Half Day Trip to Capri

Make sure the fast ferry (?) still runs in late October. The Blue Grotto is a time-sucker, often inaccessible in higher seas. I would not go to the Blue Grotto on a half-day, but I would not go to a huge place like Capri for a half-day in the first place. Disclosure: We skipped the Blue Grotto on both of our single days in Capri, partly because we'd been to a nice one in Croatia.

We spent a week on Capri--though quite a while back in early 2000s. Did not do a tour covering the whole island, but just explored on our own. We did do the boat tour that goes around the island. It was supposed to stop at the Blue Grotto, but the waves were too high that day and we couldn't enter it. Have heard it is a bit overrated/over-promoted in any case. We really enjoyed our hike along the rocky coastline that at one point passes above the Blue Grotto on its way to the Punta Carena lighthouse. We also hiked up and over the mountain (Solaro) from Capri to Anacapri. We went to Garden of Augustus, Villa San Michelle, spent a lot of time in the main square and walked just about every path and lane in town. Did a day trip to Sorrento and Pompeii from the island.

We spent a full day there in April without a tour if you choose to try it on your own. There is a bus near the docks that will take you to Anacapri. The views from up there were spectacular. By far our highlight was Villa San Michele which is a villa built in the late 1800's on top of a 2000 year old villa built by Emperor Tiberius. It was built and decorated with some of the original materials and artifacts found during the excavation for the newer building.

Absolutely agree & second how fabulous Villa San Michele is, truly spectacular but not sure if you need advance tickets? No need to take a tour, directions & bus up to the villa are very straightforward. I've been to Capri 2x, stayed overnight. A walk along the clifftops would be fun & it's well signposted, but the hike I took was quite hilly & took about an hour, not sure you could risk doing both in a short amount of time! (Thinking a bit more about it, are you a fan of museums or pizza? Naples is an incredible place! Just take the bare necessities & wear your valuables secured away, book tickets ahead of time & walk up to the Archaeological Museum, & get some pizza along the way! (LOTS of reviews here about Napolitano pizza.....)

Hi Marlene -
Throwing my vote in with the others to try and do it on your own: it's not difficult! If you've not found the island's helpful tourism site, here it is:

https://www.capri.com

Explore the "sights and activities" section for sightseeing opportunities that appeal, such as scenic viewpoints, architecture, archeological sites, etc. LOL, Tim described the Blue Grotto same as I often do: a time suck, and definitely not something I'd recommend with just a half day to work with (not that I'd recommend it at all). I'd also skip a boat tour in favor of exploring ON the island. After all, you will already be spending significant "on water" time on the ship?

Fun and scenic: the chairlift to the top of Mt Solaro. It operates from village of Anacapri, just up the mountain from Capri town, and doesn't rise SO far above the ground as to be scary for folks not crazy about heights. The view up top is expansive, and there is small cafe as well for taking it in with a beverage at hand.. Hop a bus from Capri town/the dock up to Anacapri; it only takes 15-20 minutes or so for the ride.

https://www.capri.com/en/e/mount-solaro-cetrella

Architecture: Villa San Michele, as Allen has suggested, is also in Anacapri so you could easily do both.
https://www.capri.com/en/e/villa-san-michele-axel-munthe

I liked poking around Anacapri town a little better than Capri town, and It would not be difficult to spend your entire 1/2 day up there. Along with San Michele and the chairlift, stop into the churches of Santa Sofia and San Michele Arcangelo, take a stroll around the village, and quietly admire their pretty cemetery, just up the street a little from Piazza Vittoria.
https://www.capri.com/en/e/historic-center-of-anacapri
https://www.capri.com/en/e/anacapri

Archeology: Roman Emperor Tiberius had proud command of a dozen palaces he'd had built on the island. Villa Jovis was the largest, and its perch on a high point of the island provides panoramic views. It does take a bit of time to get there on foot (from Capri town) but well worth it if ancient history is your "thing" and you enjoy a good trek. There is also a cafe (Bar Jovis) not far from the ruins.
https://www.capri.com/en/e/the-villas-of-tiberius

Just a start? I'll highly recommend buying a map of the island upon arrival as streets sort of follow the landscape versus a grid.

WOW THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THIS GREAT INORMATION! I AM MEETING WITH MY CRUISE GANG TOMORROW AND WILL SHARE THIS INFO MTL

the vlogger Nicki Positano goes there often, look for the appropriate videos

Skip past Capri Town (nothing but touristy designer stores and crowds.) Head straight up to Anacapri. The crowds don’t generally get up there until lunchtime, and until then it feels very local. It’s a much more laid back atmosphere. Take the chairlift to Monte Solaro for the best views on the planet. A bite to eat and you’re probably at your 1/2 day already.

I feel like you won’t have time, but the 1 hour “Laser Boat” tours are fun and a fair value. As other have said, skip the Blue Grotto. It’s an iconic thing but I enjoyed Capri without it.