Is Capri overrated?
 

I'm staying in Positano for three nights (2.5 days) in May. Is spending a day in Capri really worth it?

I'd say it's more over-visited than overrated. Whether It's "worth it" depends on you. There is an overcrowded center with high-priced shops which some people must like, because they stay there. I like the walks out of town to various ruins and scenic overlooks as well as the boat rides. The slow ferry ride to and from Positano is very scenic. Ana Capri has an interesting museum and a chairlift to the island's highest point.

If one of those options appeals to you, well, there you go. If not, you've saved a day for something else.

I resisted going to Capri for several trips to that coastal area until I was traveling with a friend who wanted to go, and I was happy to accommodate the wish. It is memorably and uniquely beautiful at first sight -- this double mountain peak rising to heaven out of the sea -- but for me, just about everything else about Capri was either terribly off putting (some really trashy tourism there), and some things that were recommended to me as "wonderful" -- like a hike to the villa Jovis, or seeing the faraglioni (the rocky outcroppings not far from the sea shore) were not so intersting to me. Were I ever to return I might have made the effort to get to Anacapri -- which I've been told the views are spectacular. I am sure I would never go to the Blue Grotto even if everyone I loved in life begged me. No thanks.

In general I don't like crowded, touristy places, so for people who don't mind either, it might be non-stop fun. However, I think I can reassure you that during my many previous trips to that area, I really didn't feel like I'd missed something all important by leaving without visiting Capri. In fact, my feeling during my first trip was that too many people had recommended to me to see this town and that town and this garden and that -- when I felt the most enjoyable part of being there was being in a nice spot, with a nice view, with a nice drink in my hand. What is "overrated" in my book is hopping around the Amalfi coast like the energizer bunny. To me the whole joy of it is that it is such a heavenly place to just gaze upon the beauty at hand.

You can escape the crowds that stick mainly around the port area and Capri town center and the Blue Grotto - I had a neat hike on teh spine of the island and saw few others - I liked Ischia actually a tad more but both are neat.

I have spent a week in Positano each year for the past 3 years (and going again next month) and I have yet to visit Capri. Being on a small island with tons of other tourists just isn't appealing to me. But there are many people who love it, usually after the day-trippers have left. So I will wait to vising Capri until I can spend at least one night.

With such limited time in Positano, I would not take the time to visit Capri. The Amalfi Coast is really all about relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous scenery.

Many folks just go to get to the Blue Grotto, whose serenity can be negated by way too many small boats of tourists and check tides before you set off if that is why you are going to Capri - when I was there high tides closed off the low entry way and tourist boats could not go in.

Capri is nice and has a pretty public garden and Anacapri is beautiful. We were there in April and there were a good number of tourists. If you go, make sure to see the church in the link below.

http://www.charmingitaly.com/article...chele-anacapri

If, like me, you aren't a shopper, aren't interested in the Blue Grotto, and wish to avoid the worst crowds, head directly to Anacapri. There you can visit the beautiful and spectacularly situated Villa San Michele and the small church of San Michele Arcangelo with its majolica tile floor that depicts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Then, take the little chair lift up to the summit of Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island, for panoramic views. Capri is a beautiful island with many experiences offered. I've daytripped there twice and would go again.

Is Capri over-rated? To me, absolutely not.

Cut into a 2.5 day stay in Positano to spend a day getting to and returning from Capri? To me, absolutely not.

Here are the reasons why:
1. Too little time in Positano. I'd take that day and spend it with Salvatore on his boat along the Amalfi coast, allowing you to swim in the water, and into the little grottos you'll find along the coast.
2. Too much to do in Capri/Anacapri to make the small time there worthwhile.
3. If the Blue Grotto is a focal point (which it was to me), if the waves/tides are too high to allow boats to go inside (usually 50/50), you will kick yourself for not spending time overnight. (We spent 2 nights, and only got into the grotto on the 3rd visit!).
4. Capri Town at night is magical.
5. The bus ride between Capri Town & Ana Capri is an E ticket ride, and the chair lift up to Monte Solaro (even for me who is not great with heights) was incredible!

