In my Positano travel guide, I mentioned that I took a boat tour to the island of Capri. Capri is a small island that is located south of Naples. It is a beautiful island that is known for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and crystal clear waters. It is also known as Italy’s luxury island. If you are staying in Naples or the Amalfi Coast, it makes a perfect day trip or you can even stay there for a few days! From hiking along scenic trails, swimming in secluded coves, to exploring charming towns, Capri offers something to everyone. It’s the perfect combination of natural beauty, glamour and history! In this post, I’ll be sharing how to get there and everything you can do on a day trip from Positano to Capri, Italy.
How to Get to Capri from Positano
There are several transportation options to get to Capri from Positano.
Ferry: The ferry ride from Positano to Capri typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Ferries from Positano depart from the Spiaggia Grande beach or the smaller Marina di Positano. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth near the departure points or online. The prices vary depending on the ferry company and seating class. Ferry schedules may also vary depending on the season. In the summer, the first ferry usually leaves around 9am and the last boat leaves from Capri around 6pm. I recommend booking your tickets in advanced if you are traveling during high season, like the summer months in July and August.
Small Group or Private Boat Tour: A fun option to travel to Capri is booking a boat tour. The most popular companies that do small group or private tours are Blue Star Positano, Princess Positano, and Positano Boats. Spots fill up pretty quickly so I recommend booking one in advance especially during peak season! The boat picks you up at 9am and sails to Capri. Once you arrive, you have four hours of free time to explore the island and grab lunch. When you meet back at the boat, you will sail around Capri and visit the White Grotto, the natural arch, the Faraglioni rocks, Punta Carena with its lighthouse, and the Green Grotto. They also stop at the famous Blue Grotto, which you have to pay an additional 15 EURO, if you choose to see it. When we were there, the line was super long so we made a group decision to skip it. On the way back to Positano, they also stop for swimming! This is a full day tour and a lot of fun!
Things to Do in Capri
Best Beaches in Capri
Marina Piccola: This beach is located on the southern coast of Capri. It has stunning views of the Faraglioni rock formations. This beach is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Marina Grande: This is the main beach of Capri that is located near the harbor. At this beach, you will find beach clubs, restaurants, and shops nearby.
Bagni di Tiberio: This beach is located on the northern coast of Capri. It was named after the Roman Emperor Tiberius who supposedly used to swim here. At this beach, you will find a beach club and a full service restaurant.
Punta Carena: This beach is located on the western coast of Capri. It is famous for its lighthouse and beautiful sunset views. The beach is rocky, but it is also a great spot for swimming.
Blue Grotto
A visit to the Blue Grotto is a must on your day trip from Positano to Capri. This is a natural sea cave that is illuminated by an ethereal blue light. If you took a private boat tour to Capri, your boat trip will include a visit to the Blue Grotto. If not, you can book a boat ride to see it. You will get on a small rowboat to enter though the narrow entrance. From there, you will get to see its mesmerizing blue light reflections.
Boat Tour around Capri
A Capri boat tour is a great way to explore the stunning coastline and crystal clear waters of the island. One of the highlights of a Capri boat tour is getting to see the island’s dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. The tour typically includes a visit to the famous Faraglioni sea stacks. Many boat tours even pass through the natural arch of the Faraglioni rock formations. You will also get to see their famous grottos and sea caves. You may even have the opportunity to visit the Blue Grotto. At the end of the tour, you will get the opportunity to go swimming. They even have sunset cruise options!
Monte Solaro
One of the best things to visit on your day trip from Positano to Capri is going to Monte Solaro. Monte Solaro is the highest point on the island of Capri. It has spectacular views of the island, the Bay of Naples, and the surrounding areas including the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento Peninsula and even Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
You can reach the summit of Monte Solaro either by hiking or taking a chairlift from the town of Anacapri. At the top, there is a terrace where you can walk around, take photos, and enjoy the view. There is even a small cafe at the top.
Villa Jovis
Villa Jovis is an ancient Roman palace in Capri. It was built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century. It is located on the eastern cliffs of Capri and overlooks the sea. You can explore the remnants and ruins of the Roman architecture.
To get there from Piazza Umberto, you walk the length of Via Longano, continuing along Via Sopramote and finally Via Tiberio. It’s an uphill walk and takes about 45 minutes. Ticket prices are 6 Euro.
Capri Town
On your day trip from Positano to Capri, you have to walk around Capri Town.
