Taking a day trip to Capri is like taking a trip to another dimension.
From Capri, the blue of the water glistens just a little brighter. The curves of the cliffs are just a bit more majestic. The location, in general, is just a bit otherworldly–like something out of a legend.
Capri’s magnificent beauty has been beckoning the rich and famous to visit it for a couple of millennia, from Roman emperors to modern movie stars, and thousands of others in between.
Today, Capri maintains a bit of that glitz and glamour–the location alone demands it–but anyone can easily take a day trip to Capri and enjoy a slice of its glorious beauty for themselves (just don’t expect to spot any celebrities unless you stay past 6:00 PM).
Paying a visit to the Amalfi Coast or the surrounding area and want to spend a day on Capri?
Here’s how to make the most of it!
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How to Get to Capri
Unless you happen to have a private boat that you’re sailing to Capri, there are, essentially, 2 ways to take a day trip to Capri: by boarding a ferry or by booking a tour.
Ferries run several times a day from all the nearby tourism hubs like Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, and even Naples–but they aren’t cheap!
Depending on where you are coming from, expect to pay around 30 Euros/person each way, plus a 5 Euro tourist tax upon arriving in Capri if you’re visiting between April and October.
Due to the cost of the ferries, tours are often quite a bargain for a day trip to Capri, as they typically include both transport there and back, as well as (usually) a boat tour around the island.
Some, though not all, tours also cover the tourist tax for you.
We took a tour from Sorrento that was similar to this one and were very pleased with the value.
Whichever way you decide to visit Capri for one day, expect to spend about 30 minutes getting there from Sorrento or Positano, just under an hour from Amalfi, or 1-2 hours from Naples.
Book your organized day trip to Capri today!
The Best Things to Do On a Day Trip to Capri
Overwhelmed with ideas for what to do in Capri for a day?
While unfortunately there’s no way to see all that Capri has to offer in one day (especially if you spend some time relaxing and enjoying the views, which you should!), by picking and choosing a couple of things to focus on, you can see a fairly wide variety of what this famous island has to offer.
We recommend picking 1-2 main priorities, and then filling in additional fun Capri attractions as they fit into your schedule.
Here are some of the absolute best things to do with one day in Capri!
Take a boat tour around the island.
Cruising around the island of Capri is an absolute delight: the views are stunning, the grottos remarkable, and the relaxing nature of laying back on a boat and watching such a beautiful part of the world go by is incredible.
I absolutely recommend making sure that a boat tour is part of your day trip to Capri, whether it’s a tour that’s included with an organized day trip or you simply book a boat tour like this to enjoy while you’re visiting independently.
If you’re traveling with a group (or looking to splurge), a private boat tour like this is a fantastic option too.
Cruising around Capri, admiring the gorgeous views of the island up close and basking in the sunshine, is one of our favorite memories from our time exploring the area surrounding the Amalfi Coast!
Book your Capri boat tour today!
Visit the peak of Mount Solaro.
Riding the chairlift up to the highest point on Capri is an experience within itself, and the views from the top are magnificent!
Keep in mind that to reach the chairlift, you’ll need to first head to Anacapri from Marina Grande.
If this is at the top of your list of things to do in Capri, we recommend heading that way the moment you disembark onto Capri for the day.
Soak in jaw-dropping views at the Garden of Augustus.
With tickets that clock in at only 2.5 Euro, the Garden of Augustus is a downright bargain for the views that you receive.
Just look at that water!
We just couldn’t tear our eyes away from the views of the Faraglioni or Via Krupp (which snakes toward the sea far below the Garden of Augustus) while visiting.
Whether you’re visiting Capri on a budget or not, you’re bound to enjoy a stop at the Garden of Augustus.
Tour the Blue Grotto.
I’ll be honest: I’m including this here only because of its fame, but I truly don’t recommend touring the Blue Grotto during your day trip to Capri.
While the colors are supposed to be lovely, the wait times to enter the grotto are insane (think over an hour to get into it in the middle of the day), and the actual time spent in the grotto is incredibly short (think under 5 minutes).
While we didn’t tour the Blue Grotto ourselves, based on what I have read online, have heard from friends, and what we heard from our fellow tour-goers who decided to visit on the day we took our Capri day trip, I feel pretty confident in recommending avoiding the Blue Grotto on a day trip to Capri.
If you are particularly excited to see it, consider spending a night (or several!) on Capri and then visiting the Blue Grotto the moment it opens in the morning, well before the daytrippers arrive.
Kaz Ish, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pass through the Faraglioni.
The Faraglioni, or Capri’s iconic sea stacks, are easily one of the most recognizable features of this very famous island.
While stunning from afar, they’re even more incredible up close–and they feel much bigger than you might think as they tower over you!
There are plenty of legends associated with these gorgeous rocks, but one of the most famous (that you’ll no doubt hear if you visit them) is that if you kiss your beloved while passing underneath the Faraglioni, your love will be eternal.
Check out Villa San Michele.
Built as the dream home of a Swedish doctor, this beautiful mansion-turned-museum was designed specifically to showcase stunning views of Capri–and it succeeded.
While it’s not as old as you might think (Villa San Michele dates to 1885, and its relative newness reminds me a bit of Sintra), there’s no denying that the villa is absolutely stunning–though nowhere near as beautiful as the views from it.
