A Day Trip to Capri from Positano + What to do in Capri

Considering a day trip to Capri from Positano? This guide details everything you need to know including how to get there, what to do in Capri for a day, how to get around, top boat tours, and all about the Blue Grotto experience (is it worth it?)!

A day trip to Capri from Positano (or any of the Amalfi Coast towns) is not only worth your time but very easy to do on your own. With ferries departing from the main beach in Positano and the ride being a quick 30 minutes, there's no excuse not to visit Capri.

It's easy to fill a Positano to Capri day trip; a visit to the Blue Grotto with an optional boat tour around the island, riding the chairlift up to Anacapri, enjoying breathtaking views from Monte Solaro, window shopping the top luxury brands on Via Camerelle street, and indulging in a few gelato and espresso breaks.

While the island is small, it tends to be crowded and top sights (like the Blue Grotto) can quickly become overrun with tourists. In order to fit everything in and avoid long wait times, it's imperative to have a game plan.

So let's get on with it and dive into the details of your day trip to Capri from Positano!

This map shows everything listed in my Positano to Capri day trip guide. Click the top left button (in the blue bar) to see a list view of each pinned location or the top right button to enlarge the map.

• Blue - what to do in Capri for a day
• Purple - ferry stops, bus stops, funiculars
• Red - restaurants, cafes, gelato

You can just see the cement dock in the bottom left of the photo (where there is a line of people). This is where you'll find the Positano to Capri ferry and where it will return.

How to get to Capri - Positano to Capri ferry

Traveling from Positano to Capri via ferry is a breeze. Ferries depart from the port of Positano, which is conveniently located at the main beach, Positano Spiaggia (spiaggia is beach in Italian). When facing the ocean, the port where ferries depart is to your right...it's hard to miss.

I bought my tickets online in advance via Ferry Hopper. You could buy them directly from the port the day of, but I didn't want to risk a boat being sold out and having to wait for the next available ferry.

The ferry from Positano to Capri is seasonal, usually running April through October. Most departures are between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am, and then later in the afternoon between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Tickets are around €25 each way. It's a direct route and takes 30 minutes.

You can get some beautiful pictures of Positano as you depart.

Marina Grande is the main port in Capri and where you'll arrive (and depart for your return trip to Positano). After arriving in Capri, you'll immediately hop on another boat to get to the Blue Grotto.

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What to do in Capri for a day - top sights and attractions

Start with the Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is one of the most famous things to do in Capri. Is it a memorable experience? Yes! Is it worth waiting hours and hours for? No. In reality, you only spend about 5 to 10 minutes in the cave itself.

To avoid long lines and an even longer wait, it's important to get there as early as possible. This is the main reason I recommend taking the first available ferry from Positano to Capri. Lines can become hours long in the afternoon and overrun with large tour groups.

Above is Marina Grande (where you will arrive in Capri). See the blue signage? These are the boat companies taking you to the Blue Grotto.

How to get to the Blue Grotto

The ferry from Positano to Capri will arrive at Marina Grande. There are several boat companies that will whisk you to the Blue Grotto from here. 

You could take the bus, but it will take longer and it's essential you get to the Blue Grotto as soon as possible. 

Motoscafisti di Capri (you can see their ticket booth in the photo above) offers a €23 option that will take you around the entire island and end at the Blue Grotto. Total time is around two hours. It's a great way to see the island of Capri from the water, but also means you will be arriving at the Blue Grotto about 1 to 1.5 hours later. This is fine, but if you got a late start (arriving in Capri after 10:00 am), I would skip the island tour and go straight to the grotto.

The basic transfer with Motoscafisti di Capri is a roundtrip ticket to and from the Blue Grotto. Instead of going around the entire island first, it takes you directly to the Blue Grotto. Cost is €23 and the total trip will be around an hour.

Laser Capri is the same as Motoscafisti di Capri. An option to go around the island with a stop at the Blue Grotto (2 hours, €23) or an option to go straight to the Blue Grotto and back (1 hour, €23). 

