Our trip is this July, high season, but it's our 40th anniversary, so the dates are set. The itinerary has been in place since last August (Naples-Capri-Santorini-Athens), but I am second guessing the Capri part. We have tried to get to Capri as a day trip when cruising through Naples and it hasn't worked out. In July we will fly to Naples, and then have a driver to Sorrento. Currently booked for 2 days at a hotel I found on this forum. Next we are booked for 3 nights on Capri, at double the cost of Sorrento. After reading Rick's article about how beautiful Capri is, but that it is a tourist trap, thinking of extending the Sorrento part of the trip and taking a day trip to Capri. If we don't get into the grotto, we could take a second day trip. Or, keep the reservation in Capri for 3 nights. If you have done either or both, please advise.
Posted by
Coquitlam
277 posts
In my opinion a day trip is sufficient. It is very touristy. We walked up as the line at the lift was very long. You may not be willing to walk in the heat of summer. Wandered around the town, ate an over priced lunch walked down and returned to Sorrento. Others may have different experiences on Capri.
One thing we did was, as we had a car, was to drive to Salerno. From there we took the ferry and cruised the Amalfi coast, stopping at the famous towns. They are all full of tourists. Neat to see. It took most of a day, but we got an inexpensive tour of the towns and the coast.
Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
1376 posts
A day trip was plenty for me too. Just go very early, and head up to Anacapri. Things don’t really get mobbed up there until lunchtime, but then it’s a free for all. I managed to squeeze in a boat ride in the morning too. You can get a lot done with a little time. I was out of there by 3pm, and it was a very enjoyable day all around.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
529 posts
I spent 3 nights in Capri, and I don’t think a day trip is enough. I think about 2 nights is the sweet spot. Capri has several great attractions that you cannot fit in a day trip (Gardens of Augustus, Villa San Michele, boat ride around the island, Monte Solaro, several walking paths with great views).
The blue grotto is not a highlight.
It really depends on what you’re looking to get out of Capri. If it’s to say you went, a day trip is fine. If you want to actually experience Capri, a day trip isn’t enough.
Posted by
963 posts
Either is fine, but I think you'll have a different experience if you do a day trip vs an overnight. The tourist trappings of the tourist trap remain but it'll be relatively deserted and beautiful at night so if that's worth it for you to spend the coin, go for it.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5781 posts
What are your plans for Sorrento? It's a great base to see the Amalfi Coast and the Pompeii site but not really a site-seeing location in itself. We spent 2 weeks there in 2023 and loved it as a base. But the next trip, we're going to spend several days on Capri which we liked far more than anything we visited along the Amalfi Coast.
Posted by
OP
Frisco, Texas, US
347 posts
Thank you everyone! We are staying in Sorrento because we don't need Naples this trip. I haven't been to Sorrento but it's supposed to be quiet, and on Day 1, we prefer quiet after the long trip. On Day 2 we will have a driver to spend the day on the Amalfi Coast visiting Ravello, and a winery we went to last time (best day ever).
It seems like a nights in Capri may be better than nights in Sorrento, so my original plan may work. Tourist trapisms don't bother me too much, based on how I felt in Positano. For Capri, there is a restaurant with lemon trees on the patio that I must go to, a boat ride around the island, and then whatever else the island has to offer including shopping. 3 nights gives us 2 full days, before we head to Santorini.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5781 posts
If you like restaurants with lemon trees, try https://www.parrucchiano.com/ in Sorrento.