4 Best Day Trips to Capri from Rome

The cliffs, the coves, the Piazzetta with its bars… Capri is synonymous with the jet set, high society and a breathtaking blue sea. However, there is a way to enjoy its glamorous lifestyle without spending too much: an organised day trip from Rome.

From the Eternal City, you can choose between two options: a whirlwind tour or a tour of the Amalfi Coast. Before or after this trip, you can devote your time to the many things to see and do in Rome.

If you fancy discovering Capri at your own pace, this :::link|text=excursion from Rome|element=pa-168::: is an ideal option. The experience lasts around 15 hours and includes the coach journey to Naples and the ferry to the island, where you can spend the day exploring its most beautiful spots in complete freedom.

As soon as you set foot on Capri, you’ll be greeted by its famous Piazzetta: a lively meeting place with terraces, shops, cafés and a very authentic atmosphere. From there, you can pop over to see the Clock Tower, the old Cathedral of Santo Stefano or simply lose yourself in the streets with sea views.

If you want to make the most of your day, you can ask your guide to help organise a visit to the Blue Grotto. Although not included in the price, it is one of Capri’s natural gems and well worth a visit to see how the sunlight transforms the sea into an almost unreal shade of blue.

During the day, you’ll also have time to discover places such as Villa Jovis, an ancient residence of Emperor Tiberius high up on the mountain, or the Gardens of Augustus, where the flowers, cliffs and sea combine to offer spectacular views.

Details of interest

• Price: from RM809
• Duration: approximately 15 hours
• Recommended if... you’re looking for a day trip from Rome to explore Capri at your own pace

This combined tour from Rome is ideal if you want to make the most of the day without worrying about the logistics. You’ll start the trip early with a journey on a high-speed train and, once on the coast, board a boat to explore the surroundings of Capri with an expert guide and captain.

During the crossing, you’ll see sights such as Villa Malaparte, the Arch of Love at the Faralloni, and the White Grotto. Upon arrival on the island, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure: stroll through the Gardens of Augustus, discover hidden boutiques, or sit on a terrace overlooking the sea. A comfortable and comprehensive way to experience Capri in a single day.

Key details

• Price: from RM1,132
• Duration: approximately 13 hours
• Recommended if... you’re looking for a guided tour but with free time to enjoy Capri at your own pace

If you fancy a more exclusive experience, this private tour to Capri is just what you need. It includes collection from your accommodation in Rome, a private guide for the whole day and total flexibility to design your itinerary to suit your tastes.

You can discover places such as Anacapri, visit the Gardens of Augustus, take the cable car up to Monte Solaro or relax in one of the coves with crystal-clear waters. What’s more, if you wish, you can take the opportunity to go on a boat trip around the island and admire its famous sea caves.

With this option, forget about the clock and enjoy Capri at your own pace, without the crowds and in complete comfort.

Key details

• Price: from RM4,841
• Duration: full day (flexible schedule)
• Recommended if... you want a personalised experience, without groups and with a private guide

Rome is the ideal starting point for exploring the peninsula. If you have enough time and have already seen most of the capital, such as its finest churches or the Sistine Chapel, you can make the most of your stay by escaping to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

An ideal way to discover Capri is with a tour that also takes you to Pompeii and Sorrento, two places that, if not on this trip, you should make a note to visit another time. With this 3-day tour of Capri, Pompeii and Sorrento, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Naples first , just an hour and a half away by bus. You’ll then be amazed by the well-preserved archaeological site in Pompeii, and from there you’ll head to beautiful Sorrento, where you’ll spend the night.

Capri awaits you the following day. There you’ll discover the incredible Blue Grotto. Bear in mind that this part of the tour isn’t available from November to March; instead, you’ll enjoy other activities in Sorrento. So, if you want to visit Capri and are travelling during these dates, do not book this excursion.

This excursion, which takes you to visit these three jewels of the Mediterranean, includes two nights’ accommodation, as well as two breakfasts, two dinners, all transfers (including ferry tickets to Capri), guides and entrance tickets to the monuments.

Key details

• Price: from RM4,148
• Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
• Recommended if... you want to explore Capri alongside other gems such as Pompeii and Sorrento on a multi-day organised getaway

Capri is an internationally renowned tourist destination. Since the 1950s, Italians and foreigners alike have spent their holidays in this corner of the Gulf of Naples.

Life here moves at a leisurely pace, between a dip in the Mediterranean and long dinners featuring the finest produce from southern Italy.

