The glamorous island of Capri with its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-blue waters, and jet-set atmosphere. Highlights include the Blue Grotto sea cave, the Gardens of Augustus, and the ruins of Tiberius's Villa Jovis on the hilltop.
Capri lies about 50 km off Naples in the Bay of Naples, Campania, and is reached by hydrofoil from Naples Molo Beverello in roughly 45-50 minutes (around €24-32 return); ferries also run from Sorrento in about 25 minutes, which makes Capri an easy pairing with a Sorrento base. Boats dock at Marina Grande, from where the funicular climbs to the main town of Capri and its famous Piazzetta. A satisfying one-day arc begins early: take the funicular up, stroll the designer windows of Via Camerelle and Via Vittorio Emanuele, then walk out to the Gardens of Augustus for the postcard view over the Faraglioni sea stacks and the winding Via Krupp. Mid-morning, ride the open chairlift from Anacapri up Monte Solaro (589 m) for the island's highest panorama before it clouds with afternoon haze. The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), entered by small rowing boat when the sea is calm, is best attempted in the morning and costs around €30 including the rowboat; it closes in rough seas. Energetic visitors can hike to the ruins of Tiberius's Villa Jovis on the island's eastern headland, about a 45-minute walk from the Piazzetta. Lunch is easy in Anacapri or the back lanes of Capri town, where trattorias serve ravioli capresi, fresh fish and the island's caprese salad; reserve ahead in summer. A round-island boat tour (circumnavigation) is a relaxed way to see the grottoes and cliffs without much walking. Capri is busiest and most expensive from June to August, so May, June and September offer warm seas with thinner crowds; arriving on an early boat and leaving on a late-afternoon return avoids the worst day-tripper crush. Comfortable shoes, sun protection and cash for the boatmen at the Blue Grotto all help the day run smoothly.
Highlights
- Blue Grotto sea cave
- Via Camerelle luxury shopping
- Gardens of Augustus
- Villa Jovis Roman ruins
- Chairlift to Monte Solaro
- Circumnavigation by boat
Tips for visiting
- Catch an early hydrofoil from Naples Molo Beverello (or the shorter ferry from Sorrento) and return late afternoon to dodge the midday crowds.
- Visit the Blue Grotto in the morning and check it is open first, as it closes whenever the sea is choppy.
- Buy a combined funicular and bus ticket; the Anacapri bus and Monte Solaro chairlift are the smart way around the steep island.
- Book lunch ahead in summer, and consider eating in quieter Anacapri rather than the Piazzetta.
- Bring cash for the Blue Grotto rowboat fee, which is paid separately on the water.
- Skip the Blue Grotto on busy summer middays when the queue of boats can exceed an hour.
When to visit
Late spring (May-June) and September bring warm seas with fewer crowds than peak July-August; arrive on an early boat for the Blue Grotto and clear Monte Solaro views.
Accessibility
Capri is steep and stepped, which makes it difficult for wheelchair users, though the funicular and Anacapri buses help with the main climbs. The Blue Grotto requires transferring into a small rowing boat and is not accessible for limited-mobility visitors.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat from Naples to Capri?
Hydrofoils from Naples Molo Beverello take about 45-50 minutes and cost roughly €24-32 return. Ferries from Sorrento are quicker, around 25 minutes.
Is the Blue Grotto always open?
No. Access is by small rowing boat and the cave closes whenever the sea is rough or the tide is too high, so it is best attempted in the calm of the morning.
Can Capri be done as a day trip?
Yes, and most visitors do. An early boat over and a late-afternoon return give time for the town, the Gardens of Augustus, Monte Solaro and the Blue Grotto.
Is a car useful on Capri?
No. The island is best handled on foot, by funicular, by local bus to Anacapri and by chairlift up Monte Solaro; private cars are heavily restricted.