
Luxury hotel to luxury hotel might that work?

If you are considering a rental car then UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ACCEPT AN UPGRADE TO A LARGER CAR. We booked a small Golf type car and they 'generously' gave us an enormous hunk of metal. It was terrifying trying to drive it along the very narrow, winding coastal roads or into the cramped little parking garages. Small is your friend.

Not planning on driving at all! Have driven in south of France and think it might be similar

I would recommend the Ristoranto Costa Diva in Praiano.

I'm not sure why Sorrento is so popular on this thread . It has a very middle -aged -British -tourist -abroad vibe. Driving (or even being driven) is treacherous in that region with all the hairpin bends. There isn't really much choice because there is so much to see and plonking yourself in a rsort means that you would miss out. There is a small train that will take you to a number of interesting places like Pompeii and Ercolano but pickpockets are a problem so it's not much better in that respect. Positano has good good but it is pricey.

You could also spend some time in Capri.

good food - quite fancy some right now!

Have you considered the Cinque Terre region instead? It will still be really hot and there are established walking trails between the five villages with amazing views. It is a similar sort of Italian holiday but offers more while being less stressful IMO. There are wonderful culinary experiences to be found at each stop and the possibility of visiting Portovenere and other idyllic places.

Thanks @Soffit - am on it! It does sound much more achievable and pleasurable.