Is Capri Worth Visiting?
The articles I write may include affiliate links for which I receive a small commission for any bookings made at no additional cost to you
Long answer short, Capri is absolutely worth visiting... but with a caveat!
This small resort island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise grottos, beach clubs, and celebrity sightings.
It's incredibly popular as a summer holiday location and can easily get overcrowded, which makes it (sometimes) feel like an expensive and unpleasant tourist trap.
So, my suggestion is to only visit Capri during the shoulder season or if you have a few days to explore at a slower pace!
I spent three days on the island in November and am really glad that I went. It gave me the chance to slow down and experience la dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) for myself.
However, most people only visit Capri as a day trip from Naples, Sorrento, or Amalfi and while that makes sense logistically, it's definitely not enough!
To help you figure out if Capri deserves a spot on your Italy itinerary, here are the top four reasons to visit and four reasons to skip it depending on your agenda and travel style!
Tips For Planning Your Capri Trip:
Use Omio to check train schedules and to book ferry tickets. Definitely make sure to do this if you’re visiting during high season!
I used Booking.com for accommodations in Capri. Sort by “guesthouse” or “bed and breakfast” for reasonable stays owned by locals.
A lot of restaurants are only open between April and October so if you’re a huge foodie, just make sure to do a little extra research beforehand or reach out directly to the establishment!
Bring cash. You can pay for most things with card, but cash is essential for small purchases, tips, and safety!
Get an eSIM and install it before you leave your country. As a solo traveler, internet connectivity ensures that I’m safe and my community can always reach me. Airalo is my favorite for shorter trips!
Don’t forget about travel insurance! Capri is a tiny island with limited healthcare facilities so chances are, if it’s a serious injury, you’ll probably have to take the boat over to Naples or Sorrento. Make sure that you’re covered just in case anything happens!
4 Reasons To Visit Capri:
1. It Gives You An Opportunity To Slow Down And Actually Enjoy
Travel in Italy can sometimes feel rushed and stressful. There's just so much to do, so much to see, and so much to navigate... which makes Capri is a deliciously slow alternative.
Capri is an invitation to pause and actually get present in your experience. This small island has resort culture built in so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy all the beautiful things that make life and travel worth experiencing.
2. Nature: Cliffs, Hikes, & Beaches!
Okay, so the beaches in Capri aren't actually all that (especially compared to the ones in Thailand 😆).
But regardless, one of my favorite parts about Capri is the nature: dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden hiking trails, and secret (pebbled) beaches for swimming!
A few days on the island gives you plenty of time to explore all the most popular attractions like the Blue Grotto or Monte Solaro but also time to wander off the beaten path and find some lesser-known hidden gems.
Under the right weather conditions, Capri truly does look like the postcards. So if you're a nature lover and love picturesque destinations, add this island to your list!
3. Convenient and Easy To Navigate (Ideal For New Travelers)
If you’re nervous about traveling solo abroad for the first time or are less experienced as a traveler, Capri is the perfect place to visit.
The island itself is pretty small so you can’t really get lost and there’s plenty of tourism infrastructure in place so logistically, it’s pretty easy to navigate.
Additionally, it’s relatively safe compared to bigger cities like Rome, Milan, or Naples.
The first stop on my solo trip through Italy was Naples and while I loved it as a gritty, down-to-earth city, being on edge and needing to be alert about pickpockets all the time was definitely stressful.
Sure, there are probably some scammers and bad people in Capri too, but it's much safer and you can truly relax for a few days.
4. You Can Make A Positive Impact With Your Tourism Dollars
Capri has a long history as a resort island and so a lot of their economy is very dependent on the tourism industry.
Of course this brings up the topic of overtourism (and how we can mitigate that with responsible tourism), but that’s a conversation for another time.
My recommendation is to plan your visit during the shoulder season (Mar-mid April; Sept - Nov).
You can still visit during the off-season, but most places are going to be closed and unless you're looking for a quiet, cold, island refuge all for yourself, there’s really not much to do.
Another way to ensure that your money is going to the right, people and places is conscious consumerism.
Try to book accommodations and tours with locals and whenever you buy souvenirs or trinkets, do your best to support small businesses over huge chains.
4 Reasons To Skip Capri
1. Overtourism: You Hate Crowds & Long Lines
Unfortunately, the nature of Capri is that it gets overcrowded during the summer months.
Not only is it a popular holiday destination for Italians, but for international visitors as well.
My recommendation is to see if you can shift your trip for June or September to get the best of the weather, but also avoid the worst of the crowds.
Otherwise, you can expect to spend a lot of time waiting in lines and squeezing past other tourists for photos of the main attractions.
Tips For Visiting Capri During High Season:
Book your accommodations ahead of time. I would stay in Anacapri as it’s cheaper, quieter, and has a more local feel.
Plan to visit popular attractions like the Blue Grotto or Monte Solaro early in the morning or in the afternoon/evening. A lot of visitors day-trip in from the mainland and that’s partially why it gets so crowded.
Spend some time exploring the local neighborhoods. Capri is pretty walkable (although it’s extremely hilly and you definitely have to watch out for reckless drivers speeding on mountain roads) and I would suggest grabbing your food and souvenirs away from the main plaza.
2. Expensive During The Summer Months
Accommodations basically double in price during the summer months so if you are traveling on a budget or want to be mindful with how you’re spending your money, then it’s probably best to visit at another time or skip Capri for a less touristic destination.
I stayed at Monte Solaro Bed and Breakfast in November during the off-season and it was in the $100s range per night. But during the high season, a luxury hotel in the center of Capri can easily go for three, four, or even five times that.
The one silver lining is that restaurant, tour, and shop prices generally stay the same so you can at least budget accordingly!
3. You’re Short On Time
Another reason you might want to skip Capri is that you’re short on time.
Capri is geographically and culturally pretty similar to a lot of the towns around the Amalfi Coast so if you’re already spending time in that region and have limited PTO, then it’s probably not worth spending time on the island.
Instead, I would allocated that extra day or two to further immersing in your travels, and diving deep into some local haunts or hidden gems.
4. You’re A City Girl
Now don’t get me wrong, I grew up in New York City so I am for sure a city girl through and through, but secretly, small islands have my heart.
Vibe-wise, Capri very much falls under the island category. So if you prefer museums, city life, sophisticated nightlife, and a faster pace of travel, then Capri might bore you.
In that case, I would recommend spending that time in a larger city like Rome which has an infinite amount to explore.
Capri is a beautiful island that's definitely worth visiting but is best experienced during shoulder season or at a slower pace. You get to enjoy all that the island has to offer without the stress of fighting other tourists for the best views and photo spots.
So, if you’re ready to begin planning your Capri adventure, here’s a full list of what to do on the island. For a specific schedule, I’ve mapped out a 3 Day Slow Travel Itinerary for first time visitors!
More On Travel In Italy:
