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 breaking the bank: an organized excursion from Rome.

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

If you’d like to discover Capri at your own pace without rushing, 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 with complete freedom.

As soon as you set foot on Capri, you’ll be greeted by its famous Piazzetta: a lively gathering spot filled with terraces, shops, cafés, and a very authentic atmosphere. From there, you can visit the Clock Tower, the ancient Cathedral of Santo Stefano, or simply wander through the streets with views of the sea.

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

During the day, you’ll also have time to explore places like Villa Jovis, an ancient residence of Emperor Tiberius perched atop the mountain, or the Gardens of Augustus, where flowers, cliffs, and the sea combine to offer spectacular views.

Details of interest

• Price: from $202
• 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 your day without worrying about the logistics. You’ll start the trip early with a high-speed train ride, and once you reach the coast, you’ll board a boat to tour the waters around Capri with an expert guide and captain.

During the cruise, you’ll see sights such as Villa Malaparte, the Arch of Love at the Faralloni, and the White Grotto. Upon arriving on the island, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace: 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.

Details of interest

• Price: starting at $281
• 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’re looking for a more exclusive experience, this private tour to Capri is just what you need. It includes pickup from your accommodation in Rome, a private guide for the entire day, and total flexibility to design your itinerary according to your preferences.

You’ll be able to discover places like 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. Plus, if you’d like, you can take a boat ride 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 $1,212
• Duration: full day (flexible schedule)
• Recommended if... you want a personalized 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 best churches or the Sistine Chapel, you can take advantage of your stay to escape to the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

An ideal way to experience Capri is with a tour that also takes you to Pompeii and Sorrento—two places that, if not on this trip, you should definitely make a note to visit another time. With this 3-day tour of Capri, Pompeii, and Sorrento, you’ll have plenty of time to first explore Naples, just an hour and a half away by bus. Then you’ll 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 next day. There you’ll explore the incredible Blue Grotto. Keep 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 traveling during these dates, do not sign up for this tour.

This tour takes you to visit these three Mediterranean gems and includes two nights’ accommodation, plus two breakfasts, two dinners, all transfers (including ferry tickets to Capri), guides, and admission to the monuments.

Details of interest

• Price: starting at $964
• Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
• Recommended if... you want to explore Capri along with other gems like Pompeii and Sorrento on a multi-day organized getaway

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

Here, life moves at a leisurely pace, between dips in the Mediterranean and long dinners featuring the finest ingredients from southern Italy.

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

• Faraglioni, the most iconic rocks of the Blue Island. They are nicknamed Saetta, Stella, and Scopolo, respectively, though there is a fourth that often goes unnoticed: the Monacone rock. In the past, monk seals lived here
• Piazzetta, the heart of Capri and the epicenter of social life. Officially it’s called Piazza Umberto I, but nobody calls it that. You’ll recognize 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’s just a few minutes from the Piazzetta; you just have to climb some stairs
• Grotta Azzurra, Capri’s most famous attraction. It is a cave 25 meters wide and 60 meters long with a very small entrance. To enter, you have to lie down at the bottom of the boat. Admission costs around €15
• Villa San Michele, the home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe, who moved to the island in 1885. It stands on the ruins of a Roman villa and features 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 at the Gardens of Augustus (tickets cost about €1)
• Anacapri, a small town at the top of the island. It is the most authentic part and is worth visiting to stroll through the Parco Filosofico and visit the churches of Santa Sofia and San Michele

Yes, although you need to plan 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 round-trip transportation, a visit to the Blue Grotto, and an expert guide. These tours typically depart very early—no later than 7:00 a.m.—and return to the Eternal City around 10:00 p.m. The total price is lower than what you’d pay if you organized the trip on your own.

If you prefer a shorter route, you can choose a day trip to Frascati from Rome. It is located about 10 kilometers from the capital and is a classic destination for a day trip. It is known for its stately villas and restaurants serving traditional 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, fresh fish and seafood overlooking the Gulf of Naples. It’s located in Marina Grande, just a short walk from the tourist port (Piazzetta Ferraro 2/3)
• Da Paolino, if you’d like to dine under a lemon tree pergola. One of its most famous appetizers 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 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 eggplant parmigiana, octopus salad, meatballs in white wine, sandwiches, and much more (Via Parroco Canale 12)
• Fontelina, the beach club with a view of the cliffs. In addition to its seafood 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 tour, you’ll have time to experience Capri’s nightlife. The list below features the island’s best cocktail bars:

• La Capannina, a famous restaurant that has expanded its offerings to include a wine bar. Among its specialties, the basil Moscow Mule is worth mentioning (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 blender. The resulting elixir is served in a chilled flute (Piazza Umberto I)
• Capri Rooftop Lounge Bar, cocktails 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 spot is Taverna Anema e Core, the temple of live music. Celebrities such as Giorgio Armani, Michael Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Lopez, among others, have visited here.

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

• VV Club, to dance 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’s located in the town of Anacapri (Faro di Punta Carena)

If it rains, you can take advantage of the bad weather to enjoy a good meal and linger over dessert.

Alternatively, you can visit the island’s houses/museums — Villa San Michele and Casa Rossa—and the **Capricorno Gallery, a contemporary art gallery.