Sorrento Travel Forum

We will be arriving in Sorrento by cruise ship in June, we have a private car for the day. We want to visit Pompeii and drive the Amalfi coast stopping along the way. We arrive at 7 am. Would you suggest going to Pompeii first or should we tour the Amalfi coast first and head to Pompeii in the afternoon?

Wow, it is an aggressive itinerary on a tight schedule! By the way I would head to Pompeii first and then to the Amalfi Coast, based on the consideration that Pompeii is a compact site while the Coast is a much more extended area, therefore you can visit the archaeological site at your own pace first and then use the whole rest of the day to tour the Coast.

Enjoy your trip!
Giuseppe

I didn't have a chance to see Pompei when I was there. Loved Sorrento. Adored the Amalfi Coast and would do the same again if given the opportunity. That is such a gorgeous coastline, words cannot describe. I have a page on it if you want to check it out. I know you will enjoy your trip. Bon Voyage!

I would probably do Pompei first because it's hard work, lots of walking on rough stone streets, and you might want to avoid doing it in the heat of the afternoon.
Then you can enjoy the afternoon light shining on the coast. Be warned, the Amalfi coast road is a challenging drive, and the person driving will have to pay very close attention to traffic and curves.

Isn't that the truth? I have to credit my daughter for the driving. She did a great job. We laughed a good part of the way cause it was so remarkably scarey. I think the trick is to have a designated driver who takes it easy and then just sit back and enjoy. Who wouldn't love it?

Access to Pompeii is by driving the north coast of the Amalfi peninsula, then to visit places like Positano and Ravello you have to get to the south coast of the peninsula or try driving over the mountain. Basically they are NE and SE of Sorrento with some pretty tortuous roads across. Best route would be taking the autostrada south from Pompeii down to Vietre and then driving west - this is a long trip if you have to get back for a cruise ship departure. Pompeii would certainly be the first thing to see as described above if you have lots of time, but if time is short you should pick the most important site to you for the first visit and then fit in everything else as best you can.

as Janet said Amalfi coast is gorgeous! So I agree with others. Go first to Pompei otherwise you will spend all your day on the coast (The Amalfi coast has breathtaking point of view... "please one more curve just to see what there is there"... "wow!! one more before to turn back."... "no please... one more"...)
Have a short tour in Pompei. To avoid the afternoon heat as Doglas suggests is a great idea.
3 hours under the sun wandering in Pompei is quite an hard task.

I would follow Lew's tip "Best route would be taking the autostrada south from Pompeii down to Vietri" It's a 20' ride.
Then you will drive westward. If you think to have spare time (but this is not likely) take a detour to Revello.
Then the must stop are Amalfi, Furore, Praiano, Positano.

Consider an alternative route (this fit better for who has mooring at Naples)
After Pompei visit, go SE along the coast via Castellammare and Sorrento.
From Sorrento take southward the road via Sant'Agata leading to Positano, and then follow the Amalfi coast until Vietri. From Vietri take the "autostrada" (highway) back to Naples.
This way you will drive on the external lane of the road (better view) with the sun on your back (and not reflecting on your windscreen). This will allow you to stop for a quick shot at every point of view (or for a refreshing lemon water ice ;-)

Ciao.
Marco

Thanks to all for your help. It looks like we'll head to Pompeii first and spend the afternoon on the coast. We have a local driver so we can enjoy the view