Capri Tours: Boat Tour or Blue Grotto, and Which to Book from Naples, Sorrento or Positano (2026)

Capri tours come in two basic shapes: a boat trip around the island, often with a stop at the Blue Grotto, and a land visit to Capri town and Anacapri. The right one depends mostly on where you start. This guide sorts the options by starting point and season.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Capri tours at a glance

Boat tour or Blue Grotto: two different trips

In fact, these are separate experiences, and one depends heavily on the weather.

The boat tour around the island

A boat tour circles Capri by sea. As a result, you see what the roads never show: the Faraglioni rock stacks, the sheer southern cliffs, sea caves such as the Grotta Bianca and the Grotta Verde, and the lighthouse at Punta Carena. In addition, most small-group tours stop for a swim in summer. For our comparison of trips across the country, see the best boat tours in Italy.

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)

By contrast, the Blue Grotto is a sea cave on the northwest coast, near Anacapri. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening, so the water glows a bright blue. However, the entrance above the waterline is tiny. According to the Italian Ministry of Culture (checked September 2026), you can only enter on small rowboats, and that boat ride has its own ticket, separate from the cave admission. Also, the same page states that the site stays closed in adverse sea conditions and that entry is capped.

The official ticket seller, CoopCulture, lists the admission ticket at about €6 (checked September 2026), with free online booking of a time slot. In addition, it describes three ways to arrive: by boat from the port, on foot via a descent to the sea in Anacapri, or on a private boat. Above all, the rules are strict: no swimming inside, and no leaning out of the rowboat.

Therefore, think of the Blue Grotto as three charges, not one: the boat that brings you from the port, the rowboat that takes you inside and the admission ticket. The regional tourism agency’s fare sheet lists them separately. Its last update is August 2025, so treat its figures as outdated and check the prices on the day.

Which Capri tour from where: the decision table

Your base decides more than anything else.

From Naples

First, Naples has the most ferry departures, and many guided day trips leave from the city. For example, a Pompeii and Capri day trip from Naples combines the two in one day. If Pompeii matters to you, read our guide to Pompeii tickets and consider a separate day. For other options in the city, see our Naples tours.

From Sorrento

Sorrento, by contrast, is the easiest base. According to NLG, the Sorrento to Capri line runs all year, with the most sailings from April to November. So a Sorrento stay lets you wait for a calm day. Our guide to things to do in Sorrento covers the rest of your time there.

From Positano and Amalfi

However, direct ferries from the Amalfi Coast are seasonal. The NLG Positano to Capri page lists the 2026 season from April 1 to November 3 (checked September 2026). As a result, boat tours are the practical choice here, and an Amalfi Coast boat tour is the alternative when Capri sailings stop. Compare every route and operator in our guide to Amalfi Coast ferries.

From Rome

A same-day round trip from Rome leaves little time on the island. Instead, take the train south and sleep in Naples or Sorrento. Our Rome to Naples train guide explains the connection. If you only have one day for the south, an Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome is more realistic than Capri.

Capri’s landing fee

In addition, every visitor arriving by sea pays a landing contribution on top of the ferry fare, usually collected with the ticket. The NLG route page lists it at €5 from April to October and €2.50 from November to March (checked September 2026). So a boat tour quote may or may not include it. Ask before you book.

Getting around once you land

First, ferries arrive at Marina Grande, below Capri town. From there, the funicular climbs to the town center and the famous Piazzetta. The regional fare sheet names SIPPIC as the operator. Meanwhile, small public buses link Capri town, Anacapri and Marina Grande.

Then, in Anacapri, the chairlift rises to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island at 589 meters. Hours and fares change by season, so check them at the station. It is also the main reason to spend more than a few hours on the island.

Day trip or overnight on Capri?

A day trip covers the highlights if you pick one focus: the sea or the towns. By contrast, trying to do the boat tour, the Blue Grotto, Anacapri and the Piazzetta in one day usually means queues and rushing.

• Choose a day trip if you have one free day in Naples or Sorrento and the forecast looks calm.
• Choose one night if you want Monte Solaro, Villa San Michele in Anacapri and the town after the last ferries leave.
• Choose two nights if the Blue Grotto is a must, since a spare day covers a rough-sea closure.

An overnight stay also adds a practical cost: NLG charges luggage per piece on its Capri routes. Travel light if you can.

When to take Capri tours and avoid the crowds

Overall, the main season runs from spring to early fall. In addition, summer brings the largest crowds, when day-trippers fill the funicular and the Piazzetta from late morning. As a result, fall is a good compromise. Our guide to Italy in fall covers the wider picture. From November, however, direct Amalfi Coast sailings stop and some island hotels close.

1. Start early. The first boats of the day beat the tour groups to the Blue Grotto and the funicular.
2. Go against the flow. Head to Anacapri in the morning, when most visitors stay in Capri town.
3. Check the sea, not just the sky. A sunny day with wind can still close the Blue Grotto.
4. Keep your return flexible. Ferries can change or cancel in bad sea conditions, so avoid tight connections.

What Capri tours do not cover

In short, this guide is about choosing a tour. For the sights themselves, such as the Gardens of Augustus, Via Krupp, the Arco Naturale and Villa Jovis, see our guide to the Island of Capri and its major spots. For the rest of the region, including Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, start with our Amalfi Coast travel guide and the Amalfi Coast tours comparison.

Finally, a food note. Capri and Anacapri fall inside the production area of the Sorrento lemon PGI, the lemon behind much of the local limoncello. Our guide to Italian liqueurs explains how to buy a good bottle.

Book your Capri tours and nearby experiences

These experience pages on our site list prices and ratings read on Viator. Pick the one that fits your starting point:

• Capri boat tour with the Blue Grotto: the classic sea-level view of the island.
• Pompeii and Capri day trip from Naples: two icons in one day, without the logistics.
• Amalfi Coast boat tour: the alternative when Capri sailings are off.
• Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome: for travelers based in Rome.
• Sorrento cooking class: a good plan for a windy day when boats stay in port.

Capri tours: frequently asked questions

Is the Blue Grotto always open?

No. The Italian Ministry of Culture states that it closes in adverse sea conditions and that entry is capped. Entry is only by small rowboats, with a ticket separate from the admission.

Is a boat tour or a Blue Grotto visit better?

A boat tour shows the whole coastline and is less affected by the weather. The Blue Grotto is a short visit that can close without warning, so treat it as a bonus.

Can I visit Capri as a day trip from the Amalfi Coast?

Yes, in season. NLG lists direct Positano and Amalfi sailings to Capri from April 1 to November 3, 2026. Outside those dates, go via Sorrento or Naples.

How much is the Capri landing fee?

NLG lists the landing contribution at 5 euros from April to October and 2.50 euros from November to March, on top of the ferry fare.

Should I stay overnight on Capri?

Stay at least one night if you want Anacapri and Monte Solaro, and two if the Blue Grotto is a must, since a spare day covers a rough-sea closure.