Sorrento/Amalfi/Salerno in September

[PollyCreo]

I'm thinking about going to Italy for a week mid/late September this year - it'll be me and my female friend and we'll be flying to Naples from different countries. We're both early 50s and want a chilled/relaxed vibe but also some sun and fun 😎 We'll also want to visit Pompeii and Capri.

Accommodation in Sorrento and Amalfi looks hideously expensive though, €1000 + for a week in a hotel 😱 Salerno is looking much cheaper, does anyone know if it's a good base?

My DH and I visited Sorrento last September - beautiful! Visit Herculaneum instead of Pompeii - much more to see and quieter. We didn't get to go to Capri as a massive rain cloud came over. Amalfi coast was beautiful. It was very expensive though but I would definitely go back. We used a hire car but it's not for the faint hearted.

Yes, Salerno is a great alternative to Sorrento and an excellent base. It's cheaper, has a sandy and easy to access beach (which Sorrento doesn't) and is generally a very interesting and quaint old town. It's a much better choice than Amalfi as you can get a direct train from Salerno to Pompeii in about 40 minutes (and lots of other places obviously). Trains are dirt cheap in Italy. Staying in Amalfi or Positano can be restrictive for sightseeing and even in September incredibly crowded. Salerno is very understated but in my opinion an excellent choice. I lived in Naples for quite a long time so I know the area pretty well.

Thank you both, this is just the sort of advice I need! Definitely won't be hiring a car 😅

I did actually spend a couple of days in Salerno, it was 20 years ago but I remember it being really nice and had a buzzing but chilled vibe. Lovely old town and lively big beach front. This will be the first time I'll spend any quality time there though! My travel companion is a very Instagram-y type person and know she'll be keen to explore the peninsula - Salerno looks like a perfect base.

@ginasevern I don't know much Italian, is it worth learning a little? I know the basics but nothing advanced 😅

You coukd also look at Vietri Sul Mare. It's not as pretty but much cheaper, has a huge sandy beach and an old town in the hills ( 15 min walk).

You can get little ferries to Amalfi, Sorrento etc for day trips which is a great way to travel. There is also a train station to get to Pompei.

We had such a lovely time there.

Ooh thank you 😊 I'm getting really excited now, I love this planning stage.