We are doing a cruise later this month and one of the stops is Naples. We are trying to decide how to spend the day there. Is Capri doable on our own, or would we be better off booking a tour guide to show us around? What things are worth seeing and how long is enough time to see everything? With only 10 hours is there enough time to enjoy Capri and also get a look at Pompeii? Any other recommendations would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Jeff
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17209 posts
Hi Jeff -
I would say that no, you really shouldn't try to do Capri and Pompeii on the same day, and especially not if you have a ship to catch. I'd make Pompeii the furthest point and spend the balance of the day in Naples. The archeological museum there is very good, and you can see a lot of artifacts that were removed from the scavi. It would be a great opportunity to tuck into a Neapolitan pizza too!
Capri is doable on one's own but better if you have a night or two to spend on the island - it's nicer in the mornings and evenings when the overrun of day-trippers leave - and can do some relaxed hiking around. Pompeii, IMHO, is going to be much more interesting, and can take a good chunk of a day if you're into the history/archeology.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7055 posts
If you're stopping in Naples, why not spend your time there? There are plenty of sites to see just in Naples (Google Naples and Tripadvisor "Things to Do") - it is more hectic than Capri but it's a big city. Ten hours would also allow for some nice leisurely meals.
I would hesitate advocating to see both Capri and Pompeii on the same day unless you are super organized, energized, and can hit the ground running and limit yourself at lot at both sites (and count on the Capri ferry to get you back on time). Both are definitely doable on your own.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you're going far from Naples (like to Capri), you should investigate the ship's tours. Ordinarily I think these are overpriced, but this is one situation in which having the guarantee that the ship will wait for you could be important.
Do you have Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports? In it, he has detailed directions on how to get around each port on your own. You can see what's involved, and whether you want to try to do it on your own, with a ship's tour, or with another company's tour. If you hire a private tour, you can get others to join you to lower the cost.
For more tips on this, look at Cruise Critic. Here are their Roll Calls, where you can meet others on your sailing and have them join private tours: http://tinyurl.com/ap7h55m
And here is their Italy Ports Forum: http://tinyurl.com/bwqtmhk
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
Definitely no to doing Capri and Pompeii in 1 day
Capri will take up all of your time, or choose Pompeii and be able to see a little of Naples as well ; those are your 2 options I would say
I am not sure if it still is like this, but when we took the ferry to Capri there were a couple of different entrepreneurs speaking English and trying to get folks to join them for their group guided tour of the island for a fee of course. Talked to a couple of them and they specifically wanted English speakers as they did not want to give the tour in more than 1 language. Both were Italian older gentlemen but spoke English fairly well.
Each ended up with a group of 10 or so I would say and I got the impression they do this each and every day of the year.
That said, you don't need a tour. I would in advance decide if you want to see the Blue Grotto and/or take a boat around the island or if you want to take the lift up to the top of Ana Capri ; the 3rd option would be to make a beach day out of it.. Either of those will take half of the time and then between lunch and siteseeing/shopping the main square and garden overlooks your time is gone and you will be rushing back to the boat a day gone but fully enjoyed.
Where the ferry drops off is close to where boat tours depart but not that close to the lift for Ana Capri. Most of the boat tours include the grotto trip which you get on a separate small boat to do by the entrance that is why I said and/or for that.
We did the chair lift and walked around, absolutely breath taking!
Still had time for a nice lunch and walked all of the downtown shopping and garden overlook areas.
Another day on the same trip we came over in a boat to see Capri that way as well.
Posted by
east haven, ct
365 posts
Jeff,
You can't do both. Even one is a lot. There is more to see in Pompeii so I would opt for Capri. A highlight of Capri is taking a row boat into the Grotto. The only thing to be very careful is that you may not be able to enter the grotto. If it is high tide or if the water is too rough you may only get to go to the entrance but not enter. The tour companies or independent row boats won't tell you ahead of time. There is no refund if this happens. Make sure that you ask ahead of time..
Enjoy your stay
Mreynolds had some great advice.
Lorieann