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If you are visiting the Amalfi Coast I suggest taking a day trip from either Positano, Praiano or Sorrento to Capri. 

There are so many things to do in Capri and while Capri is extremely touristy I still feel like it is still worth a spot on your list of top things to do in Italy.

Capri is only 4 square miles long but it will keep you busy all day and if I am being honest you really two days to explore the Island.

You will want to visit the famous Blue Grotto and the Faraglioni but you should also visit lesser-known attractions like the Punta Carena Lighthouse and the Green Grotto.

If you are looking for a relaxing beach day, check out the clubs near either Marina Grande or Marina Piccola. If you came to Capri to shop like a celebrity there are shops and you will be able to swipe until your bank says NO!

If you want a more authentic Italian experience without all of tourists, take the bus into Anacapri where you will find  historical villas and museums like Villa San Michele and Villa Jovis.

Planning an excursion from Sorrento to Capri is quite easy and while you can hire a tour company to plan your day trip from Sorrento to Capri I suggest saying those coins for a nice meal. 

My Amalfi Coast guide will help you maximize your day and make the most of your time on the Island of Capri.

My Capri travel guide will help get to Capri from all of the towns along the coast include answering the following the questions: 

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• What can you do on the Island of Capri in one day?
• How long is the ferry from Positano to Capri?
• How long is the ferry ride from Sorrento to Capri?
• Is Amalfi Coast close to Capri?
• What are the best restaurants on Capri?

2023 Ferry Schedules from Sorrento to Capri

Getting To Capri, Italy

Sorrento To Capri

There are three ways to get from Sorrento to Capri:

1. Take the ferry to Capri and explore the island independently
2. Join an organized group tour
3. Book a private boat tour or transfer with a skipper

Let me first start by saying it is impossible to see Capri in one day so that means you will need to get an early start in order to explore the island.   

The first ferry leaves for Capri at 8:30 am, which will get you to Capri by 9:30 am. Although you can purchase tickets the morning you leave.

I suggest purchasing your tickets in advance because you will not be the only person catching the early morning ferry and it will likely be crowded—especially in the summer months.

The last ferry departs Capri between 5:30 pm and 7 pm giving you around 6 hours to explore Capri.

Sorrento to Capri By Ferry

Most ferry companies have their ticket offices right in the port in Sorrento which is a short walk from town.

If you are visiting any of the towns along the Amalfi Coast in the summer be prepared for crowds and extremely long lines to buy tickets for the tours, and grottos, access the beaches, or even just try to find a quiet place to sit is almost impossible. 

The ferries from Sorrento to Capri is equivalent to sardines being packed in a can but on the upside, the ferries run frequently during the high season of April through October. 

I suggest buying a round-trip ticket to avoid long lines, especially in July and August.

• You cannot embark motor vehicles on ferries departing from the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento to Capri
• Luggage is allowed on board: one piece of hand luggage is included in the ticket price. There is a surcharge for additional bags.
• Routes may be suspended due to rough seas or inclement weather
• During the winter season from the end of October to the end of March, you must board the high-speed or regular ferry from Sorrento. The route between Capri and Sorrento runs all year round.

How much is the ferry from Sorrento to Capri?

The price of a ferry ticket from Sorrento to Capri is around €20 or $21.65 USD.  The ticket cost can be higher or lower depending on vehicle and seat selection, as well as available discounts.

If you take a return ticket, you will be eligible for a discount.

Some ferry companies offer discount tickets for children. Children up to 2 years travel for free while children between 2 and 12 years old can benefit from a reduced ticket (around €10). 

• Purchase your ferry tickets at Marina Piccola in Sorrento or online if you don’t want to stand in the long lines!
• Click here for the ferry schedule.
• Ferry ticket prices range from EUR 14.70 – 18.30 – ($17-23 USD).

Ferry schedule from Sorrento to Capri?

There are normally 20 daily ferry crossings from Sorrento to Capri. The earliest ferry from Sorrento to Capri departs at around 07:15 and arrives in Capri around 07:35.

