11 hours in Naples....Capri?, Amalfi Coast?
 

I will be on a cruise ship that will be in port in Naples for one day. I have been to Naples, Capri or the Amalfi Coast.

What should I do, go to the Amalfi Coast or Capri?

I would like suggestions from fodorites who have visited Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast.

Thanks in advance.

Hi! Your question was similar to a post just a few days ago. I have visited all three and feel Capri is where you would spend relaxing time. Here it is and hope it helps:

Positano vs Capri
11 responses; most recent on 06/02/2008, 11:36 pm

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...n_name=ciaodeb

Thanks for the link ciaodeb, unfortunately, that thread debates the possibility of visiting Capri or Postanio, and am thinking of Capri or the Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast includes several towns, and Positano is one of them (along with other towns, including Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, etc.). So visiting Positano IS visiting the Amalfi Coast.

WHENEVER FRIENDS ASK THE SAME QUESTION, I ALWAYS SAY TO GO TO POSITANO TO STAY AND JUST VISIT CAPRI. EVERY TIME THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY LIKED POSITANO BETTER THAN CAPRI AND WERE EITHER GLAD THEY TOOK MY ADVICE OR WERE SORRY THAT THEY HADN'T.

HOWEVER, IN YOUR CASE SINCE YOU WILL BE DOCKED IN NAPLES, IT WILL BE EASIER TO TAKE A BOAT FROM NAPLES TO CAPRI BECAUSE IT IS DIRECT. TO GET TO POSITANO WOULD MEAN TAKING TWO TRAINS AND A BUS. IF YOU CAN FIND THREE OR FOUR OTHER CRUISERS, HAVING A LIMO TO TAKE YOU TO POSITANO FOR THE DAY WOULD BE MY CHOICE. THE RIDE IS SPECTACULAR DOWN THE COAST AND YOU COULD SPLIT THE COST AMONG YOU AND IT WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN A TOUR BUS FROM THE SHIP.

THE AMALFI COAST IS MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD, SO FAR.

Go to Ischia or Procida.

You will find alot more info on visiting these on a cruise stop on www.crusiecritic.com - go to the ports section.

That being said, I would opt for Capri - IMO when you combine the transportation factor with options on what to do, Capri comes out the winner. It is relatively easy to get a ferry or hydrafoil from where the cruise ship docks that will take you to Capri. To do the Amalfi Coast your best plan would be to hire a driver to meet you at the docks, nice but a little pricey but if you want to spend the money that choice for the day may be the winner. If you want to do it yourself, you will most likely have to get to the Naples train station, then take the commuter train to Sorrento, then the bus down the coast. If you could get a convenient ferry to Positano, you might want to go for that.

We docked in Naples on a cruise two years ago - we had already spent time on previous vacations on the Amalfi Coast / Capri so "accompanied" by Rick Steves, I decided to explore Naples. The first hassel was the taxi drivers at the dock - I only wanted to go to the archeology museum and they did not want to drive me there. They wanted fares to commit to long tours - well OK, I understand that, sort of. Eventually I did get to the museum, it was actually fairly interesting (but just FYI, they do not give change, or at least they weren't on that day. Love it.) Afterwards I wanted to walk around more and find some authentic Napoli Pizza - it just didn't go well, maybe some of it was just me. It was very crowded and the restaurant I chose was just not friendly. Naples did little to charm me - I wish we had just returned to Capri for the day.

Anyways, check out the info at Crusie Critic or read some crusie review, there will be alot of good info there.

If this is going to be your once in a lifetime stop over then head for the Amalfi Coast.

I visited Naples last year and spent four great days in the city. I loved the energy and mystery of the city.

But as you only have 11 hours, and you'll want to see the best that's on offer, then I'd agree with the others. Head for Positano.

You won't have much time there but an hour will be better than a whole day elsewhere.

Have a great time!
:)
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Thanks for all the suggestions.

When I had posted my second reponse on the thread I meant I would like to visit different areas of the Amalfi Coast (not just Positano). Sorry, if I was unclear.

I am debating if this is possilbe given my limited time in port.

Realistically, I will not go back to Naples, or Southern Italy.

I have been looking at Cruise Critic, and I hoping to meet people on the forums who are on the same cruise I am on.

Thanks.

Hi SIS - If you choose to visit the Amalfi Coast you'd only have time to visit Positano and Amalfi, I think.

You'd need to plan carefully around Metro del Mare hydrofoil timetables:

www.metrodelmare.com

e.g. The 08.25 hydrofoil currently gets you into Positano at 09.55.

What time do you dock - and what time do you leave?

Steve