I would like to do these 2 tours. I see we have the option of boat tour for the Almafi coast. Is that better or should we do that in a mini van type tour?
Any recommendations for the Capri boat tour?
We are staying in Naples. Should we do Capri on our own? Ferry to Capri and then see if anyone wants to take us to see the blue grotto?
Or play it safe and book a tour ?
Thank you!
I have been to the Naples area twice. The first time, did Capri and the Blue Grotto. Our boatman in the Grotto sang "O Sola Mia" and it was fantastic.
We did Capri on our own. A tour would probably be better.
As for the Amalfi Coast, we did a group tour on a medium sized bus. It was pretty good, not sure of what a boat tour of the AC would involve.
We also have done Pompeii and Sorrento (spent the night there), enjoyed both places.
Take a look at Mondo Guides-Shared Tours by Rick Steves. We had a great experience on a day trip to Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi, and the price is unbeatable. (Max 8 persons) https://www.sharedtours.com
We took the ferry to Capri and did a sail with Gianni on our own. Blue Grotto is hit or miss, depending on the weather. We did get to go, but honestly, if it doesn't happen, you're not missing much. The sail around the island was wonderful! https://www.giannisboat.com
My opinion of Sorrento and the Amalfi coast is “don’t bother” unless you like being swamped by tourists. I have just spent 4 nights in Sorrento as I read that it wasn’t very touristy and regretted it as that is all there is.
If you take the public bus to Amalfi from either Sorrento (or Salerno) be prepared for very long queues both to get there (especially if the boats aren’t running - day I got to Sorrento it was a 4 hr wait) and get back (no matter what time of day as there are lots of people wanting to go to Positano).
I actually took the train from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi, walked to Pompeii station and caught the bus (no trains running) to Salerno and it was much quicker than taking the buses from Sorrento to Salerno.
So, unless you pay the hefty premium to go on a tour and like being in crowds where ever you go, I’d avoid the whole Salerno/Amalfi coast.
Here's a recent thread about getting around the area - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/amalfi-coast-our-ravello-and-capri-day-trips
I have just spent 4 nights in Sorrento as I read that it wasn’t very
touristy and regretted it as that is all there is.
Haha, thanks for confirming what I had suspected, though many on the Forum do like Sorrento. On the advice of 'Estimated Prophet' on the Forum, we stayed IN the town of Pompeii, only a 5-minute walk from the Scavi & did a reverse commute into Naples to see the MANN museum. Such a nice little town & incredible 4-start hotel! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/great-trip-to-pompeii-naples-over-new-years-december-26-january-2nd-2026
My tour bus was stuck in a nonstop traffic jam on the Amalfi Coast. We spent hours crawling along. Finally, the tour guide said, “everybody off there is a pedestrian path into town that will be much quicker.” It was quicker, but it was down many flights of stairs.
I won’t have any need to go back to the Amalfi Coast, but if I did, it would be the boat tour for sure.
We did a private four hour boat tour in Capri in 2024 with Capri Precious- https://en.capriprecious.com/ It was a highlight of our trip. You meet them in Capri after you take ferry. I wish we had done the longer tour. We did the morning 9-1 but if I could do it over I would go to Capri, take the funicular up and go the gardens of Augustus, grab lunch (we ate at Lo Sfizio- nice because it is off the beaten track enough), and then I would do the boat tour 1-5 and grab one of the late ferries back. Another mistake in hindsight was I planned the day hoping to go into the Blue Grotto. Weather was great but the tide was too high so no such luck. It would have been better to be on the boat when Capri was busier and when it was warmer.
I don't think day trips are the way to see Capri and the Amalfi Coast. But if you must, I would go to Capri on my own (ferry), skip the blue grotto and go to the Gardens of Augustus and Villa San Michele. For the Amalfi Coast, go by ferry, not by mini bus or bus. From the ferry you get great views of the coastline and the towns as you dock.
Not to be a party pooper, but I would also advise against Amalfi - especially in a vehicle! it is UTTERLY stressful - I've been to Italy many, many times (I even lived there for a while), and I've had my stressful Italian moments - but nothing like our Amalfi trip! Yes, it is gorgeous. But it's not really Italy anymore - the sheer masses wading their way through the tiny streets is dreadful, and you pretty much hear anything BUT Italian! If you really want to see it, I would highly recommend doing it by boat - that's the best way to do it. But don't drive!!!!!
Boat, boat, boat all the way. The views from the water are the highlight reel, and more memorable than the coast towns themselves. I’d advise against any road tour. Lots of traffic, lots of time stuck in a car/bus vs the fresh air.
IMO Capri is pretty easy to do and enjoy on your own. Just take the earliest ferry you can. The boat ride around the island is a decent bet. Skip Capri Town and head up to Anacapri to avoid the crowds (it will get crowded by lunchtime.) Monte Solaro is the full stop highlight of Capri in my eyes.
Great! Thanks so much for the great advise.
Loved the Amalfi coast. Spent 3 nights in Sorrento and took the ferry to Capri and Positano on 2 separate days. Hopped on the ferries mid morning and returned after 5. Some days the weather prevents sailing to Positano which would force you to take a bus, car or minivan. Riding on those roads can be a little stressful so I prefer the ferries even though the lines are quite lengthy.
Unlike a previous commenter we loved Sorrento along with the whole Amalfi experience. Sure it’s touristy but we weren’t trying to fool anyone. We were tourists.