The latest departure is usually at 7:25 pm for an arrival a little before 8:00 pm

What’s the distance between Sorrento and Capri?

The distance between Sorrento and Capri is 9 miles.

Sorrento to Capri by Private Boat or Yacht

Thousands of tourists depart each day from Sorrento for a day trip to Capri, especially in the summer months…even more if you take into account the cruise ship passengers who disembark in Sorrento and Naples to head to the island of Capri.

If you don’t plan accordingly, your relaxing day on the island can be nothing but crowds and long lines.

For travelers staying in Sorrento who would like to visit Capri, Italy, I suggest a boat tour or private yacht of the island with a visit to the center of Capri town.

My hubby and I took this tour which consisted of an all-day tour, departing from Sorrento and including 3 hours of free time to visit the island’s main village.

Even if you take an early ferry and arrive on Capri by 9 am or 10 am, your day trip could end up being just 6 or 7 hours.

There are several good boat tours that can turn a hectic day trip to Capri into an all-day excursion for around EURO 85 ($100 USD).

It’s pricier than the ferry but includes some great activities and you’ll have the whole ride to yourselves.

Taking a private boat tour means your trip to Capri just got a whole lot more fun and crowd-free.  I used Viator to book my private boat tour to Capri from Sorrento which included the following:

Overview of Sorrento To Capri Private Boat Tour

• Travel to stunning Capri by hydrofoil after pickup from Naples or Sorrento.
• Wind along the famous Mamma Mia cliffside road, where you can snap some photos of a lifetime.
• Weather permitting, you will enter by a small boat into the exquisite Blue Grotto, or Grotta Azzurra, to marvel at the glowing bluewater.
• Ride the chairlift from Anacapri to the peak of Monte Solaro to soak up spectacular views of the entire island.
• If you’re lucky, you will spot Mt. Vesuvius and Ischia Procida islands on the horizon.
• Visit the beautiful Villa San Michele and its lush gardens.
• Visit La Piazzetta, a quaint square lined with boutiques and cafes.
• Visit the fabulous Augustus Gardens, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of I Faraglioni, Capri’s famous rock formations, before your return journey.

Read more about Private Capri Island and Blue Grotto Day Tour from Naples or Sorrento 2020

Join a Small Tour Group

If you don’t want to miss out on all of the things to do in Capri I suggest a small guided group tour. 

There are a ton of organized group tours that depart from a number of towns along the Amalfi coast. You can choose between two types of tours:

• Mini-cruises: you depart on a small ferry with a large group, and sail around the entire island before stopping to disembark on Capri to explore by foot so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. The average price is EUR 35/per person.
• Shared Gozzo: you depart on a traditional wooden “gozzo” boat with a small group. You can stop where you like for a swim and there is a large sundeck to relax and take in the view.
• The tour includes a trip around the island with a stop in Marina Piccola where passengers have the option of disembarking to explore the center of Capri on foot or stopping for lunch at a seaside restaurant. Snacks and beverages are included.
• The average price is around $338 for a group of 8. EUR 

Overview of Sorrento To Capri Small Group Tour

A fast hydrofoil will take you to the super VIP Capri Island where days are spent aboard private boats and luxury yachts and evenings in the Piazzetta are made for chic people.

Once there, you will take a minibus straight to Anacapri town and walk along the shopping streets, full of national and international famous fashion brands and local craftsman shops.

If you want, you can take the chairlift to get to Mt. Solaro. After a light lunch, you will take a minibus to the Capri main square where you will enjoy the landscape and the wonderful blue sea views from the Belvedere of Augustus’ Gardens.

Do not lose the opportunity to see the twisty and unique Via Krupp, and live the experience to admire Capri’s legendary trio of sea giants: the Faraglioni, the three spurs of rocks in the sea.