If you can bear to tear your eyes away from the sea for a moment, there are also plenty of interesting historical artifacts on the property, including the famous sphinx that overlooks Capri.
Rigorius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stroll through the center of Anacapri.
While Capri Town is lovely, Anacapri is quieter and has a lovely charm that comes from being not quite as crowded as the more bustling Capri Town (you can thank its higher elevation for that).
If you’re heading toward Anacapri in order to visit Villa San Michele and/or Mount Solaro, definitely take a bit of time on your Capri day trip to meander through the town itself!
Sip a drink in the Piazzetta.
Capri’s Piazzetta is a place to see and be seen, and there’s something truly delightful about ordering a cocktail or an Italian coffee and watching the world go by from your table.
Definitely make a stop here on your day trip to Capri–just chalk the prices up to part of the experience and try not to wince too hard!
Should You Book an Organized Day Trip to Capri?
I touched on this above, but while it’s certainly not a bad idea to visit Capri for a day independently via ferry, organized day trips to Capri can be a surprisingly good value.
We chose to take one similar to this tour and had a fantastic time.
We loved organizing both our transportation and our boat tour (a non-negotiable part of a day trip to Capri for us, and something we highly recommend!) in one fell swoop, rather than worrying about fitting a separate boat tour into a ferry schedule.
It smoothed the transitions of our day trip, too, as we took our boat tour and then left the island for the day without disembarking again.
Most tours to Capri will leave you free for most of the day to explore–ours did–but can add simplicity and structure to your day, leaving you free to focus on sunshine and spritzes.
Book your day trip to Capri today!
When to Take a Capri Day Trip
Capri is one of those lucky destinations that is stunning year-round: spring brings beautiful blooms, summer the height of its busy season with plenty of fashionable residents coming and going, autumn reduced crowds, and winter a much slower pace of life (you can expect for many restaurants and stores to be closed, though the views will still shine on sunny days).
Personally, I’d be most excited about taking a day trip to Capri in the spring for views and in the summer for boat tours and swimming–but if you happen to be visiting the region during the offseason, I wouldn’t necessarily avoid the island.
The most important component of when to take a Capri day trip, I would argue, isn’t the temperature so much as the lighting.
This is an island that looks best bathed in sunlight, and I highly recommend trying to schedule your day trip to Capri for one of the sunniest days of your visit to the area.
Tips for Taking the Perfect Day Trip to Capri
Budget generously.
There’s just no way around it: Capri is expensive.
If you’re on a tight budget and want to see the island inexpensively, we recommend packing your own food and drinks and admiring the views from the budget-friendly Garden of Augustus.
If you’re hoping to grab food or drink on the island or to hit the major tourist spots, though, be prepared!
For example, the going rate on Capri for an Aperol Spritz was about double the going rate on the already-pricey mainland–that should give you an idea of what kind of prices you’re going to be looking at on Capri!
Avoid the Blue Grotto.
I touched on this above, but on a Capri day trip, the Blue Grotto will eat up huge amounts of your time on Capri for what is generally considered to be an underwhelming and overpriced experience.
Unless the Blue Grotto is a major bucket list item for you, I recommend focusing elsewhere for your time on Capri.
Visit in the sunshine!
Capri thrives on sunshine.
This island is all about the views, and since virtually all of those views include the sea, planning your day on Capri for a time when the sea will be sparkling at its very best will greatly improve your visit.
Be prepared for crowds.
There’s no doubt about it: if you’re visiting Capri at any point between April and October, you can expect crowds to join you.
That means lines at the funicular, lines at the chairlift, lines to get back down to Marina Grande… you get the picture.
Arriving in Capri with a clear picture of your priorities will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and ensure you put your energy into your own must-see-in-Capri list!
Take the funicular if you can.
The funicular from Marina Grande to Capri Town costs the same as a bus ticket, but travels between the two destinations in only 4 minutes.
Add in the fact that the views are lovely, and it’s easy to see why the lines for the funicular get long!
It’s a good idea to head directly to the funicular after landing in Capri, especially if you’re arriving by ferry (since most of the other passengers will be heading that way too).
Don’t plan on sandy beaches.
While Capri is a stunning coastal destination, it’s not really a beach one–think snorkeling, not building sandcastles.
The island is more about appreciating the rocky coastline than laying out in the sun, so play to its strengths during your day trip to Capri!
If you want to eat a nice meal on the island, plan ahead.
Like most destinations as popular as Capri, there are magnificent restaurants… and plenty of tourist traps.
Since you’re going to be spending a pretty penny for a meal on Capri regardless, make sure it’s worth it and research a restaurant you’d like to visit ahead of time.
And, while you’re at it, go ahead and make a reservation, too: it’s the norm in Italy and will ensure you get a table and can plan your one day in Capri accordingly!
Read More About Visiting Italy
Prepared to head off to Capri for a day but still have more of your trip to Italy to plan?
We’d love to help here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- The Ultimate 2 Days in Florence Itinerary (+ Tips!)
- 25 Best Movies Set in Italy (By Genre!)
- Summer in Italy: How to Plan Your Sun-Soaked Dream Trip!
- 17 of the Best Coastal + Beach Towns in Italy
- How to Actually Enjoy Summer in Venice (13 Important Tips!)
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