We are going to be those daytrippers to Capri.
Feb 7th, 2009, 09:10 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are going to be those daytrippers to Capri.
Unfortunately I have decided to cut our night out on Capri, with so much to do and so little time I had to make some hard choices. So now we will be just a daytripper to Capri. How can we best utilize our time on the island to get a taste in just one day? We definitely want to see the grotto. Hopefully someday we'll return and do Capri justice, but this time around it's just not possible.
Feb 7th, 2009, 04:36 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Luv,
You must be sure to have your hotel make a reservation for you on the earliest boat possible. Otherwise, you will not even make it over until late in the day. The boats do fill up and those without reservations end up waiting a long time for the next one. Makes the "day trip to Capri" very short.
Also, you can't count on visiting the Blue Grotto, weather and tides can make it impossible to enter. Mother Nature will have the say for this.
I most enjoyed (2 night stay) the boat tour around the island. Beautiful, relaxing, away from the tour crowds. Great scenery and even though we didn't go in the Blue Grotto due to rough seas, we still saw the same effect in other grottos that didn't involve a boat transfer. We also went right through the Faragolini.
You can take the funiculare up to town if the line isn't too long (usually it is), or you can have a private taxi take you up to Anacapri, or your can wait for the town bus.
I didn't care for the extremely over priced shopping, so I visited the chairlift up Mt. Subiaso (SP?) in Anacapri, Chiesa San Michele where there is a wonderful tile floor of the garden of Eden (short visit) and the Axel Muenthe house (gardens expecially).
I also did the hike up to Villa Jovis after the morning boat tour. Very nice to walk through the real neighborhood and quite a walk with great views. I don't think you will have time for this.
My order of priority would be:
boat tour around the whole island (takes approx. 2 hrs.)
chairlift up to the mountain for the great views
lunch and maybe a bit of strolling though town, maybe you will like it
That's all I think you will have time for.
Buon viaggio!
You must be sure to have your hotel make a reservation for you on the earliest boat possible. Otherwise, you will not even make it over until late in the day. The boats do fill up and those without reservations end up waiting a long time for the next one. Makes the "day trip to Capri" very short.
Also, you can't count on visiting the Blue Grotto, weather and tides can make it impossible to enter. Mother Nature will have the say for this.
I most enjoyed (2 night stay) the boat tour around the island. Beautiful, relaxing, away from the tour crowds. Great scenery and even though we didn't go in the Blue Grotto due to rough seas, we still saw the same effect in other grottos that didn't involve a boat transfer. We also went right through the Faragolini.
You can take the funiculare up to town if the line isn't too long (usually it is), or you can have a private taxi take you up to Anacapri, or your can wait for the town bus.
I didn't care for the extremely over priced shopping, so I visited the chairlift up Mt. Subiaso (SP?) in Anacapri, Chiesa San Michele where there is a wonderful tile floor of the garden of Eden (short visit) and the Axel Muenthe house (gardens expecially).
I also did the hike up to Villa Jovis after the morning boat tour. Very nice to walk through the real neighborhood and quite a walk with great views. I don't think you will have time for this.
My order of priority would be:
boat tour around the whole island (takes approx. 2 hrs.)
chairlift up to the mountain for the great views
lunch and maybe a bit of strolling though town, maybe you will like it
That's all I think you will have time for.
Buon viaggio!
Feb 8th, 2009, 01:48 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can get your round trip ticket at the marina in Sorrento (not sure if yo uare going from Sorrento or Naples). We took the first boat out and a late in the day one back but not the last one. Be prepared for lines if you go in July or August.
We took the faniculare(great views!)from Marina Grande up to the town and walked to the Giardini Augusto which was beautiful. At Marina Grande, you can arrange for tours of the island - walking, boat, taxi. Your hotel may be able to help you arrange a tour.
One year we tried to go inside the grotto but the sea was rough. The boat ride to the grotto and the wait, as all the little boats line up to take people in, is time consuming. If the seas are not right, you don't get to go inside.
Enjoy your day visit - it is a beautiful place!
We took the faniculare(great views!)from Marina Grande up to the town and walked to the Giardini Augusto which was beautiful. At Marina Grande, you can arrange for tours of the island - walking, boat, taxi. Your hotel may be able to help you arrange a tour.
One year we tried to go inside the grotto but the sea was rough. The boat ride to the grotto and the wait, as all the little boats line up to take people in, is time consuming. If the seas are not right, you don't get to go inside.
Enjoy your day visit - it is a beautiful place!
Feb 8th, 2009, 04:38 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On a day trip to Capri from Naples years ago my husband and I really enjoyed seeing Axel Munthe's villa in Anacapri and Villa Jovis. We also saw the Blue Grotto but I would agree with others this is not an absolute "must see."
Feb 8th, 2009, 07:26 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Tuck for the reminder! I wasn't sure if I had the name right. Now I'm wondering which area has Mt. Subiaso which I know I'm not spelling correctly.
Someone here probably knows right off the top of their head!
Someone here probably knows right off the top of their head!
Feb 8th, 2009, 08:11 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Booking the return ferry is something I would not have thought about. Do people get stuck on Capri if the last ferry is full?
Dayle, is there a boat service you recommend to take us around the island?
Dayle, is there a boat service you recommend to take us around the island?
Feb 8th, 2009, 10:06 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, check the weather to see if the Grotto will even be accessible.
Second, if in high season be sure you get on an early ferry.
In addition to the Grotto (fine but not spectacular) you definitely want to explore the town of Capri as well as the remains of the Villa Jovis.
And do check on the times of the ferries leaving Capri - they stop fairly early in the day.
