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Afternoon in Capri questions

We're going to have an open Wednesday afternoon where we'll be able to get out to Capri between 12-1pm.

Questions:
1. The ferry shows the last boat going back to Sorrento is 18:30, are there other, later options or do all boats have to stop running after dark/sundown?
2.What can we realistically expect to do with 4-5 hours on the island? Can we do a boat tour to blue grotto, can we do the chair lift to the peak and walk down? I'm just not sure how long some of the more popular activities take.

Thanks!

Posted by
11246 posts

I would not do either of those. Take funicular or taxi up to the town. Next, walk into pedestrian area, using Giardini di Agosto as your goal. See the Giardini, beautiful views, then walk towards Punta Tragara, all pedestrian pathways with sea views. . Our hotel was in this area and we never had to deal with mobs of tourists. The boat ride we booked finally was able to go out on the open water on our fourth day there. Rough waters had stopped boats from going out..
So you can’t count on doing that. It was ok but not a highlight by any means.

Posted by
15866 posts

Daniel, the ferries do not run after dark so whatever time the schedule shows for the last boat, is the last boat; no other options. It's possible that there might be one additional evening boat during high summer but I wouldn't count on it.

I don't think you can realistically do the grotto + get up to Anacapri for the chairlift up/hike down in 4-5 hours, especially during very busy high season. Honestly, if intent of seeing some of the island, I'd skip the grotto altogether as THAT is going to be your time eater. In my humble opinion, if there's a tourist trap on Capri, that's the one; too much time, $ and effort expended for the few minutes you're in the thing...if the seas cooperate enough to GET in the thing at all. Reviews are, well, read for yourself?

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g488299-d195537-Reviews-Blue_Grotto-Anacapri_Island_of_Capri_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

We stayed on the island 2 nights, skipped it based on what I'd read, and didn't feel like we'd missed anything. But I don't think Capri is a great 1/2 day trip either. if you are going during the summer/early fall, the funicular and buses will be VERY busy and will slow you down. If you intend to explore off the mobbed main piazzas and more easily reached scenic spots, it's going to take time, although well worth the effort! Is there a reason you can't get there earlier?

Posted by
26 posts

We went for a day trip to Capri back in June 2019. We took the ferry from Sorrento and then did a separate boat tour around the island. The grotto was so backed up - 1 1/2 hour wait to float into it for a few minutes. We decided again it. We weren't sorry. We then decided on a taxi up to Anacapri rather than the bus. Quick and beautiful ride up and gave us more time at the top. My husband and daughter went on the lift and thoroughly enjoyed the views with the limoncello afterwards. My son in law and I ate lunch and walked around while we waited for them. Beautiful, scenic town and we all walked around for awhile before heading down via taxi. Caught ferry back to Sorrento. I'd recommend skipping the grotto unless there's no wait, take the boat ride around the island, go to the top and ride the chairlift and take the taxi up and back. It was a beautiful place to visit!

Posted by
898 posts

I’m with Kathy here. Capri can be amazing if you stay ahead of the crowds, but otherwise… I’m not sure it’s worth it. You won’t be the last people arriving at that hour. It’s pretty astonishing how crowded the port and Capri town can get in the afternoon. Getting anywhere through that will be difficult and exhausting. You can’t do it all on every trip, and given the options you have in the area I would give Capri a miss.

Posted by
3961 posts

We were on a Southern Italy tour a number of years ago. We took the boat from Sorrento to Capri for about 4-5 hours. We had lunch, went to Villa San Michelle, enjoyed Anacapri, took the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro. The spectacular views are well worth the trip! We did not go to The Blue Grotto.
https://travel.usnews.com/Capri_Italy/Things_To_Do/

Posted by
15866 posts

Capri's own tourism site:

https://www.capri.net

Ignore the solicitation for guided tours on foot: with some reading up in advance, you generally do not need them.