On the other hand, I had the best homemade gelato ever in Capri Town!

I've been fortunate to stay on Capri for 5 nights on two different occasions - I don't go for shopping or night life but the natural beauty of the island. As others have mentioned, Anacapri is wonderful. Walking thru the residential parts of the island - gorgeous. Even the blue grotto is unique and fun for a once in a lifetime visit. BUT with only 2.5 days in Positano, I would not add in Capri. Go there next time and stay a few nights. Actually IMO the scenery is similar to Positano and the coast but staying there for several nights is a very pleasant holiday.

I agree with surfergirl and suec1, Capri is not overrated but deserves more than a day trip. With the time you have enjoy Positano.

I would only go to Capri if you could overnight there after the day trippers have gone. But since you have such a short stay in Positano, it's just not worth it.

Spend some time instead at Fornillo Beach, lunch at PUPETTO CAFE or nearby at LO GUARACINO. Then have dinner in Montepertuso ( 15 min by car from Positano) at LA TAGLIATA. If you get there at dusk, you'll be treated to beautiful scenery from the top of the mountain almost all the way down to Positano. Some of the restaurants used to offer free transportation to guests staying at Positano hotels, so ask at your front desk.

To go to this region of not going to Capri is like going to New York State and not going to NYC - you will always wonder what would have it been like - the Blue Grotto is an amazing experience in and of itself worth the realtively short ferry trip from Sorrento if not Positano itself.

But if somebody gets to Positano and doesn't like or feels like getting out on the boat to an island -- why not?

It can be a spontaneous decision. Just don't feel like you missed THE place to go if you are having a great time in Positano and don't feel like going to Capri.

I'd say the short answer is yes. Capri is one of those placed that's better to look at, from the boat, than to be in.

Of course, everyone has a different opinion, but I was there once for 24 hours, and that was enough for me. I didn't "get" it.

(Maybe it has something to do with me and island tourist destinations. I didn't "get" Nantucket, either.)

I agree that with so little time you should stay on the mainland. Aside from the Amalfi Coast itself, there is Ravello, Paestum, Herculaneum, Pompeii...

I spent three nights on Capri, and thoroughly enjoyed myself - without visiting the Blue Grotto. I would not have wanted to visit just as a day trip.

I have been to Capri 4 times (day trips only) so I clearly don't think it's overrated. I do not recommend going if it isn't a sunny day as the crystal blue water will look as grey as the sky. If you do go on a sunny day please take the boat ride around the island. Even if the Blue Grotto is closed you will see a lot of other great sites.

Along those same lines, if you are planning to see the Blue Grotto please know that it isn't something you can do on any given day. I've been told that on average it is only open 1 day in three. All 4 times I've been in Capri it was closed due to weather or high tides.

It can be fraught with issues such as massive day tripper crowds but parts of the island are virtually free of tourists. The Sentiero dei Fortini is one example - if you do this walk you're unlikely to run into anyone.

http://www.capri.net/en/s/towers-and-forts

I just got back from a trip to Italy that included an overnight on Capri. The weather was cool, but sunny. We loved it and I would like to go back. We did the Blue Grotto, took the bus to get to it, and got there apparently between tour boats because when we got into the cave there were maybe 4 or 5 other boats in there with us. I guess we got lucky with the weather and tides! We also did the chairlift, which was fun - amazing views. Surfergirl is right - the bus ride to Anacapri from Capri is an E-ticket ride!

Next time, I would like to make the hike to Villa Jovis and explore Anacapri some more. I would also like to go to Ischia. Next time!