HP Travel has much better reviews than the two tour operators above. The €23 option will take you around the entire island in 1 to 2 hours. This is a large boat/tour and doesn't stop. Think of it as a lot of "stop bys".

AWA TIP #1: the grotto will only be that dazzling blue color if it's sunny. It's the suns reflections on the bottom that creates the bright blue hue. If it's not sunny, skip the Blue Grotto.

AWA TIP #2: it's not guaranteed you will get to enter the Blue Grotto. If the weather is bad, waves are too choppy, etc., you will not be allowed to enter.

AWA TIP #3: all boat tickets to the Blue Grotto are round trip. Even if you choose to not return via boat (more on that later), it's still the same price.

AWA TIP #4: you can buy tickets for the boat ride to the Blue Grotto online in advance, or when you arrive in Capri. Keep in mind this might mean you are bumped to the next departure if the current boat is full.

AWA TIP #5: boat companies state that if the wait to enter the grotto is over 30-45 minutes, they have the right to return to Marina Grande.

The complete Blue Grotto Capri experience

The entire Blue Grotto Capri experience was memorable and I was very glad I did it.

Your boat from Marina Grande will anchor just outside the Blue Grotto so the little dingy boats can pick you up. Up to four people can fit in the boats that enter the cave.

Once you transfer to the dingy boat, you will make a quick stop at the Blue Grotto ticket boat. This is where you will pay your entry free, which is currently €18. 

You then wait with all the other dingy boats for your turn to enter the Blue Grotto. The mouth of the cave is TINY. You have to lay all the way down in the boat. Your expert captain will time the entrance and uses a chain along the roof of the cave to quickly pull the boat in. This entire process is half the fun!

You then enter the Blue Grotto and it is beautiful (though small). Your captain will spin you around, sing a song in Italian, offer to take pictures (if he's nice), and five to ten minutes later you're back out in the sun light.

Your captain will then take you back to your original boat or back to land if you aren't going back to Marina Grande. He will ask for a tip (€2 is fine per person).

Is the Blue Grotto worth it?

So, was it worth it? I visited the Blue Grotto in Capri during COVID, so I barely had to wait. In this case, it was 100% worth it.

If the line was long and I had to wait an hour, then I'd skip it. If you're doing a day trip to Capri, that hour wait will eat up into other activities.

Now, if you're spending more than one day in Capri, and you have extra time, then waiting an hour doesn't mean you have to miss out on other Capri activities. In that case, I would wait up to an hour...only if I had time to kill.

In reality, the cave is small and you only get a few minutes in it. There are other blue caves like this around the world. I visited one in Croatia and actually liked that one better than the Blue Grotto in Capri. So it's not like you will never get the opportunity to experience a blue cave if you don't do this one.

Anacapri and the chairlift to Monte Solaro

Instead of taking your boat back to Marina Grande, take the bus from the Blue Grotto to Anacapri. 

After being dropped off on land by your captain, you will climb a set of stairs and find the bus stop. The bus departs about every 30 minutes and costs €2.

In 20 minutes you'll arrive in Anacapri. Get off at Piazza Vittoria. The chairlift to Monte Solaro is just around the corner.

AWA Tip: the buses in Capri are small, crowded, sweaty, and many times you won't make it on the first bus because there are too many people. If you're willing to pay extra, you'll find taxi stands at most tourist sights/areas including at the top of the stairs by the Blue Grotto. Fares are set. Expect around €30 from the Blue Grotto to Anacapri.

The taxis are also open-top, which is fun.

Taxi Phone Numbers:

Taxi Anacapri, Piazza Vittoria - +39 081 8371175

Taxi Capri, Piazza Martiri D'Ungheria - +39 081 8376657

Taking the cable car to Monte Solaro was another highlight of my day trip to Capri from Positano. The views going up and down the chairlift are spectacular. 

It's €14 for a roundtrip, €11 for a one way. You can also reach Monte Solaro by foot. It will take about twenty minutes. 

I recommend taking the chairlift, even if it's a bit expensive for a mere 12-minute ride. It's especially cool going down since you're facing the ocean.

The chairlift ends at Monte Solaro. You'll discover breathtaking views as you've reached the highest point of the island. The views reminded me a lot of Santorini. 

