If you’ve got one day in Capri, then you’re in for a treat. When we went to Italy, it was our favourite place on the whole trip. Despite being popular with tourists, it’s a pretty magical island where you can easily escape the crowds.
In this article – we outline a must-see itinerary for spending a perfect day in Capri.
If you’re sitting on the fence and wondering if it’s even worth going to Capri for a day, the answer is 100% yes. We weren’t sure ourselves before going (and almost ditched it for the quieter island of Procida), but are SO glad we went. It’ll be the absolute highlight of your trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Capri One Day Itinerary
Here’s an overview of how to spend your day on the isle of Capri…
- 0800 – Catch the ferry
- 0900 – Blue Grotto
- 1000 – Funicular to Capri Town
- 1030 – Visit Arco Naturale
- 1230 – Explore Capri Town
- 1330 – Lunch with a view
- 1430 – Beach time
- 1630 – Anacapri
- 1830 – Sunset dinner
- 2000 – Depart on the ferry
Let’s look at each of these activities in more detail…
Getting There & Away
You can take a day trip to Capri from Naples, Amalfi, Positano, or Sorrento. There are direct ferries from 6am onwards that take 50-90 minutes depending which place you leave from. You’ll arrive at the port in Marina Grande on the north of the island. We recommend getting an early(ish) ferry to make the most of your day in Capri.
💙 You might also like… 10 Dreamy Day Trips from Naples or A Traveller’s Guide To Naples Ferry Port.
Blue Grotto
Marina Grande is also where boats for the Blue Grotto depart from. So, it makes sense to do this excursion first before heading up into the main town and other attractions.
The Blue Grotto is a stunning cave with azure waters. The colours are at their best in the morning and around lunchtime, which is another reason to visit early. The boat trip to the cave and back takes an hour in total. If you’re combining it with a boat trip around the whole island, then allow two hours (and shift everything else in the itinerary back an hour).
Funicular to Capri Town
Once you’ve returned from your boat trip, it’s time to head up to Capri Town. The easiest way to do this is via the funicular which also happens to be one of the highest-rated attractions on the island. You’ll get to enjoy incredible views as you ascend to the top.
The entrance is across the road from the ferry drop-off point and tickets cost €1.80 each. If you’d prefer to walk up instead, then it takes around 20 mins. Check out our Capri walking guide if you’d like details of the route.
Visit Arco Naturale
Once you’re in Capri Town, head straight to the Arco Naturale, an incredible coastal rock formation. This is a sure-fire way to escape the tourist crowds and explore more of the island. The walk there takes around 20 mins and meanders past white-washed villas, traditional cottages, and lots of natural greenery along the way.
Explore Capri Town
Head back to Capri Town and wander around its maze of streets and alleys. There’s a main drag showcasing high-end luxury boutiques – it’s the playground of the rich and famous after all. But detour up a side street or two and you’ll quickly discover a quieter, more authentic side of the town.
💙 You might also like… How to enjoy Capri on a budget.
Lunch with a view
Once you’ve explored the town, it’s time to refuel and enjoy a traditional Italian lunch. There’s an incredible spot called Ristorante Pullali with outstanding views over the Piazzetta and Bay of Naples. The lemon risotto, spaghetti with clams, and fresh burrata all come highly recommended.
Beach time
It wouldn’t be a dreamy day in Capri without some relaxing beach time. Afterall, the island is famous for its azure blue waters…
From the Piazetta you can walk or take the bus down to Marina Piccola beach. There’s a paid area with sun loungers or a free section where you can roll out your towel.
Anacapri
Anacapri is the quieter, more traditional town on Capri island. It’s an hour’s walk from Capri Town or there are regular buses throughout the summer season.
It’s worth exploring to see a different, more relaxed side. There’s plenty of pretty buildings, colourful gardens, and local shops to see.
Sunset dinner
Anacapri also has great views to the west, which makes it the perfect spot to enjoy sunset. Da Emilia alla Curtiglia is renowned as the best restaurant for sunset views thanks to its open terrace – the ideal place to round off your day in Capri. Traditional Italian cuisine and seafood are its mainstays – try their fresh fish, cuttlefish ink pasta, and tasty cocktails.
💙 You might also like… One day in Naples – Itinerary & Walking Tour.
Depart on the ferry
From Anacapri, catch a bus back down to Marina Grande where the ferries depart from. If you’d find it more relaxing to eat by the port (and not have to worry about missing the bus and ferry connections) then try Ristorante da Gemma. It overlooks the water and has great views of the bay, along with tasty pasta dishes.
So, there you have our one-day itinerary for Capri which takes in all the key sights. By following this you’ll make the most out of your limited time and ensure you don’t miss anything!
Capri FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions and answers on visiting Capri…
It’s totally possible to do Capri in one day without rushing. This itinerary outlines exactly how to approach it, enabling you to see all the highlights while still having time to chill at the beach.
You can walk the key sights on the island in a day – check out our Capri self-guided walking tour to see how.
But if you’re wanting to walk all the way around the edge of Capri as a coastal walk, then unfortunately it’s not possible. Although it’s 17km in circumference so the distance is feasible, the coastal paths don’t extend all the way around. You can walk from one end to the other in about two hours though.
One day is enough to take in the highlights, but if you have more time then it’s well worth extending your trip. You’ll be able to explore more areas, get a better feel for the island, and benefit from seeing it at quieter times (e.g. in the evenings once the last tourist ferry has left).
If you’ve only got a few hours in Capri, then visit the Blue Grotto (one hour), head up to Capri Town and explore it’s maze of streets (one hour), head out to the natural rock arch and back (one hour), and spend some time at one of the azure beaches (one hour).
💙 You might also like… 5 Things To See In Ercolano.
