In the Amalfi Coast, photo above, as a base I like Sorrento the best-specifically the Bellevue Syrene hotel. Ravello is gorgeous, but it’s a white knuckle drive to get up there (the whole coast road is fairly horrifying-narrow, loads of curves, and more vespas and tour buses than you have ever seen in your life!!). Also, the boats to Capri and Ischia leave from Sorrento, which makes it quite easy.

Positano is nice, but very crowded and very expensive. You’ll leave your car at the top and walk all the steps through the town itself down to the beach (unless you’re at a hotel at the top that has a lift down), which can get old after the first few times, especially in the summer!

I suggest you to choose Ravello as your base since it is very strathegic to explore all the region and to stay at the amazing Hotel Caruso.

Definitely! Try Sorrento, is the best one to reach all the interesting site.

I stayed on a small island called Ischia. It’s cheap, laid back and there are ferries to Naples, Sorrento and Capri (beware choppy waters to Capri, lots of people got a bit sea sick).

But in the end, I would have prefered to stay in Sorrento. The hotels were nicer and it was just a little bit prettier. The locals were also really nice.

The costal highway is beautiful, but stressful to drive. I say, leave it to a professional tourbus driver and take pictures instead.

Beware Naples (specifically if you get on public transit like the Circumvisuviana). We were warned, but my travel buddy still got pickpocketed.

For me, yes, staying in one place and travelling to the others is the best way, and Sorrento was the best location to do it from. As Sarah said above, the coastal road is stunning, but nervewracking with all the turns and other traffic. The bus is an easy way to go up and down the whole of the Amalfi Coast.

I think too that you can choice Sorrento, photo above, for your accomodation, and then move around with ferries and bus (the “aliscafi” :-) ) to Capri, Ischia or Naples, and Positano, Amalfi.
don’t miss Capri and Positano nightlife!
and sure Ravello is wonderful.

I think to stay one week in Ravello or Positano is too much!
you should split the trip (3 days in Positano with day trip in Capri e Sorrento and 3 days in Ravello for visit Amalfi, Atrani, Minori).

I friend of mine has suggested to stay at Positano in a hotel called “Le Agavi”. Because of summer I think I´ll be difficult to find anywhere cheaper in Positano.

I think sorrento is a good option to stay…in 30 minutes you reach all the islands and the places of the Amalfi Coast, by boat or by car…Ravello is amazing but do not suggest it…not practical. you can stay 3 days in Sorrento and 3 in Positano in the hotel, then you move by car..

Sounds like Positano or Sorrento are great options to park it for a few days and travel around from there.

We planned to stay in Sorrento and drive around the coast.

Here are a few tips for the amazing Amalfi Coast:

Ravello is beautiful. visit Villa Cimbrione and its breathtaking view.
Amalfi is cosy/pittoresque/splendid: try Da Gemma, Lido Azzuro and Maccus for restaurants.
As for the beaches we tried Hotel St Caterina’s and it was nice!
Positano: delightful too. We especially liked Max here.

Try to go to Capri too.. We went to Fontelina beach there, it is very beautiful but I thought I was going to die on the way back. There is a stiff climbing road of about 300 metres. Better renting a boat.

Portofino World, a world apart.