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Updated Info and Tips - Winter 2026





Travel on Capri and the Amalfi Coast in Winter
Last updated: January 8, 2026
January and February are the quietest months of the year on Capri and along the Amalfi Coast. This is the winter break period, when most hotels, restaurants, and shops are closed, and many local residents take time off and leave the island. Capri, Positano, and Amalfi are therefore very quiet, with limited services available.
Sorrento is the only town that remains lively throughout the winter, offering a good selection of accommodations, restaurants, and transport connections. Travelers visiting during these months should expect reduced schedules and frequent changes to ferry services, often due to sea conditions.
Ferries and hydrofoils - Will they run?
Ferries and hydrofoils - Will they run?
During the winter months, ferry and hydrofoil connections to Capri operate mainly from Naples and Sorrento, but with a reduced number of departures compared to the high season. Connections from Positano and Amalfi are usually suspended or very sporadic.
Rough seas are more common in January and February and can cause last-minute cancellations or schedule changes.
Our tips, based on many winters on the island:
Check the weather forecast: In the weather app that you use, find the predicted wave activity and height so you know whether or not you should be concerned. If waves higher than 200 centimeters are predicted, you can expect cancellations. Here's a site you can use: Meteo Mare Capri
Plan to leave Capri a day before your flight: It's wise to book your final night on the mainland so you don't get stuck on the island and miss your flight.
Keep an eye on social media: The ferry companies tend to update their weather predictions at the last minute, so a more trustworthy source is this Facebook page.
Ferries between Capri and the Amalfi Coast are the first to be canceled because there is no true port in Positano (just a pier) and boats can't approach the coast there if the sea is choppy.
If the weather looks uncertain, take the Caremar ferry rather than the high-speed hydrofoils offered by other companies.
Winter is the only time of year when booking in advance is unnecessary: buying tickets shortly before departure reduces stress in case of cancellations or changes.
Traffic and public transport in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Traffic and public transport in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Traffic along the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast is often unpredictable, and public transport does not always run on schedule. Heavy rain can significantly worsen the situation, and the Amalfi Coast Road is subject to landslides and occasional closures.
Our advice:
Allow several extra hours when traveling during heavy rain.
In winter, traffic is generally lighter, so renting a car can be an option, although parking remains limited.
Only rent a scooter if you have experience riding one.
Book a private transfer in advance for airport transfers, especially if staying in Positano or Amalfi.
The Curreri shuttle bus is an affordable and convenient option between Naples Airport and Sorrento.
Traffic and public transport in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Traffic and public transport in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Traffic on the Sorrentine Coast and the Amalfi Coast is always a bit tricky and public transportation is often unreliable and running behind schedule. Heavy rains in the winter months only make this situation worse and the coastal road is often closed after storms due to falling rocks and landslides.
Our advice for dealing with traffic:
Give yourself hours of extra time to reach your destination after heavy rains.
Don’t visit with a rental car. The roads are narrow and winding, clogged with a mix of tour buses, scooters, and distracted tourists. Parking is scarce and expensive. These factors put together can mean a vacation-ruining headache.
Consider renting a scooter to get around, but only if you have experience driving one.
To get to and from the airport, book a private transfer in advance, especially if you are staying in Positano or Amalfi
One of the most convenient ways to get between Sorrento and Naples is the Curreri shuttle bus.
Getting around by train: the Circumvesuviana
The Circumvesuviana is a local commuter rail line that connects Naples and Sorrento; it generally runs on time and there are frequent departures. Keep in mind, however, that it is often overcrowded so you may have to stand much of the way (about an hour). In addition, there's no assigned seating, and most trains don't have air conditioning. It’s an easy way to make the shorter trip between Sorrento and Pompeii, but it's not a great option to travel between Sorrento and Naples, especially if you have luggage with you. Opt instead for the Campania Express, the tourist train that runs less frequently on the same line but is faster and less crowded.
Circumvesuviana and Campania Express train schedules
Getting around by bus: Sita Amalfi Coast buses
Sita buses run between Sorrento and Positano, Amalfi, and the smaller villages located between the two. Since traffic is often snarled along the single coastal road, buses often run behind schedule and all seats are usually filled at the departure location, so those boarding afterwards must ride standing up.
Public transportation on Capri
Public transportation on Capri
From January to March, the funicular is closed for maintenance, and transportation between the port and town centers is handled exclusively by buses and taxis.
Buses to the Piazzetta depart from the funicular entrance area.
Our tips for getting around more easily:
Buses to Capri town depart both from the funicular entrance and from Pier 22 (Banchinella).
Taxis are available year-round, with a fare of around €20 from the port to the Piazzetta.
Google Maps suggests a 15-minute walk from the port to the Piazzetta. While accurate, it’s a very steep uphill walk, suitable only for those in good shape and without luggage.
Walking downhill from the Piazzetta to the port is easy and pleasant in good weather.
If there’s a long line at the Piazza Vittoria bus stop in Anacapri, walk back along Viale Tommaso de Tommaso to board at earlier stops near Piazza Caprile.
Opening hours
Opening hours
We always try to keep the opening hours updated on our websites, but in many cases it's really difficult!
On Capri, Villa Jovis and Villa Lysis don't have regular opening hours. It's also a long walk uphill to get there. So, to avoid being disappointed if the sites are closed, we recommend checking first at the information office in the Piazzetta or at the port to see if they are open.
Seasonal closure
Seasonal closure
Most hotels and restaurants on Capri and the Amalfi Coast remain open through October, then close for the winter and reopen around April. A handful of businesses do remain open all year round, however. In Sorrento, most hotels and restaurants stay open through the winter holidays and close the first week of January. Here is additional information about visiting Capri in the fall and winter. If you do decide to visit during this quiet winter season, we suggest using Sorrento or Naples as your base.
Blue Grotto
Blue Grotto
During winter, the Blue Grotto is often closed due to sea conditions. Occasionally, when the sea is exceptionally calm and there is no wind, it may open for a few hours in the morning, but these openings cannot be predicted in advance.
For this reason, we recommend checking directly at the port upon arrival to see whether the Blue Grotto is open that day.
What to do on Capri in winter
What to do on Capri in winter
Winter on Capri feels very different from summer. The island is quiet, rhythms are slower, and the lively social scene gives way to a more intimate and authentic atmosphere. This makes winter the ideal time to discover Capri without crowds.
During these months, you can visit many of the island’s most important sites at a relaxed pace, including Villa Jovis, the Certosa di San Giacomo with its new archaeological museum, Villa San Michele, the Casa Rossa, and the Church of San Michele with its famous majolica floor.
Winter is also the best season for exploring panoramic walking paths and viewpoints, and the Monte Solaro chairlift continues to operate, offering breathtaking views on clear days.
When weather conditions allow, Marina Piccola becomes a perfect winter destination. Thanks to its unique microclimate and sunny exposure, it’s one of the warmest spots on the island, and it’s not unusual to see people swimming year-round or simply relaxing by the sea.