Here’s another recap from our time in Italy — this one covers a day trip to the island of Capri. We were fortunate to pick the best weather day of the trip: clear blue skies and temperatures in the low 60s, which made exploring especially enjoyable.
Capri sits just off Naples and the Amalfi Coast and is home to roughly 12,000 residents. It’s a top destination for both international visitors and Italians, and can become very crowded during the summer months.
We walked down to Sorrento’s marina around 9:30 a.m. and caught a jet ferry to Capri — the crossing was only about 25 minutes. The ferry itself was very large with a small rear deck where a few passengers could stand and enjoy the sea view. Despite the calm conditions, several people felt seasick, likely from sitting inside, which was an unfortunate part of the trip.
On arrival we took the funicular up to Capri’s main square — a short but pleasant ride that drops you right into the heart of the town.
A view from the top was simply breathtaking…
We had skipped breakfast, so we stopped at a café in the square for cappuccino and a light bite. It was the priciest cappuccino of our trip — Capri’s central spots come with a premium — but the view and atmosphere made it worthwhile.
We also tried our first sfogliatella of the trip. These shell-shaped pastries are made from many thin layers of dough and are traditionally filled with a ricotta-based cream and candied orange peel. They were delightfully crunchy and very tasty.
After breakfast we planned to visit Villa Jovis, the former residence of Emperor Tiberius, but it was temporarily closed for excavation. Instead we made our way to the Natural Arch, and for a while it felt like we had the spot to ourselves — peaceful and scenic.
We descended a long flight of stairs (Connor stopped counting after 500) and discovered the Grotta di Matermania, an intriguing cave temple, then followed a coastal path that offered dramatic sea views. At one point I wondered how people living in some of the cliffside houses manage everyday tasks like grocery deliveries — the access looks impractical but charming.
Back in Capri town center we caught a bus to Anacapri on the western side of the island. The 15-minute ride climbed steep, narrow roads — far steeper than the Amalfi drive — and I was grateful the bus was crowded since it kept me from staring straight down the cliffs.
We wandered Anacapri for a bit before stopping for a late lunch around 2 p.m. Connor had pizza while I chose a local pasta with zucchini, basil, and Parmesan — a classic coastal combination that was delicious.
We returned to Capri Town to visit the Gardens of Augustus, famous for panoramic views over the Faraglioni rocks and the surrounding coastline. The gardens provided picture-perfect vantage points, though honestly excellent views were widespread across the island.
We had hoped to walk down Via Krupp, a winding path built in 1900 by German industrialist Friedrich Krupp, but it was closed. That didn’t dampen the day though — we spent the afternoon wandering narrow lanes, getting a little lost, and discovering unexpected viewpoints. One random path led to an even more dramatic overlook than the ones we’d already found.
We returned to the harbor to catch the 5:15 p.m. ferry back to Sorrento. Boarding was a bit chaotic: our boat was delayed and there were no clear instructions about where to wait, so we spent about 45 minutes trying to find the right dock. Eventually we boarded a smaller ferry with an open top deck and enjoyed the sea air and the last views of Capri as we crossed back to the mainland.
Visiting Capri was one of the highlights of the trip. Back in Sorrento that evening we enjoyed a casual pizza dinner and then stopped at Primavera Gelateria for gelato. The shop had a quirky atmosphere — candy decorations and photos plastered on the walls — but the gelato was outstanding, especially a Ferrero Rocher–inspired chocolate full of crunchy pieces.
After a satisfying meal and dessert, we slept well and the next morning continued on to our next destination: Positano. It was a busy, beautiful day that left us with vivid memories of Capri’s cliffs, gardens, and winding streets. Wishing everyone a great weekend!