Capri Villa Jovis

You have to walk, and it's a gradual uphill climb - not steep. But it's a beautiful walk past gated mansions and gardens and with beautiful views. To go up and back will take a good 3 hours. There are a couple places along the way to grab a cold drink or snack.

I agree with the previous poster- it's a very nice walk, depending how fast you walk uphill- may take longer then 45 minutes. View from the top is amazing, you may want to linger there, so I don't think it's a good idea to go to Pompeii the same day. But it is up to you...

I'm going to echo Tom and Irene ; about three hours is what I recall , and lingering at the top is inevitable . However , when you factor in the boat trip and return and then the Circumvesuviana journey to Pompeii this plan is pretty much untenable . It's simply too much for a single day . Assuming you are based in Sorrento ? ( as we were ) Capri and Pompeii each consumed a full day . Both places were well worth it !!

Yes, skip the Blue Grotto (it's a tourist trap) and just wander around Capri. I wouldn't worry about the Circumvesuviana - it's a commuter rail and people use it, day and night. Just use caution with your belongings and you should be fine getting back. It gets dark late in Europe in the summer anyway.

I appreciate the feedback. This message board is so helpful. We are staying in Sorrento, and we only have one day to see Capri and Pompeii. On Capri we will not do the Blue Grotto or really anything else but the walk to Villa Jovis. I will not even do the walk to Villa Jovis, but will stay in Capri Town and see the gardens or take the bus to Anacapri and ride the chair lift to Monte Solaro. I think I can get to Anacapri, ride the chairlift, get back to Capri Town before the other two are back from the walk to Villa Jovis. We planned to be at Pompeii by 2:30 or 3:00, and it does not close until 7:30. Rick's short guided tour is 2 hours, add one hour with the theater and amphitheater. I am hoping for cooler temps than at midday. Maybe I have not allowed enough time for standing in line or other delays? We will be traveling the first of September, so I expect it to be less crowded than summer. I am a bit concerned at how late it is safe on the Circumvesuviana for the return to Sorrento.

I was there recently and did the hike in less than 90 minutes. I will admit we were speed walking and we did not explore the site for as long as we could. However, our time did include having to wait 15 minutes for the gate to open up which surprised us so be sure to pay attention to the opening times. It is a easy gradual uphill climb. There is plenty to look at while you are walking and the view from the top is amazing. I think you could take your time walking there, exploring at the top and back down in less than three hours, easily. If I were ever back in the area, I would do it again.

Thank you for the heads up about the opening time. It does not open until 11:00 so that changes our plans a bit.

September is still a very popular time in the area so expect public transport to be busy and sites crowded.