We spent a week in Positano last April and did go to Capri one day. We did not see the Blue Grotto because it was closed due to rough seas despite beautiful weather. We enjoyed Capri, but with only 2.5 days in Positano, I would not spend a day going to Capri. If you want to take a day trip, I would suggest taking the ferry to Amalfi, spending time there, then taking the open air bus up the mountain to Ravello.

I'm glad I spent a night on Capri and found it much more enchanting after day trippers had left. I enjoyed many things during my day there, but for me, the highlight of the island was the Villa San Michele in Anacapri. Whether it makes sense for you to include Capri in your plans for such a brief trip depends on your priorities. FWIW, I also enjoyed seeing the Amalfi Coast from the water -- which I was able to do on my ride from Capri to the coast.

Yes, I think it's overrated. I spent 2 nights in Anacapri so had time to see and do a lot. Didn't care at all for Capri town day or night.

My favorite things were the hike up to Villa Jovis, a 2 hours boat ride (small boat) around the island, and the chairlift up to Monte Solaro. I also loved Chiesa San Michele. Very special.

Would I ever go back? Only if someone gave me a lovely villa with a view for a week and I took a private boat to Marina Piccola, skipping the nightmare of the main marina and it's hoards. I was nearly run over by a mountain of luggage on a cart in Capri. Assumed it came from a cruise ship.

Didn't see the Blue Grotto on my boat tour due to rough seas. Didn't care.

https://www.google.com/search?q=capr...=1600&bih=1075

The Blue Grotto is worth it all - one of Europe's most awesome sights even with a ton of tourists often around. A reason to come to Capri if nothing else IMO.

I'm glad I saw the Blue Grotto.

I would not have made seeing it a sufficiently high priority to plan a trip around it.

YMMV.

What is an e-ticket in this context?

Back in the days when Disneyland had a ticket book that you purchased at entrance, it contained tickets A - E. The A tickets were for rides like the relatively dull Main Street Trollies and Bus. The E tickets were for the most popular, most thrilling rides such as the Matterhorn (the biggest thrill in Disneyland back then). It's a common term native Californian's of a certain age still use to indicate something exciting and of high value.

Thank you, Dayle. I would never have guessed that in a million years.

dayle is right on and Neuschwanstein Castle was basically copied fofr Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle so everyone wants to see it and it has become the world's most famous castle - oh maybe after Windsor Castle but the most recongizable one and the number one tourist site in Germany according to the German Tourist Office.

My daughter went at low season and really enjoyed the visit. She had read Axel Munthe and was also interested in Tiberius and his wicked ways. She went with a fluent Italian speaker which helped a lot

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tibe...=1600&bih=1075

Yes another really neat thing in Capri - many folks don't get over there because it is not right at the port - I did a lovely walk there with few others on the paths.

Go to Capri and really look around - it will be a highlight of your Amalfi stay perhaps - those Amalfi towns are nice but after a few days many are ready for something besides sipping coffee or wine at seaside cafes.

Ciao Fodor's friends - I think Capri is wonderful but it costs too much and frankly speaking there are lot of places in Italy much much better - just to remember the most beautiful and less expensive places...Saturnia, Sansepolcro, Pienza, Greve, Ferrara, Mantova and, everywhere you see a Borgo (Montepulciano, Monterchi, etc...) in Umbria and Tuscany , is really something you cannot miss.Love Italy!

"It's a common term native Californian's of a certain age still use to indicate something exciting and of high value."

I have just been reduced to a cultural stereotype. :D

Actually, as a native Californian of a certain age, that's close, but it means "thrill ride" to me.

That's ok surfer girl. I was making myself a stereotype too. I was born at St Johns in Santa Monica and you can't get much more native than that.

Agree that it also means "thrill ride"!

"It's a common term native Californian's (sic) of a certain age still use..."

Ouch.

It is totally overrated. It's not a good base for 3 days. You are better off adding those days to Positano and just do a day trip. Capri is so commercialized with expensive stores, inflated restaurants, and tourist crap souvenirs.