Read more about Capri & Anacapri – Private Walking tour with guide 2020 

Booking Tickets from Sorrento to Capri

Traveling with Luggage on Ferry

Each ferry company from Sorrento to Capri has its own baggage allowance policy so which includes some of the following but please check before you purchase your ticket.

• NLG allows passengers 1 piece of luggage weighing up to 5kg. Suitcases, travel bags, and backpacks are considered luggage.
• Alilauro allows passengers can bring a single piece of luggage weighing up to 9kg.
• SNAV allows passengers to bring 1 piece of hand luggage weighing up to 9kg.
• Caremar allows 1 piece of hand luggage weighing 20kg 

Tip: Please note that ferry companies charge fees for additional baggage and baggage exceeding the size and/or weight policy.

Best Things To Do In Capri, Italy

1. Boat Tour Around Capri

Discover Capri from the sea and lie back in a wooden rowboat to enter the magical Blue Grotto and see the famous Faraglioni rock formations and around Punta Carena with its picturesque lighthouse.

2. Cocktail in the Piazzetta

Anyone visiting the island should stop in the famed main square, known as the Piazzetta, and while away a few minutes at one of the outdoor café tables to indulge in a few people-watching.

Either for a morning espresso or for an aperitivo cocktail in the evening, a visit to the Piazzetta is a must.

If you’d like to rub elbows with celebrities and the rich and famous, the best time of day is between 7 and 9 pm, when most of the daytrippers have left for the evening.

Celebrities come onto the island from their yachts to enjoy an evening on Capri which begins with a cocktail in the Piazzetta.

3. A Climb up Mount Solaro

From Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, you can take the chairlift up to the peak of Mount Solaro where you can take in the view from the top, snap pictures for Instagram, and stop for a drink at the “La Canzone del Cielo” café.

Walk back down the mountain slope, following the signs for the Cetrella hermitage, a tiny chapel perched on the mountainside which was once a retreat for hermits.

If the church is open, take a peek inside; the custodians will be happy to show you the gorgeous terraces over the sea.

4. A Walk to Tragara 

From the Piazzetta, walk down towards the Hotel Quisisana, making sure to window shop at the luxury boutiques along the way. Once you turn the corner, you’ll find yourself on the bright, silent Via Tragara.

This lane skirts the gardens of the most beautiful villas and hotels on Capri, with the sea shimmering beyond the sweet jasmine and colorful bougainvillea, ending at a scenic overlook facing the Faraglioni rock formations.

From here, you can opt to continue your walk toward Pizzolungo

5.  A Cocktail at the Lighthouse

Where can you see the most spectacular sunset on the island of Capri? Definitely from the Punta Carena lighthouse, the only spot on the island where you can watch the sun sink into the Mediterranean.

Try to arrive at the lighthouse in the afternoon, take a dip in the sea, sunbathe for a bit, then sip a cocktail while you watch the sunset.

6. A Romantic Dinner

The best way to end your day on the island of Capri is with a romantic dinner with a view. If this is your first time on Capri, don’t forget to sample the traditional local dishes ravioli Caprese, filled with caciotta cheese and marjoram, and torta caprese, made with chocolate and almonds.

7.  Evening at the Taverna

Only at around midnight do the island’s nightclubs begin to fill…among these local hotspots on Capri are the so-called “taverne”, including Anema e Core, with live bands leading the crowds in song and dance to the rhythm of tarantella or Neapolitan classics.

8.  A Day at the Beach

What’s better than relaxing on the beach, cocktail in one hand, and gazing out over the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean?

Capri’s beaches are few and small, carved into the rocky coast by wind and water and devoid of sand. The beach establishments, however, are like seaside salons, with excellent seafood and fish restaurants where you can relax all day long.

9.  Walk in the Center of Anacapri

This village at the highest point on the island is much quieter and more peaceful than the bustle of the center of Capri town.

It’s a pleasure to wander the lanes lined by artisan workshops, the tiny squares with their majolica benches, and the alleys through houses with traditional barrel-shaped roofs.

