Things to Do in Capri: Blue Grotto, Anacapri and a One-Day Plan (2026)

The best things to do in Capri fit into a small island. They include a boat trip, the Blue Grotto, Capri town and the quieter lanes of Anacapri. Most visitors come for one day, so the real question is what to see first. This guide gives you a plan, the rules for the Blue Grotto and the tours worth booking.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Things to do in Capri at a glance

How to get to Capri and around the island

Capri has no airport, so everyone arrives by sea at Marina Grande. Fast hydrofoils take about 40 to 50 minutes from Naples and about 20 minutes from Sorrento, according to the official Capri tourism site (checked September 2026). Regular ferries are slower but carry more people.

On the island, the funicular links Marina Grande with Capri town in a few minutes. In addition, small public buses connect Capri town, Anacapri, Marina Piccola and the Blue Grotto. The open-top taxis are convenient, but they cost more. Above all, wear good shoes. Many lanes are for pedestrians only, and the getting around page of the same site calls walking the best way to explore.

The Blue Grotto: rules, hours and seasons

The Blue Grotto, or Grotta Azzurra, is the most famous of the island’s sea caves. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening, so the water glows an intense blue. However, the entrance above the water is tiny. As a result, visitors switch to a small rowboat and lie down flat. Then the boatman pulls the boat inside along a chain.

• Access: by boat from Marina Grande, or by land from Anacapri. Then you board a rowboat at the entrance; each one carries up to four people.
• Hours by season: the official Blue Grotto page (checked September 2026) lists 9 am to 6 pm from June to September, 9 am to 4 pm in April, May and October, and 9 am to 2 pm from November to March.
• Closures: the cave closes in rough seas or strong wind. It also closes on December 25 and January 1.
• Swimming: not allowed inside during visiting hours.
• Costs: the entrance fee and the rowboat are paid at the grotto, on top of any boat tour.

In practice, plan the Blue Grotto as a bonus, not the only reason for your trip. For example, in fall and winter the shorter hours and choppier seas close it more often. Also, the visit inside lasts only a few minutes, and in summer the queue of boats outside can be long. Go early in the morning for the shortest wait.

A boat trip around Capri

A boat trip is among the top things to do in Capri. After all, the coast is the real highlight. A classic tour circles the island in about two hours. Along the way, you pass the Faraglioni, three rock stacks, and the White and Green Grottoes. Then most tours stop at the Blue Grotto when the sea allows.

To book one in advance, see the Capri boat tour with the Blue Grotto. If you stay on the Amalfi Coast, by contrast, compare the Amalfi Coast boat tour as well. For more options across the country, read our guide to the best boat tours in Italy.

Capri town, the Piazzetta and the Gardens of Augustus

Capri town sits on the saddle of the island, above the harbor. Its heart is the Piazzetta, a small square lined with café tables. From there, narrow lanes lead to the Gardens of Augustus. These terraced gardens look down on the Faraglioni and Marina Piccola.

From the gardens, you also see the Via Krupp, a zigzag path cut into the cliff. However, the path has had long closures because of falling rocks. So check its status locally before you plan to walk it. Meanwhile, for a quieter walk, head east to Villa Jovis, the ruined villa of Emperor Tiberius. The route climbs steadily, so allow time and carry water.

Anacapri, Villa San Michele and Monte Solaro

Anacapri, the island’s second town, feels calmer than Capri town. First, visit Villa San Michele, the home of the Swedish writer Axel Munthe. Its garden looks over the Bay of Naples. Then take the single-seat chairlift up to Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island at 589 meters. On a clear day, the view reaches the Faraglioni and the Amalfi Coast.

In addition, Anacapri is the land gateway to the Blue Grotto. The official Blue Grotto page gives about 15 minutes by bus. Finally, the church of San Michele has a painted majolica floor showing the Garden of Eden.

One day in Capri: a sample plan

1. Morning: take an early boat, then join a boat trip around the island with a Blue Grotto stop.
2. Late morning: ride the funicular to Capri town and see the Piazzetta.
3. Lunch: eat in Capri town or on the way to the Gardens of Augustus.
4. Afternoon: take the bus to Anacapri for Villa San Michele and Monte Solaro.
5. Evening: return to Marina Grande in good time for the last boat back.

If you prefer a guided day with transport included, consider the Pompeii and Capri day trip from Naples. Otherwise, see our day trips from Naples. For a mainland base, read about things to do in Sorrento.

When to visit Capri

May, June and September offer warm seas and the longest Blue Grotto hours. In contrast, July and August bring the biggest crowds, especially at midday. October is still pleasant, but the grotto closes earlier in the afternoon. Meanwhile, from November to March, many hotels and restaurants close and rough seas cancel more boats. Whatever the season, the list of things to do in Capri changes little. For the wider region, read our Amalfi Coast travel guide and our guide to Naples.

For getting to the island, our guide to Amalfi Coast ferries covers the routes from Naples, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, with luggage rules.

Not sure how to see the island? Our guide to Capri tours compares boat tours, the Blue Grotto and day trips from Naples, Sorrento or Positano.

Staying overnight in Capri? Compare places to stay below, and see our Amalfi Coast itinerary to plan the rest of the trip.

Affiliate links: if you book through them, Italy2Love earns a commission at no extra cost to you.

Celebrating something special? These Italy honeymoon ideas focus on private experiences for couples.

Staying over? Our guide to where to stay in Naples and on the Amalfi Coast matches each area to the kind of trip you want.

Where to stay: for a base nearby, see our independent hotel profile of Villa Patrizi, with location, parking and access details checked in October 2026.

Things to do in Capri: frequently asked questions

Is one day enough to see Capri?

One day is enough for a boat trip, Capri town and Anacapri if you arrive early. However, an overnight stay lets you see the island after the day visitors leave.

Is the Blue Grotto always open?

No. It closes when the sea is rough or the wind is strong, and on December 25 and January 1. Opening hours are also shorter from October to May.

How do you get into the Blue Grotto?

You transfer to a small rowboat and lie down flat. Then the boatman pulls it through the low opening. You can reach the entrance by boat or by bus from Anacapri.

How do you get to Capri from Naples?

Take a hydrofoil or ferry from Naples to Marina Grande. The official tourism site gives about 40 to 50 minutes by hydrofoil.

What is the best way to get around Capri?

Use the funicular up to Capri town and the small buses between towns. For the lanes, walk.