Which one would you choose between these two destinations for a day trip if you're based in Naples?
Please don't mention a third possibility unless you're adamant that Sorrento and Capri are both overrated as a day trip and that one doable option (and not Positano) is preferable.
Sorrento, hands-down. To me, Capri felt like a tourist trap.
I'd do Sorrento with a stop at Pompei (on the way, it'll be cooler in the morning).
Definitely Sorrento! That said, we did a day trip to Capri. It is lovely but if there was a choice Sorrento is top of the list. Capri was crowded...
If those are my choices, then I'd definitely pick Sorrento.
Capri. If you leave the town center and walk the pedestrian paths between Giardini Agosto and Punta Tragara you will see ocean beauty, history and the famous Faraglioni rock formations off the coast. We stayed in this area for three nights and never had to deal with crowds or over tourism.
We also enjoyed staying in Sorrento but it is best used as a base to explore the coast and Pompeii.
I'm with Suki. When you depart the funicular, walk between the TI on the left and the major tourist street on your right.
We literally hiked all around the island for 5 hours and never saw anyone. The Arco Naturale and Fariglioni Rocks are spectacular and you can also rent a boat for an afternoon and tour around the island. We sipped our cappuccinos and marveled at the beauty of the cliffs.
Sorrento, with the cliff side buildings and great restaurants, is delightful too and we have stayed in Sorrento many times.
But we look at Sorrento as a "base" and Capri as a "fun destination".
Consider going to Ischia or Procida also. I would love to check them out too !
Capri, if you have the energy, knees, and legs. Sorrento is mostly postwar resort in a pretty setting and sun-seekers from the UK.
If you don’t care about buying limoncello and euro luxury goods, take the bus up to Sant Agata su dui Golfi and walk (99% paved) down 2 hours to Sorrento.
I agree with Carla and Suki. Capri. You can definitely get away from the crowds there. If you take a boat tour then you also get the bonus of a lovely boat ride and maybe a swim in the sea.
Capri. Just get an early ferry and you’ll beat the tourist crush. Avoid Capri town and get up to Anacapri & Monte Solaro. Sorrento is totally fine, but there’s nothing special to see there. It might have less tourists than Capri, but it’s just about as touristy.
Currently battling with the same decision! I have 7 nights for the region. Was originally planning on 3 nights in Sorrento followed by 4 nights in Amalfi; however, now I am thoroughly confused and struggling!
One site will stay Sorrento is generic and overrated - just a convenient base by which to view the rest of the area - and that your time and money is better spent in Capri. And being able to stay beyond a day trip, you can get away from the crowds and see Capri for all its glory. Next site I go to says you MUST stay in Sorrento and that Capri is a trap.
I have considered 2 night Capri / 2 nights Sorrento / 3 nights Amalfi but part of me feels like the extra hotel change is a waste of time?
I realize these are great problems to have, but really struggling to make this decision! What did you end up deciding?
I'm in the Capri camp but only if willing to expend the shoe leather to explore some of the further reaches most day-trippers don't go to. As they said, THAT is the way to lose the worst of the masses that cluster in the town centers, easily reached overlooks and attractions
We stayed a couple of nights so had the advantage of hours the day crowds weren't around but hiking during the day was our escape from those. Some ideas on the Capri website (ignore the touts for tours: you don't need them):
https://www.capri.net/en/traveller-search?todo%5B%5D=nature&all=1
I'll recommend Villa Jovis and Pizzolungo as good ones for a day trip. If you can get up to Anacapri early in the morning, take the chairlift up Mt. Solaro before it gets busy.
https://www.capri.net/en/s/mount-solaro-cetrella
What I'd skip? The Blue Grotto. We bypassed that one due to a lot of negative reviews (time-consuming, expensive, long waits for just a few minutes in the thing, etc.) and didn't regret it a bit.
Sorrento for me. Love Sorrento. Beautiful, charming, fun, relaxing. Been to Capri many times and don’t like it at all. Expensive to get to and as David said, feels like a total tourist trap to me.
We really enjoyed a day on Capri two years ago in early May. We enjoyed the ferry ride from Positano, and then took the bus directly to Anacapri, where we spent about 3.5 hours visiting the main piazza, church of San Michelle, walked the the local neighborhood of le Boffe, where we saw very few tourists, visited the church of St. Sophia, and took the gondola ride for the view from the top of the mountain. We also toured the Giardini di Augusto near Capri town--while there were some tourists in the main area, the paths were not at all crowded. We did not visit the Blue Grotto, but spent a total of about 7 hours on Capri. I don't know when you are going, but that might influence your decision. I can't comment on Sorrento, but I hope you have a great time, whichever you choose.
Sorrento. Capri is more touristy.
It might come down to what you want to DO once you've arrived at your day-trip destination? We stayed 3 nights in Sorrento, in addition to 2 on Capri, and enjoyed it very much BUT we spent most of our prime-time hours traveling elsewhere in the region. Both Capri and Sorrento could be regarded as "touristy" depending on what you choose to do while you're there. As previously stated, if you are up to exploring parts of Capri the majority of day-trippers don't go to, then you'll avoid some of the more "touristy" parts. Sorrento's tourist areas can be every bit as busy with visitors although doesn't feel as overrun (Piazza Tasso maybe the exception) because of its size.