Capri Town is the main town on the island. It has streets filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and boutique hotels. One of the most famous spots in Capri Town is the Piazza Umberto, also known as Piazzetta. This is a central square in the heart of town that is surrounded by cafes and shops.
From Capri Town, you can easily explore various attractions around the island.
Anacapri
Anacapri is a town on the western side of the island at a higher elevation compared to Capri Town. It is a more relaxed and traditional town. The town is filled with narrow streets, colorful buildings, charming squares, and stunning views.
One of the best things to do in Anacapri is visit Villa San Michele. This is the former home of the Swedish physician and writer, Axel Munthe. It is now a museum and botanical garden that has beautiful gardens and terraces with amazing views overlooking the sea.
Another great place to visit in Anacapri is the Church of San Michele. They have an amazing tiled floor of Adam and Eve. You can also take the chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro from here.
Augustus Gardens
The Gardens of Augustus is a beautiful botanical garden. It is a must visit attraction in Capri that are famous for their stunning views of the island and the sea. You can even see the Faraglioni rocks, which are large sea stacks rising from the water. You can walk through the winding paths that are surrounded by colorful flowers and plants. In addition to the gardens and scenic views, they also have ancient Roman ruins, decorative fountains and statues commemorating Emperor Augustus and other historical figures that you can see.
The Augustus Gardens are located in Capri Town. You can reach them by walking from the center of town or you can take a taxi. Ticket prices are around 1-2 euros and you can buy tickets at the entrance to the gardens. They are open to the public year-round and guided tours are also available if you wanted to learn more about the garden’s history.
Hiking Trails
Capri has a bunch of popular hiking trails where you will be rewarded with stunning views. Here are some of the best hiking trails:
Via Krupp
The Via Krupp trail connects the Marina Piccola beach to the Gardens of Augustus. It’s named after the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp who financed its construction in the early 20th century. The pathway was designed to provide Krupp with private access to Marina Piccola from his residence in Capri town. Even though it was originally built as a private pathway, today it is open to the public and a popular hiking trail to visit. This trail is a little less than a mile and you get stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the cliffs of Capri.
Punta Carena Lighthouse
This trail leads to the Punta Carena Lighthouse, which is located on the western tip of Capri. The lighthouse overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and is known for its red and white striped tower. This trail is relatively easy and perfect for hikers of all skill levels. The terrain is mostly flat and well-maintained and takes around 30-45 minutes to complete. The trail can be accessed from various points on the island, but the most popular starting point is in the village of Anacapri. Along the trail, you will get scenic views. You can even visit the lighthouse and learn about its history. This trail is also a great spot to watch the sunset.
Arco Naturale
The Arco Naturale trail in Capri leads to one of the island’s natural wonders, the Natural Arch. The trail begins in Capri town and winds along the coastline to the Arco Naturale. This is a natural limestone arch that was formed over thousands of years by the erosion of wind and water. The arch rises majestically from the cliffs and has breathtaking views of the sea. It is also believed that the area around the arch was inhabited by ancient Romans. This trail is relatively easy and mostly flat.
Sentiero dei Fortini
The Sentiero dei Fortini, also known as the Path of the Forts is a hiking trail that follows the coastline along the southern side of the island. It is about 2.2 miles one way making it a moderate hike that can be completed in 2-3 hours. The trail can be accessed from various points including Marina Piccola and the Gardens of Augustus. Many people choose to hike in one direction and then return by boat or bus. The trail is named after the ancient forts that once guarded the coastline of Capri. Along the hike, you can explore the ruins of these forts. You will also get scenic views of the sea and surrounding cliffs.
Giro dell’Isola
The Giro dell’Isola hike is known as the “Island Tour” and is a popular and challenging hike that circles the entire island. This trail is about 6.2 miles and typically takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete. It is moderately difficult and has some steep sections. A common starting point is at the town of Anacapri. Along the hike, you will get to see the Punta Carena Lighthouse, the Arco Naturale, and the ruins of ancient Roman villas. You will also get to explore secluded coves and beaches. At the end of the hike, you will be rewarded with amazing views of Capri.
Pizza with a View
On your day trip from Positano to Capri, you obviously have to make time for delicious food! Carl found the best lunch spot at Ristorante Panorama Capri. It’s such a cute restaurant with amazing views! And their pizza is so good!
Hope you enjoyed my post on the best things to do on a day trip from Positano to Capri, Italy!
Planning to see more of Italy? Check out my Positano Travel Guide and Ravello Travel Guide
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