Capri Travel Guide | Plan Your Perfect Trip
Last Updated on April 22, 2026 by Charlotte
Capri is a small island off the coast of southern Italy, known for its glamorous town centre, bright blue water, and unbeatable coastal views. Beyond the scenery, it’s an island with a surprising amount to explore from its walking paths, historic villas, circle island boat tours, and scenic viewpoints that feel completely different depending on where you go.
Whether you’re visiting as a day trip or staying a few nights, this guide covers everything you need to know, including the best things to do, where to stay, how to get there, and how to plan the perfect trip to Capri.
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Best Things to Do on Capri
Capri is an island that’s meant to be explored, and between the cliffside paths, historic villas, and boat days that circle the entire coastline, there are far more things to do here than you might expect.
Capri’s Highlights at a Glance
- Take a boat around the island and see the Faraglioni, sea caves, and hidden coves from the water
- Walk Via Krupp and the Gardens of Augustus for some of the most iconic views on Capri
- Ride the Monte Solaro chairlift to the highest point on the island
- Visit Villa San Michele for a quieter, more reflective side of Capri
- Explore the cliffside hiking paths that weave around the island’s dramatic coastline
If I had to choose my absolute top-most favorite activity, it would be our boat trip around the island.
→ For a deeper dive into each experience (plus tips, timing, and how to plan your days), check out our full guide to the best things to do on Capri.
Where to Stay on Capri
Capri has two main areas to base yourself: Capri Town and Anacapri, and choosing between them will shape your entire experience on the island.
Capri Town (Best for First-Time Visitors)
Capri Town is the lively heart of the island, centered around the Piazzetta and within easy reach of restaurants, viewpoints, and the main walking paths. It’s the most convenient place to stay, especially if it’s your first time on Capri or you want to be close to everything.
Anacapri (Best for a Quieter Stay)
Higher up on the island, Anacapri feels slower, more local, and a little removed from the crowds. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter base, with easy access to Monte Solaro and Villa San Michele.
What to Know Before You Book Accomodations
- Book early because accomodations in Capri fill up quickly, especially in summer
- Expect island pricing, but there are good mid-range options if you plan ahead
- Location matters more than amenities, and being in a walkable location will save you time and energy
→ For a full breakdown of neighborhoods, hotel picks at every budget, and exactly where we stayed, check out our complete guide to where to stay on Capri.
Best Times to Visit Capri
June through September is peak tourist season on Capri, when it’s warm, sunny, and crowded. The sea is perfect for swimming, the evenings are long and golden, and the island is fully alive.
Visiting in Peak Tourist Season
July and August are the warmest months and also the busiest, welcoming over 50,000 visitors per day. In peak season, the ferry terminal at Marina Grande can feel insanely busy, and the path to the Piazzetta fills up with day-trippers by mid-morning. But the good news is that even in the peak tourist season, most of the day-trip crowd is gone by late afternoon, and staying overnight means you get the island back to yourself by evening!
Visiting in the shoulder and off-season
Outside of summer, the shoulder seasons of May and early October are arguably the sweet spots: warm enough to swim, less crowded, a little less expensive, and still fully operational. We’d put late May and September at the top of our list. Winter on Capri is mild by northern European standards, but many restaurants and some hotels close for the season, so you’ll want to verify that what you want to do is actually open before you book.
How to Get to Capri
Getting to Capri is a multi-leg journey for most travelers, and the boat ride is actually the easiest part.
Most international travelers fly into Naples International Airport (NAP), which is the closest major hub to Capri, and has good flight connections from across Europe and beyond. If you’re coming from the US or Canada, you’ll typically connect through a European hub city.
From Naples
Naples is the main transport hub for Capri, with the most frequent departures and the shortest crossing time. Ferries and hydrofoils depart from Molo Beverello in the city center. The hydrofoil crossing takes around 35–50 minutes. If you’re arriving by train, Naples Centrale is a short taxi or metro ride from the port.
From Sorrento
Sorrento is a smaller, more relaxed departure point and the most popular gateway if you’re combining Capri with the Amalfi Coast. The hydrofoil crossing takes just 20–25 minutes, making it the fastest option of the three.
We stayed overnight in Sorrento before heading to Capri, which made for a much more relaxed start to the trip, and gave us an excuse to explore one of the most charming towns on the Amalfi coast!