10. Villa San Michele

The Swedish physician and writer Axel Munthe built his villa on the most scenic point of the entire island and dreamed of placing a sphinx statue facing the sweeping view over the sea.

He searched for his dream statue during his long trips across Europe and finally found the perfect one. It still stands guard over the dreams of visitors to the villa and the island of Capri.

Check out Ristorante Terrazza Brunella and Ristorante il Geranio Baco both are equally delicious.

Lemons Everywhere on Capri

I was in absolute awe of the lemons in Amalfi!! Lemons everywhere. Don’t forget to slow down and enjoy a glass of limoncello and take in the views. 

Hike to The Gardens of Augustus

My husband is a complete history buff so if you love history I suggest hiking to Villa Jovis (Villa of Jupiter), the Villa of former Roman Emperors Tiberius.

Starting from the Piazzetta, the “trail” follow the narrow streets of Capri to the top of the island, passing by the private villas with gorgeous flower gardens – Keep following signs for “Villa Jovis”

The hike will eventually lead to the infamous “Tiberius’s Leap”, where, according to local legend, undesired guests and disobedient servants were hurled over the cliff by order of the Emperor. 

While a day trip from Sorrento to Capri is a must-do on your bucket list you will not be able to see everything in one day because there are just so many things to do in Capri.

You will either have to plan for a return trip or spend the night in one of these luxury hotels on the island. 

Check Prices and Availability for any of the hotels below here.

THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CAPRI

The name alone conjures up the scent of lemon trees, the flavour of ripe, red tomatoes scattered with basil and the chatter in the piazzetta as the town turns out for an evening stroll or ‘passeggiata’. I have picked my top places to stay in Capri but be prepared to pay top dollar for these luxury accommodations.

1

Hotel Excelsior Parco

Photo Credit: www.excelsiorparco.com

The Art-Nouveau Excelsior Parco features eleven smart, typically Mediterranean rooms with spoiling sea views. Spend the day on the beach before coming back to relax with a good book in the rooftop garden. Wonderful breakfasts are served up each morning. An idyllic couples retreat!

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2

Capri Palace, luxury 5 star hotel in Capri, Italy

Photo Credit: www.capripalace.com

Located at the heart of the Mediterranean, the Capri Palace is a stunning luxury property where guests immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural beauty of Capri and imaginative artwork from contemporary artists. Nestled in a secluded corner of the island with panoramic views of the sea, the resort features 68 immaculately designed guestrooms, a pair of Michelin-starred restaurants offering exquisite cuisine and the exclusive Capri Beauty Farm by Mytha Spa, a world-class medical spa facility.

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3

5 star hotel on Capri, Italy, Relais&Chateaux

Photo Credit: www.caesar-augustus.com

We are on a cliff, on the slopes of Mount Solaro, the highest part of Capri. On your arrival in the port, you'll find our driver waiting to accompany you to the hotel.

The picture-perfect center of Anacapri, is less than two hundred meters from the hotel. The center of Capri is just a ten minute taxi or bus ride away.

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4

Hotel Luna - Capri

Photo Credit: www.lunahotel.com

The hotel in Capri overlooking the infinite charm of the island.
"Tell me if in the world there is a spectacle comparable to this," wrote Alexandre Dumas in 1816, looking out over the Faraglioni show . "No, there is not" it would be to answer him, sitting on the terrace of the Hotel Luna , in one of those fiery sunsets that color the guardians of Capri with red. Or on one of those summer nights, when the caprese moon illuminates the sea with elusive silver reflections and populates the island with seductive shadows.

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5 Star Hotel in Capri, Italy

Photo Credit: www.scalinatella.com

The 5* La Scalinatella boasts an enviable hilltop location offering stunning views of Capri's coast. Its elegantly decorated rooms feature antique furnishings, large beds and private terraces. Plus you'll find two outdoor pools both with panoramic views, mediterranean restaurant & gym. Utterly fab!

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List of Additional Things To Do in Capri

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