Before you arrive, here’s a rundown of Capri’s main attractions:

• Faraglioni, the most iconic rocks of the Blue Island. They are nicknamed Saetta, Stella and Scopolo respectively, although there is a fourth that often goes unnoticed: the Monacone rock. In the past, monk seals used to live here
• Piazzetta, the heart of Capri and the epicentre of social life. Officially it is called Piazza Umberto I, but nobody calls it that. You’ll recognise it by the iconic Clock Tower
• Church of Santo Stefano, the former cathedral. It was built in the Baroque style by the architect Martial Aniello Desiderio. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the Piazzetta; you simply have to climb a flight of stairs
• Grotta Azzurra, Capri’s most famous attraction. It is a cave 25 metres wide and 60 metres long with a very small entrance. To get in, you have to lie down at the back of the boat. Entry costs around €15
• Villa San Michele, the home of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, who moved to the island in 1885. It stands on the ruins of a Roman villa and has a splendid portico overlooking the Mediterranean
• Certosa di San Giacomo, the oldest building on the island. It was founded in the second half of the 14th century by Jacopo Arcucci, treasurer to Queen Joanna I of Anjou. Today it houses the Liceo Classico di Capri and the Diefenbach Museum, dedicated to the German painter of the same name
• Via Krupp, a scenic path with views of the cliffs. To break up the walk, I recommend stopping off at the Gardens of Augustus (admission is around €1)
• Anacapri, a small town at the top of the island. It is the most authentic part and is well worth a visit to stroll through the Parco Filosofico and visit the churches of Santa Sofia and San Michele

Yes, although you need to organise it down to the last detail. You must travel to Naples and take a ferry to the island. You can take a high-speed train to the city of Vesuvius – the journey takes just over an hour – but the ticket won’t be cheap.

For these reasons, I recommend a guided tour, as it includes return transport, a visit to the Blue Grotto and an expert guide. These tours usually set off very early – no later than 7:00 am – and return to the Eternal City around 10:00 pm. The total price is lower than what you would pay if you organised the trip yourself.

If you’d prefer a shorter trip, you can opt for a day trip to Frascati from Rome. It’s located about 10 kilometres from the capital and is a classic destination for a day out. It’s known for its stately villas and restaurants serving traditional local cuisine.

Most tours include free time to explore the island on your own: it’s the perfect opportunity to sample the local cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants in Capri:

• Lo Zodiaco, serving fresh fish and seafood overlooking the Gulf of Naples. It is located in Marina Grande, a short distance from the tourist port (Piazzetta Ferraro 2/3)
• Da Paolino, if you fancy dining under a lemon tree pergola. One of its most famous appetisers is the ‘bomba’, a fried pastry filled with mozzarella and ham (Via Palazzo a Mare 11)
• La Capannina, the jet-set restaurant. Its menu features the classics of the island’s cuisine: scialatielli with seafood, linguine with scorpionfish sauce, ravioli alla caprese and much more (Via Le Botteghe 12/14)
• Capri Pasta, a delicious and affordable takeaway. Its menu includes aubergines alla parmigiana, octopus salad, meatballs in white wine, sandwiches and much more (Via Parroco Canale 12)
• Fontelina, the beach club with views of the cliffs. As well as its fish dishes, it’s famous for its delicious sangria. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the central Piazzetta, but you can get there quickly by boat

If you choose the second excursion, you’ll have time to experience Capri’s nightlife. The list below highlights the island’s best cocktail bars:

• La Capannina, a famous restaurant that has expanded its leisure offering with a wine bar. Among its specialities, the basil Moscow Mule is well worth a mention (Vico San Tommaso)
• Gran Caffè Vuotto, a Capri classic. Take a seat at one of their tables and order a Limoncello Spritz, a mix made with limoncello, prosecco, soda, half a slice of lemon and mint leaves (Piazza Umberto I)
• Tiberio Palace, best known for the Sgroppino: lemon sorbet, prosecco and vodka blended in a mixer. The resulting elixir is served in a chilled flute (Piazza Umberto I)
• Capri Rooftop Lounge Bar, drinks with views of the cliffs. Their most original creation is the Spritz No. 5, made with prosecco, bergamot liqueur, pink grapefruit and peach bitters (Viale Matteotti 7)

Of course there are! It may not be Ibiza, but Capri also boasts a lively nightlife. The most iconic venue is Taverna Anema e Core, the temple of live music. Celebrities such as Giorgio Armani, Michael Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lopez, amongst others, have visited here.

It is located at Via Sella Orta 1, a two-minute walk from the famous Piazzetta. However, it is not the only place worth visiting. In the list below, I’ve listed other interesting options on the island:

• VV Club, for dancing until dawn. The most famous DJs come here (Via Vittorio Emanuele 45)
• Number One (Via Vittorio Emanuele 55)
• Malibu, to enjoy the music at sunset. It is located in the town of Anacapri (Faro di Punta Carena)

If it rains, you can make the most of the bad weather by enjoying a good meal and lingering over coffee afterwards.

Alternatively, there are the island’s houses/museums – Villa San Michele and Casa Rossa – and the **Capricorno Gallery of contemporary art.