Hi,
We will be in Amalfi in first week of October with Salerno as home base. On one of the day we will be doing day trip to capri. Planning to do following
blue grotto
catch bus to anacapri, chair lift to monte solaro
visit santa maria cetrella
visit villa san michele
Please let me know if I am missing any must-do in capri/anacapri. Above list is open for modification.
I am coming from salerno to capri by ferry. Do I need to take any boat tour around Capri?
I would add the Gardens of Augustus and skip the Blue Grotto (way too touristy, sorry and it's always "up in the air" whether the waters are safe enough to run the boats). I think it's better not to overplan what should be a relaxing day, especially when you're at the mercy of the ferry schedule back to the mainland. There are many neat narrow pathways to stroll in, and the island is great for hiking. It looks like you've got a really full day "as is", not even counting a few hours to stop for a meal.
It's inevitable that you'll miss something because a day is not enough to do everything leisurely. That's OK though. It's better to narrow your choices instead of trying to do everything.
Definitely do Via Krupp Augustus Gardens and hike to the Arco Naturale - lovely views
Do I need to take any boat tour around Capri?
No, there's plenty to do on the island itself. I'll also vote for skipping the Blue Grotto as it's expensive for the very little time you get to spend in the thing itself, and there's always a chance that the seas will be too rough for the boats to even enter.
My personal favorite is the hike to up to Villa Jovis (you do NOT need a tour to do this):
Walking down, up and around the walkways of the island are the best. Amazing views and a restful way to see the island and its magic.
Agree. Any of the during the day you have boat trips (Blue Grotto and other tours) are not worth it and you probably cannot do one of them without affecting the rest of your plans.
Skip that and do everything else and mainly just explore it is a beautiful place.
Capri is beautiful! Have been here 3x and have loved each visit. The walk down Via Krupp is beautiful but unfortunately I read somewhere that it is closed due to falling rocks. As many posters stated above, the Blue Grotto does take a chunk out of your day and if waters are rough it may be closed. We did this with our kids and still reminisce about it and the rower singing "o sole mio." The views from Monte Solaro are beautiful! Hold onto your flipflops on the chairlift!! In Anacapri I picked up a pair of lovely snakeskin-like leather moccasins at L'Arte del Sandalo Caprese made by Antonio Viva who I believe made shoes for Jackie O. He is located on the main drag in Anacapri at Via G. Orlandi, 75. see the website at www.sandalocaprese.it He had a rack of shoes that were already done which I chose from but you can get a pair of sandals made quite fast.
This is an excerpt from my trip report from 2005 (yeah a good while ago). might be of use to you.
We took the 9.30 ferry from Sorrento and then the Finnicular to Capri town ,we then took the hair-raising bus trip from there to Annacapri (not for the fainthearted).The chairlift to the top of Mt.Solarno was our next hair-raising mode of transport , and enjoyed a beer and splendid views from the top . From there we went back down the mountain on the chair lift ,a little more confident this time.from there a trip to the wonderful villa and gardens of San Michelle was our next port of call . We had a lunch of locally made raviolli in tomato sauce , in a small cafe in a side street off the main town centre ,the food was fantastic. From there we took the bus back to Capri town and then made the trek up to the villa Jovis .It is a fair trek on a hot afternoon but well worth the effort , and after a short visit there retuned to Capri town for a beer and a little shopping .We then took the Fennicular back to the port area ,which gave us enough time for another beer before the 6.15 ferry back to Sorrento
Ah! This thread makes me want to hurry up and go back to Capri!!!
Vivian
