Hi all. My husband and I will be in Italy (our first trip) in mid to end of May. We will spend 5 nights on the Amalfi Coast arriving May 19th and leaving May 24th. We are staying in Atrani. For our 4 days there, I have planned day trips to Capri, Ravello, and Positano, plus a cooking class in Amalfi. However, I am thinking of substituting one of the day trips for a half-day sailing trip from Amalfi along the coast. Would you skip Positano or Capri? Those two seem the most similar to each other, and I am really looking forward to Ravello. Both Positano and Capri look stunning, but seem to involve a lot of expensive shopping. I know there is more to do on Capri, but we would spend more time getting there and in transportation lines on the island itself (for bus to Anacapri). Do you have any thoughts?
Posted by
San Diego, California
6298 posts
Skip Positano. It's prettier from the water looking towards the land. And, it's hard to get to, whether by land (heavy traffic congestion) or water ( the small ferry dock often closes when the sea is rough.) We found Positano to be the ultimate tourist trap.
Regarding the sailing, you obviously are weather and seas- dependent, so make sure you -and the company -is flexible. We experienced really bad weather in the AC in May, 2023, so I'm wishing you clear skies and smooth sailing. Safe travels!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8253 posts
While it is true that the same overpriced Euro Boutiques are in both places, Capri is a huge, highly pedestrianized island with a lot to see, built and natural. They are not really similar destilnations. You need stamina and the ability to walk five or more miles in a day to make the most of Capri. Of course you can choose to do less, or even go to the town beach ... near the diesel-y marina! In a nice way, let me say it is incorrect to think of Capri as a "shopping destination." There's a shopping strip on Capri, but it's less than 1% of the island!
Try to see if there is way to check which slip in Capri your RETURN ferry is leaving from, maybe a last-minute blackboard(?). They often run larger ferries in late afternoon, or on crowded weeks, and it might not be where you got off on the way TO Capri.
The tiny busses were always full, so we only rode the funicular and the chairlift. Hard to get a seat for lunch!
Seeing Positano was a "travel list" must for me, but I was disappointed. Even with a drink at La Sireneuse's bar, and the poorer tables reserved for non-guests!
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
704 posts
Skip Positano. It's an overcrowded, touristy place. I couldn't wait to get the H**l out of there on the next ferry. The view from the ferry is the best thing. Maybe your sail trip will sail by it.
Do Capri instead
Posted by
Chicago
2173 posts
One of the cutest underrated towns is Vietri sul Mare, at the close end of the A.C. to Salerno, which specializes in ceramics that is sold to the other A.C. towns to be peddled at higher prices. Worth at least a visit and a couple hour walk.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4954 posts
We enjoyed Capri considerably more than anything we saw along the Amalfi Coast. Positano was pretty from the water but 30 minutes in town was 15 minutes too many for us. There is much more to Capri than the high end shopping street. It deserves a full day.