The Best Things to See and Do on a Day Trip to Capri
With 2.3 million visitors per year, a day trip to Capri is one of the country’s most popular activities. People come for its beautiful beaches, to relax in its sun-soaked plazas and a chance to live like the rich and famous for a short while. Whether you’re coming here just to relax on the beach with an Aperol spritz or to visit the famous Blue Lagoon, Capri is the perfect destination for a day trip off the mainland.
But where should you stay for your day trip to Capri? Common spots are Naples, Positano or Sorrento. We chose Sorrento when we visited in May 2022. It’s a little less touristy than Positano, not as crazy as Naples and just a lovely place to relax for a bit before and after your day in Capri. It’s also the quickest ferry to Capri giving you more time to spend on the island.
In this guide, I’ll give you my recommendations for sightseeing beyond the overpriced cafes and shopping in Capri, as well as a few tips for things to do in Sorrento.
So, come with me to the whitewashed buildings, limestone cliffs and pristine blue waters of Capri!
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A Food Tour in Sorrento Before Your Day Trip to Capri
Because Sorrento is a smaller resort town without many big tourist attractions, a food tour is an excellent way to get a quick introduction to town. If you arrive early enough the day before your trip to Capri, this is the best way to see as much of town in a short time.
Sorrento has many food tours to choose from, but we ended up picking the Sorrento Food Tour and Limoncello Experience. This tour comes with great reviews and was highly recommended in the tour guide we used to plan our trip to Italy.
The tour takes you through the streets of Sorrento as you sample some outstanding southern Italian cuisine. In addition to the delicious food, you’ll also get several tastes of locally made limoncello.
You’ll even go through Sorrento’s own lemon grove. This family-run public park has trees growing huge lemons and oranges emitting the most pleasing citrus smell imaginable. Before you leave the grove, you’ll be treated to a few of the family’s homemade liqueurs.
Don’t miss my full review of this Sorrento food tour. Or click here if you’re already ready to book this tour!
Must-do Things During Your Day Trip to Capri
Private Boat Tour of the Island
The first thing we had planned in Capri was a private boat tour around the island. Once we got off the ferry, we immediately headed to our check-in point to meet our guide, Raphaello.
Our tour lasted about two hours and took us around the entire island, starting and ending at Marina Grande. Included in the tour was a small but tasty sample of homemade limoncello from Raphaello’s family, a stop in several grottos, and a chance to visit to the famed Blue Lagoon.
Unfortunately, I say only a chance to visit the Blue Lagoon for a reason. Even though we arrived in Capri on one of the first ferries out of Sorrento, by the time Raphaello got us to the Blue Lagoon, there were already no less than 10 boats waiting to take their guests into the grotto. Raphaello told us we could either wait an hour or so here or he could take us into the island’s smaller grottos. Not wanting to spend our entire tour in a queue, we decided to skip the Blue Grotto.
Starting with this boat tour was a great introduction to Capri, and Raphaello gave some helpful info on the island’s history. Having the tour all to ourselves was great, too. It gave us a chance to relax while taking in the sights, and we had Raphaello all to ourselves if we had questions.
Even though I was disappointed to miss out the Blue Lagoon, we made the right choice. The rest of the tour would have been rushed and not nearly as good had we waited in that line. Unless you really have your heart set on the Blue Lagoon, I recommend skipping it like we did.
Lunch at Sciue’ Sciue’
By the time our boat tour was over, we were both starting to feel hungry. So, we headed up to Anacapri in search of a place to eat.
Fortunately, we didn’t have to go far before we found Sciue’ Sciue’, a delicious seafood restaurant tucked into the shadows away from the sun on Via Giuseppe Orlandi. Our server quickly brought us each a Moretti while we looked over the menu and took in the sights of this charming street.
Our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs. We ordered a fried seafood platter appetizer (fritto anacapri), prosciutto pizza (a’ciammurra) and eggplant on the side. It didn’t help our case that each dish was huge!
