Heading to Positano in a week. The ferry just reopened. Please advise an efficient itinerary. We were told to take the first ferry in the morning and last in the evening. We are not sure we want to stay the entire day.
We are two couples in our 60s and want to see the highlights.
Should we hire a guide to do this??
Thanks in advance
Cici, I don't see any need at all for a professional guide as long as you're willing to do some research in advance. The island has a decent website with lots of ideas of WHAT to see and HOW to do that:
You'll notice that the website touts lots of tours but, honestly, you don't need them. We spent 2 nights/ one full day and two 1/2 days there and had no trouble finding our way around, although you are going to want to get a map at the first TI or souvenir shop that sells them. How long to spend? You can very easily fill your day IF you are interested in what it has to offer. My idea of "highlights"may be different than yours but I'll highly recommend exploring some of the more scenic points - the ramble out/up to Villa Jovis was a favorite of ours - popping into the churches, taking the chairlift to the top of Mt Solaro, and generally just taking in the vibe. The website provides directions for doing some of the scenic walks and/or accessing some of the overlooks.
Other than kicking back with a drink and doing some people watching - good entertainment in Capri! - you may NOT want to spend too much time smack in the main piazza areas of Capri and Anacapri towns as that's where the thickest crowds tend to cluster. As well, we skipped the Blue Grotto and have never been sorry: it there's a tourist trap on Capri, that's the one.
Great advice from Kathy above--perfect actually.
I am done. the end
Yo, ZMan! Great to see ya, Gregg! 😀
Although this is a shoulder season, I would want to have a definite, physical ticket for the return boat before I got on the "to" boat, especially if I were planning on the last boat of the day. Also, be sure to check (probably can't do until the hour before departure) whether your return boat is going to use the SAME ferry slip in Capri that the arriving boat did. The return boat could be a different vehicle, or a different size.
Even in April, a day in Capri can be sunny and hot, and you can walk five miles easily. Many areas are completely pedestrianized and inaccessible to taxis, jitneys, or anything but feet. So make sure you think about your personal limitations. In season, it can be hard to get a formal meal without a reservation. But in April, it should be easy to get an informal lunch somewhere - just not in a main square.
Positano can take only smaller boats than some other AC ports and Sorrento. While I have NOT taken a Positano ferry, a vulnerable guest should have seasick pills ready, no later than when they see the actual boat waiting for departure. It's a long ride on open water.
I do not mean to dissuade you from the outing. Capri is beautiful and enjoyable, especially if you are ahead of the worst summer crowds.
I would certainly get there are as early as possible. You shouldn’t have to buy your return ticket ahead this time of year, so you can see how you’re feeling. When I was there I asked the ticket booth if I could by a ticket for that afternoon and they looked at me like I was crazy. Just check the ferry schedule carefully. Personally, I was kind of done by 2-3pm, having seen a lot.
I much preferred Anacapri to Capri Town. If you head up there in the morning, it is quiet and mostly just the locals knocking about. The chairlift to Monte Solaro was the absolute highlight for me. I also took a boat tour around the island, and found it fun and a decent value.
I would not worry about a guide. Capri is mostly about relaxing and stunning views (and shopping.)
