Capri isn’t exactly known for being cheap, so is it even possible to explore this stunning island on a budget?
In this article – we share 5 tips for enjoying the best Capri has to offer, from free beaches to walking tours, while making your money go further.
Capri and the Amalfi Coast are pretty pricey destinations. They’re jet-set locations, playgrounds of the rich and famous, where the beautiful bays are packed with super-yachts. It can feel like every meal, excursion or activity is over-priced compared to nearby Naples.
So, how can you do Capri on the cheap without sacrificing your experience? Here are our top tips…
- Book your ferry direct
- Find the free beaches
- Take a self-guided walking tour
- Top up at the free water fountains
- Bring your own snacks
Let’s dive into each of these in a bit more detail…
#1 – Book your ferry direct
If you’re researching ferry options to Capri, then sites like Capri.com are great for timetables and planning. But if you purchase your tickets through them, you’ll be charged a hefty booking fee (€30 for two of us in our case).
What many tourists don’t realise is that you can book tickets directly though the ferry company websites, with zero booking fees. By doing this, we got our two return tickets for €89 instead of €120!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a sizeable amount for a 40-min boat ride, but at least it’s 25% less than we would have paid otherwise. If we’d travelled earlier in the morning, we probably could have got them a little cheaper (€17 per person each way). But to us, the cost of an extra few hours in bed is priceless 🙂
💙 You might also like 10 easy day trips from Naples to Amalfi, Pompeii & beyond.
#2 – Find the stunning free beaches
Many of the beaches on Capri are owned by hotels or lidos which means you need to pay to use them. But with a little insider knowledge, you can find free public beaches to enjoy at your leisure. No entrance fee or drinks restrictions to contend with!
We went to Marina Piccola where the water was an incredible azure blue. Given that public beaches are hard to come by in Capri, it was pretty busy. But we managed to find a spot easily enough and soaked up the rays for a few hours.
#3 – Take a self-guided walking tour
We LOVE exploring new places on foot, whether that’s self-guided walks, sight-seeing runs, or just randomly wandering around. It allows you to see and experience local life up close, and find those hidden gems that aren’t on the usual tourist trail.
Bonus = it’s also free. Activities don’t come much cheaper than this.
When we arrived into Capri port, we headed up the winding alleys and staircases to Capri town rather than taking the gondola. It took about 25mins and we got to see lots of local houses along the way.
This route brings you out directly into the main square of Capri town. From there, you can choose from five other streets and alleys that each offer a different aspect of the island.
- Turn right and right again for epic views out to sea, bus stops to Anacapri and other locations, and the walk to Marina Piccola beach.
- Turn left for a vista-packed walk to the stunning ‘Arco Naturale’ aka natural rock arches (this is what we did first).
- Take either of the two alleys straight ahead to explore Capri town and it’s insanely expensive shopping streets (think Monaco on steroids).
- Head up the stairs on the right to get lost in a rabbit warren of narrow passageways and escape the tourist traps.
Check out our self-guided walking tour of Capri for more details on exploring the island by foot. You might also enjoy our one-day itinerary and self-guided walking map of Naples.
#4 – Top up at the free water fountains
There are free water fountains everywhere in Italy and Capri was no exception. It’s safe to drink so be sure to bring along your waterbottle and refill it every chance you get. It’s a cheaper option that buying drinks and better for the environment too.
At the top of alleyway from the port (just before it opened up into the main square), there was a water tap in the wall. We also found one in a chilled out park not far from the centre.
#5 – Bring your own snacks
Restaurants in Capri are expensive… Like €8 just for gelato expensive. So if you’re visiting on a budget, it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks.
We’re not saying you should avoid eating in restaurants completely – Italian food is too tasty to miss out on! Food is such an important and enjoyable part of the culture after all.
But having snacks on you can tide you over during a peckish spell and reduce the number of meals you need to pay for. Or stop you from making rash (pricey!) restaurant decisions when you’re hangry. Oh wait, just me?
Capri on the cheap – budget-friendly ideas
So there you have a few budget-friendly tips for enjoying Capri on the cheap. You don’t need to sacrifice your enjoyment or miss out on things you love. But saving a few Euros where you can means there’s more to spend on the activities you really love. Or even other awesome adventures!