We did our best to eat as much of it as we could. It was all so incredibly good that we didn’t want any to go to waste. Despite our best efforts, it turned out to be too much.
Church of San Michele
Hidden down a side road in Anacapri is the Church of San Michele. Looking at the church from the outside, you’d be forgiven for giving it a pass and moving on to the next thing. It’s a stark, white building not unlike the rest of Capri’s architecture that belies the impressive artwork inside.
Inside, though, is one of the more unique church interiors you’re likely to see in Italy. Walking in, your eyes are delighted by the impressive mural on the floor.
Created by Leonardo Chiaiese in 1761 with painted ceramic tiles, the entire floor of the church depicts a scene from the Garden of Eden, including Adam, Eve and a medley of animals. Along the perimeter of the floor are raised floorboards where you can walk, and it’s this detail that has preserved the artwork over the centuries.
Don’t forget to climb the tight spiral staircase in the church’s entrance for a top-down view of the floor.
Villa San Michele Viewpoint
Taking Via Capodimonte from Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri brings you to Villa San Michele. That wasn’t why we headed this way, though.
Towards the end of this road is one of Capri’s finest viewpoints. From this point of view, you can see down into the town of Capri and Marina Grande (see the picture at the top of this post). Even if you aren’t planning on visiting the villa, don’t miss this!
If you have time, you can also visit Villa San Michele. It’s the home of a 19th century Swedish doctor who converted the ruins of a chapel into his personal villa. Today, tourists can visit his home to see period furnishings, gardens and a museum of ancient relics from the doctor’s own collection.
Chairlift to Monte Solaro
Besides the boat tour, my favorite thing on Capri was the chairlift from Anacapri to the island’s highest point, Monte Solaro. It’s a mild white-knuckle ride in a single-person chair that affords you fantastic views over the island and on to the family-owned plots under your feet.
After a quick 13-minute ride up, you’re free to walk around the mountain to take in the glamorous scenery of the island. The mountaintop also has a lovely sunflower garden set around a classical tiered fountain at its center that will compete with the ocean views for your attention.
Towards the backside of the mountain from where the chairlift drops you off is a small, overpriced cafe if you’d like a drink and a garden. The garden is nice to walk through and has some good vantage points for photos.
Alternatively, with enough time, you could hike back down the mountain to Anacapri for a slightly different experience. However, if you’re only here for a day trip, you likely won’t have enough time for this, especially if you did a boat tour around the island earlier.
Gardens of Augustus
After a day of sightseeing in Capri’s sun, you might be ready for a small reprieve. The Gardens of Augustus are perfect for this.
Of the many varied gardens I saw in Italy, these were my favorite. They’re relatively small, but the flowers grown here are all so full and vibrant. In addition to the flowers, the Gardens of Augustus have a couple different views worth seeing, including a good one of Via Krupp’s famous switchbacks.
Most importantly, the gardens have a handful of benches to take a rest. This is a peaceful spot to shut your eyes for a few minutes if needed.
As you’re leaving the gardens, don’t skip the small gelato stand here. It’s reasonably priced for Capri and a delightful refreshment as you walk back towards Capri.
Other Activities During Your Day Trip to Capri
Villa Jovis
On the far east side of Capri is Villa Jovis, the ruins of a villa used by Emperor Tiberius from 26 A.D. to 37 A.D. Popular theory holds that the emperor stayed in this palace during this time to avoid assassination by his enemies in Rome.
You can visit for €6 to wander around the remote ruins while taking in views of the sea. Unfortunately, Villa Jovis isn’t easy to reach. There is no public transport that goes from town to the ruins. Instead, it requires a 45-minute hike to reach.
Monastery of San Giacomo
Just a short walk from the Gardens of Augustus in the Monastery of San Giacomo. This historic building contains a church and peaceful cloisters for visitors to explore away from Capri’s crowds. It also houses an art gallery with works by Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, a German artist who lived on Capri in the early 1900s.
