For a 2026 trip to the Amalfi Coast, the decision depends on whether you value logistics (Sorrento) or luxury (Positano). Sorrento is the "smarter" base; it has direct train links to Pompeii and Naples, and frequent ferries to Capri, making it significantly more convenient for sightseeing. It is also more affordable, with a wider variety of dining and shopping. Positano, on the other hand, is the "Instagram" town—it is a vertical village of pastel houses clinging to a cliff, offering an incomparable romantic atmosphere. However, Positano is notoriously expensive and involves thousands of steep stairs, making it physically taxing and difficult for day-tripping. In 2026, the "Pro Strategy" is to spend 4–5 days in Sorrento to use as your transit hub and take a ferry for a single, glorious day trip to Positano. This allows you to see the vertical beauty of the coast from the water without the "logistical headache" and high cost of staying in Positano's cliffside hotels for the entire duration.
For a 2026 trip, you should spend more time in Sorrento but use it as a base to visit Positano. Sorrento is the "strategic hub" of the region; it is much more affordable, has a train station (the Circumvesuviana/Campania Express) for visiting Pompeii and Naples, and offers 20-minute ferry rides to Capri. Sorrento is a flat, living city with better shopping and a wider variety of dining. Positano is the "Instagram jewel" known for its vertical beauty, but it is notoriously expensive, crowded, and involves climbing hundreds of steep stairs. Staying in Positano can feel isolated as you are at the end of a single winding road with no rail access. A high-value 2026 "pro-tip" is to base yourself in Sorrento for 5–7 nights for convenience and value, while taking a scenic 40-minute ferry to Positano for a glorious day trip to enjoy the iconic views and pebble beaches without the "tourist bubble" prices.