Capri: A Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
When deciding between a day trip or an overnight stay in Capri, you’ll come across two very different opinions.
One camp says Capri is best for a day trip. They argue there’s not much to do on the island. And that it feels like a crowded tourist trap, an open-air luxury shopping mall.
The other camp, believes Capri is a gem, with so much to see and explore. They’ll tell you the island reveals a special atmosphere in the evenings, once the crowds have disappeared.
Does this conflicting advice leave you feeling confused? Are you still unsure whether spending a couple of days in Capri is a good idea? Let me break it down for you, because the answer is actually quite simple.
Why Do Some People Consider Capri a Crowded Tourist Trap?
This opinion usually comes from people who have only visited Capri on a rushed day trip. Most arrive in the morning on ferries packed with hundreds of other tourists.
The crowds disembarking from the ferries often follow an almost identical itinerary.
Many take a boat trip around capri, to see the blue grotto. Others take the funicular, which often results in long queues.
And there thighs schedule only leaves them room to visit the central parts of the island. Like having a café directly at the harbour. Since Marina Grande’s bars and restaurants mainly cater to tourists, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a “tourist trap.” Than waiting in line to ride the funicular up to the Piazzetta. And walk around Via Camerelle.
The Piazzetta is the heart of Capri, nearly every day tripper passes through at some point. It usually gets very packed in the early afternoons. One of the nearest way most people venture onto is Via Camerelle, the famous road full of luxury boutiques. That’s the perfect recipe for feeling like you’re in an open-air luxury shopping mall, trapped with other tourists.
If you visit Capri this way, especially during peak season, it will sure feel crowded.
So that’s why most day trippers have a similar, often not-so-great experience. With only 3–4 hours on the island, there’s little room to wander out of the beaten track. You barely get a chance to step away from the main square.
To be honest, not every day tripper has a bad experience. Many express regret that they didn’t stay at least overnight.
People who have stayed on the island for at least one night usually enjoy the Island more. They’ve experienced firsthand the dramatic change in Capri between daytime and evening.
As the day-trippers leave, the Piazzetta transforms into a mediterranean square filled with chic travellers and locals. It’s also the perfect spot for people-watching. Many famous visitors from their yachts come ashore only for dinner. But Capri is so much more than just one square.
Is Staying One Night Worth It?
Even staying one night in Capri is worth it. Not only will you see the quieter side of the island, but you’ll also have time to visit more places. And most importantly get out from the tourist hotspots.
If you want to see the highlights, plan at least 3–4 days. Then you can take a boat trip around the island with snorkelling. Visit Villa Lysis and Villa Jovis in Capri. See Villa San Michele in Anacapri, and take the chairlift up to Mount Solaro.
And you’ll have time to try some of the great hikes and walks the island has to offer.
How to Avoid the Crowds if You Stay Overnight in Capri
- Visit the quieter parts of the island during the day.
- Like Villa Lysis and Villa Jovis. Villa Jovis is a pleasant 30-minute walk from the Piazzetta. But getting there and back from the harbour takes a few hours. So most day trippers skip it.
- If you want to visit Villa Jovis on a day trip, it’s possible. But you likely won’t have time for other highlights like the chairlift to Mount Solaro.
- Staying at least one night lets you see how the island transforms after 4 PM. When the crowds leave the island changes.
- A 3–4 day stay is ideal for seeing Capri’s most stunning spots. And enjoying a beach club, taking a boat trip around the island, and visit the stunning panoramic points without feeling rushed.
Where to Go During the Day to Avoid the Crowds
- Spend time in Anacapri. The chairlift to Mount Solaro is popular, but the town itself is quieter than Capri town. Wander the small alleyways, try local restaurants, and visit the museums. Or visit the Faro di Punta Carena, the Lighthouse. Here you will find one of Capri’s nicest beach clubs.
- Choose a great hotel with a pool where you can relax during peak crowded hours.
Nightlife in Capri
- Staying overnight means you won’t have to rush for the last ferry and can enjoy dinner in Capri. The island has many great restaurants.
- In the evening, the Piazzetta is the perfect spot for a drink and people-watching.
- Capri also has clubs, so staying overnight lets you experience the island’s nightlife.
Where to Stay in Capri?
If you stay longer in Capri, you can split your time between Capri and Anacapri. Check out my post on the best areas to stay in Capri!
How to Easily Add Capri to Your Amalfi Coast Itinerary
It’s easy to fit Capri into your itinerary. If you’re flying into Naples International Airport to visit the Amalfi Coast, adding a couple of nights in Capri is simple.
You can stay a few days in Naples or head straight to the harbor to catch a ferry to Capri.
After your time on the island, there’s no need to return to Naples. You can take a direct ferry to Sorrento or, in season, even to the Amalfi Coast. Capri is well connected to Positano and Amalfi, with direct ferries available. There are also routes to Salerno and even other islands in the Gulf of Naples, like Ischia.
What to do in Capri?
Example of a 3-Day Capri Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Capri town, spend the evening at La Piazzetta, and watch the sunset from the Gardens of Augustus.
Day 2: Take a boat trip in the morning, then visit Anacapri in the afternoon. Ride the chairlift up to Mount Solaro and visit Villa San Michele.
Day 3: Hike to Parco Astarita and Villa Jovis, then take the forest path to Villa Lysis. Relax at a beach club in Marina Piccola and enjoy the sunset at Punta Tragara.
Day 4 (Optional): Visit the Blue Grotto from Anacapri instead of sacrificing your boat-trip time. Explore the lighthouse at Punta Carena and relax with a swim at a nearby beach club.
Additional researches to plan your stay in Capri
We love Capri and have traveled there multiple times. On our last visit, we stayed for an entire week. And honestly, we could have stayed even longer if we didn’t have to leave for Sorrento to meet friends!
I hope you’ll enjoy your stay on the island if you decide to stay overnight. It’s truly a magical island that reveals so much more when you stay longer than just a day trip.
Review of my favourite Hotels in Capri
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