Fortress Hike
The Fortress Hike is a 3-hour hike along the coastline of Capri. It goes from the Blue Grotto to the island’s lighthouse, passing three 19th-century forts along the way.
You can reach the hike by taking the island’s public bus to either the Blue Grotto or lighthouse.
Shopping and People Watching
While it’s not for me, one of Capri’s most popular activities is to simply stroll its plazas and streets for some shopping and people watching. You can stick around the main town of Capri for the most fashionable stores and biggest crowds, or you can make your way up to Anacapri for a bit more peace and quiet.
Some of the most notable destinations for these two activities are Via Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza Umberto I in Capri. Head to Via Orlandi if you’d prefer to spend your time in Anacapri.
Public Beaches
If you have some extra time or you’re not interested in sightseeing, you can spend your day relaxing on one of Capri’s many beaches. Many of the beaches are easy to spot on the island’s coastline from any of the viewpoints mentioned above. While free beaches are common, you may still need to pay to rent a chair and umbrella.
Capri has a handy free public beach right next to Marina Grande. It’s a good spot to rest for a bit before you board your ferry back to the mainland.
Planning Your Day Trip to Capri
Getting to Capri
From Sorrento, you can reach Capri by either ferry or hydrofoil. Whichever option you choose, they both depart from Marina Piccola and arrive in Capri at Marina Grande.
The main difference between the two options is the frequency of departures. Hydrofoils run about 20 times per day whereas the ferry is only four times per day. Otherwise, they’re fairly similar. A hydrofoil makes the trip in about 20 minutes and costs slightly more than a ferry. The ferry can make the trip in about 30 minutes.
Try to arrive early at the station to pick up your tickets. The scene here when we visited was very chaotic with long lines and inaccurate signage. We waited several minutes in the line that we thought was for tickets to Capri only to be told at the window that we needed to be in a different line. As a result, we came within minutes of missing our ferry!
The Island of Capri, the town of Capri, and Anacapri
Before I go into detail about getting around the island once you’re here, it’s important to understand the layout of the island. The island of Capri has two towns: Capri and Anacapri.
Capri is the main town. This is where you’ll first set foot once you disembark the ferry in Grande Marina. Capri is also the much busier of the two towns. Anacapri is the smaller town that sits higher up on the island’s mountain. It’s still crowded but nowhere near as bursting at the seams as Capri can be.
Getting Around Capri
The easiest and cheapest way around the island is by public bus. Capri offers several routes to some of the main sightseeing spots, but the most helpful route runs between Capri and Anacapri. This 15-minute route spares you the long, steep climb up to Anacapri.
The buses themselves are small and tend to be filled to the brim with people. They have seats but are often standing room only. If you have vertigo or a fear of heights, you may want to stand on the left side when going up to Anacapri or else wait for another bus to get a seat. The drive is up a steep, windy road where it seems as if the bus is often hugging the edge of the road.
Other popular stops along the bus routes include Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, the Blue Grotto and Punta Carena Lighthouse. Fares for the bus are €2.20 regardless of your route and can be purchased at ticket offices in Marina Grande, Piazza Martiri d’Ungheria in Capri, or Piazza della Pace in Anacapri. Buses typically depart roughly every 20 minutes.
Capri also has a funicular connecting Grande Marina to the town of Capri. This is a good option to save some time and spare your feet if you are heading into Capri first. Like the bus, tickets for the funicular are €2.20.
Expect a long line at the bus stop in Anacapri’s Piazza Vittorio and plan your itinerary accordingly. You don’t want to miss your ferry back because you were standing in line for a bus!
Back in Sorrento After Your Day Trip to Capri
By the time you arrive back in Sorrento, you likely won’t have much time for any sightseeing. Rather than try to force anything in, we instead slowly made our way down to Grande Marina for dinner. Along the way we passed some lovely views and old architecture.
