Are you staying in Sorrento or Naples and want to check off one more item on your bucket list with a Capri day trip? Or perhaps your Mediterranean cruise ship has dropped anchor for 24 hours in the Bay of Naples and you have limited free time to explore? This Capri itinerary is exactly what you need to see the best of the island—the cafes, the views of Capri, the famous Blue Grotto, and more—all in a quick day trip!
Is it better to visit Capri on your own or with a group tour?
Joining a small group tour of Capri is often a more affordable option than exploring the island on your own. Capri tours from Sorrento begin at about 75 euros per person for a full-day tour. Compare this to travel to Capri on your own, where the high-speed ferry ticket alone can set you back as much as 40 euros per person.
Here are a number of options for a day trip to Capri:
A note of caution: During the months of July and August, the heat and crowds can be oppressive and you may find this day trip to Capri itinerary too strenuous. An alternative is to choose the most interesting sights and activities ahead of time and don't try to fit them all into one day. On the warmest summer days, the best option is to visit the 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.
9:00 am - Boat tour
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!
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 take the bus to Anacapri so you don't waste time in the long line at the bus terminal in Marina Grande.
11:30 am - Monte Solaro
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. Afterwards you can descend the mountain slope by chairlift or on foot. If you decide to walk (around 30 minutes on foot), take a momento to visit the Cetrella Hermitage.
12:30 pm - Villa San Michele
Your day trip to Capri has probably made you work up an appetite by now, so you can either stop for lunch in one of Anacapri's restaurants or grab a quick snack and head straight to Villa San Michele. The villa was originally a private residence and is now a museum open to the public. It was formerly the home of 19th-century Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe and it 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
3:00 pm - Piazzetta
Take a bus to back down to Capri. Make sure you stop for a coffee or a refreshing drink in the bustling Piazzetta.
Day trip to Capri: drink prices in the Piazzetta
An espresso with table service in the Piazzetta costs around 6-7 euros; a glass of wine or beer costs around 15 euros.
After a drink in the Piazzetta, stroll down Via Camerelle, famous for its luxury shops and designer fashion boutiques. When you've had your fill of window shopping, continue along Via Tragara until you reach 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 get back down to the port with the funicular and hop on a hydrofoil back to the mainland—your day trip to Capri is complete!
Decided to stay for the night? You can find rooms for as little as 80 euros a night! Check Capri hotel rates!
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
