Sorrento and Pompeii: A Blend of History and Coastal Charm
After exploring Salerno and Amalfi, we continued our journey along the Amalfi Coast to Sorrento, with a stop at Pompeii along the way. Sorrento’s relaxed vibe, family-friendly atmosphere, and beautiful views made it one of the highlights of our trip. Meanwhile, Pompeii offered a chance to step back in time and marvel at one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.
Here’s how we made the most of this leg of our Italian adventure.
Day 1: Pompeii and the Train Strike Surprise
The day we left Salerno, we planned to take a train to Pompeii, check our luggage, and spend a few hours exploring the ruins before heading onward to Sorrento. However, Italy had other plans! A Trenitalia strike shut down all trains that day, leaving us having to search for alternatives. The problem is when you have your backpack on your back and the diaper bag and toddler, the luggage doesn’t give you the space to trek lengthy new routes, so we grabbed a taxi.
After some quick problem-solving (and a hefty €80 taxi fare), we arrived at Pompeii and discovered a helpful tip: there are two train stations near Pompeii. One serves Trenitalia (which was closed due to the strike), while the other is a regional line connecting Pompeii to Sorrento. Our cab driver dropped us at the Trenitalia station where we checked our luggage while checking out the sites. Later we had to return to get the luggage and then walk all the way to the other station. If we had known in advance, we could have planned to check our luggage at the regional station, saving a lot of time and hassle.
Exploring Pompeii
Pompeii is incredible, even on a second visit. Walking through the ancient streets, you can almost feel the history of the city frozen in time. It’s also huge, so comfortable shoes are a must, and if you’re traveling with young kids, leave the stroller behind cobblestone streets and ruins make it almost impossible to get any use out of a stroller. This is a great opportunity for a toddler carrier backpack like this highly recommended one. Asher spent most of the visit on Ryan’s shoulders while I carried the stroller myself similar to in Matera (and got quite the arm workout).
We spent a couple of hours wandering the site, marveling at the preserved villas, frescoes, and even remnants of ancient graffiti. The Forum, with its sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius, was a highlight. While Pompeii’s history speaks for itself, the experience is best with a bit of prior research or a guide to bring it to life. I like to download audio guide apps in advance for this type of place. Typically even one for the group is fine to play out loud or have a person share particularly interesting insights. You can even split an airpod if you want.
💡 Tips for Pompeii:
Plan ahead and check your transportation options. Train strikes are not uncommon in Italy.
Opt for a baby carrier instead of a stroller for little ones.
Allocate at least 2–3 hours to explore the ruins, and bring water and snacks (there’s a lot of walking involved).
Ignore anyone outside the site trying to sell maps or tickets they’re often scams.
After wrapping up in Pompeii, we took the regional train to Sorrento. It was crowded due to the strike on the normal train Itali, but manageable, and we were glad to finally arrived at our Airbnb by nightfall.
Days 2–3: Soaking in Sorrento
Sorrento was an absolute breath of fresh air. It struck the perfect balance between lively and peaceful, even in the off-season. Our Airbnb, a spacious three-bedroom with a washing machine, was centrally located and a perfect change of pace after so much travel. We spent two nights here and made the most of every minute.
Highlights in Sorrento
Family Photo Session: I’d booked a photographer to capture some family memories. We took photos at the Cloisters of San Francesco and down by the beach. Pro tip: hiring a local photographer is worth it. Moms rarely get enough photos with their kids while they are busy snapping photos of their babies with their dads.
Relaxing Day: After a busy itinerary, we took a much-needed break to wander Sorrento’s streets, admire the Christmas tree in the main square, and enjoy gelato at a leisurely pace.
Local Food: Sorrento’s restaurants did not disappoint. Even in the off-season, there were plenty of options, and the quality of the food was unmatched.
Why We Skipped Positano
Originally, we’d planned a day trip to Positano for family photos on its iconic beach, but transportation challenges changed our plans. Ferries weren’t running, and a private transfer was prohibitively expensive at €300round trip/€150 each way. Instead, we asked our photographer to meet us in Sorrento, and it turned out to be a much better fit. While Positano is stunning, we figured it was going to be much like Amalfi without much to do in the fall, and the accessibility and laid-back vibe of Sorrento won us over.
Final Thoughts on Sorrento and Pompeii
Sorrento was one of my favorite stops on the trip. Its energy, charm, and accessibility made it the perfect place to slow down and recharge. From the vibrant main square to the stunning coastal views, it had everything we needed to end our Amalfi Coast journey on a high note.
Pompeii, though challenging with a toddler, was a must-see for its historical significance and sheer scale. Despite the hiccups with transportation, the experience was well worth the effort.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Sorrento is an ideal base for exploring the Amalfi Coast and offers a more relaxed alternative to Positano or Amalfi.
Transportation strikes can throw a wrench in your plans, so always have a backup option in mind.
Take a moment to slow down—sometimes, the best memories come from wandering a new town with no set agenda.
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