Among the things we passed was the Greek Gate built by their ancient empire in the 4th century B.C. when they ruled the area. This historical gate has been used by locals since then as a passageway to Marina Grande.
Before coming to Sorrento and Capri, don’t miss a chance to visit the ruins of Pompeii just a short train ride away north from Sorrento.
Dinner in Sorrento
Our first night in Sorrento, we were able to see Marina Grande from our hotel room’s balcony. We could hear and see everyone having a great time, so we knew we had to eat there after our day trip to Capri. We settled on Trattoria da Emilia after it was recommended to us by our food tour guide and our Italy guidebook.
Trattoria da Emilia sits right on the harbor with outdoor seating on a stilted platform built over the water. Despite the strong winds that evening, we couldn’t pass up a chance to sit out here amid the hustle and bustle of the harbor.
Both Michelle and I had different pastas with seafood, a natural combo for an Italian resort town. I had gnocchi with clams while she had tagliatelle with a variety of seafood. Each of our dishes were delicious and paired perfectly well with the seaside atmosphere of the marina.
However, the most memorable part of our dinner ended up being our wine. It was a mere pittance of euros for the most adorable carafes of house wine for each of us. I do miss the cheap wine in Italy!
Where to Stay in Sorrento for Your Day Trip in Capri
We stayed at Hotel Settimo Cielo for our two nights in Sorrento. This hotel sits atop the cliff just a little outside the main part of town.
While it’s a bit of a walk to the harbor or to Sorrento’s vibrant town center, this location offers gorgeous views back up the coastline and across the bay to Mt Vesuvius. You can enjoy these views either from the hotel’s relaxing pool or, for a higher but worthwhile nightly rate, your room’s balcony.
The rooms are a bit dated, but for the price and – again – the views, it’s worth sacrificing that if you’re only in Sorrento for a night or so. Hotel Settimo Cielo also includes a breakfast with typical continental fare.
Leave yourself plenty of time in the morning if you’ll be walking from here to the harbor for the ferry to Capri. The walk is 1.2 miles, but it took us longer than we expected. Between that and the hectic scene at the ticket station, we almost missed our ferry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Tripping to Capri
What is the weather like in Capri?
Despite appearances, Capri’s weather isn’t always hot and sunny. Capri actually has relatively seasonal weather patterns. The summer months are hot and sunny while the winter months get cooler and can be windy. Spring and autumn fall somewhere in between.
Towards the end of spring and into summer, though, Capri can get very hot. That coupled with the sun can make for some uncomfortable moments. Be sure to bring light clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a reusable water bottle to stay cool.
How can I avoid crowds in Capri?
Follow the weather patterns. Tourism picks up as the weather warms and peaks in the summer months of June to September. Then, it starts to slow down into Autumn and drops off considerably in the winter months of December to February.
If you decide to come in winter, because tourism has slowed down, many restaurants and hotels may be closed.
How can I save money in Capri?
Good luck! But, no, really, Capri is an expensive destination. Food and drinks cost more here than they do on the mainland, so the best way to save money is to simply avoid buying those things.
Unfortunately, part of the experience of being on Capri is sitting in a plaza with some fresh seafood and a drink while you take in the scenery. If you’re on a tight budget, bring a reusable water bottle and your own food to have a picnic on a beach. I still think it’s worthwhile to budget for at least a couple drinks and an appetizer at one of Capri’s many cafes.
Is it worth coming here for longer than a day trip?
It depends on what you’re looking for out of a trip. If you simply want to lounge around on the beach or in a plaza and money isn’t an issue, then you could find it worthwhile to visit for a couple days.
However, Capri doesn’t offer enough to do to keep you busy otherwise. It’s also very expensive. I wouldn’t recommend coming to Capri for more than a day trip.
More Posts for Planning Your Trip to Italy
Here are some of the other itineraries I’ve written to help you plan your dream trip to Italy!
And don’t forget to check out some of my tips and thoughts when it comes to planning a trip to Italy.
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