4 Best Day Trips to Capri from Rome

The cliffs, the coves, the Piazzetta with its bars... Capri is synonymous with jet-setting, worldly life and a breathtaking blue sea. However, there is a way to enjoy its worldly life without spending too much: an organised excursion from Rome.

From the Eternal City you can opt for two options: a whirlwind tour or a tour of the Amalfi Coast. Before or after this trip, you can spend some time on the many things to see and do in Rome

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

As soon as you set foot on Capri, you'll be greeted by its famous Piazzetta: a lively meeting point with terraces, shops, cafés and a very authentic atmosphere. From there, you can take in the Clock Tower, the ancient cathedral of Santo Stefano or simply lose yourself in the streets overlooking the sea.

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

During the day you will also have time to discover places like the Villa Jovis, an ancient residence of Emperor Tiberius on top of the hill, or the Gardens of Augustus, where flowers, cliffs and the sea combine to give you spectacular views.

Interesting details

• Price: from £139
• Duration: approximately 15 hours
• Recommended if... you are looking for a day trip from Rome to explore Capri at your own pace

This combination tour from Rome is ideal if you want to make the most of the day without worrying about organisation. You will start the trip early in the morning with a high-speed train ride and, once on the coast, you will board a boat to explore the surroundings of Capri with an expert guide and skipper.

During the trip you will see places such as the Villa Malaparte, the Arch of Love of the Faraglioni and the White Grotto. Upon arrival on the island, you will 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 complete way to get to know Capri in just one day.

Interesting details

• Price: from £205
• Duration: approximately 13 hours
• Recommended if... you are 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 pick-up from your accommodation in Rome, a private guide for the whole day and total flexibility for you to design your itinerary according to your tastes.

You can discover places like Anacapri, visit the Gardens of Augustus, go up Monte Solaro by cable car or relax in one of the crystal clear coves. Also, if you wish, you can take 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 crowds and in total comfort.

Details of interest

• Price: from £775.
• Duration: full day (flexible timetable)
• 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 much of the capital, such as its best churches and the Sistine Chapel, you can take advantage of your stay to escape to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

An ideal way to get to know Capri is with an excursion that also takes you to Pompeii and Sorrento, two places that, if not on this trip, you'll have to make a note to visit another time. This 3-day tour of Capri, Pompeii and Sorrento will give you enough time to discover Naples, a 1.5 hour bus ride away. Then you will be amazed by the archaeological city preserved in Pompeii and from there you will go to the beautiful Sorrento, where you will spend the night.

Capri awaits you the next day. There you will visit the incredible Blue Grotto. Please note that this part of the tour does not run from November to March, but you will enjoy other activities in Sorrento instead. So, if you want to visit Capri and you go during these dates, don't sign up for this excursion.

On this excursion that takes you to visit these three jewels of the Mediterranean, you will have included accommodation for two nights, plus two breakfasts, two dinners, all transfers (including ferry tickets to Capri), guides and entrance fees to the monuments.

Details of interest

• Price: from £700
• Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
• Recommended if... you want to visit Capri along with other gems such as Pompeii and Sorrento in an organised multi-day getaway.

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

Here life goes by slowly, between a dip in the Mediterranean and long dinners with the best products of southern Italy.

Before you arrive, I'll give you an overview of the main attractions of Capri:

• Faraglioni, the most emblematic rocks of the Blue Island. They are respectively nicknamed Saetta, Stella and Scopolo, although there is a fourth one 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 worldly life. Officially it's called Piazza Umberto I, but nobody calls it that. You will recognise it by the iconic Clock Tower.
• Church of Santo Stefano, the former cathedral. It was built in baroque style by the architect Martial Aniello Desiderio. It is just a few minutes walk from the Piazzetta, you just have to climb a few 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 enter you have to lie on the bottom of the boat. The entrance costs about 15 €.
• Villa San Michele, the house of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, who moved to the island in 1885. It stands on the remains 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 of Queen Joan I of Anjou. Today it houses the Classical Lyceum of Capri and the Diefenbach Museum dedicated to the German painter of the same name.
• Via Krupp, a panoramic path overlooking the Faraglioni. To break up the walk, I recommend a stop at the Gardens of Augustus (the ticket costs about €1).
• Anacapri, a small town at the top of the island. It is the most authentic part and is worth a visit for a stroll in the Parco Filosofico and a visit to the churches of Santa Sofia and San Michele.

Yes, although it needs to be organised down to the smallest detail. You have to travel to Naples and catch 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 fare won't be cheap.

For these reasons, I recommend a guided tour, as it includes transport to and from the island, a visit to the Blue Grotto and an expert guide. These tours usually leave very early - no later than 7:00 - and return to the Eternal City around 22:00. The total price is lower than what you would pay when organising the trip on your own.

In case you prefer a shorter route, you can choose an excursion to Frascati from Rome. Located about 10 kilometres from the capital, Frascati is a typical day trip destination. It is known for its stately villas and typical restaurants.

Most excursions include free time to explore the island on your own: it's the ideal opportunity to sample the local cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants on Capri:

• Lo Zodiaco, fresh fish and seafood facing the Gulf of Naples. It is located in the Marina Grande, a short distance from the tourist harbour (Piazzetta Ferraro 2/3).
• Da Paolino, if you feel like eating under a pergola of lemon trees. One of their most famous antipasti is the bomba, a fried pastry with a mozzarella and ham filling (Via Palazzo a Mare 11).
• La Capannina, the restaurant of the jet set. Its menu offers the classics of island cuisine: scialatielli ai frutti di mare, linguine al sugo di scorfano, ravioli alla caprese and much more (Via Le Botteghe 12/14).
• Capri Pasta, a tasty and inexpensive take away. Its menu includes aubergine parmigiana, octopus salad, meatballs in white wine, sandwiches and much more (Via Parroco Canale 12).
• Fontelina, the beach club overlooking the Faraglioni. In addition to fish dishes, it is famous for its delicious sangria. It is about 30 minutes walk from the central Piazzetta, but can be reached quickly by boat.

If you choose the second excursion, you will have time to experience Capri's nightlife. The list below lists the best cocktail bars on the island:

• La Capannina, a famous restaurant that has complemented its entertainment offer with a wine bar. Among its specialities, it is worth mentioning the basil Moscow Mule (Vico San Tommaso).
• Gran Caffè Vuotto, a Capri classic. Sit at their tables and order a Limoncello Spritz, a mixture 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 mixed in a blender. The elixir obtained is served in a frozen flûte (Piazza Umberto I).
• Capri Rooftop Lounge Bar, drinks overlooking the Faraglioni. Its most original creation is the Spritz n. 5, made with prosecco, bergamot liqueur, pink grapefruit and peach bitter (Viale Matteotti 7).

Of course there are! It may not be Ibiza, but Capri also has a lively nightlife. The most emblematic establishment is the Taverna Anema e Core, the temple of live music. Celebrities such as Giorgio Armani, Michael Jordan, Leonardo Di Caprio and Jennifer Lopez, among others, have passed through here.

It is located at Via Sella Orta 1, a two-minute walk from the famous Piazzetta. However, it is not the only destination worth visiting. In the list below I list 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 music at sunset. It is located in the town of Anacapri (Faro di Punta Carena).

In case of rain, you can take advantage of the bad weather to have a good meal and enjoy the after-dinner conversation.

Alternatively, you can visit the island's houses/museums - Villa San Michele and Casa Rossa - and the **Capricorno Gallery.