Rome or Pompeii first?

[MinnieMountain]

I’m planning a family trip to Rome and Pompeii next October. We’re going for a week and I can’t decide whether to stay in Pompeii for 2 days first, then the rest in Rome or vice versa.
Can anyone give me a compelling reason either way?
Minor detail I know, but it’s annoying me.

I wouldn't stay in Pompeii at all!

I'd either do a day trip to Pompeii from Rome, or spend a few days in Sorrento and catch the train to Pompeii one day from there. Isle of Capri another day.

You probably wouldn't want to stay in Pompeii itself. I love Naples (but some don't). We've been twice and plan to go again. The museum there has lots of the finds from Pompeii and is definitely worth a visit.

I would do Rome first though. I think you appreciate the livelyness of Naples after visiting Rome (which feels like 1 big museum).

Why not @Frenchfancy ? We were going to use it as a base to see Vesuvius and Herculaneum too. Neither DH nor I likes the sound of Naples.

I loved my 40th birthday trip to Rome and want to take DS who will be nearly 10 then.

Why not stay in Sorrento? Near the stuff you want to visit but much nicer than Naples.

Rome is absolutely marvellous.

i second staying in Sorrento and using that as a base for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. It’s stunning. Pompei, not so much.

But Sorrento first or Rome?

Sorrento was a great base for exploring that part of Italy. Trains were easy to Pompeii and Herculaneum, we also did Naples, capri and some of the Amalfi coast too. Sorrento was a lovely place to stay and chill too.
Id do Rome first then Sorrento.

Have always thought about Naples but many are not keen and I'm not sure why? Anyone happy to share?

I wouldn’t stay in Pompeii. I like Naples, but agree that Sorrento is a good base for that section of coast. Rome is great, so I’d stay there first. I would also aim to see Herculaneum as well as Pompeii.

@monkeyblonde Naples is vibrant and gritty. It is alive, but it isn't polished and pretty. There is so much to see and do, and all the people we met were lovely. The food was amazing and not expensive.

@MinnieMountain
@Withnoshoes

with no shoes said it right

When you go to Pompeii be sure to get a guide, also walk into town and there is a large church which a tower that has a great view over Pompeii. You could stay there but it’s not a super attractive town. You could spend a whole day in Pompeii really and the town.

I love Naples. But I think for a week's trip combined with Rome, Sorrento is better. I would start in Rome, enjoy the city, then have the last few days in Sorrento, a lovely beachside town. In October, it will likely still be warm enough for swimming in the sea or a picnic on the beach. Summer will be over for Italians, so outdoor pools may be closed, but it should still be sunny and warm.

Hustle and bustle of Rome first and then off to Sorrento - we just did the same In the summer and it was fab. Sorrento is great as a base - cheap and frequent trains and buses to Pompeii, Herculaneum and gorgeous views of Vesuvius. Also - depending if you have time - try see picturesque Positano and Amalfi. Lovely part of the world - enjoy!

I hated Naples (but from all the mixed views on it I really thought I would like it), but it was a good base for Pompeii etc. We spent a few days in Rome, stayed in Naples for a night to do those sights, then had a couple of days in Ischia (which was lovely) and easy to reach from Naples.

We stayed in Sorrento, then in Rome. Either way round would be fine.
We took a private transfer from Naples airport to Sorrento which took over an hour, whereas Rome airport is pretty close, so that might be a consideration.

We're looking at a very similar holiday for next year, wondering if I can ask a related question if we fly into Rome and out from Naples, could we do them both, staying in Sorrento and Rome without a car? 2 adults, one tween and one a few year younger?

Thanks!!

That’s my plan @BobbleHatDay . The trains look fine.

I would never take a car, ever. A car is a big disadvantage. It’s all really doable and much, much easier by train.

Easy to get by train from Sorrento to Pompeii, the train stops right outside. Also look at Herculaneum. Trains are excellent in Italy.

A car in Rome is a huge pain in the arse and the further south you go from there, the worse the driving gets.

I’ve done those sites from Sorrento. It’s much easier. Naples has a reputation for crime. The pick picketing is atrocious. We didn’t go for that reason even though the museum is supposed to be well worth a visit.

We flew to Rome and travelled to visit Pompeii etc first. Stayed in Naples which you've already said is probably not for you, then spent a few days in Rome at the end of our holiday. We did it that way round so most of the travelling was done first and we ended our holiday in the place we were going to fly from. That was the only reason we did it that way round. Not sure if there's any other advantage to one way or the other

We went to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples on the train. It’s easy. The museum in Naples is great too. I loved Naples, there was tons to do but I wouldn’t risk driving there for anything and the public transport is fine. The area around the station is best avoided at night but we had no other problems there. I agree with the others posters, go to Rome first and then Naples or Sorrento afterwards. If you stay in Pompeii you will won’t get the full benefit of the area.

There is a high speed train between Naples and Rome - buy your tickets in advance and it's inexpensive.

You don't need a car in Sorrento or Rome. I didn't really like Sorrento - pretty low end touristy apart from the harbour- but it's a perfect base with the train to Pompeii and Herculaneum and ferries to Capri and Ischia.

We just got taxis a few times in Rome when we had done enough walking- not overly expensive and a lot cheaper than car hire and parking.