Hi all. We have 2 1/2 days in Sorrento (staying in town) this May. We've got one day set aside for Pompei. We had planned to go to Capri on the second day but have read some things about it not being worth the time and money. Would love some suggestions and comments. Will it take the whole day? Is it not to be missed? We'd like to have some time to enjoy Sorrento. Input will be most appreciated!
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
If you're already in Sorrento, why not stay there and enjoy it (1.5 days is not that much)? It's not like you're going to miss something you don't have a chance to fit in (Capri is very, very hyped up and lots of tourists come in each day by boat). I've been to both and they are both beautiful in a different way. It's only a "must" if you have some really strong interest in it - there are some sites there (Villa Jovis) but mostly it's just a really lovely place to stroll (lots of narrow alleys with flowers), eat, and see the views from up top. In retrospect, I wish I had seen more of Anacapri (less people) but I didn't know about the area then. I would say check out the major sites of both places on tripadvisor and pick the place that most appeals to you based on what you want to see there.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15811 posts
Hi Mil -
The value question is always difficult to answer as it very much depends on personal tastes and interests. I've seen Capri flogged relentlessly as more trap than attraction but we stayed 2 nights on the island and had a very good time. Spending the night may have had something to do with that as we were able to experience it in the hours before the masses of day-trippers arrived in the mornings, and again after they left in the evenings.
We also spent much of the day exploring areas outside of the busy piazzas in both Capri and Anacapri. The hike up to the ruins at Villa Jovis, the Piazzolungo path to Natural Arch, Grotto Matermania to Punta Tragara, trip to the top of Mt Solaro (chairlift, hike or combo of both) etc. are great fun, and provide much more of the real beauty of the island than many visitors make the effort to discover. We also skipped the Blue Grotto entirely and did the Charterhouse instead. It was all but deserted when we were there but that may have been a fluke.
Will it take all day? It depends on what you wish to do. If you're not interested in or not physically able to head on foot further afield of the piazzas and shopping areas - and that takes some effort - then probably not but neither will the tourist hubs provide as much of the scenery and/or history that, in my humble opinion, are Capri's treasures. Does this help?
Posted by
Indiana
524 posts
We will be in Positano for the same length of time and asked ourselves the same question, and asked it on Trip Advisors also. I decided that we will stay and enjoy Positano, and forego Capri. If we feel the need to go somewhere, we will take 1/2 of a dsy to maybe visit Amalfi. You are already giving up a day to Pompeii. I would stay put the remaining day and a half, relax and enjoy Sorrento.
Posted by
NH
219 posts
We went to Capri as a day trip. We had 2 days along the Amalfi Coast, day one was Ravello, Minori and Amalfi, day 2 was spent in Capri. In hindsight, IMO, the day would have been better spent seeing more of the Amalfi Coast.
Posted by
Delray Beach, Florida
40 posts
We spent a week in Sorrento several years ago and did take the ferry to Capri. I had been there years earlier but my husband had not. It was crowded, congested and I would not do it again. We drove from Venice to Sorrento but my husband wanted me to give the car up once we got there :) I loved the no rule crazy driving but he did not! We took the train to Pompeii and did a tour of the Amalfi Coast. Love the area. With limited time I would just stay around there.
Karen