A One Day Itinerary for Visiting Capri
Are you staying in Sorrento or Naples and want to organize a Capri day trip? Or perhaps your Italy cruise ship has dropped anchor for 24 hours in the Bay of Naples and you have limited time to explore? Then this itinerary is exactly what you need to see the best of Capri Italy in a quick day trip!
Is It Better to Visit Capri On Your Own or With a Group Tour?
Joining a shared group tour of Capri is often a more affordable option than exploring the island on your own. Capri tours from Sorrento begin at about EUR 55 a person for a full-day tour, whereas if you come to Capri onyour own, just the high-speed ferry ticket can set you back as much at EUR 40 a person.
Here are a number of tour options for Capri:
Boat tours from Sorrento to Capri
Boat tours from Positano to Capri
- 9:00 a.m. - Capri Boat Tour and the Blue Grotto
- 11:30 a.m.- Chairlift to the Top of Mount Solaro
- 12:30 p.m. - Villa San Michele
- 3:00 p.m. - In and Around Capri's Piazzetta
- 5:00 p.m. - Return to the Port
- Tour to Capri from Sorrento
- Tour to Capri from Positano and the Amalfi Coast
Map of Marina Grande, the port of Capri
- A note of caution: during the months of July and August, the heat and crowds can be oppressive and you may find this itinerary too strenuous. We suggest selecting the most interesting sights and activities ahead of time, but not trying to fit them into one day. On the warmest summer days, the best option is to visit La Piazzetta early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and spend the rest of the day out on the water or at the beach.
Try to arrive on Capri as early as possible and head first to the private jetty in Marina Grande, which is the departure point for boat tours to the Blue Grotto (on the same dock where most ferries from the mainland arrive). Purchase a ticket for the Capri boat tour including a visit to the Blue Grotto.
You can take either the complete circle tour, which includes the thrill of sailing through the arch in the dramatic Faraglioni rock formations, or the shorter tour, which only sails as far as the Blue Grotto and back. We suggest you opt for the full circle tour!
Capri Boat Tour and Visit to the Blue Grotto Capri
Duration: about 2 hours
Cost: about 20 euros
Entrance to Grotto: 14 euros
Buy your boat tour ticket online!
An Insider Tip
After visiting the Blue Grotto, ask the skipper to let you off at the stairs next to the grotto instead of taking the boat back to Marina Grande. Climb the stairs to the top and hop on the bus to Anacapri so you don't waste time in the long line at the bus terminal in Marina Grande.
Upon your return to Marina Grande, board a bus to Anacapri (a 20 minute ride). From here, take the chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro.
Monte Solaro Chairlift
Duration: 12 minutes
Cost: about 12 euros round trip
Opening hours: March - October: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm; November - February: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
From the summit of Monte Solaro you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Bays of Naples and Salerno around. From here you can descend the mountain slope by chairlift or on foot. If you decide to walk (around 30 minutes by foot), take a momento to visit the hermitage of Cetrella.
You've probably worked up an appetite by now, so you can either stop for lunch in one of Anacapri's restaurants or just grab a quick snack and head straight to Villa San Michele, the house museum created by the 19th century Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe, which boasts one of the island's most panoramic views.
Villa San Michele
Entrance: around 10 euros
Opening hours: from 09:00 am until 1 hour before sunset
Take a bus to back down to Capri. Make sure you stop for a coffee or a refreshing drink in the buzzing Piazzetta
An espresso with table service in the Piazzetta costs around 4-5 euros ; glass of wine or beer up to around 10 euros.
After a de rigueur drink in the Piazzetta, stroll down Via Camerelle, famous for the luxury shops and designer fashion boutiques which line the street. When you've had your eye-fill of window shopping, contine along Via Tragara until reaching the breathtaking scenic overlook facing the Faraglioni rock formations.
Stop to take a few photos of the Faraglioni, then turn back along Via Tragara, retracing your steps. Instead of continuing on Via Camerelle, however, take the road uphill on the right (Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliano) until you come out on Via Fuorlovaldo and Via Le Botteghe. Once you find yourself in the Piazzetta, you can descend to the port by Funicular train and hop a hydrofoil back to the mainland!
- Capri island ferry schedules
- Getting around Capri
- Decided to stay for the night? You can find rooms for as little as EUR 60 a night! Check Capri hotel rates!
How much does a day on Capri cost?
The average cost for a day on Capri including high-speed ferry tickets, a boat tour of the island, a light lunch, and bus and funicular tickets is about EUR 100 a person.
How much time do I need to plan for to see the highlights on Capri?
To take a quick peek at the Piazzetta and Anacapri, you'll need at least 4 hours; plan on at least 7 hours if you'd also like to take a boat tour around the island. For a deep dive into all the sights and monuments on the island, you need to plan on at least three days.
Do I need to book ferry tickets in advance, or can I purchase them directly at the port before embarking?
You can always purchase ferry tickets directly at the port if there are still tickets available, but during the summer months of July and August and on the weekend, it's a good idea to book your tickets in advance. This is especially true for the return ferries from Capri to the mainland in the afternoon, which tend to sell out.
Capri Ferry Schedules - Online Booking
When is the best time of year to visit Capri?
The best months to visit Capri are April and May, and September through early October....especially for day trips. In the summer, we suggest staying overnight to be able to see the sights despite the crowds.
