If you’re holidaying on Italy’s iconic Amalfi Coast, Capri is a must-visit. The island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is a staple on the travel calendars of the rich and famous worldwide, but we mere mortals can visit Capri without spending a fortune if we plan accordingly! I spent a day in Capri during my Italian wedding holiday and I’ve put together this guide to what to do in Capri to help you.
Located in the Bay of Naples,Capri is renowned for its luxury hotels, designer shopping and clear blue water. But the focus on luxury travel doesn’t mean that there are no cheap things to do in Capri.
Use this guide to plan the ultimate Capri day trip, or even a longer break on the island.
How to get to Capri from Sorrento
You can get the ferry from Sorrento to Capri. The journey takes around 30 minutes and the ferry departs from Marina Piccola.
Alternatively, book one of these top-rated Capri excursions:
- Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto — this tour has over 600 five-star reviews! In addition to your transport to and from your hotel in Sorrento, you get four hours to explore Capri and a light lunch onboard. Check prices here.
- Flexible Full Day Trip from Sorrento — a more DIY option. After your tour of Sorrento’s coast, you can choose to either spend free time on the island or join a guided visit to Capri’s main towns on a private minibus skip-the-line service. Afterwards, the boat will tour Capri’s coastline. Check prices here.
- Private Capri Island Day Trip with Boat Cruise — perfect for small groups of travellers, this tour offers your own private tour from Sorrento to Capri with stops for swimming, plus snacks and drinks. Divine. Check prices here.
How to get to Capri from the Amalfi Coast
There are direct ferries from Amalfi, Positano and Salerno to Capri every day.
Here’s my pick of the best Capri day trips that depart from the Amalfi Coast:
- Sorrento Coast & Capri Full-Day Trip from Positano — a small group tour with time for swimming and snorkelling, up to five hours on the island and a limoncello tasting. Check prices here.
- Amalfi to Capri: 6-Hour Private Boat Excursion — a six-hour excursion from Amalfi with the chance to see the uber luxe Li Galli private islands, other coastline attractions and enjoy time on the island itself. Check prices here.
- Shared Capri Full-Day Trip by Boat — a fun-filled boat trip from the Amalfi Coast to Capri with up to four hours on the island. Check prices here.
How to get to Capri from Naples
Ferries from Naples to Capri depart from two ports: the Molo Beverello and the Calata Porta di Massa. There is a high speed ferry which will cost a little more but cut your journey time.
Here are my suggestions for tours that will take you from Naples to Capri:
- Gulf of Naples & Capri Sightseeing — one of the most popular Capri excursions with over 500 positive reviews, this tour will take you to Capri from Naples, around the island on a guided tour and then you’ll have free time to explore. Check prices here.
- Day Trip to Pompeii and Capri — this tour from Naples means you can see two of the area’s most famous places in a day. Check prices here.
16 Best things to do in Capri
1. Ride the funicular
When you arrive at Marina Grande, you can buy a ticket to ride the funicular up to the Piazzetta in Capri town, which is perched high above the marina. The ride takes just a few minutes and costs 4 Euro.
2. Take a boat tour of the island
If you’ve travelled to Capri via local ferry, it’s worth hopping back on a boat to see the island’s stunning coastline. A lot of the top things to see on Capri are best accessed by boat.
This boat trip around Capri has more than 430 excellent reviews, and you’ll get to see the Baths of Tiberius.
Alternatively, book your place on a fun boat trip with free drinks!
If you’re travelling in a small group, you can book your own private Gozzo boat for a special experience. This would be so ideal if you were visiting Capri on your honeymoon!
3. Anacapri
Anacapri is the sleepier big sister to Capri town, with more of a small-town feel that’s a world away from Capri town’s gleaming boutiques.
Spend some time exploring Anacapri’s white-washed streets and be sure to see some of the top attractions in Capri: writer Axel Munthe’s home Villa San Michele, the church called Chiesa di San Michele, and the ‘Red House’.
4. Go kayaking
See the island from a different vantage point on a kayaking tour of Capri’s coast.
For an active day out in Capri, buy your tickets for this excursion in advance and look forward to a visit to the stunning Cala Ventroso beach and the Green Grotto via kayak.