From Salerno
The newest option for getting to Capri, and one worth knowing about if you’re flying in from Europe. The Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport recently opened to commercial flights in July 2024 and has been steadily adding routes from cities including London, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna.
From Salerno, you can either ride the Hydrofoil directly to Capri or you can connect to Sorrento or Naples by train or bus.
Voyaging to Capri by Ferry or Hydrofoil
Once you’re at a port, you’ll have two main boat options:
- Hydrofoil (aliscafo): The faster (more expensive) option and the most common choice for passengers. We took the hydrofoil to Capri from Sorrento, and I had so much fun riding on the open-air rooftop section!
- Ferry: Slower and cheaper, with more room for bulky luggage. This is a perfectly good option if you’re not in a hurry.
In calm weather, both are a pleasure, but in rough seas (like when there are big waves), hydrofoils and smaller boats usually have to cancel crossings, while the bigger super ferries can still run safely. We had quite a tumultuous return ferry trip from Capri to the mainland, which you can read all about.
Booking your Ferry or Hydrofoil tickets
We purchased our ferry and hydrofoil tickets at the port on the day of our travel, but if you’re travelling in July or August, or on a weekend in peak season, I strongly suggest booking in advance, particularly for the afternoon return crossing from Capri, which fills up fast. You can see the ferry timetables and buy tickets in advance on Ferryhopper and capri.com.
Travel tip
On your return trip from Capri to the mainland, be sure that you get to the ferry port at Marina Grande with a lot of time to spare! The docks are chaotic and it is really difficult to hear which boat is your boat!
Getting Around On Capri
The main way you’ll get around on Capri is on foot. The island’s network of footpaths and pedestrian-only streets is excellent, and most of the top things to see, like Via Krupp and the Gardens of Augustus, are only accessible on foot anyway. If you enjoy walking, you’ll love Capri, and if you don’t love walking, just go in to the experience knowing that you’ll be walking a lot of stairs!
Aside from exploring on foot, there are a few other ways you’ll get around:
Funicular
The funicular connects Marina Grande (the main port) to Capri Town, a climb of around 142 meters. It’s convenient if you’re arriving with luggage or after a long day, and the ride takes about three minutes. As of recently, there’s even a priority line for travelers staying locally on the island. We rode it exactly once (mostly out of curiosity) and walked the rest of the time.
Public Bus
Buses run between Capri Town and Anacapri, and are the easiest way to get between the two towns if you don’t feel like tackling the hill on foot. They’re inexpensive and run regularly, although some buses (like the line up to Anacapri) can get quite packed. Be sure to check out the bus routes and timetables.
Taxis
Open-top taxis (the iconic convertible cabs you’ve definitely seen in photos) are expensive, but a great way to get to your hotel with luggage. There’s a taxi stand near the port in Marina Grande, or you can have your hotel call a taxi for you.
Where to Eat and Drink on Capri
Restaurants in Capri range from casual pizzerias to upscale, reservation-only spots with sea views. Prices tend to reflect the location (and prices are just as high as in Hawaii!), so meals in the heart of Capri Town or along the water will be noticeably higher than those a few streets back.
What Not to Miss
- A classic Italian breakfast — espresso and a cornetto near the Piazzetta
- A casual pizza or seafood pasta dinner at a neighborhood spot
- An aperitivo with a view at golden hour (yes, it’s a splurge, and we went to Panorama Restaurant —but worth it at least once)
We ended up returning to a Ristorante Pizzeria Verginiello in Capri Town more than once because the food was excellent, the prices were reasonable, and it felt like a break from the more polished (and pricier) spots nearby. I also really loved the gelato shop BGA Capri in Piazzetta, and you just have to try their Amarena flavor!
How Long to Stay on Capri
You could technically see Capri in a day, and plenty of people do as a day trip from Positano or Sorrento. But in my opinion, a Capri day-trip means spending a meaningful chunk of your time at the ferry terminal, sharing the island with its peak crowd of visitors, and leaving before evening, when everything becomes magical after dark.
We spent four days on Capri, and it felt just right. We felt that we had enough time to explore almost every corner of the island, from our morning espressos to unhurried hikes, a swim, and an evening on the terrace watching the Faraglioni catch the last of the light.
Ready to Explore Capri?
Whether you’re planning a hiking adventure, a boat day, a hunt for the perfect villa, or just trying to figure out where to stay, we’ve got you covered. You can explore the full collection of Capri guides below to start building your trip.