Second, if in high season be sure you get on an early ferry.
In addition to the Grotto (fine but not spectacular) you definitely want to explore the town of Capri as well as the remains of the Villa Jovis.
And do check on the times of the ferries leaving Capri - they stop fairly early in the day.
Feb 10th, 2009, 06:48 PM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Grazie, zeppole!
Luv,
I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the company. There are several with boats of varying sizes.
The one I chose had smaller boats that took about 15 passengers. Open air wooden boats - lovely! It was 11E in 2005.
I saw other boats with enclosed cabins and much bigger motors. That would not have appealed to me! I guess it depends if you like the ocean and the wind in your hair!
Luv,
I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the company. There are several with boats of varying sizes.
The one I chose had smaller boats that took about 15 passengers. Open air wooden boats - lovely! It was 11E in 2005.
I saw other boats with enclosed cabins and much bigger motors. That would not have appealed to me! I guess it depends if you like the ocean and the wind in your hair!
Feb 10th, 2009, 07:02 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did Capri as a day tripper in 2001 and really enjoyed it (I plan to go back for a couple nights--it's worth it). We did the Blue Grotto and loved it - don't miss it if the weather permits. We took the funicular to the top for lunch with a view I will never forget. Be sure to try the blood orange juice (we had some at a stand at the top near the funicular) and limoncello (my 1st try too). Enjoy!
Feb 22nd, 2009, 02:24 AM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm heading to Capri in April...the Tuesday after Easter. We should arrive at the port in Naples around 2:00 pm from Rome. Will we have difficulty getting a ferry or hydrofoil at that time? Will traveling on a Tuesday help cut down on the crowds? Do we need reservations in April? Thanks.
Feb 22nd, 2009, 06:20 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did Capri as a day trip last April from Sorrento. Some tips from what we learned:
Anacapri is worth the trip but depending on time of year, you might be better taking a taxi and not the local bus from Marina Grande. We did the bus going over. We waited nearly 45 mins and once we got on, it was jam packed. The buses are small and only run about every 20-30 mins so we had to wait through 3 of them just to get on one. This was on a beautiful Sunday but in April when it's not as crowded so I can only imagine the wait in the summer. If you're tight on time, take a taxi. They're all convertibles and the ride is lovely. (We did it coming back from Anacapri to the Marina Grande) Also, ask around the bus line and see if anyone wants to split it with you. They easily hold 4-6 people. I believe a taxi is 20 euro so if you split it with 4 people, it's not much more than the bus and a lot quicker and more comfortable.
We did the Blue Grotto and as others have said it's good but not great. There's also a lot of people looking for a tip when you're there so make sure you have some small bills with you if you want help getting in & out of the row boat, etc.
The chair lift up Mt. Solaro was great. I'd certainly put this on your list.
The hydrofoil ride from Sorrento is about 25 mins and they are pretty big. We bought tickets day of with no problem but again as others have said, buy your return ticket in the morning or in advance. The last ones leave Capri about 6pm for Sorrento so plan accordingly.
Now, some DO NOT mistakes that I made -
Do not try to walk down the hill from Anacapri to the Blue Grotto. It's a lot farther than you think. There are local buses from Anacapri to the Grotto.
Do not try to walk from the Marina Grande up the hill to Capri town. Take the funicular and you will avoid the tongue lashing I got for trying to do it. There may be a line, especially right after your hydrofoil arrives but it's worth the wait.
Enjoy... it is a beautiful place to visit, especially on a clear sunny day.
Anacapri is worth the trip but depending on time of year, you might be better taking a taxi and not the local bus from Marina Grande. We did the bus going over. We waited nearly 45 mins and once we got on, it was jam packed. The buses are small and only run about every 20-30 mins so we had to wait through 3 of them just to get on one. This was on a beautiful Sunday but in April when it's not as crowded so I can only imagine the wait in the summer. If you're tight on time, take a taxi. They're all convertibles and the ride is lovely. (We did it coming back from Anacapri to the Marina Grande) Also, ask around the bus line and see if anyone wants to split it with you. They easily hold 4-6 people. I believe a taxi is 20 euro so if you split it with 4 people, it's not much more than the bus and a lot quicker and more comfortable.
We did the Blue Grotto and as others have said it's good but not great. There's also a lot of people looking for a tip when you're there so make sure you have some small bills with you if you want help getting in & out of the row boat, etc.
The chair lift up Mt. Solaro was great. I'd certainly put this on your list.
The hydrofoil ride from Sorrento is about 25 mins and they are pretty big. We bought tickets day of with no problem but again as others have said, buy your return ticket in the morning or in advance. The last ones leave Capri about 6pm for Sorrento so plan accordingly.
Now, some DO NOT mistakes that I made -
Do not try to walk down the hill from Anacapri to the Blue Grotto. It's a lot farther than you think. There are local buses from Anacapri to the Grotto.
Do not try to walk from the Marina Grande up the hill to Capri town. Take the funicular and you will avoid the tongue lashing I got for trying to do it. There may be a line, especially right after your hydrofoil arrives but it's worth the wait.
Enjoy... it is a beautiful place to visit, especially on a clear sunny day.
Feb 22nd, 2009, 06:48 AM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry to tell you this but I've been to Capri twice and both times the tides prohibited me from seeing the Blue Grotto. I hope your luck is better, but please have another plan just in case.
Feb 22nd, 2009, 07:07 AM
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be aware that if you are up in the town of Capri and need to take the funicular back down to make a ferry, you can easily get caught in a long crush/"line" (a little too chaotic to be considered a formal queue) - so leave plenty of time to get back down to the docks in time for your ferry.