Make your way to Via Giuseppe Orlandi, the main street in Anacapri with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Keep in mind that many of the luxury hotels (like Capri Palace) are located in Anacapri.

Take your time to walk around and take some photos.

Stop at Gelateria bar Nonna Carmela Capri before heading back down to Capri.

Shop, wander, and eat in Capri

You have two options to get back to Capri. Hop on the bus at the Viale Tommaso De Tommaso stop or Piazza Vittoria stop. Or, and this is my preference, take 900 steps down the Phoenician Stairway.

Once you've reached Capri, take a luxury stroll down Via Camerelle. You'll find almost every luxury brand known to mankind. Wander through side streets to find one-off boutiques and quiet corners.

Don't worry about getting lost. Capri is very small.

Stop at Ristorante Buca di Bacco for lunch...the pizza is delish! If you're willing to pay a little more, check out PULALLI. They serve wonderful seafood and have a beautiful terrace.

Buonocore Gelateria Pasticceria Gastronomia e Tavola Calda (is that not a mouthful?) not only serves fantastic gelato but an assortment of sweet and savory snacks. This a great option if you're short on time.

Gardens of Augustus (Giardini di Augusto)

Walk 5 minutes from the center of Capri to the Gardens of Augustus (I used Google Maps for directions). You'll be rewarded with stunning views, terraces, and a plethora of photo opportunities.

This is where you'll get great photos of the Marina Piccola Cove and the Faraglioni sea stacks.

The gardens are small, so you don't need more than 20 minutes here.

You will need to purchase tickets to enter the gardens. Buy them in advance online for €2.50.

Our Positano to Capri day trip is coming to a close. You'll make your way back through the center of Capri to return to Marina Grande.

To get to Marina Grande from Capri, either walk 15 minutes down another flight of stairs or take the funicular. The stairs are to the right of the funicular.

Tickets for the funicular are €2.40 and the ride takes 4 minutes. Lines can be long during high season.

Return to Positano/Amalfi Coast

Sit at one of the cafes surrounding Marina Grande or hang at the Cala Grande beach (to the left of Marina Grande when facing the ocean) until it's time to board your ferry back to Positano.

In summary

A day trip to Capri from Positano is 100% worth your time and will be a memorable experience. My day trip to Capri was actually my favorite day while visiting the Amalfi Coast. It's easy to plan on your own and the views are breathtaking.

Recommended tours

Rather not plan what to do in Capri and have someone do the planning for you? There are several small group and private tours to join!

Small Group Tours from Positano to Capri:

• Day Trip to Capri from Positano (or Praiano) - up to 12 people, depart from the Amalfi Coast, visit the grottos (including the Blue Grotto), and free time on the island of Capri.
• Boat Excursion Capri Island: Small Group from Positano - similar to the above but up to 12 people (no Blue Grotto). Read the fine print as there are a few extra small fees.

Private Tours/Charters are a great choice if you have a few people in your group. You'll get to choose how to spend your time and what to see:

• Private Capri Boat Tour Top sellers - private tour up to 8 people with departures from Capri, Sorrento, or Positano. Around 7-8 hours with option to include the Blue Grotto.
• Capri Island Private Tour - private tour from Sorrento, Positano, or Capri.
• Private Tour: Amalfi Coast to Capri Cruise - private tour from Positano.

If you'd rather spend more time on the water while in Capri, consider these boat tours:

• Boat Tour in Capri Italy - 2-6 hour private tour around Capri with option to include the Blue Grotto.
• Capri Island Boat Ride with Swimming, Sights, and Limoncello - up to 12 people, 2 hour tour around the island with swimming stop. Does not include the Blue Grotto "due to long wait times".
• Private Boat Tour of Capri - 3 hour private tour with stops at the grottos (including Blue Grotto), swimming/snorkeling stops.

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A DAY TRIP TO CAPRI FROM POSITANO + WHAT TO DO IN CAPRI

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Have you visited capri and the amalfi coast? Share your recommendations for a day trip to Capri from Positano in the comments below!