Check prices and availability here.
5. Shop at Designer Boutiques
If you’re feeling flash, head to the designer shops in Capri town. You’ll find YSL, Gucci, Versace and many more luxury brands there. The majority of the designer shops in Capri are located on Via Camerelle.
I gazed longingly at a YSL bag and ultimately decided not to splurge on it, but I still think about it every now and then!
6. See the Gardens of Augustus
One of the top places to visit in Capri even if you’re only on the island for a day is the beautifully well-tended Giardini di Augusto.
The picturesque terraced gardens offer sweeping views of the marina and Faraglioni sea stacks. But I thought the most impressive part was looking down from dizzying heights to the stomach-churning Via Krupp!
7. Brave Via Krupp
Via Krupp is a road comprised of gut-wrenching twists and turns. It was built in the 20th century to connect the area around the Gardens of Augustus to Marina Piccola.
You can walk down this spine-tingling street… if you dare!
8. Paddle-board through the Green Grotto
Another fun activity in Capri, stand-up paddle boarding will give you a different perspective of the destination.
This eco-friendly tour with a local guide will take you to Cala Ventroso Beach and through the Green Grotto, which isn’t accessible by boat.
Check tour prices and availability here.
9. Ride the Mount Solaro chairlift
One of the must-dos in Capri is a ride on the chairlift up to Mount Solaro, which is the highest point on the island. The ride offers incredible panoramic views of Anacapri and lasts 12 minutes.
The fee is 12 Euro for a return trip.
10. Tour the island in a convertible
For a fittingly premium experience in Capri, book a tour in a vintage Italian convertible that’s sure to turn heads and act as the ultimate photo prop!
This Capri tour allows you to see the island at your own pace with a private driver. Feel the wind in your hair as you visit all of Capri’s best places to see, then end your memorable day with a boat tour.
Check prices and availability here.
11. Kiss under the arches
If you’re travelling with your partner, this is the ultimate romantic thing to do in Capri! The Faraglioni sea stacks are a trio of rocky formations that loom out of the sea, rising up to 100 metres into the sky.
The stacks even have names: Stella, di Mezzo and di Fuori. You might be able to spot a blue lizard on the rocks, if you get close enough.
Legend has it that lovers who kiss as they pass through the Faraglione di Mezzo will have good luck for the rest of your time together. Of course, my new husband and I obliged!
You’ll need to visit this site by boat if you want to pass under the archway. Alternatively, hike to the end of via Tragara for views of the Faraglioni from the coastline.
12. Visit the Blue Grotto
Arguably the most famous thing to do in Capri, a visit to Blue Grotto is a must.
This impossibly blue cave is a natural attraction that stretches 60 metres into the rocks. The opening of the cave is only small, so you have to hop into a smaller boat and lie back as you enter the grotto.
To visit the Blue Grotto, you can either book a Capri boat trip that includes a visit here or opt for a more exclusive tour.
13. Pick your signature scent
Looking for the perfect souvenir? It’s got to be perfume! You can’t miss the most well-known fragrance shop in Capri.
It’s called Carthusia, and is named after the Carthusian monks. You’ll find it right outside the Gardens of Augustus.
Traditional methods are used to create all of the scents and the shop itself is beautiful.
14. Try the local produce
Lemons are ubiquitous on the Amalfi Coast, and the citrus theme continues on the island of Capri.
To refresh during your day trip to Capri, I recommend picking up a granita, which is a slushy lemon drink that can be made alcoholic if you prefer.
15. Peek inside the island’s churches
Like everywhere else in Italy, Capri has some stunning churches. The church of Santo Stefano off the Piazzetta is one of the must-sees. It’s built on the site of a 6th century Benedictine convent and the clocktower in Capri town’s square is from that time.
16. Explore Capri town
Capri town is a hive of activity. High above the marina, this is where you’ll find most of the luxury hotels. It’s car-free and away from the crowds, you can wander narrow lanes draped in bougainvillea.
Although they’re pricey, the restaurants and bars in the piazzas in this area are a great place for people-watching.
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